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: 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 device for separating plasma from blood is provided comprising a synthetic polymeric fibrous structure having a CWST in excess of 65 dynes/cm, the structure having a first region for receiving a blood sample and a second region for accumulating plasma.

Abstract: A method is provided for 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.

Abstract: Leucocyte depletion filter assemblies decrease the leucocyte content of a biological fluid in an extracorporeal circuit. These filter assemblies are suitable for use in an extracorporeal circuit. Methods for removing leucocytes and other deleterious matter are also disclosed. The removal medium used in these assemblies and methods may be pleated structures which have been subjected to gas plasma treatment, improving the amount of leucocytes removed and increasing the amount of platelets which pass through the medium.

Abstract: A filter device and method are provided for treating parenteral nutrient fluids, particularly TNA systems containing lipids, glucose, and amino acids. The filter device comprises a housing and a microporous medium in the form of a synthetic polymeric microporous structure having a pore rating of less than 1.2 micrometers. A preferred microporous medium comprises, in series, a matrix of microfibers which has been radiation grafted to render the matrix wettable by parenteral nutrient fluids followed by a microporous membrane, also wettable by parenteral nutrient fluids, and having a finer pore rating than the microfibrous matrix.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a microporous polymeric membrane is provided which includes polymerizing a polymerizable fluorine-containing monomer in the presence of a microporous polymeric membrane substrate such that the fluorine-containing monomer forms a polymeric superstrate that is permanently chemically bonded to all surfaces of the membrane. A device is also provided for processing fluids which incorporates a microporous polymeric membrane having a CWST of less than about 28 dynes/cm and includes a microporous polymeric membrane substrate formed from a material such as a fluoropolymer and, permanently chemically bonded to all portions of the surface thereof is a superstrate, which may be a polymer or copolymer derived from a monomer(s), having an ethylenically unsaturated group and a perfluoroalkyl group.

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: 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 is provided for filtration of particulates from a fluid medium which includes passing the medium through a surface modified, skinless, hydrophilic, microporous, alcohol-insoluble polyamide membrane derived from an alcohol-insoluble hydrophobic polyamide resin having a ratio of CH.sub.2 :NHCO of methylene CH.sub.2 to amide NHCO groups within the range of from about 5:1 to about 7:1. The membrane is characterized by (1) the surface properties thereof being substantially controlled by functional polar groups of a membrane surface-modifying polymer having a molecular weight of 20,000 or greater, (2) the membrane surface-modifying polymer being homogeneously distributed in the membrane, and (3) having the capability of reacting or interacting in a controlled manner with (a) particulate matter in a fluid, (b) non-particulate matter in a fluid, or (c) both (a) and (b).

Abstract: The invention discloses a method for treating blood comprising (a) centrifuging blood and (b) passing a supernatant layer of the centrifuged blood through a porous medium until red blood cells block the porous medium.

Abstract: A porous medium having a positive surface change removes heparin from a heparin-containing liquid, without removing other proteinaceous components from the liquid. Methods and devices are disclosed.

Abstract: A filter medium is provided comprising a fibrous matrix to whose surfaces is grafted a superstrate comprising a polymer with quaternary ammonium groups and made from an ethylenically unsaturated monomer containing a quaternary ammonium or amino group, the filter medium having a positive zeta potential at pH 7 and preferably an enhanced Latex Adsorption Capacity together with low extractables and quick rinse-up.

Abstract: Microporous membranes having positive zeta potentials in alkaline pH are provided by radiation grafting diallyldimenthylammonium dimethyl ammonium chloride to the surraces of a microporous, polyamide membrane using ionizing radiation. The membranes have particular use in microelectronics manufacture where quick rinse up times with ultrapure water are required.

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 can be used to centrifuge whole blood into one or more components, and a means for protecting the system during centrifugation including a bracket carried by the centrifuge bucket for receiving the porous media.

Abstract: A porous polymeric medium having a low affinity for amide group-containing and adjuvant-containing materials is provided comprising a porous polyvinylidene difuoride substrate and a surface-modifying polymeric material having a low affinity for amide group-containing materials formed in situ at and covalently bonded to the surface of the porous polyvinylidene difluoride substrate, the surface-modifying polymeric material being formed from a monofunctional monomer having at least one hydroxyl group. Another embodiment that provides a porous polymeric medium having a low affinity for amide group-containing materials employs a supplemental monomer in combination with the monofunctional monomer having at least one hydroxyl group to form the surface-modifying polymeric material. The supplmental monomer or comonomer used is one which, when formed as a homopolymer, has a high affinity for amide group-containing materials.

Abstract: A method of producing a porous polymeric medium having low adsorbability of amide group-containing materials is provided comprising contacting a porous polymeric substrate having a high affinity for amide group-containing materials with a mixture comprising a polymer having hydroxyl moieties and a cross-linking agent having moieties condensable with the hydroxyl moieties to form a coating of the mixture on the polymeric substrate; removing the coated polymeric substrate from the mixture; and curing the coating on the polymeric substrate to form the porous polymeric medium having low adsorbability of amide group-containing materials.

Abstract: A porous polymeric medium having low protein affinity is provided comprising a porous polymeric substrate and a polymer coating having a low affinity for amide group-containing materials formed in situ at the surface of the porous polymeric substrate from a polymer having a plurality of hydroxyl groups and a cross-linking agent having functional groups which react with the hydroxyl groups.

Abstract: A hydrophobic polymeric microporous membrane having a CWST of less than about 28 dynes/cm is obtained by forming a (co)polymer of a fluorine-containing ethylenically unsaturated monomer that is permanently chemically bonded to a microporous membrane substrate.

Abstract: A porous polymeric medium having a low affinity for amide group-containing materials is provided comprising a porous polymeric substrate and a surface-modifying polymeric material having a low affinity for amide group-containing materials formed in situ at and covalently bonded to the surface of the porous polymeric substrate, the surface-modifying polymeric material being formed from a monofunctional monomer having at least one hydroxyl group.