Apheresis apparatus and method
US5494592A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 13, 1995 |
| Grant date | Feb 27, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 13, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB04B2005/0471
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apheresis apparatus and method is disclosed for increasing the purity and yield of platelets separated from donated whole blood in a centrifuge. The whole blood in the centrifuge is diluted by recirculating fluid, such as plasma or saline, at a first flow rate, to mix with further withdrawn whole blood prior to entering the centrifuge. As plasma is collected, it is recirculated through the centrifuge at a second flow rate to further improve the separation between the intermediate density components, i.e., platelets and white blood cells in the "buffy coat." The plasma is then recirculated through the centrifuge at a third flow rate and platelets are displaced out of the centrifuge while the plasma is recirculating through the centrifuge at the third flow rate.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.