Methods and systems for high-throughput blood component collection

Inventors

Felt, Thomas J. • Hlavinka, Dennis J. • Holmes, Brian M.

Assignees

Terumo BCT Inc

Abstract

Described are embodiments that include methods and devices for separating components from multi-component fluids. Embodiments may involve use of separation vessels and movement of components into and out of separation vessels through ports. Embodiments may involve the separation of plasma from whole blood. Also described are embodiments that include methods and devices for positioning portions, e.g., loops, of disposables in medical devices. Embodiments may involve use of surfaces for automatically guiding loops to position them into a predetermined position.

Core Innovation

The invention provides a blood component collection set associated with an apheresis system that draws whole blood from a donor whole blood source. The set includes a needle and a first tube configured to move whole blood through a lumen after a draw pump draws the whole blood from the whole blood source. A blood component collection bladder is configured to be inserted into a centrifuge and fluidly associated with the first tube to separate the whole blood into a first blood component including plasma and a second blood component.

The set further includes a second tube fluidly associated with the blood component collection bladder. The second tube is configured to move the first blood component from the blood component collection bladder and to move the first blood component back towards the blood component collection bladder through the second tube. This return configuration is used to move at least the second blood component from the blood component collection bladder back into the whole blood source.

In disclosed refinements, the second blood component is platelets, and the system can disengage a draw pump when a return pump moves at least the second blood component from the blood component collection bladder back into the whole blood source through the second tube. The bladder is inserted into and held in a filler placed in the centrifuge such that the centrifuge spins the bladder. A sensor placed near the second tube can detect extraction of a third blood component and the set is configured to move the first blood component back toward the blood component collection bladder while the centrifuge continues to spin.

Claims Coverage

The document includes one independent claim directed to a blood component collection set for an apheresis system. The dependent claims refine the independent claim with specific blood component identity, pump control behavior, bladder support/holding structure, sensor-based detection, and a return flow operation linked to spinning.

Across the claims, the core coverage centers on separating plasma and a second blood component in a centrifuge bladder and then returning at least the second blood component back toward the bladder and into the whole blood source using the second tube, with refinements specifying platelets, draw pump disengagement during return, holding the bladder in a centrifuge filler, and sensor-triggered return operation while centrifugation continues.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications