Method 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 method for collecting a blood component through apheresis that includes drawing whole blood into a centrifuge from a whole blood source and introducing the whole blood into a blood component collection bladder. The centrifuge spins to separate the whole blood in the bladder into at least plasma and a blood component including concentrated red blood cells, and plasma is extracted through the outlet of the bladder into a container.

The method detects when red blood cells are being extracted through the outlet, and then, after red blood cells are detected and while the centrifuge continues to spin, forces the plasma back into the blood component collection bladder through the outlet. This moving plasma acts to move the red blood cells back through the inlet and out of the blood component collection bladder.

The invention also provides an apheresis system including a tube with a lumen configured to move whole blood to a centrifuge, a draw pump, and a blood component collection bladder inserted into the centrifuge and fluidly associated with the tube. The system includes a return pump configured to force plasma back towards the blood component collection bladder through the tube after red blood cells are detected, while the centrifuge continues to spin.

A first sensor detects the presence of red blood cells in the second tube, and a second sensor detects when the blood component including red blood cells has been expelled from the blood component collection bladder through the first tube.

Claims Coverage

The partial content includes two independent claims, a method claim and a system claim. Across these claims, the core inventive coverage centers on sensor-triggered plasma backflow during ongoing centrifuge spin to drive concentrated red blood cells away from the plasma extraction pathway, using a bladder-based separation and specific sensor detection points.

Overall, the independent claims collectively require a centrifuge-based separation using a blood component collection bladder, plasma extraction, detection of red blood cells in the plasma pathway, and then forcing plasma back toward the bladder while the centrifuge continues to spin so that the concentrated red blood cell component is moved back through the bladder and expelled through the first tube, with both first and second sensor detection points defining the control outcome.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications