Liquid purification or separation – Processes – Liquid/liquid solvent or colloidal extraction or diffusing...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-03
2001-08-07
Thorpe, Timothy S. (Department: 3746)
Liquid purification or separation
Processes
Liquid/liquid solvent or colloidal extraction or diffusing...
C417S395000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06270673
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to systems and methods for processing and collecting blood, blood constituents, or other suspensions of cellular material.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Today people routinely separate whole blood, usually by centrifugation, into its various therapeutic components, such as red blood cells, platelets, and plasma.
Conventional blood processing methods use durable centrifuge equipment in association with single use, sterile processing systems, typically made of plastic. The operator loads the disposable systems upon the centrifuge before processing and removes them afterwards.
Conventional blood centrifuges are of a size that does not permit easy transport between collection sites. Furthermore, loading and unloading operations can sometimes be time consuming and tedious.
In addition, a need exists for further improved systems and methods for collecting blood components in a way that lends itself to use in high volume, on line blood collection environments, where higher yields of critically needed cellular blood components, like plasma, red blood cells, and platelets, can be realized in reasonable short processing times.
The operational and performance demands upon such fluid processing systems become more complex and sophisticated, even as the demand for smaller and more portable systems intensifies. The need therefore exists for automated blood processing controllers that can gather and generate more detailed information and control signals to aid the operator in maximizing processing and separation efficiencies.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides systems and methods for processing blood and blood constituents that lend themselves to portable, flexible processing platforms equipped with straightforward and accurate control functions.
More particularly, the invention provides a fluid processing assembly to be used in association with a cassette that conveys fluid in response to the application of fluid pressure. The cassette centralizes pumping and valving functions. The assembly includes a holder to hold the cassette in association with a fluid pressure actuator to control conveyance of fluid through the cassette. A door is carried by the holder for movement between an opened position to expose the holder and a closed position enclosing the cassette in the holder. The door carries an expandable gasket, which faces the held cassette when the door is in the closed position. The expandable gasket normally rest, when the door is in the closed position, in a relaxed state out of sealing contact with the held cassette. The assembly includes an actuator to apply pressure to the expandable gasket to achieve, when the door is in the closed position, an expanded state in sealing contact against the held cassette. The assembly also includes a latch assembly on the door and holder. The latch assembly makes engagement when the door is in the closed position. The engagement is unlocked when the gasket rests in the relaxed state. The engagement becomes locked when the gasket achieves the expanded state.
In one embodiment, the latch assembly includes a latch handle that can be manually moved to release the engagement when the engagement is unlocked and that resists manual movement to maintain the engagement when the engagement is locked. In one embodiment, the latch assembly includes an over-center latch on one of the door and holder that makes engagement with a latch pin on the other one of the door and holder when the door is in the closed position. The over-center latch loads against the latch pin when the gasket achieves the expanded state. In one embodiment, the over-center latch includes a latch handle that can be moved to release engagement with the latch pin when the gasket is in the relaxed state, but that resists movement when the over-center latch is loaded against the latch pin.
In one embodiment, the cassette includes a preformed, fluid pressure actuated pump station, a preformed fluid flow path, and a preformed, fluid pressure actuated valve in the fluid flow path. The cassette may also include a flexible diaphragm against which fluid pressure force conditions are applied by the fluid pressure actuator to control passage of fluid through the cassette. The gasket makes sealing contact against the flexible diaphragm when in the expanded state.
In one embodiment, the fluid pressure comprises pneumatic pressure.
Other features and advantages of the inventions are set forth in the following specification and attached drawings.
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Belt Fletcher C
McCormick Patrick A
Tesluk Chris
Vandlik Mark R
Westberg Tom
Baxter International Inc.
Gartenberg Ehud
Price Bradford R. L.
Rockwell Amy L. H.
Ryan Daniel D.
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