Abstract:
In the processing of a blood product to deplete the product of leukocytes, air can be introduced with the leukocyte depleted blood in a transfer bag. This air is potentially harmful to the recipient of the processed blood product. It is removed by providing a line between the transfer bag and a donor bag, from which the blood product is passed for processing, with the by-pass line including a hydrophobic filter which allows the passage of air but prevents the passage of a processed blood product. In this way, all the air can be removed from the transfer bag without affecting the quality of the processed blood product. A similar arrangement can be used for removing other unwanted fluids from processed blood products.
Abstract:
A method of testing the integrity of a filter element in a falter assembly includes a) wetting filter material of a filter element having an inlet side and an outlet side connected to an outlet conduit, b) subjecting the inlet side of the filter element to a gas pressure, c) measuring the pressure in the outlet conduit as a function of time, with a downstream outlet valve for the outlet conduit being closed, and d) determining whether the pressure measured at a preselected time exceeds a reference pressure by a predetermined amount, or determining whether the time required to reach a preselected pressure is shorter than a reference time by a predetermined amount.
Abstract:
An exemplary priming assembly (100) comprises a container (10) of priming fluid, a syringe (1), flow control devices (4, 5, 12), a vent (6), a filter element (3), and a bypass assembly (20). In one embodiment, flow control devices (4, 5, 12) are adjusted so that priming fluid passes through the bypass assembly (20) and enters the syringe (1). Flow control device (12) is then adjusted so that gas is expelled through the vent (6). Flow control devices (4, 5, 12) are then adjusted so that priming fluid is directed into the filter (3), displacing gas as the priming fluid is returned to the container (10).
Abstract:
A seal and a pressure connection are provided for pressure carrying coupling elements (10, 11). Conical surfaces (6, 9) are arranged on each of a first and second coupling member (10, 11), the cone angle of each surface being slightly different. When assembled, the conical surfaces of different angles partially contact one another to form a material contact seal. The pressure connection is particularly suited for use in a fluid filtration system.
Abstract:
Processes and systems for combining multiple units of a biological fluid in independent containers (20) into a single receiving container (22) via a pooling assembly (21) are disclosed. The pooling assembly (21) includes a plurality of conduits (40) that converge into a single conduit (60) at outlet (50). Interposed in the conduit (60) between the outlet (50) and the receiving container (22) may include a gas inlet (30), a drip chamber (31), a leukocyte depletion assembly (32), and a gas outlet (33).
Abstract:
A fluid purifier includes a vacuum separator (10) having a rotating disc (17) disposed inside a chamber (11) which is maintained at a negative pressure. Oil contaminated with a chlorofluorocarbon is introduced onto the surface of the disc (17), and the disc (17) is rotated to disperse the oil into droplets. Chlorofluorocarbons in the oil are vaporized from the droplets to form a vapor. The vapor is condensed to recover a liquid chlorofluorocarbon.
Abstract:
Methods and systems for processing biological fluid, using a phlebotomy device (1) to obtain separate portions of biological fluid, are disclosed.
Abstract:
A fluid treatment arrangement includes a tube sheet (30) and a plurality of fluid treatment elements (60) sealed to the tube sheet (30). The fluid treatment arrangement is designed so that the fluid treatment elements (60) can be easily unsealed and removed from the tube sheet (30). According to one form of the invention, the arrangement may include an ejector mechanism (90) movable with respect to the tube sheet (30) into and out of contact with the fluid treatment elements (60). When the ejector mechanism (90) contacts the fluid treatment elements it can exert an axial force on the fluid treatment elements (60) to produce relative movement between the fluid treatment elements (60) and the tube sheet (30) by a sufficient distance to unseal the fluid treatment elements (60) from the tube sheet (30), making it easy to remove the fluid treatment elements (60) from the tube sheet (30). In preferred embodiments, the fluid treatment elements (60) comprise filter elements.
Abstract:
Methods and systems for inactivating potential pathogens in biological fluids such as blood or blood components are disclosed, e.g., by adding photoactivating agents and separating them after photoactivation.