Frozen plasma thawing system

• US 6,007,773 A
• Filed: 05/19/1998
• Issued: 12/28/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Roman Kuzyk
• Original Assignee: Roman Kuzyk
• Inventors: Kuzyk, Roman
• Primary Examiner(s): JASTRZAB, KRISANNE MARIE
• Application Number:
  US09/081,575
• Time in Patent Office: 588 Days
• Field of Search: 422/1, 422/40, 422/41, 422/44, 422/307, 422/309, 604/903, 165/80.5, 165/104.28, 165/104.31
• US Class Current: 422/44
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/025 Means for agitating or shaking blood containers A61M1/0245 takes precedence; shaking in general B01F31/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/366 by liquid heat exchangers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/445 the media being heated in the reservoir, e.g. warming bloodbags
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 604/903 Medical container with material agitation means

Abstract

A technique and apparatus for rapidly thawing a frozen blood plasma unit. The holder maintains a plasma unit pouch submerged in a manner which affords substantial thermal contact between the plasma unit and the fluid bath. The fluid is manipulated to provide a kneading effect on the exterior surface of the bag to enhance thawing efficiency.

Claims

1. A system for thawing a frozen plasma unit pouch comprising:

a tub containing a fluid bath;

mounting means for supporting said pouch in a substantially submerged position with respect to said fluid bath when containing said frozen plasma unit pouch; and

means for varying a flow of the fluid bath in said tub to create a kneading effect on an exterior of the frozen plasma unit pouch to thereby reduce the thawing time of said frozen plasma unit pouch, said pouch comprises an open end and a bottom end opposite said open end, and said mounting means supports said pouch in a substantially upright position in said fluid bath,

wherein said means for varying the flow of the fluid bath comprises an oscillating means for oscillating said tub to cause agitation of said fluid against said pouch, creating said kneading effect.

2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a wall attached to said mounting means and positioned in said fluid adjacent to said pouch, said wall comprising at least one aperture through which fluid passes during oscillation of said mounting means, thereby massaging said pouch.

3. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a stabilizing means submerged in said fluid for maintaining said pouch in a submerged position.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein said stabilizing means comprises spaced members for receiving said pouch in a space between said spaced members.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein said mounting means comprises a holder which maintains said pouch in a position relative to the fluid level wherein an upper end of said pouch is maintained above the fluid level to prevent contamination of said pouch.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein said oscillating means comprises a movable arm linked to said tub and an actuating mechanism for actuating said movable arm thereby producing movement of said tub within said fluid bath.

12. The system according to claim 1, wherein said mounting means comprises a lower support member engaging said bottom end and an upper support member engaging said pouch adjacent said open end thereby supporting said pouch in said substantially upright position in said quantity of fluid.

7. A system for thawing at least one frozen plasma unit pouch comprising:

a tub containing a fluid bath and a plate member;

mounting means for supporting at least one pouch in a substantially submerged position with respect to said fluid bath when containing said frozen plasma unit pouch; and

means for creating a kneading effect on a exterior of the frozen plasma unit pouch to thereby reduce the thawing time of said frozen plasma unit pouch,

wherein said means for creating a kneading effect on the exterior of the pouch comprises spaced members for receiving said pouch in a space between said spaced members, and agitation means comprising a mechanism which moves said plate member relative to said fluid bath thereby creating agitation of said fluid bath against said pouch and relative movement of said pouch to said spaced members whereby said pouch contacts said spaced members.

8. The system according to claim 7, further comprising a wall attached to said mounting means and positioned in said fluid adjacent said pouch, said wall having at least one aperture through which said fluid passes during movement of said mounting means, thereby massaging said pouch.

9. The system according to claim 7, wherein said spaced members are positioned relative to said pouch for maintaining said pouch in a submerged position.

10. The system according to claim 7, wherein said agitation means comprises a link to said plate member and an actuating means for actuating the link to thereby cause movement of said plate member within said fluid bath.

11. The system according to claim 7, wherein said mounting means includes a holder supporting said pouch in a position relative to the fluid level wherein an upper end of the pouch is maintained above the fluid level to prevent contamination of said pouch.

13. The system according to claim 7, wherein said pouch comprises an open end and a bottom end opposite said open end, said mounting means supports said pouch in a substantially upright position in said quantity of fluid.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein said mounting means comprises a lower support member engaging said bottom end and an upper support member engaging said pouch adjacent said open end thereby supporting said pouch in said substantially upright position in said quantity of fluid.