Extracorporeal blood processing methods and apparatus

• US 6,234,989 B1
• Filed: 04/28/1998
• Issued: 05/22/2001
• 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: Hempstead, Russell, Dolecek, Victor D., Brierton, Mark J., Bilodeau, Leon E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sykes, Angela D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BIANCO, PATRICIA
• Application Number:
  US09/067,455
• Time in Patent Office: 1,120 Days
• Field of Search: 604/4-6, 604/4.01, 604/5.01, 604/6.01, 604/6.1, 604/6.11, 604/6.15, 604/6.16, 494/35, 210/645-46, 210/781-82
• US Class Current: 604/5.01
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/303 having a reservoir for treated blood to be returned
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/308 Volume control, e.g. with open or flexible containers, by counting the number of pump revolutions, weighing
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 : for local operation

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 assembly for use in an extracorporeal blood processing system, comprising:

blood removal conduit means for transferring whole blood from a donor;

blood return conduit means for transferring uncollected blood components to a donor;

a first blood component conduit means for transferring a separated first blood component;

a cassette member having;

an integral internal reservoir for accumulating uncollected blood components and interconnected to said blood return conduit means; and

a first integral internal passageway partially defining said first blood component conduit means;

a first flexible tubing line interconnected at a first end to said first integral internal passageway, and interconnected at a second end to said integral internal reservoir;

a second flexible tubing line interconnected at a first end to said first integral internal passageway; and

positioning means on said cassette member for supportably engaging said first end portions of both said first and second flexible tubing lines to maintain said first end portions in a predetermined spaced relationship with an opening therebetween;

wherein said positioning means is defined by an integral rim portion of said cassette member, said rim portion partially defining a window through said cassette member within which said first end portions are located.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a second blood component conduit means for transferring a separated second blood component;

said cassette member further including;

a second integral internal passageway partially defining said second blood component conduit means;

a third flexible tubing line interconnected at a first end to said second integral internal passageway and interconnected at a second end to said integral internal reservoir;

a fourth flexible tubing line interconnected at a first end to said second integral internal passageway;

wherein said second ends of said first and third flexible tubing lines are fluidly interconnected to a top end of said integral internal reservoir, immediately adjacent to a sidewall thereof, wherein first and second separated blood components passing through said first and third flexible tubing lines into said integral internal reservoir will flow substantially down the inside of said sidewall during operation of said assembly.

3. A device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said positioning means comprises:

a plurality of keyhole recesses formed in said integral rim of said cassette member, said plurality of keyhole recesses being adapted to secure said first end portions of both said first and second flexible tubing lines.

4. A device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said positioning means comprises:

a plurality of snap-fit recesses formed in said integral rim of said cassette member wherein said first end portions of both said first and second flexible tubing lines are adapted to snap into said plurality of snap fit recesses.

5. A device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cassette member is molded.

6. A disposable assembly for use in an extracorporeal blood processing system, said disposable assembly comprising:

blood removal conduit for transferring whole blood from a donor;

blood return conduit for transferring uncollected blood components to a donor, said blood removal conduit being fluidly connected to said blood return conduit;

a cassette member having a plurality of integral passageways, wherein portions of said blood removal and blood return conduit means are each integrally defined within said cassette member;

a plurality of tubing loops extending from said cassette member, wherein said plurality of tubing loops each individually connected to at least one of said plurality of integral passageways of said cassette member, said plurality of tubing loops each adapted to engage at least one of a plurality of pumps;

a first flexible tubing line having a first end portion attached to an internal passageway of said cassette member;

a second flexible tubing line having a first end portion attached to an internal passageway of said cassette member; and

said cassette member further comprising

an integral rim portion defining a window through said cassette member;

a first recess in said integral rim portion for receiving and securing said first end portion of said first flexible tubing line;

a second recess in said integral rim portion for receiving and securing said first end portion of said second flexible tubing line;

wherein said first end portions are maintained in a predetermined spaced relationship with an opening there between.