Extracorporeal blood processing methods and apparatus

• US 5,722,946 A
• Filed: 06/07/1995
• Issued: 03/03/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Terumo BCT, Inc. (Terumo Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cobe Cardiovascular Incorporated (LivaNova Plc)
• Inventors: Menhennett, Thomas L., Mudloff, Frederick S., Murray, Richard E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Weiss, John G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): O YONG, KI
• Application Number:
  US08/486,012
• Time in Patent Office: 1,000 Days
• Field of Search: 210/767, 210/782, 210/781, 604/4-6, 494/35, 494/60, 494/62, 494/64
• US Class Current: 604/5.01
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/36222 Details related to the interface between cassette and machine
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/36224 with sensing means or components thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/36225 with blood pumping means or components thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/36226 Constructional details of cassettes, e.g. specific details on material or shape
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/362262 Details of incorporated reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/362263 Details of incorporated filters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/362265 Details of valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/362266 Means for adding solutions or substances to the blood
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3624 Level detectors; Level control
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3639 Blood pressure control, pressure transducers specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3641 Pressure isolators
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3652 using gas, e.g. air
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3692 Washing or rinsing blood or blood constituents
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3693 using separation based on different densities of components, e.g. centrifuging
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3696 with means for adding or withdrawing liquid substances during the centrifugation, e.g. continuous centrifugation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/123 with incorporated reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/125 with incorporated filters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/128 with incorporated valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/14 Detection of the presence or absence of a tube, a connector or a container in an apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3382 Upper level detectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3386 : Low level detectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/505 : Touch-screens; Virtual keyboard or keypads; Virtual buttons; Soft keys; Mouse touches
• CPC Class Codes: B04B 2005/045 : having annular separation channels
• CPC Class Codes: B04B 5/0442 : with means for adding or withdrawing liquid substances during the centrifugation, e.g. continuous centrifugation
• CPC Class Codes: B04B 9/08 : Arrangement or disposition of transmission gearing for solid bowl screw centrifuges B04B1/2016; Couplings; Brakes

Abstract

An extracorporeal blood processing system is disclosed which includes a variety of novel components and which may be operated in accordance with a variety of novel methodologies. For instance, the system includes a graphical operator interface which directs the operator through various aspects of the apheresis procedure. Moreover, the system also includes a variety of features relating to loading a blood processing vessel into a blood processing channel and removing the same after completion of the procedure. Furthermore, the system also includes a variety of features relating to utilizing a blood priming of at least portions of the apheresis system in preparation for the procedure. In addition, the system includes a variety of features enhancing the performance of the apheresis system, including the interrelationship between the blood processing vessel and the blood processing vessel and the utilization of high packing factors for the procedure.

Claims

1. A centrifuge rotor for an apheresis system comprising a blood processing channel interconnectable with said centrifuge rotor and a blood processing vessel positionable within said channel, said centrifuge rotor comprising:

a rotatable rotor housing comprising a rotor sidewall, a rotor top, and a blood processing vessel loading aperture, said loading aperture comprising first and second apertures, said first aperture being accessible on an exterior surface of said rotor housing and extending only partially through said rotor housing, said second aperture intersecting with said first aperture and extending upwardly through said rotor top;

a channel mounting interconnected with said rotor top of said rotor housing, said channel being interconnectable with said channel mounting.

2. A centrifuge rotor, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said first and second apertures collectively define a substantially L-shaped configuration.

3. A centrifuge rotor, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said first aperture is defined at least in part by a concave surface.

4. A centrifuge rotor, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

means for directing said blood processing vessel into said second aperture of said loading aperture, said means for directing comprising a surface defining at least a portion of said first aperture which directs said blood processing vessel into said second aperture.

5. A centrifuge rotor, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a rotary drive assembly interconnected with said rotor housing; and

a single gear rotatably interconnecting said channel mounting and said rotor housing.

6. A centrifuge rotor, as claimed in claim 5, wherein:

a first reference axis extends radially outwardly from and perpendicularly to a rotational axis of said rotor housing and bisects said first aperture of said loading aperture, wherein a second reference axis coincides with a rotational axis of said single gear and extends through said rotational axis, and wherein said first and second reference axes are separated by a first angle, said first angle being less than 90°

.

7. A centrifuge rotor, as claimed in claim 6, wherein:

said first angle is between about 20° and

about 40°

.

8. A centrifuge rotor, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

at least one counterweight attached to said rotor housing adjacent said first aperture of said loading aperture, wherein said at least one counterweight is radially offset in relation to said first aperture.