Abstract: A connector or a connector assembly comprises a fitting, a resilient sealing member, a plurality of protrusions, and a removable stripout layer. The fitting includes a socket. The protrusions extend from the fitting and are connectable to a mating connector. The resilient sealing layer, which is disposed in the socket of the fitting, includes a hollow body having opposite open ends and an internal passage extending between the open ends. The removable stripout layer is movable between a first position in which the stripout layer overlies an end of the resilient sealing member and a second position in which the stripout layer is removed from the end of the resilient sealing member.

Abstract: A device (100) such as a drip chamber that can be filled to a predetermined level is disclosed. The device comprises a housing (14) and a porous medium (10), wherein the porous medium allows gas to pass therethrough.

Abstract: A device (100) such as a drip chamber that can be filled to a predetermined level is disclosed. The device comprises a housing (14) and a porous medium (10), wherein the porous medium allows gas to pass therethrough.

Abstract: A method for automatically processing a biological fluid is disclosed. The method includes the steps of obtaining a container having a biological fluid therein, providing a first signal and communicating with an automated control arrangement to establish flow of at least a portion of the biological fluid along a fluid flow path through a leukocyte depletion medium, providing a second signal and communicating with the automatic control arrangement to terminate flow along the fluid flow path wherein providing the second signal includes sensing the back pressure in the fluid flow path or the flow rate through the leukocyte depletion medium.

Abstract: A biological fluid filter assembly (100) including a plurality of porous media (6a, 6b) and essentially lacking a solid partition between the media is disclosed. Preferably, the assembly has a space (12) between the media (6a, 6b). The filter assembly is especially suitable for depicting leukocytes from a biological fluid such as packed red cells, and can be used to deplete leukocyts from two or more units of biological fluid. A method of using the filter assembly is also provided.

Abstract: An automated system for processing biological fluid includes a pressure differential generator, a biological fluid processing assembly, and an automated control arrangement coupled to at least one of the pressure differential generator and the biological fluid processing assembly. The automated system may include a porous medium, such as a red cell barrier medium, a leukocyte depletion medium, or a combination red cell barrier/leukocyte depletion medium. The automated system may also include a sensor producing a signal reflecting a parameter of fluid flow.

Abstract: A connector assembly includes a first fitting defining a first aperture, and a second fitting couplable to the first fitting and defining a second aperture. In some embodiments, each of the first and second fittings includes a sealing layer sealing its aperture. In other embodiments, each of the first and second fittings includes a removable layer overlying its aperture. The connector assembly may include a stem member which is mounted in the first fitting and includes a head axially movable into the aperture of the second fitting.

Abstract: Leucocyte depletion filter assemblies decrease the leucocyte content of a leucocyte-containing liquid at a flow rate of greater than about 25 milliliters per minute. These filter assemblies are suitable for use in an extracorporeal circuit. Methods for removing leucocytes and other deleterious matter are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for processing a biological fluid by spirally passing the biological fluid along at least one first flow path along the first surface of a separation medium in a separation device is disclosed. Also disclosed is a system for processing a biological fluid utilizing a plurality of pressure differential generators including enclosed chambers.

Abstract: An automated system for processing biological fluid includes a pressure differential generator, a biological fluid processing assembly including a first container operatively associated with the pressure differential generator, at least one satellite container in fluid communication with the first container and a porous medium including a leukocyte depletion medium interposed between the first container and the satellite container and a sensor downstream of the porous medium for sensing and providing a signal reflecting the presence of red blood cells downstream of the porous medium. An automated control arrangement is coupled to the sensor to receive the signal from the sensor and coupled to at least one of the pressure differential generator and the biological fluid processing assembly to control flow between the first container and the satellite container.

Abstract: A method for processing a biological fluid comprises separating a transition zone material from the biological fluid; processing the transition zone material to form a supernatant layer which includes platelets and a sediment layer which includes red blood cells; and separating the supernatant layer from the sediment layer by passing the supernatant layer through a porous medium. A method for processing a biological fluid comprises passing a biological fluid through a leukocyte depletion filter assembly and into a container downstream of the filter assembly; and separating gas displaced by the biological fluid into the downstream container by passing the gas from the container through a liquid barrier medium in a gas collection and displacement loop. Devices for carrying out the methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for removing methylene blue from a biological fluid are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for removing undesirable material including leukocytes from a biological fluid in an extracorporeal circuit comprises passing a leukocyte containing biological fluid from a patient into a container; passing a portion of biological fluid from the container through a recirculation loop including a filter assembly for removing leukocytes to leukocyte deplete the biological fluid and to pass the portion of leukocyte-depleted biological fluid into the container; passing additional leukocyte containing biological fluid from a patient into the container so that the additional fluid is mixed with leukocyte depleted biological fluid in the container to provide a mixture including leukocyte depleted and non-leukocyte depleted biological fluid; passing the mixture of biological fluid from the container; passing a portion of the mixture to the patient while passing another portion of the mixture through the recirculation loop.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for passing a first parenteral fluid through a first fluid flow path through a fluid treatment arrangement, passing a second parenteral fluid through a separate and isolated second fluid flow path through the fluid treatment arrangement, and passing the first parenteral fluid through the separate and isolated second fluid flow path through the fluid treatment arrangement.

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: Methods and apparatuses for removing unwanted fluid such as gas from a processed blood product are disclosed. Methods include the steps of passing a blood product from a closed first container through a functional biomedical device to produce a processed blood product, flowing the processed blood product and an unwanted fluid from the functional biomedical device to a second container through a conduit, separating the unwanted fluid from the processed blood product in the second container, preventing the flow of the unwanted fluid from the second container through the passage to the functional biomedical device by using a clamp and passing the unwanted fluid from the second container to the first container through an outlet providing fluid communication between the second container and the first container. The outlet includes a barrier medium which allows the passage therethrough of the unwanted fluid but prevents the passage therethrough of the processed blood product.

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: 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.