Abstract: A method for filtering edible oils utilizing a backwashable filter assembly. A filter system having at least two filter assemblies may be utilized to remove bleaching clay and/or nickel catalyst from oil being processed for human consumption. The filter assemblies may be connected in a series and tandem manner to provide continuous and uninterrupted filtering of the edible oil. Each filter assembly preferably comprises multiple, substantially cylindrical filter elements having a porous filter medium which may be formed from polyaramid fibers. The filter elements are designed to withstand the elevated temperatures used in edible oil processing and for ease of cleaning during backwashing.

Abstract: A system for collecting and processing donated blood comprises a first porous medium interposed between a blood collection bag and a satellite bag and a second porous medium interposed between the blood collection bag and another satellite bag. The porous media are leucocyte depletion media. The system may also include one or more of the following: a red cell barrier medium, a separation medium, a gas inlet, and a gas outlet. The system can be used to centrifuge whole blood into one or more components, and includes a means for protecting the system during centrifugation.

Abstract: A device and method for processing a biological fluid comprises directing the biological fluid tangentially or parallel to the face of a separation medium in at least one serpentine fluid flow channel such that a plasma-rich fluid passes through the separation medium and a plasma-depleted fluid passes tangentially to the surface of the separation medium.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for processing fluid provide for contacting the fluid with iodine.

Abstract: A system for collecting and processing donated blood comprises a first porous medium interposed between a blood collection bag and a satellite bag and a second porous medium interposed between the blood collection bag and another satellite bag. The porous media are leucocyte depletion media. The system may also include one or more of the following: a red cell barrier medium, a separation medium, a gas inlet, and a gas outlet. The system can be used to centrifuge whole blood into one or more components, and includes a means for protecting the system during centrifugation.

Abstract: A method for preparing platelets comprises the steps of obtaining whole blood from human, preparing platelet rich plasma from the whole blood and then passing the platelet rich plasma through a filter comprising a porous medium having a CWST of at least about 70 dynes/cm, under conditions sufficient to remove in excess of about 99.99% of the leucocytes from the platelet rich plasma, with preparing platelet rich plasma and passing the platelet rich plasma through the filter occurring in an integrally-attached blood bag system within a few hours of obtaining whole blood from human.

Abstract: An expressor for varying the amount of fluid in a variable-volume container connected to at least one conduit includes a housing defining an enclosed chamber which can accommodate the container. The housing has at least one opening through which a conduit can extend. A pressure regulating mechanism is coupled to the housing to vary the pressure of fluid in the chamber and thereby vary the volume of the container.

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing a biological fluid and treating a separated component of the biological fluid are disclosed.

Abstract: A device for processing donated blood comprises a porous medium interposed between the collection bag and a satellite bag into which a component separated by centrifugation can be expressed, the filter element preferably having a CWST of about 70 to about 115 dynes/cm. The porous medium blocks red blood cells, but allows platelets to pass therethrough.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for processing a biological fluid including leukocytes during cardioplegia are disclosed. A method for processing a biological fluid including leukocytes comprises passing a cardioplegia fluid through a bacterial removing filter; mixing the cardioplegia fluid with the biological fluid including leukocytes to form a cardioplegia mixture; and, passing the cardioplegia mixture through a cardioplegia mixture filter assembly to produce a leukocyte-depleted cardioplegia mixture, said assembly comprising a porous medium to remove leukocytes from the cardioplegia mixture.

Abstract: Processes and systems are provided for treating parenteral emulsion-containing medicament fluids are provided.

Abstract: A high efficiency leucocyte-depletion filter for use with packed red cell concentrate derived from freshly drawn blood comprises a fibrous filter medium with a pore size of from about 0.5 to less than 3.6 .mu.m and a CWST of from 53 to about 80. The filter is preferably used in conjunction with a gel prefilter and, optionally, a microaggregate filter so as to minimize clogging. In a preferred embodiment, the voids volume is about 60% to about 85%.

Abstract: Methods and devices for treating transition zone material are disclosed. Transition zone material is processed to form a supernatant layer which includes platelets and a sediment layer which includes red blood cells, and the supernatant layer is separated from the sediment layer by passing the supernatant layer through a porous medium. Once the supernatant layer has been separated from the sediment layer, gas may be separated from the supernatant layer.

Abstract: Processes and systems for combining multiple units of a biological fluid in independent containers into a single container are disclosed.

Abstract: A device for processing donated blood comprises a porous medium interposed between the collection bag and a satellite bag into which a component separated by centrifugation can be expressed, the filter element preferably having a CWST of about 70 to about 115 dynes/cm. The porous medium blocks red blood cells, but allows platelets to pass therethrough.

Abstract: A gas plasma treated porous medium and method of using such a medium to separate or remove materials such as components of biological fluids.

Abstract: A method of preparing platelets for long term storage comprises the steps of (a) obtaining whole blood from a human, (b) preparing platelet rich plasma from the whole blood and (c) then passing the platelet rich plasma through a filter under conditions sufficient to remove substantially all leucocytes from the plasma, with steps (b) and (c) occurring in an integrally attached blood bag system within a few hours of step (a).

Abstract: Processes and systems for combining multiple units of a biological fluid in independent containers into a single container are disclosed.

Abstract: Leucocyte depletion filter assemblies and methods for removing leucocytes and other deleterious matter from a leucocyte-containing liquid are disclosed. Leucocyte depletion filter assemblies have a generally cylindrical housing having first and second chambers and an inlet into the first chamber and an outlet from the second chamber and a vent. A porous degassing element is positioned between the first and second chambers to remove gas from the liquid and the degassing element communicates with a vent covered with a liquophobic membrane which allows gas but not the liquid to flow through the vent. A hollow, cylindrical filter element is positioned in the second chamber and comprises a fibrous mass of microfibers capable of decreasing the leucocyte content of the liquid at a flow rate capacity of six liters per minute at a differential pressure of less than 15 psi.

Abstract: The invention provides processing donated blood, particularly a platelet-containing solution such as platelet-containing plasma, involving separating blood into a red cell containing sediment layer and a supernatant layer, and passing the supernatant layer through a filter until the filter is blocked, thereby leaving platelets to be harvested. The preferred filter comprises a porous medium having a plurality of zones of progressively increasing density.