Abstract: A method and a device for separating the serum included in a certain volume of blood by way of centrifugation. The volume of blood is introduced into a test tube (1) in which a so-called separating body (5; 5') is also present, after which the test tube (1) is centrifugalized. The blood is separated into a heavy phase (11) containing red blood corpuscles and a light phase (12) containing serum or plasma. The separating body (5; 5') is given such a specific gravity that upon centrifugation it enters a position in the boundary layer between the heavy and the light phase (11 and 12, respectively).A (9; 9') stored in the separating body (5; 5') is moved out of this towards the heavy phase (11) and seals between separating body (5; 5') and test tube (1). When the mass (9; 9') is removed from the separating body (5; 5') a negative pressure will arise therein which is utilized to suck-up accumulated leukocytes and trombocytes into the separating body (5; 5').

Abstract: A tubing or harness set is provided having first and second portions sequentially applicable to a microprocessor-controlled hemapheresis instrument for generating platelet concentrate. The first portion includes a reservoir having dual compartments and a separator. The instrument and the first portion of the harness set alternately collect whole blood from the donor and reinfuse packed cells into the donor while simultaneously continuously separating whole blood into packed cells and platelet-rich plasma. Upon collection of a predetermined quantity of platelet-rich plasma, the donor is disconnected form the phlebotomy needle of the harness, the first harness portion is removed from the instrument and the second harness portion is applied to the instrument. The second harness portion includes a separator for receiving platelet-rich plasma from the collection container of the first harness portion and separating such plasma into platelet concentrate and platelet-depleted plasma.

Abstract: A system and method of separation of therapeutic components from blood. The system includes a dual member centrifuge and a disposable single use fluid transfer set. The set includes an elongated flexible separation chamber having an input port, a separated component output port and a residual fluid output port. The input port and the separated component output ports are located at opposite ends of the elongated separation chamber. The centrifuge includes a receiving chamber with a selectively formed annular slot therein. The separation chamber is positioned in the annularly shaped slot and rotated at a predetermined rotational velocity. Fluids such as whole blood flows through the separation chamber and are separated into various therapeutic components such as platelet rich plasma and residual concentrated red blood cells. Platelet rich plasma can be drawn off as the separated therapeutic component. An alternate two part transfer set provides for highly efficient platelet pheresis.

Abstract: A filtration apparatus and method is disclosed, the apparatus including a container tube for holding a sample to be filtered and a filtering vessel inserted therein. The filtering vessel carries a filter over its lower end and includes a chamber portion for receiving the filtrate. The method includes forcibly immersing the filtration vessel into the container tube, limiting the relative axial position therebetween, and subjecting the apparatus to centrifugation. The apparatus and method is useful for filtering dilute, concentrated and particle-laden samples.

Abstract: A liquid separating agent consisting essentially of (A) a separating layer-forming material which is a polymeric oily substance selected from the group consisting of a copolymer of an .alpha.-olefin with an .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated dicarboxylic acid diester and a copolymer of a styrene with an .alpha.,.beta. unsaturated dicarboxylic acid diester and (B) an organic gelling agent which is a condensation product of a benzaldehyde with a tetra- or higher hydric alcohol.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for partitioning a pre-selected phase of a sample of liquid, such as blood, having a plurality of phases of differing densities the method comprising the steps of introducing a sample into a chamber of constant cross-sectional shape and a volume greater than that of the sample, ordering the phases of the sample concentrically by rotating the chamber about its longitudinal axis, reducing the volume of the chamber in response to a separation control signal, removing a portion of the separated sample in order of phase, deriving information about the portion of the sample being removed from the chamber and modifying the separation control signal in response to the derived information.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for separating mononuclear cells from other cells in a blood sample which is more rapid than the currently used density gradient material and which provides a better separation than methods utilizing thixotropic, gel-like material. In the method, a water soluble density gradient material is placed in a centrifuged tube. A water insoluble, thixotropic, gel-like substance is also placed in the container. A blood sample is placed in the container and the container is centrifuged for a time during which various components interchange positions and the gel-like substance forms a barrier between the mononuclear cells and the other cells of the blood sample.

Abstract: This invention is directed to means for inhibiting the apparent shift in the buoyant density of and/or to restore any loss in the buoyant density of the granulocytic white blood cells in a sample of blood, thereby insuring the quality of the separation of lymphocytes and monocytes from granulocytes in a blood sample. The invention comprises contacting a blood sample with a hypertonic fluid containing a low molecular weight organic or inorganic ionic substance and/or with an isotonic or hypertonic fluid containing a high molecular weight organic substance which may contain organic molecules having a lipophilic substituent in their structures and/or with a culture medium for blood cells. An integral part of the invention is an improved blood separation tube utilizing a gel-like substance having a specific gravity between 1.060-1.065 g/cm.sup.3 to significantly enhance the purity of cell separation, while providing acceptable cell yields.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a blood processing and preservation system. Apparatus of the system comprises a primary collection bag, a blood collection tube connected to the bag and adapted to draw a unit of blood from a person and feed the blood into the bag, and a harness connected to the bag for conducting solutions and blood components into and out of the bag. The harness includes a first tube for removing at least one blood component from the bag while retaining another component, a second tube for moving a cryoprotective solution into and out of the bag, a third tube for conducting a wash solution into and out of the bag, and identification on the bag.

Abstract: A hemapheresis system and method in accordance with the invention comprises a stationary closed housing concentric about a central axis and a feed system that moves blood upwardly from the housing lower end toward an outlet port adjacent a substantially closed upper end. Within the stationary housing is a double walled rotor concentric with the housing and rotatable by magnetic means within the housing on sealed end bearings. The space between the rotor walls defines a centrifugation gap into which whole blood is passed and within which centrifugal separation takes place as the rotor is spun at a relatively low rate. Whole blood also seeks to flow upwardly in the space between the rotor and housing, but this path is arranged to have a substantially higher flow impedance, so that the preferential path is within the centrifugation gap.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating blood is provided with a closed end and a thixotropic gel-like sealant with a specific gravity intermediate between the gravities of serum and clot phases. A cavity is formed on the upper surface of said sealant. The sealant consists essentially of an .alpha.-olefin-dimaleate copolymer having a viscosity from 10,000 to 120,000 c.p. (25.degree. C.), to which a viscosity-specific gravity adjusting agent is added to adjust the specific gravity to 1.035-1.055. The cavity is formed in such a size that diameter of the upper surface is from 0.15 to 0.7 times the inner diameter of the apparatus and its depth is from 0.13 to 0.65 times the thickness of said sealant.

Abstract: The present invention provides significant improvements in the design and performance of a specific type of Rotary Membrane Filter (RMF) apparatus which has the capability of separating particles from a fluid having the same and nearly the same density as the particles by utilizing shear to achieve separation, not centrifugal forces. A particular application for the apparatus is in the processing of fluid suspensions in which the suspensions contain fragile particles which are subject to damage due to excessive shear stresses. The prior art describes processing at constant shear rate, whereas the present invention provides the design and optimization of operation of such an apparatus at constant shear stress, which is maintained at a value below that at which significant damage to the fragile particles is encountered.

Abstract: Separation apparatus capable of separating plasma into high molecular weight substances and low molecular weight substances containing albumin, regardless of whether plasma is obtained by separation of corpuscular components in a continuous centrifugal separator or in a batch-type centrifugal separator. The apparatus comprises a filtration membrane module, a plasma feeding circuit connecting the centrifugal separator with the filtration membrane module, a plasma return circuit for returning to a patient purified plasma freed of high molecular weight substances, a supplemental fluid circuit for supplying additional fluid to the plasma return circuit, and a condensed plasma discharge circuit for disposal of high molecular weight substances. The apparatus is controlled independently of the centrifugal separator.

Abstract: A reliable flow rate plasmapheresis system includes a rotating enhanced vortex of membrane filter coupled to receive a flow of anticoagulated whole blood and separate concentrate and filtrate in response thereto. An anticoagulant pump is coupled to mix controlled amounts of anticoagulant with the input blood flow. Degradation of plasma flow rate during multiple extraction-reinfusion cycles is inhibited by selecting the starting anticoagulant pH value and controlling the anticoagulant flow rate relative to the whole blood to establish a final whole blood/plasma pH value in the range of 6.8 to 7.2, with an anticoagulant to blood ratio in the range of 1:6 to 1:25.

Abstract: A unitary disposable chamber and filter unit including a method for making same in which a support surface on the chamber has energy directors such that when ultrasonic energy is applied thereto the energy directors will become molten and bond a filter card to the support surface at spaced locations away from the point of discharge of the fluid through the filter card onto a microscopic slide or other surface for analysis.

Abstract: This invention is directed to means for inhibiting the apparent shift in the buoyant density of and/or to restore any loss in the buoyant density of the granulocytic white blood cells in a sample of blood, thereby insuring the quality of the separation of lymphocytes and monocytes from granulocytes in a blood sample. The invention comprises contacting a blood sample with a hypertonic fluid containing a low molecular weight organic or inorganic ionic substance and/or with an isotonic or hypertonic fluid containing a high molecular weight organic substance which may contain organic molecules having a lipophilic substituent in their structures and/or with a culture medium for blood cells. An integral part of the invention is an improved blood separation tube utilizing a gel-like substance having a specific gravity between 1.060-1.065 g/cm.sup.3 to significantly enhance the purity of cell separation, while providing acceptable cell yields.

Abstract: In a method of separating bacteria from a bacteria containing liquid sample by means of a dish-like centrifuge container (21) having an upper opening (25) defined by a radially inwardly extending rim portion (24), the following sequential steps are carried out. The centrifuge container is rotated at a high rotational speed. A volume of a high density component of a density higher than the density of the bacteria is introduced into the centrifuge container, whereupon a volume of a low density component having a density lower than the density of the bacteria is introduced into the container so that a two component gradient separation layer (60) comprising a high density layer (61) and a low density layer (62) is formed within the centrifuge container (21).

Abstract: A compact, fast-reacting, centrifugal fluid separator which serves to separate a fluid into gaseous and liquid components without the aid of gravity. The fluid separator is primarily designed for use as a biological fluid suction and separation device, the separator being particularly useful in space-based applications where a microgravity environment exists. Broadly speaking, the separator includes a cylindrical chamber, an elongated shaft rotatably mounted in the chamber, and a propeller and flat disc coupled to the shaft adjacent each other. A source of negative pressure is connected to the chamber adjacent one end of the shaft and the biological fluid is passed into the chamber adjacent the other end of the shaft so as to impinge upon the propeller.

Abstract: The invention is a device and a method for preparing serum from blood. The invention is used in conjunction with the centrifugal separation of serum from blood for filtering fibrin and other particulates from the separated serum and for partitioning the serum filtrate from unfiltered blood. During the first phase of centrifugation, a detent holds the serum preparator in check within the centripedal end of a tube containing the blood while the components of blood separate by sedimentation and backflow. Once all cellular components have sedimented to the pellet, the second phase of centrifugation begins and the sedimentation of the serum preparator is initiated by a triggering centrifugal force. During sedimentation, the serum preparator forces displaced serum to pass across a filter spanning an aperture through the serum preparator. The sedimentation velocity of the device and the rate of filtration are controlled by a brake on the serum preparator.

Abstract: A particle washing system and method of use is described wherein in a preferred embodiment the fluid containing the desired particles is placed within an inner tube having near the bottom thereof an orifice with a diameter at least equal to that of the diameter of the particles, and wherein the inner tube is positioned within an outer tube having a fluid with a density at least equal to that of the solution containing the particles to be separated but less than that of the particles. The application of centrifugal force to the particles directed toward the bottom of the outer tube causes the particles to move through the orifice and through the outer solution contained within the outer tube so that the particles are collected from the inner solution, washed by the outer solution, and subsequently sedimented at the bottom of the outer tube.

Abstract: A particle washing system and method of use is described wherein in a preferred embodiment the fluid containing the desired particles is placed within an inner tube having near the bottom thereof an orifice with a diameter at least equal to that of the diameter of the particles, an air vent and, wherein the inner tube is positioned within an outer tube having a fluid with a density at least equal to that of the solution containing the particles to be separated within the inner tube but less than that of the particles. The application of centrifugal force to the particles directed toward the bottom of the outer tube causes the particles to move through orifice and through the outer solution contained within the outer tube so that the particles are collected from the inner solution, washed by the outer solution, and subsequently sedimented at the bottom of the outer tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating blood is provided with a closed end and a thixotropic gel-like sealant with a specific gravity intermediate between the gravities of serum and clot phases. A cavity is formed on the upper surface of said sealant. The sealant consists essentially of an .alpha.-olefin-dimaleate copolymer having a viscosity from 10,000 to 120,000 c.p. (25.degree. C.), to which a viscosity-specific gravity adjusting agent is added to adjust the specific gravity to 1.035-1.055. The cavity is formed in such a size that diameter of the upper surface is from 0.15 to 0.7 times the inner diameter of the apparatus and its depth is from 0.13 to 0.65 times the thickness of said sealant.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating serum from other blood components in a centrifuge tube. The separator comprises a cylindrical, laterally-expandable filter element composed of a multiplicity of generally longitudinally-oriented fibers, 10 to 40 millimicrons in diameter, formed of a biologically inert polymeric material having a specific gravity within the range of about 1.10 to 1.50 and bonded to adjacent fibers only at spaced-apart junctures. The filter element has a diameter within the range of 9 to 15 millimeters, a length from 75 to 125 percent of its diameter, and a bulk density of about 0.20 to 0.60 grams per cubic centimeter.

Abstract: The disclosure is of an improved assembly, compositions and method for the separation of blood into its light, liquid and heavy, substantially cellular phases with insertion of a non-Newtonian fluid between the phases as a barrier. The improvement comprises using as the non-Newtonian fluid, one which has substantially time independent rheological properties and a controlled yield stress value. The improved assemblies of the invention have enhanced shelf-lives and improved reliability of operation. The preferred assemblies may be sterilized by irradiation and the disclosure is also of a method for their manufacture.

Abstract: Method and device for centrifugal separation of components of a liquid in which the liquid components are separated under the action of centrifugal force and then separately collected and discharged under the action of syphon mechanism.

Abstract: A fluid collection device for collecting and separating a liquid into its phases is provided which includes a collection container and an elongate housing having gel-like sealant therein. The sealant has a specific gravity between those of the separated low and high density phases. The housing has a sealant flow control valve in the low density phase portion of the container which is opened in response to a decrease in the specific gravity of the liquid adjacent the valve.

Abstract: A liquid separating agent used for fractionating a liquid such as blood that contains more than one component of different specific gravities, by separating a specific component from other components by means of the specific gravity difference is characterized by consisting of as the main component an .alpha.-olefin-dialkylmaleate copolymer having a viscosity between 10,000 and 80,000 cp (at 25.degree. C.); a viscosity and specific gravity adjusting agent such as silica or clay; and wax, a surfactant and so on as required.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for centrifuging serum which comprises steps of introducing a barrier having an elastic porous member at least at its principle part into a blood-collecting tube and centrifuging serum, the elastic porous member having porosity of 40% or more, continuous-pore size of 50 to 400 .mu., and a cross section larger than that of the blood-collecting tube. Also disclosed is a barrier to be introduced into a blood-collecting tube, comprising an elastic porous member having porosity of 40% or more, continuous-pore size of 50 to 400 .mu., and a cross section larger than that of the blood-collecting tube, the bottom portion of the elastic porous member preferably being a relatively hard portion with smaller outside diameter.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the manufacture of sterile filtered blood clotting factore from fibrinogen with an enrichment of Factor I is provided. The process includes the step of extracting blood from at least one donor, manufacturing fibrinogen from the blood extracted in a known manner, dissolving the fibrinogen in a buffer, and effecting a sterile filtration of the buffer-dissolved fibrinogen by means of a static filtration device at a pressure of less than 0.5 atmospheres.

Abstract: A fluid collection device is provided which includes a container for receiving a liquid, such as blood, that is centrifugally separable into relatively light and heavy phases, and a phase partitioning device in the container. The partitioning device includes a thixotropic gel-like material adjacent one end of the container having a specific gravity between the specific gravities of the light and heavy phases, and a piston member having an outlet in communication with the sealant so that during centrifugation of the device, centrifugal forces cause the piston to pressurize the sealant and force the sealant through the outlet toward the interface of the phases with sealant forming a partition between the separated phases.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a peristaltic pump for withdrawing whole blood from a patient, a device for centrifuging the blood to separate plasma from the whole blood, a plasma treatment chamber for receiving the plasma, a vehicle positioned within the chamber and having an immuno-adsorbent agent fixed thereon to interact and bond with an immunological reactant carried by the plasma that is passed through the chamber for removing the immunological reactant from the plasma, tubing connected to recombine the substantially immunological reactant free plasma with the remainder of the whole blood and a peristaltic pump for returning the recombined whole blood to the patient. According to the present invention the plasma treatment chamber has a variable volume so that the chamber can be used for treating sequentially different quantities of plasma.