Abstract: A fluid separation system is provided for separating a plasma-containing fluid into separated plasma and a concentrated fluid. The system cooperates with a fluid flow circuit including a fluid separation chamber and a plasma outlet line associated therewith for removing separated plasma from the fluid separation chamber. The system includes an optical sensor assembly that receives a portion of the plasma outlet line when the fluid flow circuit has been associated with the fluid separation system. To ensure proper installation of the plasma outlet line, the optical sensor assembly compares light received by its light detector to a baseline value, which is indicative of the amount of light received by the light detector before the plasma outlet line has been installed. The amount of received light being equal to or less than a selected percentage of the baseline value indicates that the plasma outlet line has been properly installed.

Abstract: Blood separation systems and methods are provided for detecting lipids in plasma that has been separated from a plasma-containing fluid, such as blood. Plasma is separated from a fluid in a blood separator, with at least a portion of the separated plasma being removed from the blood separator via a plasma flow path. Blue and/or ultraviolet light is passed through the separated plasma in the blood separator or in the plasma flow path, with at least a portion of the light being received after passing through the separated plasma. A signal is generated based on the amount of light passing through the separated plasma, with the signal being indicative of the lipid content of the separated plasma. Determining the lipid content of the separated plasma involves comparing the difference between the signal and a reference signal that represents receipt of all or a pre-selected amount of the light.

Abstract: Blood separation systems and methods are provided for detecting lipids in plasma that has been separated from a plasma-containing fluid, such as blood. The system includes a fluid processing region in which a plasma-containing fluid is separated into plasma and other fluid components. A plasma flow path is associated with the fluid processing region for the flow of at least a portion of the separated plasma into or out of the region. A lipid detector shines blue and/or ultraviolet light through the separated plasma in the plasma line to optically detect the presence of lipids therein. The lipid detector may be used alone or in combination with a hemoglobin detector to reduce the number of false hemoglobin alarms or an interface detector for improved detection and correction of the location of an interface between separated fluid components in the fluid processing region.

Abstract: A fluid separation system is provided for separating a plasma-containing fluid into separated plasma and a concentrated fluid. The system cooperates with a fluid flow circuit including a fluid separation chamber and a plasma outlet line associated therewith for removing separated plasma from the fluid separation chamber. The system includes an optical sensor assembly that receives a portion of the plasma outlet line when the fluid flow circuit has been associated with the fluid separation system. To ensure proper installation of the plasma outlet line, the optical sensor assembly compares light received by its light detector to a baseline value, which is indicative of the amount of light received by the light detector before the plasma outlet line has been installed. The amount of received light being equal to or less than a selected percentage of the baseline value indicates that the plasma outlet line has been properly installed.

Abstract: Blood separation systems and methods are provided for detecting lipids in plasma that has been separated from a plasma-containing fluid, such as blood. The system includes a fluid processing region in which a plasma-containing fluid is separated into plasma and other fluid components. A plasma flow path is associated with the fluid processing region for the flow of at least a portion of the separated plasma into or out of the region. A lipid detector shines blue and/or ultraviolet light through the separated plasma in the plasma line to optically detect the presence of lipids therein. The lipid detector may be used alone or in combination with a hemoglobin detector to reduce the number of false hemoglobin alarms or an interface detector for improved detection and correction of the location of an interface between separated fluid components in the fluid processing region.