Extracorporeal blood processing methods and apparatus

• US 6,129,656 A
• Filed: 10/24/1997
• Issued: 10/10/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Terumo BCT, Inc. (Terumo Corporation)
• Original Assignee: COBE Laboratories Incorporated (Terumo Corporation)
• Inventors: Dolecek, Victor D., Holmes, Brian M., Blakeslee, Jeffrey J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stright, Ronald
• Assistant Examiner(s): NOGGLE, WILLIAM J
• Application Number:
  US08/957,841
• Time in Patent Office: 1,082 Days
• Field of Search: 604/4, 604/5, 604/6, 210/782, 210/360.1, 210/380.1, 494/37, 494/38, 494/40, 494/41, 494/45
• US Class Current: 494/45
• 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 method for processing blood in an apheresis system comprising a blood processing vessel and a channel, said method comprising the steps of:

loading said blood processing vessel in said channel, said loading step comprising directing at least a portion of said blood processing vessel through a first channel section having a first width into a second channel section having a second width, said second width exceeding said first width;

providing blood to said blood processing vessel; and

collecting at least one type of blood component from said blood.

2. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said loading step comprising utilizing a blood processing vessel having a sufficient rigidity to be free-standing in said channel and for said at least a portion of said blood processing vessel to be directed through said first channel section and into said second channel section, and yet having sufficient flexibility to substantially conform to a coinciding portion of said channel during said providing and collecting steps.

3. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said loading step comprises disposing substantially an entirety of an internal volume of said at least a portion of said blood processing vessel below said first channel section.

4. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said providing step comprises expanding said at least a portion of said blood processing vessel to a width greater than said first width of said first channel section.

5. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said blood processing vessel comprises at least one seal where one part of said blood processing vessel is joined to another part of said blood processing vessel, said method further comprising the step of;

providing resistance to a pulling apart of said at least one seal during said providing and collecting steps.

6. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said blood processing vessel comprises at least one seal where one part of said blood processing vessel is joined to another part of said blood processing vessel, said method further comprising the step of;

supportably engaging at least part of said at least one seal during said providing and collecting steps.

7. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said blood processing vessel comprises upper and lower seals, wherein a first length of said upper seal is disposed in said first channel section, said method further comprising the step of;

providing resistance to a pulling apart of said upper and lower seals during said providing and collecting steps.

8. A method, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of:

configuring said channel to retain said blood processing vessel within said channel during said providing and collecting steps.

9. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said first channel section and said second channel section extend for only a portion of a length of said channel.