Methods and systems for high-throughput blood component collection
Inventors
Hlavinka, Dennis J. • Felt, Thomas J.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12564668-B2
Publication Date
2026-03-03
Expiration Date
Abstract
Methods and devices for separating components from multi-component fluids are provided. A method for collecting a blood component includes drawing whole blood into a centrifuge, spinning the centrifuge to cause centrifugal force to act on the whole blood to separate the whole blood into a least a first blood component and a second blood component that is different from the first blood component, extracting the first blood component from the centrifuge, detecting when the second blood component is about to be extracted from the centrifuge, and after the second blood component is detected and while the centrifuge continues to spin, flowing the separated first blood component back towards the centrifuge to move at least the second blood component from the centrifuge.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a method for collecting a blood component using a centrifuge while maintaining centrifuge operation during a separation and extraction process. Whole blood is drawn into a centrifuge and spun to separate the whole blood into at least a first blood component and a second blood component that is different from the first blood component. The first blood component is extracted from the centrifuge while the method includes continued control of the separation state.
The method detects when the second blood component is about to be extracted from the centrifuge and, after the second blood component is detected and while the centrifuge continues to spin, flows the separated first blood component back towards the centrifuge. This back-flow moves at least the second blood component from the centrifuge. The method also monitors an inlet pressure of the whole blood entering the centrifuge and determines a back pressure at the inlet of the centrifuge.
A further aspect equates a change in back pressure with a radial position of an interface between the first blood component and the second blood component in the centrifuge. The document further describes a high-throughput blood component collection set and system architecture for high-efficiency operation, including a soft cassette with bypass/drip chamber and valve/sensor control, a centrifuge with separation structure including a spiral-path separation insert channel and an expandable separation bladder, and a flexible collection loop with rotational guidance for moving separated components while the centrifuge continues to spin.
Claims Coverage
The partial content identifies one independent claim (clm-00001). The inventive features center on pressure/interface-based timing of back-flow of the separated first blood component to move the second blood component out while the centrifuge continues to spin, combined with equating inlet/back-pressure changes to a radial interface position.
Back-flow while centrifuge continues to spin based on detection of second component extraction
Detecting when the second blood component is about to be extracted from the centrifuge and, after the second blood component is detected and while the centrifuge continues to spin, flowing the separated first blood component back towards the centrifuge to move at least the second blood component from the centrifuge.
Inlet and back pressure monitoring linked to radial interface position
Monitoring an inlet pressure of the whole blood entering the centrifuge, determining a back pressure at the inlet of the centrifuge, and equating a change in back pressure with a radial position of an interface between the first blood component and the second blood component in the centrifuge.
Centrifuge separation into first and second blood components followed by first component extraction
Drawing whole blood into a centrifuge, spinning the centrifuge to cause centrifugal force to act on the whole blood to separate the whole blood into at least a first blood component and a second blood component that is different from the first blood component, and extracting the first blood component from the centrifuge.
Across the independent claim, the main inventive coverage is the combination of detecting when the second blood component is about to be extracted and then flowing the separated first blood component back toward the centrifuge while spinning continues, together with using inlet pressure and back pressure to equate pressure change with a radial position of the interface between the first and second blood components.
Stated Advantages
Expected time savings (e.g., ~30%+), as described in the partial content.
Documented Applications
High-throughput apheresis system and method for collecting a blood component from whole blood using a centrifuge with separation and extraction control using interface- and pressure-based stopping criteria.
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