Apparatuses, systems, and methods for plasma rinseback
Inventors
WHITMORE, Nicole • DAVISON, Amanda • Bainbridge, Marlene
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12589194-B2
Publication Date
2026-03-31
Expiration Date
Abstract
A system for minimizing a residual blood value via a plasma rinseback includes a collection bag, a return reservoir, one or more pumps, and one or more lines. The collection bag is configured to store plasma collected from a donor during a donation process. The return reservoir is configured to collect fluid remaining in the system after the donation process is complete. The one or more pumps are configured to be actuated between an operational state and a nonoperational state during the donation process and the plasma rinseback. The one or more lines are configured to couple the collection bag, the return reservoir, the one or more pumps, and the donor. The system is configured to complete the plasma rinseback to return fluid within the system to the donor after the donation process is complete.
Core Innovation
The invention provides an apheresis plasma rinseback system configured to minimize a residual blood value by returning fluid within the apheresis system to the donor after a donation process is complete. A collection bag stores plasma collected from a donor, and a return reservoir collects fluid remaining in the system after the donation process is complete. The system uses none or more pumps that are actuated between an operational state and a nonoperational state during the donation process and the plasma rinseback.
A plasma line couples the collection bag to the return reservoir, and a plasma valve coupled to the plasma line enables fluid to flow, via gravity, from the collection bag through the plasma line into the return reservoir when the plasma valve is open. The plasma rinseback returns fluid within the apheresis system to the donor after the donation process is complete, including gravity-driven draining from the collection bag into the return reservoir.
In the described implementation, the plasma rinseback includes a timed plasma drain state in which the plasma valve is opened and closed for a predetermined amount of time, followed by a plasma flush that reduces residual fluid. The plasma flush operates one or more pumps to drain plasma from the return reservoir until a lower sensor senses air, and plasma is then flowed through one or more lines to push collected fluid remaining in the system back to the donor.
Claims Coverage
The document includes two independent claims: a system claim for minimizing a residual blood value via plasma rinseback, and a method claim for performing the same during a donation process. Across these independent claims, the inventive coverage centers on a gravity-driven plasma valve drainage from a collection bag into a return reservoir, followed by a plasma rinseback completion that returns fluid to the donor, with residual blood minimization supported by pump-actuated operations and sensor-terminated plasma flush.
Gravity-driven plasma rinseback using a plasma valve
A plasma valve coupled to a plasma line enabling fluid to flow, via gravity, from a collection bag through the plasma line into a return reservoir when the plasma valve is open, and the system performing the plasma rinseback to return fluid within the apheresis system to the donor after the donation process is complete.
Collection bag to store donor plasma and return reservoir to collect remaining fluid
A collection bag configured to store plasma collected from a donor during a donation process, and a return reservoir configured to collect fluid remaining in the system after the donation process is complete, with a plasma line coupling the collection bag to the return reservoir.
Pump-actuated operational and nonoperational states during donation and plasma rinseback
None or more pumps configured to be actuated between an operational state and a nonoperational state during the donation process and the plasma rinseback, in combination with the collection bag, return reservoir, lines, and plasma valve for completing the plasma rinseback to return fluid to the donor.
Performing the plasma rinseback as a gravity valve-drained sequence
A method that includes performing the plasma rinseback to return fluid within the apheresis system to the donor after the donation process is complete, including gravity-driven fluid flow from the collection bag to the return reservoir when the plasma valve is open.
Sensor-terminated plasma flush to reduce residual fluid
After the plasma rinseback, performing a plasma flush by operating a first pump to drain plasma from the return reservoir until a lower sensor senses air, and flowing plasma through the one or more lines to push collected fluid remaining in the system back to the donor.
Overall, the independent claims cover an apheresis system and method that complete a plasma rinseback to return fluid to the donor after donation is complete. The core structural and procedural elements are a collection bag, a return reservoir, lines including a plasma line, and a plasma valve that enables gravity-driven drainage from the collection bag into the return reservoir, with pump-actuated operational and nonoperational states supporting rinseback completion.
Stated Advantages
Minimizing a residual blood value via a plasma rinseback by returning fluid within the apheresis system to the donor after the donation process is complete.
Documented Applications
Apheresis donation process and post-donation plasma rinseback in an apheresis system to return fluid to the donor and minimize residual blood value.
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