Extracorporeal blood processing methods and apparatus

• US 6,179,801 B1
• Filed: 01/21/1998
• Issued: 01/30/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Terumo BCT, Inc. (Terumo Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Gambro, Inc. (DaVita Incorporated)
• Inventors: Holmes, Brian M., Corbin, Frank III, Bainbridge, Marlene Adele, Blakeslee, Jeffrey J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sykes, Angela D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BIANCO, PATRICIA
• Application Number:
  US09/071,293
• Time in Patent Office: 1,105 Days
• Field of Search: 604/4-6, 604/18, 604/4.01, 604/5.01, 604/6.01, 604/6.04, 210/232, 210/380.1, 210/512.1, 494/10, 494/18, 494/21, 494/38, 494/41, 494/43, 494/45, 494/84, 422/72, 422/101, 422/48
• US Class Current: 604/6.01
• 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 2205/505 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 disposable for an apheresis system comprising a blood processing channel, said disposable comprising:

a blood processing vessel positionable in said blood processing channel and comprising;

first and second radially spaced sidewalls when said blood processing vessel is positioned in said blood processing channel;

a blood inlet port interfacing with one of said first and second sidewalls;

means for directing blood through said blood inlet port and within said blood processing vessel at an angle relative to a reference line extending perpendicularly to a portion of said blood processing vessel adjacent said blood inlet port, wherein said means for directing comprises means for directing blood through said blood inlet port and into said blood processing vessel in a direction which is substantially parallel with a direction of flow adjacent said blood inlet port; and

a first blood component outlet port.

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

said means for directing comprises a vane disposed within said blood processing vessel between first and second sidewalls of said blood processing vessel.

3. A disposable, as claimed in claim 2, wherein:

said vane is defined by a surface which is substantially parallel with a sidewall of said blood processing vessel through which said blood inlet port extends.

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

said disposable further comprises a second blood component outlet port, said first and second blood component outlet ports being disposed on opposite sides of said blood inlet port.

5. A disposable, as claimed in claim 4, wherein:

said means for directing is further in a direction of said first blood component outlet port, and wherein a flow within said blood processing vessel to said second blood component outlet port passes by said blood inlet port.

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

said angle is no greater than about 90°

.

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

said blood processing vessel comprises first and second sidewalls, wherein said blood inlet port extends through one of said first and second sidewalls into an interior of said blood processing vessel, and wherein said means for directing comprises a generally vertically disposed slot.

8. A disposable, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said first and second sidewalls are substantially planar surfaces and generally vertically extending.

9. A disposable for an apheresis system comprising a blood processing channel, said disposable comprising:

a blood processing vessel positionable in said blood processing channel and comprising;

first and second spaced sidewalls;

a blood inlet port extending through said first sidewall and having a first terminal end positioned between said first sidewall and said second sidewall;

a vane capping said first terminal end of said blood inlet port;

said vane having an opening to fluidly connect said blood inlet port with said blood processing vessel and to direct blood into said blood processing vessel at an angle other than perpendicular to said first sidewall.

10. A disposable, as claimed in claim 9, wherein:

said opening of said vane comprises a substantially vertical slot.

11. A disposable, as claimed in claim 9, wherein:

said opening of said vane comprises a substantially V-shaped notch.

12. A disposable, as claimed in claim 9, wherein:

said vane is positioned substantially parallel to said first sidewall.

13. A disposable, as claimed in claim 9, wherein:

said opening of said vane is substantially parallel to said first sidewall.

14. A disposable, as claimed in claim 9, wherein:

said opening of said vane directs blood into said blood processing vessel in a direction substantially parallel to said first sidewall.

15. A disposable for an apheresis system comprising a blood processing channel, said disposable comprising:

a blood processing vessel positionable in said blood processing channel and comprising;

first and second radially spaced sidewalls when said blood processing vessel is positioned in said blood processing channel;

a blood inlet port interfacing with one of said first and second sidewalls;

means for directing blood through said blood inlet port and within said blood processing vessel at an angle relative to a reference line extending perpendicularly to a portion of said blood processing vessel adjacent said blood inlet port, wherein said means for directing comprises means for directing blood through said blood inlet port and into said blood processing vessel in a direction which is substantially parallel to a sidewall of said blood processing vessel through which said blood inlet port extends; and

a first blood component outlet port.

16. A disposable for an apheresis system comprising a blood processing channel, said disposable comprising:

a blood processing vessel positionable in said blood processing channel and comprising;

first and second radially spaced sidewalls when said blood processing vessel is positioned in said blood processing channel;

a blood inlet port interfacing with one of said first and second sidewalls;

means for directing blood through said blood inlet port and within said blood processing vessel at an angle relative to a reference line extending perpendicularly to a portion of said blood processing vessel adjacent said blood inlet port;

inner and outer sidewalls, said blood inlet port interfacing with said inner sidewall, and wherein said means for directing further comprises means for reducing an effect of introducing said blood into said blood processing vessel on a flow along said outer sidewall past said blood inlet port, and

a first blood component outlet port.