Patent · US Expired

Single needle recirculation system for harvesting blood components

US5437624A · kind A · utility

176Cited by
11References
43Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateAug 23, 1993
Grant dateAug 1, 1995
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 23, 2013

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61M2205/12
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A single needle system for withdrawing donated blood, processing the blood to harvest components such as platelets, and returning processed blood to the donor through the single needle. Processing is performed by a centrifuge which separates blood components into stratified layers with a buffy coat containing platelets and white blood cells stably interfacing a red blood cell layer. Blood is withdrawn during a draw cycle and returned to the donor during a return cycle. A recirculation system is provided so that blood flows at a reduced rate through the processing system during the return cycle in order to minimize return cycle time while maintaining the stable position of the interface between buffy coat and red blood cell layers. A storage bag receives processed blood during the draw cycle and blood is squeezed from the bag during the return cycle, a portion returned to the donor and another portion entering the recirculation path. A pressure sensor is located in the return path to indicate an empty storage bag upon a precipitous drop in pressure. In that manner an immediate switch to the draw cycle is made to further minimize return cycle time. To still further minimize the retur…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.