Imperforate bowl: centrifugal separators – Process
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-03
2001-11-13
Kim, John (Department: 1723)
Imperforate bowl: centrifugal separators
Process
C210S782000, C210S787000, C210S789000, C494S043000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06315707
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 systems and methods for efficiently separating blood in a rotating field. The systems and methods convey blood into a blood separation chamber through an inlet passage for separation into a blood component. The systems and methods convey the blood component from the separation chamber through an outlet passage. The systems and methods rotate the blood separation chamber about an axis in direction of blood flow in the flow path from the inlet passage toward the outlet passage. It has been discovered that, by rotating the chamber during blood separation in the same direction as the flow of whole blood from inlet to outlet disturbances due, e.g., Coriolis effects can be minimized, resulting in increased separation efficiencies.
According to one aspect of the invention, the systems and methods use a blood separation chamber comprising a base including formed walls that define an annular separation channel. An interior wall extends across the separation channel to define a terminus. An inlet passage on one side of the terminus conveys blood into the separation channel in a flow path for separation into a blood component. An outlet passage on another side of the terminus conveys the blood component from the flow path. The systems and methods rotate the blood separation chamber about an axis in direction of blood flow in the flow path from the inlet passage toward the outlet passage.
Other features and advantages of the inventions are set forth in the following specification and attached drawings.
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Joie Michel L. F.
Smith Kelly B
Baxter International Inc.
Kim John
Price Bradford R. L.
Rockwell Amy L. H.
Ryan Daniel D.
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