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

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: Biological fluid processing assemblies having a gas inlet and/or a gas outlet are disclosed.

Abstract: A connector assembly includes first and second fittings and first and second membrane assemblies. Each fitting defines a respective aperture. Each membrane assembly has a layer sealing the aperture and a removable contamination containment layer overlying a respective sealing layer. The first and second fittings may be resiliently coupled in biased opposition to urge positive contact between the first and second removable contamination containment layers and/or the first and second sealing layers. In one application, a connector assembly according to the invention may define a fluid communication path for handling a fluid without allowing the level of contaminants in the fluid to increase. A connector assembly according to the invention may be used to handle a biological fluid while maintaining the fluid free of viable contaminating microorganisms or preserving its sterility, for example.

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: Processes and systems and methods for priming a fluid processing apparatus and for treating a fluid are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention involves a method and apparatus for treating and administering biological fluids, particularly hyperconcentrated biological fluids.

Abstract: A cap for dispensing liquids from a container comprising a base portion; structure to attach the base portion to a container; and an off-center dispenser tip projecting from the base portion and having a passageway extending between an orifice at the distal end of the dispenser tip and the interior underside of the cap, the axis of said passageway forming an angle of no greater than 90 with the longitudinal axis of the base. Included is a composite membrane having liquophilic and liquophobic components for preventing fluid contamination and metering dispersing.

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: 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 device for dispensing liquids in drop form of substantially uniform size is provided which includes a container having a dropper tip including a passageway for ingress of air to and egress of liquid from the device, the passageway communicating between the container and an orifice in the dropper tip; means for temporarily reducing the volume of the container; and, disposed within the dropper tip, across the passageway, a microporous composite membrane with pores of a size to resist passage of contaminants. The membrane has a liquophilic component which permits delivery of drops of a liquid to a desired location outside the container and a liquophobic component which is adapted to resist the passage of such liquid but to permit the passage therethrough of air. Both the liquophilic and liquophobic components of the membrane (which intersects the passageway) communicate with the passageway.

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 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.