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Publication Number
US-9254354-B2
Publication Date
2016-02-09
Expiration Date
Abstract
Devices for concentrating fluids that comprise discrete or particulate material dispersed in a liquid medium, such as whole blood, by removal of a proportion of the liquid medium, and a method of producing blood cell concentrates from whole blood using reduced pressure. The devices comprise an outer bag formed of an impermeable material and an inner bag formed of a permeable material, the inner bag containing an absorbent material or being adapted for connection to a source of reduced pressure.
Core Innovation
A fluid concentration device is provided for concentrating fluids comprising particulate material dispersed in a liquid medium by removal of a proportion of the liquid medium. The device includes an outer bag formed of two layers of an impermeable material fastened together around their edges, and an inner bag fastened to an inner wall of the outer bag at one or more fastening points and suspended within the outer bag.
The one or more fastening points consist of a tab projecting from an edge of the inner bag and sandwiched between the two layers of the outer bag where they are welded together. Each tab has one or more apertures, and the inner bag is formed of a permeable material such that the permeable material allows the liquid medium, but not the particulate material, to pass into the inner bag.
A port in the outer bag introduces fluid into a cavity between the outer and inner bags. The inner bag contains an absorbent material for holding the liquid medium in the inner bag, while the particulate material is retained in the outer cavity.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim defines the overall fluid concentration device concept and contains three principal inventive aspects: a two-layer impermeable outer bag, a suspended inner permeable bag connected by aperture-bearing welded tabs, and a ported fluid path that passes liquid into an absorbent-containing inner bag while retaining particulate material. Dependent claims further refine absorbent chemistry, outer and inner bag materials, and pore-size constraints for the permeable inner bag.
Two-layer impermeable outer bag
An outer bag formed of two layers of an impermeable material fastened together around their edges.
Suspended inner permeable bag with welded tab fastening points
An inner bag fastened to an inner wall of the outer bag at one or more fastening points, wherein the one or more fastening points consist of a tab projecting from an edge of the inner bag and sandwiched between the two layers of the outer bag where they are welded together, wherein each tab has one or more apertures, the inner bag being suspended within the outer bag and formed of a permeable material.
Port introducing fluid into inter-bag cavity with liquid passage and absorbent retention
A port in the outer bag for introducing fluid into the cavity between the outer and inner bags, wherein the permeable material allows the liquid medium, but not the particulate material, to pass into the inner bag, and the inner bag contains an absorbent material for holding the liquid medium in the inner bag.
Superabsorbent absorbent material
The absorbent material is a superabsorbent material.
Polyacrylate superabsorbent
The superabsorbent material is a polyacrylate.
Polyvinylchloride outer bag material
The outer bag is made of polyvinylchloride.
Porous polycarbonate membrane inner bag material
The inner bag is made from a porous polycarbonate membrane.
Permeable inner bag with bounded pore diameter
The inner bag is made of a permeable material whose pores have a diameter between 0.01 cm and 1 mm.
Across the independent claim and refinements, the claimed device centers on an impermeable two-layer outer bag and a suspended inner permeable bag welded via tabbed fastening points with apertures, combined with a ported cavity where only liquid medium passes into an inner bag containing absorbent material for liquid retention, while particulate material is not passed through.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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