Extracorporeal blood processing methods and apparatus

• US 6,231,537 B1
• Filed: 01/21/1998
• Issued: 05/15/2001
• 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:
  US09/010,077
• Time in Patent Office: 1,210 Days
• Field of Search: 494/44, 494/40, 494/38, 494/45, 494/64, 604/4.01, 604/5.01, 604/6-1-, 604/6.1, 604/6.11, 604/6-5-, 210/781-84, 210/767, 210/739
• US Class Current: 604/6.02
• 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 channel, said disposable comprising:

a blood processing vessel positionable in said channel and comprising;

a whole blood inlet port;

a first blood component outlet port;

an inner wall and an outer wall defining a fluid containing volume; and

a first tab extending beyond the fluid containing volume of said blood processing vessel a sufficient distance whereby said first tab extends beyond said channel when said blood processing vessel is positioned within said channel;

said first tab comprising a non-fluid containing structure for gripping when positioning and removing said vessel into and from said channel.

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

said blood processing vessel comprises a seal formed along an upper edge of said blood processing vessel comprising a joinder of overlapping portions of said blood processing vessel, said first tab extending upwardly from said seal.

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

said first tab is integrally formed with said seal.

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

said first tab comprises at least one grip enhancing member.

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

a plurality of said first tabs spaced along a length of said blood processing vessel.