Abstract: The invention is directed to a centrifugation bowl with a rotating core. The centrifugation bowl includes a rotating bowl body which defines a primary separation chamber. The core, which is generally cylindrically shaped and is disposed within the bowl body, defines a secondary separation chamber. A stationary header assembly may be mounted on top of the bowl body through a rotating seal. The stationary header assembly includes an inlet port for receiving whole blood and an outlet port from which one or more blood components are withdrawn. The inlet port is in fluid communication with a feed tube that extends into the primary separation chamber. The outlet port is in fluid communication with an effluent tube that extends into the bowl body. The effluent tube includes an entryway at a first radial position relative to a central, rotating axis of the bowl.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a centrifugation bowl with a rotating core. The centrifugation bowl includes a rotating bowl body which defines a primary separation chamber. The core, which is generally cylindrically shaped and is disposed within the bowl body, defines a secondary separation chamber. A stationary header assembly may be mounted on top of the bowl body through a rotating seal. The stationary header assembly includes an inlet port for receiving whole blood and an outlet port from which one or more blood components are withdrawn. The inlet port is in fluid communication with a feed tube that extends into the primary separation chamber. The outlet port is in fluid communication with an effluent tube that extends into the bowl body. The effluent tube includes an entryway at a first radial position relative to a central, rotating axis of the bowl.

Abstract: Automated filtration of whole blood or blood components is accomplished in a manner that ensures consistent flow or pressure characteristics through the filter. A feedback circuit monitors pressure in the vicinity of the filter inlet and controls operation of a fluid pump that sends one or more unfiltered blood components into the filter. Using this arrangement, a variety of parameters relating to filtration efficacy can be precisely controlled, including flow rate, flow pressure, and average pressure over a predetermined volume. The system may provide an alarm or automatic cut-off in the event a maximum value of one of the parameters is reached or exceeded. The system is also capable of serially filtering multiple blood products through the single filter and accommodating different flow or pressure characteristics associated with each such product.

Abstract: A method and apparatus predict the organic carbon content of water discharged from a water purification system. Water is directed from a water source across, for example, a source of ultraviolet light of the water purification system under substantially steady-state conditions. A reference mode is established, whereby a reference-mode resistivity change is determined. A purification-mode is then established, whereby a purification mode resistivity change is measured. The reference-mode resistivity change and the purification-mode resistivity change are then combined to obtain a purified value which is associated with the carbon content of water discharged from the water purification system, thereby predicting the carbon content of water discharged from the water purification system.

Abstract: A pretreatment step for the defouling of the compartments used in electrodeionization apparatus in which a solution of sodium percarbonate is contacted with the compartments to break up agglomerations of organic contaminants and colloidal films as well as to kill bacteria resident within the system. After this pretreatment step any conventional cleaning may be performed to complete the cleaning cycle.