Blood processing systems and methods that alternate flow of blood component and additive solution through an in-line leukofilter

• US 6,875,191 B2
• Filed: 10/13/2001
• Issued: 04/05/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Fenwal Incorporated (Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA)
• Original Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
• Inventors: Kast, Michael, Smith, Kelly B, Vandlik, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Bianco, Patricia
• Application Number:
  US09/976,832
• Publication Number:
  US 20020131891A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,270 Days
• Field of Search: 422 44- 48, 604/4.01, 604/5.01, 604 601- 607, 604/6.09, 604/6.11, 604 615- 616, 210645- 47, 210/650, 210739- 41, 210/744, 210/745, 210/767, 210781- 82, 210/784, 210/787, 210/85, 210 87- 90, 210/143, 210115- 46, 210252- 56, 210/257.1, 210/257.2, 210/258, 210/282, 128/898, 128/905, 128/920, 128/923, 128/DIG.3, 494/36, 494/37, 494 43- 45, 494/60
• US Class Current: 604/6.03
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 35/00 Medicinal preparations containing materials or reaction products thereof with undetermined constitution
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/0209 Multiple bag systems for separating or storing blood components
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/0218 with filters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/30 Single needle dialysis ; Reciprocating systems, alternately withdrawing blood from and returning it to the patient, e.g. single-lumen-needle dialysis or single needle systems for hemofiltration or pheresis
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/302 having a reservoir for withdrawn untreated blood
• 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 1/362227 the interface providing means for actuating on functional elements of the cassette, e.g. plungers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/36225 with blood pumping means or components thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/362261 at least one cassette surface or portion thereof being flexible, e.g. the cassette having a rigid base portion with preformed channels and being covered with a foil
• 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 1/3633 Blood component filters, e.g. leukocyte filters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3636 having a flexible housing
• 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 2205/12 with interchangeable cassettes forming partially or totally the fluid circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/128 with incorporated valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/331 used as turbidity change detectors, e.g. for priming-blood or plasma-hemoglubine-interface detection
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3393 by weighing the reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 7/00 : Drugs for disorders of the blood or the extracellular fluid

Abstract

Blood processing systems and methods convey blood cells from a blood cell source into a blood component collection flow channel that includes a blood cell storage container and an in-line filter to remove leukocytes from blood cells before entering the blood cell storage container. The systems and methods also convey additive solution from an additive solution source into the blood component collection flow channel. The systems and methods alternate the conveyance of blood cells through the filter with the conveyance of additive solution through the filter.

Claims

1. A blood processing method comprising the steps of

(a) conveying blood cells from a blood cell source into a blood component collection flow channel that includes a blood cell storage container and an in-line filter to remove leukocytes from blood cells before entering the blood cell storage container,

(b) conveying additive solution from an additive solution source into the blood component collection flow channel, and

(c) repeatedly alternating steps (a) and (b) according to a pre-established pumping sequence to mix the additive solution with the blood cells at a substantially constant ratio.

2. A method according to claim 1

further including a step (d) comprising terminating step (a) when a desired volume of blood cells has been conveyed from the blood cell source and performing step (b) to flush residual blood cells from the filter into the blood cell storage container.

3. A method according to claim 1

further including a step of holding the filter in a restraining fixture during steps (a) and (b).

4. A method according to claim 1

further including a step of deriving a value reflecting volume of blood cells present in the blood cell collection container after passage through the filter as a percentage of volume of blood cells conveyed from the blood cell source to the filter.

5. A method according to claim 1

wherein the blood cells comprise red blood cells.