Apparatus and method for collecting and freezing blood plasma
US4994021A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 15, 1988 |
| Grant date | Feb 19, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 15, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M1/0277
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Disclosed is an improved apparatus and method for collecting, freezing and removing a liquid such as blood or blood components, and particularly blood plasma. In accordance with the present invention, a container (16) for blood plasma is defined by a pair of substantially flat, flexible opposing sidewalls (40, 42) which are substantially adjacent when the container is empty. The sidewalls are peripherally sealed together to define an interior compartment, and the side seals (44, 46) converge toward one end (48) of the container. After a selected quantity of plasma is collected in the container, the filled container is formed and frozen in a wedge-shaped configuration, with the opposed sidewalls (40,42) converging toward the end of the container. An air space (82) may be provided in the top of the container so that a knife (86) may be easily inserted into the frozen container without contacting the frozen liquid (88) therein. Slight warming of the container then permits the frozen contents to be removed efficiently as a single slug. Also disclosed is a form (60) for shaping a container as described above into a wedge-shape for freezing. The form includes a pair of rigid, perforated …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.