Methods and interfaces for providing donation process feedback
Inventors
ST. GEORGE, Stephanie Lynne • PITTINGER, John
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12599710-B2
Publication Date
2026-04-14
Expiration Date
Abstract
A method includes detecting a beginning of a donation process; in response to detecting the beginning of the donation process, providing an output; determining an amount of time remaining for the donation process; in response to detecting the amount of time remaining for the donation process, updating the output; detecting a loss in pressure; in response to detecting the loss in pressure, updating the output; detecting an ending of the donation process; and in response to detecting the ending of the donation process, updating the output. The donation process may include a plasma donation using an apheresis machine. The detecting the beginning of the donation process may include detecting a flow of fluid. The output may include one or more of a light and a sound. The output may be provided on a side of an apheresis machine.
Core Innovation
The invention provides an apheresis system and an output controlled during a donation process. A donation process is monitored by detecting a beginning of the donation process and determining an amount of time remaining for the donation process, and in response the output is provided and updated.
A loss in pressure is detected and, in response to detecting the loss in pressure, the output is updated. The output includes a display device displaying a series of lights, and one or more of the lights of the series of lights are configured to pulse to instruct a donor to squeeze.
The invention also updates the output when the donation ends. In dependent refinements described with the independent claim, the output may be updated by stopping audible noise, turning off a light, changing a color of the light, and/or changing an audible sound, including configurations where the output is provided on a side of an apheresis machine.
Claims Coverage
The identified independent claim coverage centers on a donation-process monitoring method with multiple detection events that drive updates to an output display comprising a series of lights. Two inventive features are identified across the independent claim: milestone-based output updates and a series-of-lights display with pulsing instruction.
Donation process milestone-based output updates
Detecting a beginning of a donation process, determining an amount of time remaining for the donation process, detecting a loss in pressure, and detecting an ending of the donation process, wherein the output is provided and updated in response to those detections.
Series of lights pulsing to instruct donor to squeeze
The output includes a display device displaying a series of lights and one or more of the lights of the series of lights are configured to pulse to instruct a donor to squeeze.
Across the independent claim, the core coverage is the coordination of output updates with detected stages of a donation process, using a display device having a series of lights where at least one light pulses to instruct the donor to squeeze.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Apheresis system donor-visible feedback for plasma donations, including detecting donation beginning/end and pressure-loss and updating a light/audio output to instruct donor squeezing.
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