DE4192629B4 - Donated blood collection and processing system - comprises two porous media interposed between a collection bag and two satellite bags - Google Patents

Abstract

System comprises: (a) 3 containers (C1, C2 and C3) where C1 and C2 and C2 and C3 are in fluid communication; (b) a first porous medium interposed between C1 and C2 (LDM) comprising at least 1 of a leukocyte depletion medium, a red cell barrier (RCBM) and a combined LD-RCBM; and (c) a second porous medium interposed between C1 and C2 comprising a leukocyte depletion medium. Also claimed is a blood centrifugation and processing system comprising: (i) a centrifuge having at least two buckets. (ii) at least one container fitted in the bucket; (iii) at least one filter assembly in fluid communication with the container; and (iv) a bracket receiving the filter assembly and carried by the bucket.

Description

technical area

The The invention relates to a system for processing donor blood for Purpose of therapeutic transfusion of blood components and in particular The invention relates to improved methods and apparatus for Production of platelet-rich Plasma (hereafter PRP), packed red blood cells (hereinafter PRC), platelet concentrate (hereafter PC for short) and plasma from the donated whole blood. The The invention also relates to a system for processing a biological liquid while working up a biological fluid into its various Components.

Background of the invention

The Development of plastic bags for collecting blood has the separation of donated whole blood in its various components and facilitated in analog products, these different blood products (e.g., platelet concentrates) available as a transfusion product be made.

in the Course of time and due to extensive research and clinical Data, the transfusion practices have changed greatly. One Aspect of the present Practice can be seen in that whole blood rarely administered; rather, to patients who have a Need for red blood cells have packed red blood cells, to patients in need of platelets, a platelet concentrate, and plasma administered to patients in need of plasma. For this reason, the separation of blood into its components of significant therapeutic and economic value. This is nowhere stronger significantly, as in the treatment of increased immune system damage Patients suffering from the current chemotherapy of cancer patients used higher Canned and stronger Medicines are caused. This more aggressive chemotherapeutic Procedures are directly related to a reduction in salary platelets in the blood connected to abnormally low levels; associated with it internal and external bleeding require in addition more frequent PC transfusions. This requires blood banks to calculate the amount of platelets to increase per unit amount of blood.

One typical method used in the United States for Separation into the components consists in the citrate-phosphate-dextrose-adenine system (CPDA-1) system, which makes use of a number of steps to the donated blood into three components, each individual component is of considerable therapeutic and economic value. The Method typically uses a blood collection bag, the in one piece over one flexible hose with at least one and preferably two or more satellite bags is connected. Under centrifugation can the whole blood by differential sedimentation in such valuable Blood components, such as plasma, packed red blood cells (PRC) in clear plasma suspended platelets (on platelets rich plasma or PRP), platelet concentrate (PC) and cryoprecipitate (which may require separate editing) to be separated.

• (1) Eine Einheitsmenge des gespendeten Vollbluts (etwa 450 mg gemäß der Praxis in den Vereinigten Staaten) wird aus der Vene des Spenders entnommen und direkt im Blutsammelbehälter, der das Nährstoffe und Antikoagulationsmittel enthaltende CDPA-1 enthält, gesammelt.
• (2) Der Blutsammelbeutel wird zusammen mit seinen Satellitenbeuteln zentrifugiert (Zentrifugation mit langsamer Drehzahl oder "soft-spin"-Zentrifugation), wobei die roten Blutkörperchen sich als PRC im unteren Bereich des Blutsammelbeutels anreichern und im oberen Teil des Beutels eine Suspension von PRP zurückbleibt.
• (3) Der Blutsammelbeutel wird sorgfältig ohne Störung der Grenzfläche zwischen der überstehenden PRP-Schicht und der sedimentierten PRC-Schicht in eine als "Plasmaextraktor" bekannte Vorrichtung gebracht. Der Plasmaextraktor oder -expressor umfaßt typischerweise eine Vorder- und eine Hinterplatte. Die beiden Platten sind an ihren unteren Enden miteinander gelenkartig verbunden und durch eine Feder so gegeneinander vorgespannt, daß im Beutel ein Druck von etwa 90 mm Quecksilber entsteht.

A typical collection and processing procedure of whole blood may include the following steps:

• (1) One unit of donated whole blood (about 450 mg as practiced in the United States) is withdrawn from the vein of the donor and collected directly in the blood collection box containing the nutrients and anticoagulant-containing CDPA-1.
• (2) The blood collection bag is centrifuged together with its satellite bags (slow spin or soft-spin centrifugation), the red blood cells accumulating as PRC at the bottom of the blood collection bag and a suspension of PRP remaining in the top of the bag ,
• (3) The blood collection bag is carefully placed in a device known as a "plasma extractor" without disturbing the interface between the supernatant PRP layer and the sedimented PRC layer. The plasma extractor or expector typically includes a front and a back plate. The two plates are hinged together at their lower ends and biased by a spring against each other so that the bag creates a pressure of about 90 mm of mercury.

The blood collection bag is placed between the two plates and a valve, gasket or closure in or on the flexible tube is opened allowing the supernatant PRP to flow into a first satellite bag. As the PRP flows out of the blood collection bag, the interface with the PRC rises. In current practice, the operator must closely observe the position of the rising interface and disconnect the connector tube if, in their judgment, as much PRP as possible has been transmitted without allowing red blood cells to enter the first satellite bag. This is a laborious and time-consuming process in which the operator must visually monitor the bag and, after appropriate consideration, decide independently when to close the connection tube.

• (4) Der PRP-enthaltende Satellitenbeutel wird dann zusammen mit einem weiteren Satellitenbeutel aus dem Extraktor entnommen und bei einer erhöhten G-Kraft (Hochgeschwindigkeitszentrifugation oder "hard-spin"-Zentrifugation) zentrifugiert, wobei Zeit und Drehzahl so eingestellt werden, daß sich die Blutplättchen im unteren Bereich des PRP-Beutels anreichern. Nach beendeter Zentrifugation enthält der PRP-Beutel die sedimentierten Blutplättchen in seinem unteren Bereich und klares Plasma in seinem oberen Bereich.
• (5) Der PRP-Beutel wird sodann in den Plasmaextraktor gebracht. Der Großteil des klaren Plasmas wird in einen Satellitenbeutel gedrückt, wobei der PRP-Beutel dann nur mehr die sedimentierten Blutplättchen und etwa 50 ml Plasma enthält. Sodann wird in einer weiteren Stufe diese Blutplättchenzusammensetzung zur Bildung eines Blutplättchenkonzentrats (PC) dispergiert. Der PRP-Beutel, der nunmehr ein PC-Produkt enthält, wird sodann abgelöst und bis zu 5 Tagen bei 20–24°C gelagert, bis er für eine Blutplättchentransfusion benötigt wird. Bei einer einzigen Blutplättchentransfusion können mehrere Blutplättchen-Einheiten (z.B. von 6 bis 10 Spendern, wenn eine Transfusion an einen erwachsenen Patienten vorgesehen ist) vereinigt werden.
• (6) Das Plasma im Satellitenbeutel kann selbst zur Transfusion an einen Patienten verwendet werden oder es kann durch komplexe Verfahren in eine Reihe von weiteren wertvollen Produkten aufgetrennt werden.

The blood collection container, now containing only PRC, can be separated and stored at 4 ° C until needed for transfusion to a patient, or a valve or occluder can be opened in the tube so that the PRC is transferred to a satellite bag in which either the pressure generated by the plasma extractor is used or the blood collection device is placed in a pressure cuff or caused by lifting a gravity-induced flow.

• (4) The PRP-containing satellite bag is then removed from the extractor along with another satellite bag and centrifuged at increased G-force (high-speed centrifugation or "hard-spin" centrifugation), adjusting time and speed so that the Enrich platelets at the bottom of the PRP bag. After completion of the centrifugation, the PRP bag contains the sedimented platelets in its lower part and clear plasma in its upper part.
• (5) The PRP bag is then placed in the plasma extractor. The bulk of the clear plasma is pressed into a satellite bag, the PRP bag then containing only the sedimented platelets and about 50 ml of plasma. Then, in a further step, this platelet composition is dispersed to form a platelet concentrate (PC). The PRP bag, now containing a PC product, is then peeled off and stored at 20-24 ° C for up to 5 days until needed for platelet transfusion. In a single platelet transfusion, multiple platelet units (eg, from 6 to 10 donors if a transfusion is provided to an adult patient) may be pooled.
• (6) The plasma in the satellite bag can itself be used for transfusion to a patient, or it can be separated by complex procedures into a series of other valuable products.

To the common one from CPDA-1 Belong to systems Adsol, Nutricell and SAG-M. In these latter systems, the collection bag contains only anticoagulant, and the nutrient solution can previously be stored in a satellite bag to be placed. This nutrient solution will transferred to the PRC after separation of the PRP from the PRC, yielding a higher Yield of plasma and a longer shelf life for the Achieved PRC.

in the In view of this, there is a growing need for an effective one System and method for separating a biological fluid (e.g., whole blood) into their components. The staff of blood banks has stepped up to this desire after blood components by the trial, the PRC and PC yields to increase in different ways, responding. Upon separation of the PRC and PRP fractions (e.g. above stage 3), the staff of blood banks has tried more PRP before interrupting the flow from the blood collection bag push out, but this has happened frequently proved counterproductive since the PRP and then from it extracted PC frequently with red blood cells contaminated, giving the normally pale yellow PC a pink or red coloring gives. The presence of red blood cells in the PC is so much undesirable, that pink or red PC often discarded or subjected to recentrifugation, both operations increase the processing costs and labor intensive. As a result, the staff of blood banks to over-caution forced by the flow of the PRP stops before it completely forced out is. Thus, the PC remains uncontaminated, but it can a discarding of unexpressed plasma that is a valuable Product represents, come.

This reflects another problem when trying to yield to increase in individual blood components. Although each one Component is valuable, can save you a boost the yield is increased by Labor costs are compensated if the operator of the Processing system to increase the yield a constant and careful monitoring of the system.

The Devices and methods of the present invention mitigate the difficulties described above and also ensure a higher yield on higher quality PRC and PC.

Separation of the various blood components using centrifugation is accompanied by a number of other difficulties. For example, PRP is used to obtain a layer that Whereas, consisting of platelets concentrated at the bottom of the PRP-containing bag (eg, step 4 above), the platelets thus concentrated tend to form a dense aggregate which must be dispersed in the plasma to form a platelet concentrate. The dispersion step is usually done by moderate mixing, for example, by placing the bag on a moving board which is rotating with a precessional skew. This mixing process requires several hours, which may be a potentially undesirable delay, and many researchers believe that a partially aggregated platelet concentrate will be formed. It is also believed that the platelets can be damaged by the forces applied during centrifugation.

Finally exists a problem in the separation of various blood components using a multi-bag system and under centrifugation in that very much valuable blood components in the connecting the various bags Lines and in the devices that can be used in the system withheld become.

conventional Processing and storage techniques can also be difficult exhibit. For example, air, in particular oxygen, the in stored blood and blood components or in the storage container is, to an impairment the quality the blood components and to a reduction of their shelf life to lead. In particular, oxygen can lead to an increased metabolic rate (during the Glycolysis), resulting in a reduced shelf life and reduced usability and function of whole blood cells. For example, metabolizing Red blood cells while the storage glucose and form lactic acid and pyruvic acid. These acids decrease the pH of the medium, which in turn affects the metabolic functions reduced. Furthermore can the presence of air or gas in the satellite bag one Represent a risk factor when a patient undergoes a transfusion Receives blood component. For example, a small amount of only 5 ml of air or gas can be heavy damage or cause death. Despite the adverse influence of Oxygen on the shelf life and the quality Blood and blood components are still available according to the prior art not minded the need, Gases from blood processing systems during collection and processing to remove.

Next the above Contains components Thoroughbred white blood corpuscle (in total known as leukocytes) of various types, of which the most important types are granulocytes and lymphocytes. White blood cells guarantee a protection against bacterial and viral infections. The transfusion of blood components whose leukocyte content has not been reduced is not without risk for the Transfusion patients. Some of these risks are in U.S. Patent 4,923,620 and U.S. Patent 4,880,548, which is incorporated herein by reference above be made closer described.

In the centrifugation method described above for separating blood into the three basic fractions, the leukocytes are present in substantial amounts both in the fraction of packed red blood cells and in the fraction of platelet-rich plasma. Now, it is generally very desirable to reduce the leukocyte concentration of these blood components as much as possible. Although there is no fixed criterion, it is generally believed that many undesirable effects of transfusion could be reduced if the leukocyte content could be reduced by a factor of about 100 or more prior to administration to the patient. This is close to a reduction in the average total leukocyte content to less than about 1 x 10 ⁶ in a single PRC unit and less than about 1 x 10 ⁵ in a PRP or PC unit. Previous attempts to achieve this goal are based on the use of packed fibers, commonly referred to as filters. However, it appears that methods using filtration based on size separation can not be successful for two reasons.

First, leukocytes may be greater than about 15 microns (eg, granulocytes and macrocytes) or may be as small as 5-7 microns in size, eg, lymphocytes. Together, granulocytes and lymphocytes represent the majority of all leukocytes in normal blood. Red blood cells are about 7 μm in diameter, ie, about the same size as lymphocytes, one of the two major classes of leukocytes that must be removed. Second, all of these cells may undergo deformation so that they can pass through openings smaller than their normal size. Accordingly, it has been widely believed that removal of leukocytes is achieved mainly by adsorption on the inner surfaces of porous media rather than filtration can.

Reduction of leukocytes is particularly important with respect to a blood component, such as PC. Platelet concentrates prepared by differential centrifugation of blood components have varying degrees of leukocyte contamination related to the time and magnitude of force developed during centrifugation. The degree of leukocyte contamination in unfiltered, conventional platelet preparations of 6 to 10 pooled units is generally about 5 x 10 ⁸ or more. It has been demonstrated that a leukocyte removal efficiency of 81-85% is sufficient to reduce the incidence of febrile platelet transfusion responses. Several other recent studies report a reduction in alloimmunization and platelet resistance at levels of leukocyte contamination below about 1 x 10 ⁷ per unit. For a single unit of PC with an average level of leukocyte contamination (according to current practice) of about 7 x 10 ⁷ leucocytes, the target to be achieved after filtration is less than 1 x 10 ⁶ leukocytes. The present studies therefore recommend that a leukocyte contamination reduction of at least two log (99%) be desirable. Recent research suggests that a three log (99.9%) or even a four log (99.99%) reduction should be significantly cheaper.

One further desirable The criterion is a reduction in the loss of platelets about 15%. or less, based on the original platelet concentration. platelets are known for their "sticky" texture, a designation indicating the tendency of blood platelets suspended in blood plasma to Adhesion to any non-physiological surfaces, which they are exposed reflects. Stick in many cases They also strongly together.

In Any system that requires filtration to remove Leukocytes from a platelet suspension depends there is substantial contact between platelets and the inner surfaces of the filter assembly. The filter assembly must be so be that the platelets have a minimal adhesion to the inner surfaces of the filter assembly and these surfaces not significantly affect the contact.

Includes the device For the removal of leukocytes a porous structure, so there is the Tendency that yourself Microaggregates, gels, fibrin, fibrinogen and fat globules accumulate on or within the pores and inhibit this Block flow. conventional Procedures in which the filter is designed to remove leukocytes PRC of preconditioning by passing saline through the filter assembly is subjected, optionally after Filtration a rinse with saline, are undesirable, because the liquid content is excessively increased during transfusion, what a possible overload the circulatory system of the patient with fluid means. A task an embodiment The present invention is to provide a device for the removal of (depletion of) leukocytes, the leukocytes and the other elements with high efficiency and no clogging removed and no preconditioning before processing off freshly drawn blood derived PRC and no rinsing filtration for recovery requires remaining in the filter red blood cells.

by virtue of the high cost and limited availability of blood components is intended to remove leukocytes from biological fluids used device with a porous medium the highest possible Share of the component present in the donated blood. A ideal device for the removal of leukocytes from PRC or PRP should be cheap and relatively small, and be able to rapidly blood components consisting of one or more units of a biological fluid (e.g., donor whole blood) have been obtained for example, less than about 1 hour. Ideally, this should Device the leukocyte content to the lowest possible Degrade degree, the yield of a valuable blood component maximized, and costly, complicated, and labor-intensive efforts the person parked to operate the system will be minimized should. The yield of the blood component should be maximized and simultaneously a stable one and physiologically active component can be supplied by for example, damage due to centrifugation and / or the presence of air or minimized gas. It has also been preferred that the PRC porous medium to remove platelets and fibrinogen, fibrin strands, small fat globules and other components, such as microaggregates, which are present in whole blood could be, capable is.

definitions

• (A) Blutprodukt oder biologische Flüssigkeit: antikoaguliertes Vollblut (AWB); aus AWB erhaltene gepackte rote Blutkörperchen; aus AWB erhaltenes blutplättchenreiches Plasma (PRP); aus AWB oder PRP erhaltenes Blutplättchenkonzentrat (PC); aus AWB oder PRP erhaltenes Plasma; aus Plasma abgetrennte und in einer physiologischen Flüssigkeit resuspendierte rote Blutkörperchen; und aus Plasma abgetrennte und in einer physiologischen Flüssigkeit resuspendierte Blutplättchen. Der Ausdruck Blutprodukt oder biologische Flüssigkeit umfaßt auch beliebige behandelte oder unbehandelte Flüssigkeiten in Verbindung mit lebenden Organismen, insbesondere Blut, Vollblut, warmes oder kaltes Blut und gelagertes oder frisches Blut; behandeltes Blut, wie mit einer physiologischen Kochsalzlösung, einschließlich (aber ohne Beschränkung hierauf) einer Kochsalzlösung, Nährlösung und/oder antikoagulierenden Lösungen; eine oder mehrere Blutkomponenten, wie Blutplättchenkonzentrat (PC), blutplättchenreiches Plasma (PRP), blutplättchenfreies Plasma, blutplättchenarmes Plasma, Plasma oder gepackte rote Blutkörperchen (PRC); analoge Blutprodukte, die aus Blut oder einer Blutkomponente oder aus Knochenmark abgeleitet sind. Die biologische Flüssigkeit kann Leukozyten enthalten oder zur Entfernung von Leukozyten behandelt worden sein. Der hier verwendete Ausdruck Blutprodukt oder biologische Flüssigkeit bezieht sich auf die vorstehend beschriebenen Komponenten und auf ähnliche Blutprodukte oder biologische Flüssigkeiten, die auf andere Weise und mit ähnlichen Eigenschaften erhalten worden sind. Erfindungsgemäß werden alle diese Blutprodukte oder biologischen Flüssigkeiten auf die hier beschriebene Weise verarbeitet.
• (B) Vollblut-Einheit: Blutbanken in den Vereinigten Staaten nehmen dem Spender üblicherweise etwa 450 ml Blut in einem Behälter, der ein Antikoagulationsmittel zur Verhinderung der Blutgerinnung enthält, ab. Jedoch variiert die abgenommene Menge von Patient zu Patient und von Blutspende zu Blutspende. Die während einer derartigen Blutspende entnommene Menge wird hier als Vollblut-Einheit definiert.
• (C) Einheit von gepackten roten Blutkörperchen (PRC), blutplättchenreichem Plasma (PRP) oder Blutplättchenkonzentrat (PC): Hier wird der Ausdruck "Einheit" gemäß der Praxis in den Vereinigten Staaten verwendet. Eine Einheit von PRC, PRP, PC oder roten Blutkörperchen oder Blutplättchen in einer physiologischen Flüssigkeit oder in Plasma ist die Menge, die von einer Vollblut-Einheit abgeleitet ist. Sie kann sich auch auf die während eines einzelnen Blutspendevorgangs abgenommene Menge beziehen. Typischerweise variiert das Volumen einer Einheit. Beispielsweise variiert das Volumen einer Einheit von PRC in erheblichem Maße je nach dem Hämatokrit (Vol.-% der roten Blutkörperchen) des abgenommenen Vollbluts, wobei dieser Wert üblicherweise im Bereich von etwa 37 bis etwa 54% liegt. Der gleichzeitige Hämatokrit von PRC, der im Bereich von etwa 50 bis etwa 80% variiert, hängt teilweise davon ab, ob die Ausbeute an dem einen oder anderen Blutprodukt minimiert werden soll. Die meisten PRC-Einheiten liegen im Bereich von etwa 170 bis etwa 350 ml, jedoch ist eine Abweichung nach unten und nach oben nicht ungewöhnlich. Mehrfacheinheiten von einigen Blutkomponenten, insbesondere Blutplättchen, können gepoolt oder vereinigt werden, typischerweise, indem man 6 oder mehr Einheiten vereinigt.
• (D) An Plasma verarmte Flüssigkeit: Eine an Plasma verarmte Flüssigkeit bedeutet eine beliebige biologische Flüssigkeit, aus der eine bestimmte Menge an Plasma entfernt worden ist, beispielsweise auf die blutplättchenreiche Flüssigkeit, die nach Abtrennen von Plasma aus PRP erhalten wird, oder auf die Flüssigkeit, die nach Entfernen von Plasma aus Vollblut zurückbleibt.
• (E) Poröses Medium: Dieser Ausdruck bezieht sich auf das poröse Medium, durch das eine oder mehrere Blutkomponenten oder biologische Flüssigkeiten passieren. Das PRC-poröse Medium bewirkt eine Verarmung an Leukozyten in der gepackten Erythrozytenkomponente. Das blutplättchen- oder PRP-poröse Medium bezieht sich allgemein auf beliebige Medien, die eine Verarmung an Leukozyten in Nicht-PRC-Blutkomponenten, d.h. in PRP oder in PC, bewirken. Das Erythrozyten-Barrieremedium blockiert die Passage der roten Blutkörperchen und bewirkt eine Verarmung an Leukozyten in PRP in größerem oder geringerem Umfang, wobei es den Durchgang von Blutplättchen ermöglicht.

The following definitions are used in relation to the invention.

• (A) blood product or biological fluid: anticoagulated whole blood (AWB); packed red blood cells obtained from AWB; platelet-rich plasma (PRP) obtained from AWB; platelet concentrate (PC) obtained from AWB or PRP; Plasma obtained from AWB or PRP; red blood cells separated from plasma and resuspended in a physiological fluid; and platelets separated from plasma and resuspended in a physiological fluid. The term blood product or biological fluid also includes any treated or untreated fluids associated with living organisms, particularly blood, whole blood, warm or cold blood, and stored or fresh blood; treated blood, such as a saline solution including, but not limited to, saline, broth, and / or anticoagulant solutions; one or more blood components, such as platelet concentrate (PC), platelet-rich plasma (PRP), platelet-free plasma, platelet-poor plasma, plasma, or packed red blood cells (PRC); analogous blood products derived from blood or a blood component or from bone marrow. The biological fluid may contain leukocytes or have been treated to remove leukocytes. The term blood product or biological fluid as used herein refers to the components described above and to similar blood products or biological fluids which have been obtained in other ways and with similar properties. According to the invention, all these blood products or biological fluids are processed in the manner described here.
• (B) Whole Blood Unit: Blood banks in the United States typically remove about 450 ml of blood from the donor in a container containing an anticoagulant to prevent blood clotting. However, the amount decreased varies from patient to patient and from blood donation to blood donation. The amount withdrawn during such a blood donation is defined here as a whole blood unit.
• (C) Unit packed packed red blood cells (PRC), platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or platelet concentrate (PC): Here, the term "unit" is used in the United States practice. A unit of PRC, PRP, PC or red blood cells or platelets in a physiological fluid or in plasma is the amount derived from a whole blood unit. It may also refer to the amount withdrawn during a single blood donation procedure. Typically, the volume of a unit varies. For example, the volume of a unit of PRC varies significantly according to the hematocrit (% by volume of red blood cells) of the harvested whole blood, which is usually in the range of about 37 to about 54%. The concurrent hematocrit of PRC, which varies in the range of about 50 to about 80%, depends in part on whether the yield of one or the other blood product should be minimized. Most PRC units range from about 170 to about 350 ml, but deviations down and up are not uncommon. Multiple units of some blood components, particularly platelets, may be pooled or pooled, typically by pooling 6 or more units.
• (D) Plasma depleted fluid: A plasma depleted fluid means any biological fluid from which a certain amount of plasma has been removed, such as the platelet-rich fluid obtained after separation of plasma from PRP, or the fluid which remains after removal of plasma from whole blood.
• (E) Porous medium: This term refers to the porous medium through which one or more blood components or biological fluids pass. The PRC-porous medium causes depletion of leukocytes in the packed erythrocyte component. The platelet or PRP porous medium generally refers to any media that causes depletion of leukocytes in non-PRC blood components, ie PRP or PC. The erythrocyte barrier medium blocks the passage of red blood cells and causes leukocyte depletion in PRP to a greater or lesser extent, allowing the passage of platelets.

As detailed below, the porous medium for use in conjunction with PRC can be formed from any natural or synthetic fibers (or other materials of similar surface area and pore size) that are compatible with blood. The porous medium can remain untreated. Preferably, the critical wetting surface tension (CWST) of the porous medium is within a certain range, as mentioned below, and as dictated by the intended use. The porous surfaces of the medium can be modified or treated to achieve the desired CWST. For example, the CWST of a PRC porous medium is typically above about 53x10 ^-5 N / cm.

The porous medium for use with PRP may be made of any natural or synthetic material or other porous material that is compatible with blood. The porous medium can remain untreated. Preferably, the CWST and zeta potential of the porous medium are within certain ranges as described below and dictated by the intended use. For example, the CWST of a PRP porous medium is typically above about 70 x 10 ^-5 N / cm.

The porous media according to the invention can with one between the containers be connected arranged line. They can be arranged in a housing which in turn is connected to the line. The one used here Expression Filter arrangement relates to the porous medium, which in a suitable casing is arranged. An exemplary filter assembly may be an assembly or leukocyte depletion device or erythrocyte barrier device include. A system for processing a biological fluid, For example, a system for obtaining and processing blood can be porous media, preferably filter arrangements. Preferably that forms porous Medium a tight fit at its edges when inserted into the case becomes.

• (F) Trennmedium: Ein Trennmedium bezieht sich auf ein poröses Medium, das eine Abtrennung einer Komponente einer biologischen Flüssigkeit von einer anderen Komponente bewirkt. Die Trennmedien eignen sich zum Durchgang von mindestens einer Komponente des Blutprodukts oder der biologischen Flüssigkeit, insbesondere von Plasma, wobei jedoch andere Komponenten des Blutprodukts oder der biologischen Flüssigkeit, insbesondere Blutplättchen und/oder rote Blutkörperchen nicht passieren.

The porous medium may be configured as a flat foil, a reinforced foil, a sheet or a membrane. The porous medium may be preformed and configured in the form of hollow fibers, although no limitation of the invention is intended thereto.

• (F) Separation medium: A separation medium refers to a porous medium which causes separation of a component of a biological fluid from another component. The separation media are suitable for the passage of at least one component of the blood product or biological fluid, in particular plasma, but other components of the blood product or the biological fluid, in particular platelets and / or red blood cells do not pass.

As detailed below, the separation medium may be formed for use with a biological fluid of any natural or synthetic fibers or of a porous or permeable membrane (or other materials of similar surface area and pore size) that are compatible with a biological fluid. The surface of the fibers or membrane may be unmodified or modified to achieve a desired property. Although the separation medium may be left untreated, the fibers or membrane are preferably treated to give them even greater effectiveness in separating a component of a biological fluid, eg, plasma, from other components of a biological fluid, eg platelets or red blood cells. The separation medium is preferably treated to reduce or eliminate the adhesion of platelets to the medium. Any treatment that results in a reduction or elimination of adhesion of platelets falls within the scope of the present invention. Further, the medium may be subjected to a surface treatment such as described in U.S. Patent 4,880,548 (incorporated herein by reference) to increase the critical wetting surface tension (CWST) of the medium and to provide less adherent platelet character. When defined as CWST, a preferred CWST range for a separation medium is above about 70 × 10 ^-5 N / cm, and more preferably above about 90 × 10 ^-5 N / cm. Further, the medium may be subjected to gas plasma treatment to reduce platelet adhesion. The critical wetting surface tension (CWST) of the release medium is within a certain range, as indicated below and dictated by the intended use. The pore surfaces of the medium can be modified or treated to achieve the desired CWST.

The Separation medium can be preformed, multilayered and / or surface treatment for modification of the surface be subjected to the medium. When using a fibrous Medium can the fibers are treated either before or after formation of the fiber support become. It is preferred that the fiber surfaces be prior to formation of the fiber support to modify, since then after the hot pressing to form a integral filter element to obtain a more cohesive, stronger product becomes. The separation medium is preferably preformed.

• (G) Das Hohlraumvolumen ist das gesamte Volumen sämtlicher Poren innerhalb eines porösen Mediums. Das Hohlraumvolumen wird nachstehend als prozentualer Anteil des scheinbaren Volumens des porösen Mediums angegeben.
• (H) Messung der Faseroberfläche und des durchschnittlichen Faserdurchmessers: Vorzugsweise wird eine geeignete Technik zur Messung der Faseroberfläche, beispielsweise durch Gasadsorption, allgemein als "BET"-Messung bezeichnet, verwendet. Die Oberfläche von aus der Schmelze geblasenen Bahnen kann zur Berechnung des durchschnittlichen Faserdurchmessers unter Verwendung von PBT als ein Beispiel berechnet werden: Gesamtvolumen der Faser in 1 g = 1 / 1,38 cm³ (worin 1,38 = Faserdichte von PBT, g/cm³)
  
  Fläche der Faser ist πdL = A_f (2) Division von (1) durch (2):
  
  
  worin L = Gesamtlänge in cm von 1 g Faser, d = durchschnittlicher Faserdurchmesser in cm, und A_f = Faserfläche in cm²/g.

The release media may be configured in any suitable manner, for example, as a flat film, a reinforced film, a web, hollow fibers, or a membrane.

• (G) The void volume is the total volume of all pores within a porous medium. The void volume is hereinafter reported as a percentage of the apparent volume of the porous medium.
• (H) Measurement of fiber surface and average fiber diameter: Preferably, a suitable technique for measuring the fiber surface, for example by gas adsorption, is commonly referred to as "BET" measurement. The surface of melt blown webs can to calculate the average fiber diameter using PBT as an example: total volume of fiber in 1 g = 1 / 1.38 cm ³ (where 1.38 = fiber density of PBT, g / cm ³ )
  
  Area of the fiber is πdL = A _f (2) Division of (1) by (2):
  
  
  where L = total length in cm of 1 g of fiber, d = average fiber diameter in cm, and A _f = fiber area in cm ² / g.

• (I) Kritische Benetzungsoberflächenspannung: Wie im US-Patent 4,880,548 beschrieben, kann der CWST-Wert eines porösen Mediums bestimmt werden, indem man einzeln auf die Oberfläche des Mediums eine Reihe von Flüssigkeiten, deren Oberflächenspannungen von 2 bis 4 × 10^–5 N/cm variieren, ausbringt und die Absorption oder Nichtabsorption der einzelnen Flüssigkeiten im Verlauf der Zeit beobachtet. Der CWST-Wert eines porösen Mediums in der Einheit dyn/cm (10^–5 N/cm) ist definiert als der Mittelwert der Oberflächenspannung der Flüssigkeit, die absorbiert wird und der angrenzenden Oberflächenspannung der Flüssigkeit, die nicht innerhalb einer vorbestimmten Zeit absorbiert wird. Die Absorptions- und Nichtabsorptionswerte hängen in erster Linie von der Oberflächenspannung des Materials, aus dem das poröse Medium hergestellt ist, und in zweiter Linie von den Porengrößeneigenschaften des porösen Mediums ab.

If the units of d are μm, then the units for A _{f will be} in m ² / g (square meter / gram), which will be used below.

• (I) Critical Wetting Surface Tension: As described in U.S. Patent 4,880,548, the CWST of a porous medium can be determined by placing individually on the surface of the medium a series of liquids whose surface tensions are from 2 to 4 x 10 ^-5 N / ^sec . cm varies, emanates and observed the absorption or non-absorption of each liquid over time. The CWST of a porous medium in the unit dyn / cm (10 ^-5 N / cm) is defined as the average of the surface tension of the liquid being absorbed and the adjacent surface tension of the liquid which is not absorbed within a predetermined time. The absorption and non-absorption values depend primarily on the surface tension of the material from which the porous medium is made, and secondarily on the pore size properties of the porous medium.

Liquids whose surface tensions are below the CWST of a porous medium will spontaneously wet the medium upon contact with it, and when the pores of the medium are interconnected, the liquid will readily flow through the medium. Liquids whose surface tensions are above the CWST of the porous media will not flow at low pressure differences or may flow unevenly if sufficiently high pressure differences are applied to force the fluid through the porous media. In order to achieve adequate pretreatment (priming) of a fibrous medium with a liquid, such as blood, the fibrous medium preferably has a CWST in the range of about 53 × 10 ^-5 N / cm or more.

• (J) Allgemeines Verfahren zur Messung des Zeta-Potentials: Das Zeta-Potential wurde unter Verwendung einer Probe, die aus einem 1/2 Zoll dicken Stapel von Bahnen ausgeschnitten worden war, gemessen.

For the porous medium used to process PRC, it is preferred that the CWST be in a range slightly above the CWST of untreated polyester fiber (52 x 10 ^-5 N / cm), for example over about 53 x 10 ^-5 N / cm, and more preferably about 60 x 10 ^-5 N / cm. For the porous medium used to process PRP, it is preferred that the CWST be maintained in a range above about 70x10 ^-5 N / cm.

• (J) General method for measuring zeta potential: The zeta potential was measured using a sample cut from a 1/2 inch thick stack of sheets.

The zeta potential was measured by placing the sample in an acrylic filter holder in which the sample was held compactly between two platinum wire screens (100 x 100 mesh, ie 100 wires in both directions per inch). The meshes were connected to the terminals of a voltmeter, Triplett Corporation Model 3360 volt-ohm meter, using a copper wire with the inlet side connected to the positive terminal of the meter. A solution of buffered pH was passed through the sample at a pressure differential of 45 inches of water over the filter holder. The effluent was collected. For pH 7 measurement, a buffered solution was prepared by adding 6 ml of pH 7 buffer (Fisher Scientific Co., Catalog No. SB108-500) and 5 ml of pH 7.4 buffer (Fisher Scientific Co., catalog No. SB110-500) to 1 liter of pyrogen-free deionized water gave. For measurements at pH 9, a buffered solution was prepared by adding 6 ml of pH 9 buffer (Fisher Scientific Co., Catalog No. SB114-500) and 2 ml of pH 10 buffer (Fisher Scientific Co. , Catalog No. SB116-500) to 1 liter of pyrogen-free, deionized water. The electrical potential across the filter holder was measured at flow (about 30 seconds of flow time was required to stabilize the potential) and corrected for cell polarization by subtracting from it the electrical potential measured on termination of the current. During the flow time, the pH of the liquid was measured using a pH meter, Cole-Parmer Model J-5994-10, equipped with a built-in pH probe, model J-5993-90. The conductivity of the liquid was measured using a conductivity meter, Cole-Parmer Model J-1481-60, equipped with a conductivity flow cell Model J-1481-66. The voltmeter was then reversed and the effluent was allowed to flow backwards through the filter holder using a pressure differential of 45 inches of water. As in the first time, the electric potential measured at flow was corrected for cell polarization by subtracting from it the electric potential measured when the current was interrupted. The mean of the two corrected potentials was taken as flow potential.

The zeta potential of the medium was derived from the flow potential using the following relationship (JT Davis et al., Interfacial Phenomena, Academic Press, New York, 1963):
zeta potential = 4πη / DP · E _S · λ
where η is the viscosity of the flowing solution, D is the dielectric constant, 1 is the conductivity, E _{S is} the flow potential and P is the pressure in the transverse direction to the sample during the flow time. In these tests, the value for 4πη / DP was 0.800. (K) Tangential Flow Filtration: The term "tangential flow filtration" as used herein refers to the passage or circulation of a biological fluid in a generally parallel or tangential direction with respect to the surface of the separation medium.

Summary presentation the invention

In the devices and methods of the present invention a depletion of leukocytes in a biological fluid (e.g., PRC or PRP) at the time of processing, in the United States generally within about 6 to 8 hours after blood collection done, made. Thus, when transmitting a biological liquid from the bag in which it is contained, leukocytes through the corresponding porous Removed medium and a leukocyte depleted biological fluid is won in the satellite bag.

The inventive task is through the in the independent claims described features solved. Advantageous embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and from the description of the figure.

Inventive method and systems include a red blood cell barrier medium allows the passage of a component of the biological fluid, but prevents the passage of other components through the medium eliminating the need for continuous monitoring an operator is eliminated and the efficiency of separation of the biological fluid, as whole blood is increased into one or more components.

Preferably a system is provided in which a biological fluid, like whole blood, is processed to form PRP and PRC. PRP learns a depletion of leukocytes by placing between the blood collection bag and a first satellite bag at least one porous medium to remove leukocytes from PRP; PRC learns a Depletion of leukocytes by placing between the blood collection bag and a second satellite bag at least one porous medium to remove leukocytes from PRC.

A preferred embodiment of the invention also a centrifugation system in which one (or both) of the interposed Filter assemblies for depletion of leukocytes in interaction is arranged with a centrifuge cup so or that the filter assembly, the porous one Medium in the filter assembly and the blood bags are not through the while The centrifugal process generated very large forces are damaged.

Furthermore, advantageous embodiments of the method and systems according to the invention may include a gas outlet, which is an escape of the gas possibly present in the system from the system allows. Such methods and systems may also preferably include a gas inlet that allows gas to enter the system to recover a biological fluid that may have been trapped or captured during processing.

A advantageous embodiment of the invention also the treatment of a biological fluid under non-centrifugal Separation of at least one component from the biological Liquid, e.g. the treatment of PRP for the formation of plasma and PC or the Separation of plasma from whole blood. Inventive method and devices use a separation medium, the passage of a Component of the biological fluid, like plasma, allows however, the passage of other components, such as platelets or red blood cells, prevented by the medium, eliminating the need for a sharp ("hard-spin") centrifugation as processing stage deleted. A tangential flow of a biological fluid parallel to the feed surface of the Separation medium allows the passage of plasma through the medium, with the tendency of cellular components or platelets for adhesion to the surface of the medium is reduced, preventing the passage of platelets supported by the separation medium. From the hydrodynamics of a stream parallel to a surface becomes actually assumed that she is such that during the flow process parallel to the surface the platelets develop a spin that causes them to gain surface can be.

Short description the drawing

1 shows an embodiment of a processing system for a biological fluid according to the invention, wherein the biological fluid is separated by centrifugal separation into components.

2 shows another embodiment of a biological fluid processing system according to the invention comprising a non-centrifugal separation device.

3 shows a preferred embodiment comprising a gas inlet and a gas outlet.

4 shows an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a filter assembly, a centrifuge bowl and a holding device to hold the filter assembly in a suitable position on the cup.

5 shows an elevation of an embodiment of the invention.

6 shows a cross section of an embodiment of the invention, wherein the first liquid flow path is shown in a separation device according to the invention.

7 shows a cross section along the line A - A of 6 ,

8th shows a cross section along the line B - B of 6 ,

9 shows a cross section of a preferred embodiment, wherein the second liquid flow path is shown in a separation device according to the invention.

10 shows a cross section along the line C - C of 9 ,

11 shows a cross section along the line D - D of 9 ,

Full Description of the invention

The present invention includes an assembly for collecting and processing a biological fluid, preferably blood, comprising a first container and a second container, and a conduit for communicating the first container with the second container; and at least a third container and a conduit for connecting the first container to the third container; wherein at least a first porous medium is disposed between the first container and a second container; and wherein at least one second porous medium is disposed between the first container and a third container. The first porous medium was a red blood cell barrier medium, or an assembly comprising a leukocyte depletion medium and a red blood cell barrier medium. The second porous medium may be a medium for depletion of leukocytes optionally comprising a microaggregate filter element and / or a gel prefilter element. As shown in more detail below, the assembly may further include other containers, porous media, and conduits for connecting the containers and the porous media.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the blood collection and processing assembly includes tubing connected to each other and an in-line porous medium for removing leucocytes from PRC, wherein the porous medium has a CWST greater than about 53 × 10 ^-5 N / cm.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the blood collection and processing assembly comprises interconnected containers and a porous medium interposed in the line for removing leucocytes from PRP, the porous medium having a CWST greater than about 70 x 10 ^-5 N / cm.

The The invention preferably also includes a system for processing a biological fluid comprising a first container; a first porous one Medium with a barrier medium for red blood cells, that with the first container communicates and defines a first flow path; and a second porous medium with a medium for the removal of leukocytes, that with the first container communicates and defines a second flow path.

As in more detail below As shown, the system can also contain other containers, flow paths and porous media include.

The The invention preferably also includes a method for obtaining and Processing of blood, including collecting whole blood in one Container; centrifuging the whole blood; passing the supernatant Layer of centrifuged blood through a first porous medium, the first being porous Medium at least one barrier medium for red blood cells and a leukocyte-removing medium in combination with a barrier medium for Red blood cells comprises; and passing the sediment layer of the centrifuged blood through a second porous one Medium, the second porous Medium comprises a medium for the removal of leukocytes.

The The invention preferably also includes a method of processing a biological fluid, comprising expressing a biological fluid from a first container in a first porous one Medium, which is a barrier medium for Red blood cells comprises; and squeezing a biological fluid from the first container into a second porous one Medium. As more fully explained below As shown, the method may also include processing the liquid by additional Container, flow paths and porous media include.

An exemplary system for recovering and processing a biological fluid is shown in FIG 1 shown. The system for processing the biological fluid is generally with 10 designated. It may include: a first container or collection bag 11 , a needle or cannula 1 which is suitable for introduction to the donor; an optional barrier arrangement 12 for red blood cells; a first arrangement 13 for the removal of leukocytes; a second container (first satellite bag) 41 ; an optional fourth container (third satellite bag) 42 ; a second arrangement 17 for the removal of leukocytes; and a third container (second satellite bag) 18 , The individual arrangements or containers may be through hoses, preferably flexible hoses 20 . 21 . 25 . 26 . 27 or 28 in fluid communication with each other. The first leukocyte-removing assembly preferably comprises a porous medium for passage of PRP; the second leukocyte-removing assembly preferably comprises a porous medium suitable for passage of PRC. Furthermore, a closure, valve, clamp or transfer leg closure or cannula (not shown) may be disposed in or on the tube or in the collection and / or satellite bags. The closure (or closures) opens when liquid is to be transported between the bags.

According to another exemplary configuration, the in 2 shown blood processing system to the same system as in 1 with the exception that the area of the system, which is located downstream of the arrangement 13 located for the removal of leukocytes, a separating arrangement 14 comprises, preferably a non-centrifugal separation arrangement.

According to a in 3 In another exemplary configuration shown, the invention may further include at least one gas inlet 51 . 53 and / or at least one gas outlet 52 . 54 include. The system of 3 includes a first container or collection bag 11 in fluid communication with an optional barrier arrangement 12 for red blood cells, a gas inlet 53 , an arrangement 13 to remove leukocytes and a gas outlet 54 stands. The first container 11 may also be in fluid communication with a gas inlet 51 , an arrangement 17 to remove leukocytes and a gas outlet 52 stand. As shown in more detail below, the assembly may also include additional containers, flow paths, and porous media.

A any number and combinations of arrangements, porous media, containers and cables are suitable. The person skilled in the art recognizes that the one described here Invention in different combinations, also under the invention fall, can be realized again.

below the individual components of the arrangement are described in detail.

The Container, in the arrangement for processing biological fluids can be used be made of any materials with a biological Liquid, as whole blood, or a blood component are compatible and which has a centrifugation and enduring sterilization environment. A variety of such containers is known from the prior art. For example, collecting and satellite bag for Blood typically made from plasticized polyvinyl chloride, e.g. from with dioctyl phthalate, diethylhexyl phthalate or trioctyl trimellitate plasticized PVC. The bags can too made of a polyolefin, polyurethane, polyester and polycarbonate be.

At the Here used phrase "hose" may be any conduit or device that performs a fluid communication between the containers manufactures. Typically, the hose is made of the same flexible Material, as for the containers is used, prepared, preferably made of plasticized PVC. The tube may extend into the interior of the container and may, for example be used as a siphon. There may be a number of hoses, the one fluid connection with all individual containers guarantee. The tubes can be set up in different ways. For example, at least two tubes at the head of the bag or at the bottom of the bag or respectively a hose may be set up at each end of the bag.

In addition, the hoses, Arrangements, porous Media and containers be so arranged that they different flow paths define. For example, when processing whole blood, the PRP along a first flow path flow, e.g. through the barrier to red blood cells (if present), a PRP leucocyte removal assembly and in a satellite bag (e.g., a second container). Similarly, the PRC along a second flow path flow, e.g. through the PRC leukocyte removal device and a satellite bag (e.g., a third container). There independent Flow paths available could be, can biological fluids (e.g., PRP and PRC) flow simultaneously or sequentially therein.

One closure, Valve, clamp, transmission leg closure or the like. is typically located in or on the hose. The present Invention is not intended to the manufacture of the container or the container connection line limited material type used be.

The composition of the various porous media depends in part on the desired function, eg, blocking of red blood cells or leucocyte removal. A preferred composition of the various porous media is a mat or web of fibers which are preferably thermoplastic. The fibers of the porous media may comprise any fibers that are compatible with biological fluids. It can be either natural or synthetic fibers. In the present invention, the fibers are preferably treated or modified to achieve or increase the CWST. For example, the fibers may have been subjected to surface modification to increase the critical wetting surface tension (CWST) of the fibers. For example, the treated or untreated fibers used in the porous PRC medium have a CWST of greater than about 53 x 10 ^-5 N / cm; for the porous PRP medium, the value is above about 70 × 10 ^-5 N / cm. Further, the fibers may be glued, fused or otherwise secured together, or they may be mechanically interwoven. Other porous media, eg, open cell structure foamed plastics, which have been surface modified as described above, can be used in a similar manner.

Although the porous ones Media made of any materials containing biological fluids are compatible, can be produced comes from practical considerations especially the use of commercially available materials in question. The porous media according to the invention are preferably for example made of any synthetic Formed polymers which are capable of forming fibers and can serve as a substrate for grafting. Preferably that should Polymers may be capable of having at least one ethylenically unsaturated Monomers under the influence of a ionizing radiation to react without the matrix by the radiation significant or excessively disadvantageous being affected. To suitable polymers for use as a substrate belong without restriction polyolefins, polyesters, polyamides, polysulfones, acrylic resins, Polyacrylonitriles, polyaramides, polyarylene oxides and sulfides and Polymers and copolymers of halogenated olefins and unsaturated Nitrites. Examples include (without limitation) Polyvinylidene fluoride, polyethylene, polypropylene, cellulose acetate and nylon 6 and 66. Preferred polymers are polyolefins, polyesters and polyamides. The most preferred polymer is polybutylene terephthalate (PBT).

The surface properties a fiber can unmodified or modified by a number of methods, for example by chemical reaction including a wet or dry oxidation; by coating the surface by Deposition of a polymer thereon or by grafting reactions, wherein the substrate or fiber surface before or during the Wetting the fiber surface with a monomer solution is activated by giving it an energy source, such as heat Van der Graff generator, UV light or various other forms of radiation; or by to subject them to a gas plasma treatment. A preferred method consists in a grafting reaction using gamma radiation, for example, from a cobalt source.

A exemplary radiation grafting technique makes use of at least one Monomers of a variety of monomers, each containing an ethylene or acrylic radical and a second group which is itself preferably a hydrophilic group (e.g., -COOH or -OH). A grafting of the fibrous medium may also be by compounds can be achieved which contain an ethylenically unsaturated group, e.g. an acrylic rest, in combination with a hydroxyl group, preferably with monomers such as hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) or acrylic acid. The Compounds containing ethylenically unsaturated Group can be combined with a second monomer, such as methyl acrylate (MA), methyl methacrylate (MMA) or methacrylic acid (MAA). Be MA or MMA preferably incorporated into the medium used to treat PRC. MAA is preferably the medium used to treat PRP incorporated. Preferably the monomer weight ratio from MAA to HEMA in the modifying mixture about 0.01: 1 to about 0.5: 1st Preferably the monomer weight ratio from MA or MMA to HEMA in the modifying mixture about 0.01: 1 to about 0.4: 1. The use of HEMA contributes to a very high CWST value at. Analogues with similar ones functional properties can also be used to control the surface properties of fibers to modify.

It has been observed that porous media which have been subjected to a surface treatment using certain grafting monomers or combinations of monomers, determine the CWST value in terms of the margin between the surface tension of the liquid being absorbed and the surface tension The liquid that is not absorbed behaves differently. This range can vary from less than 3 to 20 or more x 10 ^-5 N / cm. Preferably, the media has a range between the absorption and non-absorption values of about 5 or less x 10 ^-5 N / cm. This choice reflects the greater accuracy with which the CWST value can be controlled in the selection of narrower margins, although media with wider margins can also be used. The use of a narrower range is preferred for improving the quality control of the product.

A Radiation grafting can make the fiber-fiber bond in a fibrous one Strengthen medium. As a result, a fibrous medium that is untreated has little or no fiber-to-fiber bonding, after one Radiation grafting to increase the CWST value of the medium a considerable fiber-fiber bond exhibit.

For porous media for use with a biological fluid, such as PRP, a preferred range of CWST of the fiber is preferably above about 70 x 10 ^-5 N / cm, and typically within the range of about 70 to 115 x 10 ^-5 N / cm ; a most preferable range is 90 to 100 × 10 ^-5 N / cm, and a most preferable range is 93 to 97 × 10 ^-5 N / cm. A preferred range for the zeta potential (at the pH of plasma (7.3)) is about -3 to about -30 millivolts, a more preferred range is about -7 to about -20 millivolts, and a most preferred range is about -10 to about -14 millivolts.

In packed red blood cells as well as in whole blood, the red blood cells are suspended in blood plasma having a surface tension of about 73 × 10 ^-5 N / cm. To reduce the leukocyte content of PRC, a CWST of greater than about 53 x 10 ^-5 N / cm is desired. The CWST may typically range from greater than about 53 x 10 ^-5 N / cm to about 115 x 10 ^-5 N / cm, but the invention is not intended to be limited thereby. A more preferred CWST is above 60x10 ^-5 N / cm and a most preferred CWST range is about 62x10 ^-5 N / cm to less than about 90x10 ^-5 N / cm.

Optionally, the flow rate of the biological fluid through the filter may be adjusted to achieve a total flow time of about 10 to 40 minutes by selecting the element diameter, element thickness, fiber diameter and density, and / or by adjusting the diameter of the tube upstream and / or. or downstream of the filter. At these flow rates, a leukocyte removal efficiency of greater than 99.9% can be achieved. If the processed biological fluid is PRP, these efficiencies may result in a PC product having less than about 0.1 x 10 ⁶ leukocytes per PC unit compared to the target of less than about 1 x 10 ⁶ ,

The porous Medium for leucocyte removal from PRC is predominantly used at PRC, the donated blood within about 8 hours after the blood sample has been obtained. It can also be used for Filtration of PRC at 4 ° C has been stored for up to several weeks; there but the risk of clogging during filtration with the Storage period increases, this risk can, for example, under Prefilters that precede the described media are reduced become.

wobei rho = Faserdichte, g/cm³
und V = Hohlraumvolumen, %,
dann kann, wenn es zur Leukozytenentfernung aus PRC verwendet wird, der log des Wirkungsgrads, der definiert ist als das Verhältnis der Leukozytenkonzentration im Zufluß zur Leukozytenkonzentration im Abfluß, aus folgender Gleichung berechnet werden:

A porous PRC medium of the present invention can be prepared to have a wide leukocyte removal efficiency range. Is the porous medium composed of fibers of 2.6 microns and weighs about

where rho = fiber density, g / cm ³
and V = void volume,%,
then, when used for leukocyte removal from PRC, the log of efficiency, defined as the ratio of leukocyte concentration in the influent to leukocyte concentration in the effluent, can be calculated from the equation:

For most applications, it is desirable to maintain the flow time of a unit of PRC through the porous media at working pressures of from about 30 to 300 mg Hg less than about 30 to 40 minutes; To achieve this flow rate, the device should preferably be configured to give a flow area of about 30 to 60 cm ² .

For example, a porous medium of 8.63 cm diameter (area = 58.5 cm ² ) would be formed using 7.7 g fibers of 2.6 μm diameter and 1.38 g / cm ³ density and a void volume of 76 , 5%, satisfies the conditions of equation (3). There would be an efficiency of leukocyte removal of log 6 according to equation (4). Thus, at a concentration in the influx of 10 ⁹ leucocytes / unit, there would be a concentration in the effluent of

und für log Wirkungsgrad ergäbe sich gemäß Gleichung (4):

Correspondingly, 88.2% ³ density would be when performing with V = using fibers of 2.6 micron diameter and 1.38 g / cm, the weight of the porous medium in accordance with equation (3)

and for log efficiency would result according to equation (4):

Thus, at a leucocyte concentration in the influx of 10 ⁹ per PRC unit, there would be a concentration in the effluent of

The Equations (3) and (4) are on void volumes in the range of about 73 to 88.5% applicable, the range of efficiency ranges from about log 3 to log 7.

Equations (3) and (4) provide a very useful guideline for designing and building optimal or near-optimal PRC filters with limited experimentation effort; however, those skilled in the art will recognize that variations to these formulas and modifications to the porous media can be made to obtain valuable products. Exemplary modifications and their effect on the behavior of the porous media are summarized below: Desired filter properties Changes in equations (3) and (4) Increased efficiency - Reduction of fiber diameter leukocyte removal - Increase the fiber weight - Reduction of the void volume Decrease in the probability - Enlargement of the area a constipation of the filter element - Carrying out a prefiltration - Increase of the void volume Reduction of the inner - Reduction of the void volume rest volume - omitting the prefiltration - Use of finer fibers Increase the flow rate of the PRC - Processing the blood in such a way that the PRC has a low hematocrit and thus having a lower viscosity - Application of a higher gradient in Filter - Increase the filter surface at simultaneous reduction in thickness Enlargement of the void volume of the filter Elements Resistance against - Reduction of the void volume higher invested of the element pressure differences - Use of coarser fibers (at the price of a diminished Efficiency) Use of fibers with one higher module

barrier medium for red blood corpuscle

Red blood cell barrier assemblies made in accordance with one embodiment of the invention and positioned, for example, between the blood collection bag and the PRP bag generally remove about 85 to 99% or more of the incoming leukocytes, which is a removal rate that may not be sufficient. to reliably reach a residual leukocyte count of less than 10 ⁶ leukocytes per PC unit. However, a major function of this arrangement is the effect as an automatic "valve" during the decanting process by instantaneously stopping the flow of biological fluid, eg, the supernatant layer (such as PRP), at the time the red blood cells come into contact with the porous medium having a porous surface. The mechanism of this valve-like action is not very clear, but it may be aggregation of the red blood cells upon reaching the porous surface, forming a barrier which prevents or blocks further flow of the supernatant layer through the porous medium.

A Aggregation of red blood cells on contact with the porous Filter seems to be related to the CWST value and / or others, less clear surface properties fiber produced by the method described herein for modifying the fibers occur to stand. This theory for the proposed mechanism is supported by the fact that it There are filters that are highly effective for the Removal of leukocytes from suspensions of human red blood corpuscle are and pore sizes of 0.5 μm, through the red blood cells free and complete go through without blockage if a pressure in a same Magnitude, as applied according to the invention is being created.

on the other hand effect the filters according to the invention, which typically have pore diameters greater than about 0.5 μm, an abrupt termination of the flow of red blood cells, if the porous medium in contact with the red blood cells comes. This leaves it shut down, that the valve similar Effect does not match the pore size or is related to or through a filtration mechanism is caused. The mechanism of this valve-like action is not quite clearly, but it may be one with the zeta potential in Related aggregation of red blood cells act when they reach the filter surface and a barrier form, which is another flow a biological fluid with a content of red blood cells through the porous Medium prevented or blocked.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the red blood cell filter assembly has a preferred fiber surface area of from about 0.04 to about 0.3 m ^2, and more preferably from about 0.06 to about 0.20 m ² . A preferred range for the flow area of the porous medium is about 3 to about 8 cm ^2, and more preferably about 4 to about 6 cm ² . A preferred range for void volume is about 71 to about 83% and a most preferred range is about 73 to about 80%. Because of its small size, a preferred device according to this variation of the invention typically has a low resting volume. For example, the apparatus of the invention maintains processing of PRP as a biological fluid according to this modification internally only about 0.5 to about 1 cm ³ PRP back, which means a loss of less than 0.5% platelets.

According to a further modification of the devices of the invention which is cm ³ human blood derived PRP typically comprises of a single unit of about 450 during a flow time of about 10 to 40 minutes, through a filter with a porous medium, which is preferably grafted fibers with a surface in Range of about 0.08 to about 1.0 m ^2, and more preferably about 0.1 to 0.7 m ² and a void volume in the range of about 50 to about 89% and in particular from about 60 to about 85%. The filter element preferably has a true cylindrical shape with a diameter to thickness ratio of preferably in the range of about 7: 1 to about 40: 1. The range of the fiber diameter is about 1.0 to about 4 microns and is more preferably in the range of about 2 to about 3 microns. With reference to the above modification of the invention, this modification is carried out with a higher fiber surface, a higher flow area of the porous medium, a lower density of the porous medium and an increased void volume.

All these parameters can be varied; For example, the diameter of the porous medium decreased and the thickness increased be maintained, wherein the total amount of fibers is maintained, or Fiber diameter can increase while increasing the total amount of fibers to be enlarged or the fibers can packed in place of a preform to a cylindrical disc become. Such modifications are within the scope of the invention.

A further amendment The invention may be a porous Medium include, wherein the upstream region has a higher density as the downstream located area. For example, the porous medium an upstream located layer of higher Density to block the passage of red blood cells, and one downstream lower density layer for leukocyte removal exhibit.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the fibers have been subjected to a surface modification according to the previous versions, but the area of the fiber element is increased and at the same time the density is somewhat reduced. In this way, the automatic blocking of the current during Contact with red blood cells combined with a very high efficiency of leukocyte removal.

A preferred range for the fiber area in this variation of the invention is about 0.3 to about 2.0 m ^{2, more} preferably about 0.35 to about 0.6 m ² . The upper limit of the fiber area reflects the need to end the filtration within a relatively short period of time and can be increased if longer filtration times are acceptable. A preferred void volume for the red blood cell barrier assembly is in the range of about 71 to about 83%, and more preferably from about 75 to about 80%. A preferred flow area is in the range of about 2.5 to about 10 cm ^2, and more preferably about 3 to about 6 cm ² . Efficiencies of leukocyte removal greater than about 99.9%, corresponding to an average residual leukocyte content per unit of less than about 0.5 x 10 ⁶ , can be achieved.

According to one preferred embodiment The invention may be a porous Medium for use on a biological fluid, such as a protruding one Layer (e.g., PRP), the type of device described in U.S. Patent 4,880,548, which is here by reference to the subject of the description, include. According to one preferred embodiment The invention may be a porous Medium for use on a biological fluid, such as a sediment layer (e.g., PRC) include the type of device disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,925,572 and U.S. Patent 4,923,620, both of which are incorporated herein by reference the description to be made.

As mentioned above, Can the sediment layer, such as PRC, when squeezing out of the collection bag by a device having a leukocyte-removing element are processed to increase the leukocyte content of the sediment layer reduce. According to the invention, the porous medium comprises for removing leukocytes from the packed erythrocyte component a biological fluid an element for the removal of leukocytes or porous medium. The preferred element is typically by using Irradiation grafted, meltblown fibers with an average Diameter of about 1 to about 4 microns, and preferably about 2 to about 3 μm produced. A polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) web which is a preferred Material can be under heat to a void volume of from about 65 to about 90%, and preferably from about 73 to about 88.5%.

separating arrangement

The The present invention preferably comprises the separation of one or multiple components of a biological fluid. According to the invention, a biological fluid, especially blood, to be exposed to a separation medium that is for passing at least one component of the biological Liquid, in particular of plasma, but not of other components of the biological fluid, in particular of platelets and / or red blood cells suitable. A blockage of the separation medium by these other components is minimized or prevented.

In the embodiment of the invention, which is a separating arrangement 14 , preferably a non-centrifugal separation device, the supernatant layer (eg, PRP) may be passed through a leukocyte removal assembly and then through the non-centrifugal separator 14 where it can be processed and separated into components, which are then separated in a container 15 and a container 16 can be won. According to a preferred embodiment, PRP can be separated as a supernatant into plasma and platelet concentrate as the PRP passes through the non-centrifugal separator.

As in 5 As shown, a preferred separator of the present invention comprises a housing 210 with first and second areas 210a . 210b which are interconnected in any convenient way. For example, the first and second housing areas 210a . 210b be connected by means of an adhesive, a solvent or one or more connectors. The housing 210 also has an inlet 211 and first and second outlets 212 respectively. 213 on, so that a first liquid flow path 214 between the inlet 211 and the first outlet 212 and a second fluid flow path 215 between the inlet 11 and the second outlet 13 arise. A separation medium 216 with first and second surfaces 216a . 216b is inside the case 210 between the first and second housing areas 210a . 210b arranged. Furthermore, the separation medium 216 parallel to the first fluid flow path 214 and across the second fluid flow path 215 arranged.

The embodiments of the present invention may be configured in various ways to provide maximum contact of the biological fluid with the first surface 216a of the separation medium 216 to ensure and a blockage on the first surface 216a of the separation medium to reduce or eliminate. For example, the separating device may comprise a first flat chamber, that of the first surface 216a of the separation medium 216 opposite. The first chamber may include an array of fins that control the flow of biological fluid over the entire first surface 216a of the separation medium 216 to distribute. Another possibility is that the first chamber comprises one or more channels, grooves, conduits, passages or the like, which may be serpentine, parallel or curved, or may have various other configurations.

The liquid flow channels may be of any suitable construction and construction. For example, the channels may have a rectangular, triangular or semicircular cross section and a constant depth. Preferably, the channels have a rectangular cross section and vary in depth, for example between the inlet 211 and the outlet 212 ,

In the in the 6 . 7 and 8th the embodiment shown is the inlet 211 of the housing 210 with the serpentine liquid flow channels 220 . 221 and 222 connected to the first surface 216a of the separation medium 216 are opposite. These channels 220 - 222 separate the incoming stream of biological fluid into separate flow paths tangent to the first surface 216a of the separation medium 216 run. Which are along the first surface 216a extending serpentine liquid flow channels 220 . 221 and 222 can at the first outlet 212 of the housing 210 be reunited.

The embodiments of the present invention may also be variously arranged to counteract the pressure on the separation medium 216 to minimize and a sufficiently high flow rate to the second outlet 212 to ensure, with the goal, a surface coating 216a while minimizing the quiescent volume. The separator comprises a second flat chamber, that of the second surface 216b of the separation medium 216 opposite. Like the first chamber, the second chamber may also include an array of ribs or may include one or more channels, grooves, conduits, passages or the like, which may be serpentine, parallel or curved or may have various other arrangements.

The liquid flow channels may be of any suitable construction and construction. For example, they may have a rectangular, semicircular or triangular cross section and a constant or variable depth. In the in the 9 - 11 In the embodiment shown, several serpentine fluid flow channels are present 231 . 232 . 233 . 234 and 235 the second surface 216b of the separation medium 216 across from. Which are along the second surface 216b extending serpentine liquid flow channels 231 - 235 can at the second outlet 213 be reunited.

Ribs, walls or protrusions 241 . 242 can be used to define the channels 220 - 222 . 231 - 235 the first and second chambers are used and / or the separation medium 216 inside the case 210 wear or hold in position. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, more walls are in the second chamber 242 as present in the first chamber to a deformation of the separation medium 216 due to the pressure difference in the separation medium.

When used, a biological fluid, eg whole blood or PRP, is injected under sufficient pressure into the inlet 211 of the housing 210 introduced from any suitable source of biological fluid. For example, the biological fluid from a syringe into the inlet 211 or it can be injected into the inlet 211 be pressed from a flexible bag using a gravity-gradient, a pressure cuff or a squeezing device. From the inlet 211 the biological fluid enters the channels 220 - 222 the first chamber and passes tangentially or parallel to the first surface 216a of the separation medium 216 on the way to the first outlet 212 over the first fluid flow path 214 , At least one component of the biological fluid, eg plasma, passes through the separation medium 216 , enters the channels 231 - 235 the second chamber and is via the second fluid flow path 215 to the second outlet 213 directed. With locomotion of biological fluid along the flow path 214 tangential or parallel to the first surface 216a of the separation medium 216 More and more plasma passes through the separation medium 216 therethrough. A plasma depleted liquid then exits the housing 210 at the first outlet 212 out and in a container 217 collected while plasma the case 210 at the second outlet 213 leaves and in another container 218 is won.

Although any biological fluids containing plasma may be used in the present invention, the present invention is particularly well suited for use with blood and blood products, in particular whole blood or PRP. By treating PRP by the method of the invention, PC and platelet-free plasma can be obtained without centrifugation of the PRP and the attendant disadvantages discussed above. Similarly, platelet-free plasma can be obtained from whole blood. The biological fluid may be delivered in any suitable amount to the capacity of the entire device and by any suitable means, for example, in batch operation, for example using a blood bag connected to a squeezing device (expressor) or syringe, or in a continuous operation, for example as part of an aspheric system. Examples of a source of biological fluids include a syringe 219 according to 5 or a biological fluid recovery or processing system as described, for example, in U.S. Application 07 / 609,654, filed 6 November 1990, which is incorporated herein by reference. A source of biological fluid may also include an apheresis system and / or may include a system in which a biological fluid is circulated through the system.

The Separation medium and the housing can of any suitable materials and of any suitable Shaping be, and the separation medium can in the device according to the invention be arranged in any suitable manner, provided the current the biological fluid in tangential or parallel direction to the separation medium so much is maintained that one significant adhesion of platelets avoided or minimized at the separation membrane. From hydrodynamics parallel to a surface running electricity is actually assumed that they is such that during the parallel to the surface running blood platelets develop a spin that keeps them away from the surface. While the preferred device an inlet and two outlets others can Be used designs without the proper operation adversely affect the device. For example, multiple inlets for a biological liquid be used, provided that the biological fluid tangential to the surface of Separation medium flows. The plasma may preferably be in a range that of the separation medium is separated, stored to a possible backflow of the plasma through the separation medium through into the plasma-depleted liquid.

Of the One skilled in the art recognizes that the Adhesion of platelets controlled by acting on any of numerous factors or can be influenced: velocity of the liquid flow, Channel design, channel depth, channel depth variation, surface properties of the separating medium, smooth texture of the surface of the Medium and / or angle with which the liquid passes through the surface of the separation medium flows as well as other factors. For example, preferably the speed of the first liquid stream sufficiently high to platelets from the surface to remove the separation medium. Without limiting it wanting to have a speed of more than about 30 cm / s proved adequate.

The velocity of the liquid stream may also be affected by the volume of the biological fluid, by varying the channel depth and by the channel width. For example, the channel depth may vary from about 0.25 inches to about 0.001 inches, as in FIG 7 is shown. Those skilled in the art will recognize that a desired rate can be achieved by acting on these and other elements. Further, platelets may not adhere to a smooth surface slicing medium as easily as a rougher surface membrane.

According to one preferred embodiment of the invention the separation medium is a porous membrane, which is suitable for the passage of plasma. The one used here Separation medium can (without limitation thereon) polymeric fibers (including hollow fibers), polymeric Fiber matrices, polymeric membranes and solid porous media. The preferred ones Separation media remove plasma from a biological solution with a content of platelets, typically whole blood or PRP without proteinaceous blood components remove and without them allowing a substantial amount of platelets to pass.

A preferred separation medium preferably has an average pore size that is generally or actually smaller than the average size of platelets, and preferably, platelets do not adhere to the surface of the separation medium, thereby reducing pore blockage. The separation medium should also have low affinity for proteinaceous components in the biological fluid, such as PRP. This increases the likelihood that the platelet-poor solution, eg, platelet-free plasma, will have a normal concentration of proteinaceous coagulation factors, growth factors, and other necessary ingredients. For separation of about one unit of whole blood, a typical preferred separation device may have an effective pore size smaller than that Average platelet size is typically less than about 4 microns and preferably less than about 2 microns. The permeability and size of the separation device is preferably sufficiently large to be about 160 cm ³ to about 240 cm ³ plasma at reasonable pressures (eg, less than about 1.38 bar) in a reasonable time (eg, less than about 1 hour) yields , All of these typical parameters can be varied to achieve a desired result, ie, they can preferably be varied to minimize platelet loss and optimize platelet-free plasma formation.

Preferably For example, a separation medium composed of fibers of continuous fibers, staple fibers or fibers obtained by a meltblown process. The fibers can from any suitable materials that have a biological liquid containing platelets, e.g. Whole blood or PRP, tolerated are, be made, and they can have different treatments have been subjected to make the medium more effective. Further can the fibers are glued, fused or otherwise secured together his or her can be simply be mechanically interwoven. A separation medium formed from a membrane (the term used herein) refers to one or more porous polymeric layers, such as a woven or nonwoven web of fibers with or without a flexible porous Substrate, or it may comprise a membrane consisting of a polymer solution in a solvent by precipitation a polymer has been formed when the polymer solution with a solvent, in which the polymer is not soluble is, is brought into contact. The porous, polymeric layer typically has a substantially uniform, continuous Matrix structure with a myriad of small, largely interconnected connected pores.

One For example, preferred separation medium can be made of any synthetic Polymers suitable for forming fibers or a membrane are, be prepared. Although it is for the device according to the invention or the method is not required is according to a preferred embodiment the Polymers capable, as a substrate for grafting with ethylenically unsaturated monomeric materials to serve. Preferably, the polymer should be capable of having at least one ethylenically unsaturated Monomers under the influence of a ionizing radiation or other activating agent react without the Matrix adversely affected becomes. Suitable polymers for use as a substrate include (without restriction on this) polyolefins, polyesters, polyamides, polysulfones, polyarylene oxides and sulfides and polymers and copolymers of halogenated olefins and unsaturated Nitrites. Preferred polymers are polyolefins, polyesters and polyamides, e.g. Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) and nylon. According to one preferred embodiment may be a polymeric membrane of a fluorinated polymer, such as Polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) to be formed. Especially preferred Release media are a microporous Polyamide membrane or a polycarbonate membrane.

The surface properties of a fiber or membrane may, as mentioned above, be influenced to obtain a porous medium. The graft technique used under irradiation, for example, uses at least one monomer of a plurality of monomers, each having an ethylene or acrylic radical and a second group, the hydrophilic groups (eg -COOH or -OH) or hydrophobic groups (eg, a methyl group or saturated Chains such as -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃ ) may be selected. Grafting of the fiber or membrane surface may also be achieved with compounds containing ethylenically unsaturated group, eg, an acrylic moiety combined with a hydroxyl group, eg, hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA). The use of HEMA as a monomer contributes to a very high CWST value. Analogs with similar properties can also be used to modify the surface properties of fibers.

According to one embodiment According to the invention, the release medium has been subjected to a surface treatment typically by grafting to the desired ones Achieve properties using platelets with minimal blockage of the medium are concentrated, and wherein the plasma solution obtained in essentially all contains native proteinaceous ingredients. Exemplary membranes with a low affinity for proteinaceous Substances are disclosed in U.S. Patents 4,886,836, 4,906,374, 4,964,989 and 4,968,533, which is incorporated herein by reference.

at according to a embodiment membranes suitable for the invention may be microporous membranes act through a solution casting process can be formed.

As noted above, ensuring tangential flow of the biological fluid being processed parallel or tangential to the surface of the separation medium minimizes accumulation of platelets in the separation medium or its passage. It can be the tangential current through any me chanical design of the flow path, which induces a high local liquid velocity directly at the membrane surface, are brought about. The pressure which carries the biological fluid through the separation medium can be generated by any suitable means, for example by gravity gradient or by a squeezing device.

Of the tangential flow of biological fluid may be tangential or parallel to any suitable manner area be aligned with the separation medium, preferably being a substantial proportion of the area of the separation medium is used, while maintaining sufficient current to ensure that the platelets Do not clog or block the pores of the separation media. Of the Stream of biological fluid is preferably tangential or parallel to the surface of Separation medium using at least one serpentine liquid flow channel aligned, which is designed so that the Separation medium is utilized to the maximum, a substantially complete surface contact between the biological fluid and the separation medium guaranteed and a sufficient flow of biological fluid is maintained to minimize the adhesion of platelets to the separation medium or to prevent. Preferably, several (e.g., three or three) more) fluid flow channels used, to fix the separation medium in place and a bending to prevent the membrane due to the applied pressure. The liquid flow channels can of be of any suitable design and construction. Preferably For example, they are variable with respect to depth such a depth on that one optimal pressure and fluid flow over the area the separation medium is maintained. Liquid flow channels can also on the side of the separation medium, the side of the tangential flow the biological fluid opposite, be used to control the flow rate and the pressure drop of a platelet-depleted fluid, like plasma, to control.

The Device may also be part of an apharesic system. The processed biological fluid, the platelet rich solution and / or the platelets poor solution can either intermittently or continuously. Size, style and design of the device be adjusted to the capacity to the desired environment adapt.

Gas inlet / outlet

In certain circumstances, it has been desired to maximize the recovery of biological fluid retained or entrapped in various elements of biological fluid processing systems. For example, under typical conditions using a typical device, the biological fluid will flow through the system until the flow stops, with some of the fluid remaining in the system. According to one embodiment of the invention, the retained liquid can be obtained by using at least one gas inlet and / or at least one gas outlet. An exemplary design of this embodiment is in 3 shown.

At the Gas outlet is it is a porous one Medium, which is a gas used in a system for processing a gas biological fluid may be present when processing the biological fluid in this system is allowed to exit the system. When gas inlet acts it is a porous one Medium that allows the entry of gas into a system for processing a biological fluid allowed. The term gas as used herein refers to any one gaseous Fluid, such as air, sterilized air, oxygen, carbon dioxide and etc .; the invention should not be limited to the type of gas used.

Of the Gas inlet and the gas outlet are chosen so that the sterile nature of the system is not affected. The gas inlet and the Gas outlet are suitable especially for use in closed systems or they can later be used, for example, within a system Open 24 hours becomes. The gas inlet and the gas outlet include each at least one porous Medium that is designed to allow passage of gas. A variety of materials can be used, provided that the required properties special porous Medium can be achieved. These include the required strength for handling pressure differences occurring during use and the ability to achieve the desired Filtration capability, being the desired permeability without applying excessive pressure guaranteed becomes. In a sterile system, the porous medium is preferably a Pore size of about 0.2 μm or have less to exclude the passage of bacteria.

The gas inlet and the gas outlet may comprise a porous medium, for example a porous fibrous medium such as a depth filter or a porous membrane or sheet. Multi-layered porous media For example, a multilayer microporous membrane may be used, with one layer being liquophobic and the other layer being liquophilic.

preferred Starting materials are synthetic polymers including polyamides, Polyesters, polyolefins, in particular polypropylene and polymethylpentene, perfluorinated polyolefins, such as polytetrafluoroethylene, polysulfones, Polyvinylidene difluoride, polyacrylonitrile and the like. As well as compatible Mixtures of polymers. Polyvinylidene difluoride is called a polymer particularly preferred. Within the class of polyamides belong to the preferred polymers polyhexamethylene adipamide, poly-ε-caprolactam, polymethylene sebacamide, Poly-7-aminoheptanamide, polytetramethylene adipamide (nylon 46) or Polyhexamethyleneazelaine amide, wherein polyhexamethylene adipamide (nylon 66) is particularly preferred. Particularly preferred are skin-free, essentially insoluble in alcohol, hydrophilic polyamide membranes, as described for example in US Pat 4,340,479.

Further Starting materials can to form the porous Media of the invention may be used, including cellulose derivatives, such as Cellulose acetate, cellulose propionate, cellulose acetopropionate, cellulose acetobutyrate and cellulose butyrate. Non-resinous materials, such as glass fibers, can also be used.

The Speed of air flow through the gas outlet or Gas inlet can on the special biological fluid or the liquids of interest be turned off. The speed of the air flow varies directly dependent on from the area of the porous one Medium and applied pressure. In general, the area of the porous Medium so that the System for processing the biological fluid in a required Time can be prepared under the conditions of use. For example is it for medical applications desirable, an intravenous Prepare cutlery in about 30 to about 60 seconds. In such Applications as well as other medical applications it is the typical porous Medium μm a membrane that is in the form of a disc with a diameter of about 1 mm to about 100 mm, preferably about 2 mm to about 80 mm and more preferably about 3 mm to about 25 mm.

Preferably For example, the processing system may be provided with a gas inlet to control the supply to allow gas into the system and / or it may be provided with a gas outlet to prevent the separation of Gases in different elements of the system from the processed biological fluid to enable. The gas inlet and the gas outlet can be together in connection with at least one arrangement, a porous medium or a container used in the system, or they can be used separately.

For this can a gas inlet and a gas outlet any of the various elements of the system for processing the biological fluid to be available. For example, you can a gas inlet or outlet at at least one of the lines connecting the different containers, in a wall of the container, which receives the processed biological fluid or in an opening or in one of these containers be provided. The gas inlet or Gas outlet can also be provided on or in a combination of the aforementioned elements. Furthermore, an arrangement or a porous medium may include one or more gas inlets or gas outlets, as described above.

in the In general, however, it is preferable to have a gas inlet or outlet in the Lines containing the containers connect or provide in the functional medical device. Under the invention also falls the use of more than one gas inlet or gas outlet in one any line, receptacle, Arrangement or porous Medium.

Of the One skilled in the art recognizes that the Positioning of a gas inlet or gas outlet to achieve a desired one Result can be optimized. For example, it may be desirable be the gas inlet upstream to a porous Medium and in or as close to the first container as it is to maximize it is expedient to obtain the biological fluid, to arrange. It may also be desirable be the gas outlet downstream to porous Medium and as close as possible at the receptacle, to maximize the volume of gas removed from the system, to arrange. Such positioning of the gas inlet or Gas outlet is particularly desirable if there is only one gas inlet or outlet in the system.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the recovery of various elements from the biological fluid processing system can be maximized. For example Whole blood undergoes a processing step resulting in separate PRP and PRC layers. Then, the separated fractions of the blood components are forced through the corresponding lines and possibly present porous media in the corresponding receptacle. Blood product that has been trapped in these elements during processing can be recovered by either directing purge gas through the conduits and porous media and creating at least a partial vacuum in the system to aspirate the retained blood product and place it in the appropriate receptacle or assembly to run. The purge gas can come from any source. For example, the system for processing the biological fluid may be provided with a storage container for storing purge gas; the purge gas may be a gas that has been removed from the system during processing; or the purge gas can be aseptically injected into the system from a source from outside (eg, through a syringe). For example, it may be desirable to use a sterile purge gas that has been sterilized in a separate container outside the biological fluid processing system.

Preferably, a clamp, closure or the like may be disposed on or in any or all of the conduits to facilitate a desired function, eg, to provide a desired flow path for a biological fluid or gas. For example, if a biological fluid (eg, PRP) is processed by a system of the type described in US Pat 3 During the removal of the gases from the lines and the device for the removal of leukocytes, it may be desirable to have the line just below the gas outlet 54 disconnected. If desired, the gas inlet 53 to maximize the recovery of a biological fluid, the clamp will be below the gas outlet 54 solved and a clamp in the line next to the gas inlet 53 open. As in 3 exemplified, further gas inlets and gas outlets (eg 51 and 52 ) are operated in a similar manner. Like also in 3 As shown, a column of biological fluid (eg, PRP) flows out of the first container 11 through the lead and device for the removal of leukocytes 13 to the satellite bag 41 and drives the gas in these elements to the gas outlet 54 ,

The gas outlet may comprise a branch element with three legs. A limb may comprise a liquophobic porous medium, which preferably has a pore size of not more than 0.2 μm. At the branching element, gas moves forward from the biological fluid column into a leg of the branching element. As the gas passes through the liquophobic porous medium, which is not the case for the biological fluid, it is separated from the PRP and from entry into the satellite bag 15 held.

The through the gas outlet 54 separated gases may be discharged from the system or may be collected in a gas container (not shown) and returned to the system as purge gas to facilitate the recovery of biological fluid trapped in the various components of the system.

After priming the system and inactivating the gas outlet, the clamp adjacent to the containers or assembly is opened to allow filling of the containers with the processed biological fluid. This runs off until the collection bag 11 coincides. To recover the very valuable biological fluid retained in the system, ambient air or a sterile gas may pass through the inlet 51 or 53 get into the system. Is it the gas inlet 51 or 53 a manual inlet means, a shutter is opened or a clamp released; is the gas inlet 51 or 53 automatically, the pressure difference between the gas inlet and the containers causes air or gas to flow through the pipes, through the porous medium and into the respective containers. In the process, retained biological fluid trapped in these elements during processing is recovered from these components and collected in the containers. It should be noted that the air or gas for rinsing preferably at the gas outlet 52 or 54 be separated so that little or no purge gas are absorbed by the containers. This can be achieved by moving the pipe downstream to the gas outlet 52 or 54 pinches. According to another embodiment of the invention, the air or gas for purging may be separated from the system through a gas outlet located in the bag itself.

clip

In a further embodiment, the invention further comprises a clamp which holds in place a filter assembly comprising a porous medium or one or more components of an assembly during centrifugation so as to be affected by the stress generated during centrifugation not be damaged.

The device 10 for collecting and processing blood with one or more satellite bags attached or connected via a conduit may be used as a unit for separating components from whole blood. This embodiment of the invention will be described below with reference to FIGS 4 illustrated exemplary embodiment explained in more detail. During the centrifugation stage, where the red blood cells are concentrated at the bottom of the collection bag, forces can be generated up to about 5000 times gravity (5000 G) or more. Therefore, the collection bag is preferably flexible, as are the other bags, thereby resting on the bottom and walls of a centrifuge cup 120 can invest, so that the bags themselves are subjected to little or no stress.

in the Contrary to the flexible and flexible nature of the bags and tubes, is the porous medium typically contained in a rigid plastic housing (the combination is referred to as a filter assembly). The PRC case faces typically larger dimensions as the PRP housing on, so that the Probability of impairment or damage increased during centrifugation is. For example, a typical PRC filter arrangement may be about Weigh 20 g (about 0.04 lb), but its effective weight is below Centrifugation conditions of 5000 G about 5000-fold greater or about 91 kg. In conventional Centrifugation systems, it is therefore difficult to break the Plastic housing to avoid. Even if you use the PRC filter assembly very carefully brings into the centrifuge cup, there is a risk of damage to the Plastic tube or bag. Furthermore, it is undesirable that To enlarge the centrifuge cup so that he Filter arrangement during the centrifugation stage, as this is not just the use a larger and larger would require more expensive centrifuge, but also make it necessary would, retrain thousands of operators in blood processing, to enable them to put the blood bags in a professional manner new centrifuge cup use.

Accordingly, it is desirable that an improved blood collection and processing system or set may be utilized with existing centrifuge cups. According to the invention, it is preferable to attach the PRC filter assembly at a location which is at a distance from the largest G force; this location is preferably located outside or partially outside the conventionally used centrifuge cup, which in 4 shown type.

In 4 put the cup 120 a centrifuge cup the one currently used in blood banks. These cups typically have strong walls of high strength steel. The walls enclose a free space 121 into the blood bags, their satellite bags and the tubes between them can be brought. The clamp used to hold a filter assembly 122 may be made of any high strength material, preferably metal or a metal alloy, with titanium or stainless steel being preferred because of their strength and ease of handling under hygienic conditions. The lower area 123 the bracket 122 is designed so that it enters the cavity 121 fits, preferably at a depth of about 0.5 to about 1 cm. Spring clips or other means can be used to clamp the clip 122 in the Cup 120 to position and / or hold. One at the top of the bracket 122 arranged groove 124 is preferably designed so that it the outlet opening of the filter assembly 114 receives and allows the bottom portion of the filter assembly 114 on the flat upper surfaces of the bracket 122 next to the groove 124 remains. The central area 126 the groove 124 can be proportioned so that the opening 125 the filter assembly 114 in at least part of the groove 124 under the provision of a friction fit. The ends of the groove 124 are preferably reduced to such a width that one with the inlet and the outlet of the filter assembly 114 connected flexible hose 112 what is the stabilization of the filter assembly 114 when putting on the clip 122 facilitated. The unsupported areas of the flexible hose 112 then fall into the cup and communicate with the rest of the blood collection set. Preferably, the clip holds 122 the filter arrangement 114 in that the plane of the porous medium is substantially perpendicular to the G-force held during operation of the centrifuge. Further, the clamp and the filter assembly should be arranged on or in the centrifuge bowl so that it can the normal, free-swinging movement of the cup 120 in the centrifuge during rotation.

Because the PRP filter is typically relatively small and lightweight, it can be placed in the cup along with the bags and tubing. According to another embodiment of the invention, however, the groove 124 be configured to accommodate more than one filter arrangement, eg both a PRC and a PRP filter arrangement.

According to one another embodiment The invention may be a larger clip be used to hold a first filter assembly, and a second bracket holding a second filter assembly can placed on top of the first clip and filter assembly. The skilled artisan will recognize that various Constructions, configurations and / or facilities used can be to achieve these functions.

Another preferred feature of the invention is the positioning and manner in which the porous medium, in particular the PRC medium, is attached to the centrifuge cup during centrifuge operation. Experiments with a number of test filter housings designed to fit into the centrifuge bowl have convincingly shown that the housing is often the cause of perforations of the tubing during centrifugation. Furthermore, it is very difficult to construct a housing so that it is reliably shatterproof. In addition, conventional centrifuge cups are designed to accommodate conventional blood collection kits that do not have filter elements. Fitting the extra volume of a PRC filter assembly into a conventional cup was therefore very difficult. These serious problems have been eliminated by attaching the PRC filter assembly to a bracket outside the cup. This ensures adequate support of the filter assembly by providing a supporting flange portion 127 the bracket 122 ( 4 ) arranges, which receives the peripheral lines of the centrifuge cup. Further, the bracket 122 Preferably located above the cup head, a location that is substantially closer to the center of rotation of the centrifuge, so that the force that is subjected to the filter assembly, only about 40 to about 60%. the power at the bottom of the cup 120 is. Furthermore, the narrow slots at the two ends of the bracket hold the hose connections and allow the hoses to fall into the tray. Surprisingly, the hanging areas of the hoses keep the centrifugation process very well.

One inventive system Can be used in conjunction with other arrangements or porous media be inclusive Filtration and / or separation devices, e.g. a device for removing leucocytes from a platelet-containing solution or Concentrate. Exemplary devices are in U.S. Patent 4,880,548 and in U.S. Patent 4,925,572, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety to be made the subject of the description described.

Leave housing made of any suitable impermeable material, including one impermeable thermoplastic material. For example, the housing may preferably by injection molding from a transparent or translucent polymer, such as a Acrylic, polystyrene or Polycarbonate resin, are produced. Such a housing can be not only easy and economical to manufacture, but also allows the observation of the passage of the liquid through the housing.

The housing in which the porous medium is welded or tightly fitted is designed to allow convenient use, rapid preparation and effective exclusion of air. Although there are a variety of design options for the housing, the porous media housing of the present invention preferably includes a housing as described in U.S. Patents 4,880,548, 4,923,620, and 4,925,572, which are generally similar to the housing design 114 in 4 is.

A Number of extra containers can in connection with the biological fluid processing system and used to define different flow paths become. For example, an additional satellite bag with a content of a physiological solution in conjunction with the System for processing the biological fluid upstream to Arrangement for removal of leukocytes (for example, through the gas inlet) arranged be, and the solution can be directed through the leukocyte removal assembly so that the biological fluid, which has been held in the arrangement, can be obtained.

In similar Way, a satellite bag containing a physiological solution in connection with the biological fluid processing system downstream from the arrangement for the removal of leukocytes (e.g. gas outlet) stand, and the solution can be directed through the leukocyte removal assembly so that the biological fluid, which has been recorded in the order can be won later.

It should be noted that when squeezing the biological fluid from the collection bag 11 in the container a part of the biological fluid in the lines and / or the porous media can be held. For example, 8 to 35 cm ³ are typically retained in the system; however For some types of systems, only 2 cm ³ to 150 cm ^{3 may be} retained.

at an embodiment (not shown) of the invention Air or gas stored in at least one gas container; when opening the Valve or clamp device in the lines can gas through these are fed to flush the pipes and assemblies, thereby the recovery of biological fluid during the Processing has been recorded.

Preferably, the air or gas is flushed into the conduits at a location as close as possible to the container 11 is fed to maximize the volume of biological fluid recovered. The container for air or gas is preferably flexible, so that the gas contained therein can be supplied to the system by simply applying pressure. The biological fluid containers and the air or gas containers may be made of the same material. The term "priming" as used herein refers to the wetting or priming of the interior surface of a device or assembly prior to its actual use, whereby a separate product is injected into the system. A valve or clamp is opened to allow fluid to flow through the assembly; subsequently, as the liquid passes through the assembly, gas is expelled downstream of the liquid through the gas outlet until the liquid reaches a branching element where the clamp is then closed. With the clamp closed, the connector can be opened downstream to the gas outlet or provided for use without liquid in the assembly dripping through the connector.

Preferably should the arrangement for collecting and processing the biological liquid be able to drastic sterilization and centrifugation environments typically withstand radiation sterilization (at about 25 kGy) and / or autoclaving (at about 110 to about 120 ° C for about 15 to 60 minutes) and / or centrifugation (typically about 2500 to 3500 G for about 5 to 15 minutes; however, depending on the component of the biological Liquid, for the A maximum recovery is provided, the centrifugation at about 5000 G for about 10 to 20 minutes).

A preferred embodiment The invention also includes a method for obtaining and processing of blood, which includes: Collecting whole blood in a container; Centrifuging the whole blood; Passing the protruding liquid of the centrifuged blood through a first porous medium, this first porous Medium at least one barrier medium for red blood cells and a leukocyte-removing medium in combination with a barrier medium for Red blood cells comprises; and passing the sediment layer of the centrifuged blood through a second porous one Medium, the second porous Medium comprises a medium for the removal of leukocytes.

A further preferred embodiment The invention may also include a method for processing a biological liquid include: Passing a biological fluid from a first container to a first porous one Medium, which is a barrier medium for Red blood cells contains being the biological fluid in a first flow path arrives; and passing the biological fluid from a first container a second porous one A medium comprising a leukocyte-removing medium, wherein the biological fluid a second flow path passes.

in the Generally, donated whole blood will be processed as soon as possible more effective reduction or elimination of contaminating factors, Including (without restriction this) of leukocytes and microaggregates.

A Removal of leukocytes has typically been done during the Transfusion performed bedside however, according to the invention, the depletion at leukocytes during the initial one Processing of whole blood, which according to the practice in the United States generally within 8 hours of recovery donation blood takes place. After the red blood cells have been sedimented by centrifugation, the supernatant PRP from the blood collection bag into a first satellite bag one or more porous ones Pressed media, these media being the proportion of leucocytes and / or blocks of red blood cells reduce. The remaining in the blood collection bag PRC is then through a porous Medium that removes leukocytes into a second satellite bag directed.

In general, referring to the figures, the biological fluid (eg, donated whole blood) is directly in the collection bag 11 added. The collection bag 11 (with or without further elements of the system) can then be centrifuged to make the biological fluid into a supernatant layer 31 and a sediment layer 32 separate. After centrifugation, using the whole blood in the supernatant layer is predominantly PRP and the sediment layer is predominantly PRC. The biologi The liquid can then be squeezed out of the collecting bag as a separate supernatant or sediment layers. There may be a clamp or the like between the collection bag 11 and the flexible hose 25 or within the tubing to prevent the excess fluid from flowing and entering the wrong tubing.

A Movement of biological fluid through the system is achieved by giving a pressure difference between the collection bag and the destination of the biological liquid (e.g., a container, like a satellite bag or a needle at the end of a line) maintains. The system according to the invention is suitable for use with conventional devices for Reaching the pressure difference, e.g. a squeezing device (Expressor). As examples of Devices to achieve this pressure difference comes a gravity gradient, the Applying pressure to the collection bag (e.g., by hand or with a bag) Pressure cuff) or the introduction of the further container (e.g. Satellite bag) into a chamber (e.g., a vacuum chamber) a pressure difference between the collection bag and the other container manufactures in question. It's falling also under the invention to use expressors that over the entire collection bag across a substantially same pressure produce.

When the biological fluid passes from one bag to the next, it can pass through at least one porous medium. Typically, the biological fluid, if it is the supernatant layer (eg, PRP), may pass from the collection bag through one or more devices or assemblies comprising one or more porous media, eg, a leukocyte-removing medium, a barrier medium for red blood cells, a porous medium combining the red blood cell barrier with the removal of leukocytes in a porous medium or a medium for removing leucocytes with a red blood cell barrier medium in a serial arrangement. The supernatant layer 31 gets out of the first container 11 squeezed until the flow is interrupted, typically by closing a clamp in the line 20 or automatically if the arrangement is a barrier medium 12 for red blood cells. Preferably, the supernatant layer passes through a red blood cell barrier medium and then through a leukocyte-removing medium. The supernatant layer is then depleted after passage through the leukocyte-removing medium with respect to leukocytes. Further processing may optionally be done downstream of the leukocyte removal medium, either in conjunction with the system or after separation from the system.

The sediment layer 32 in the collection bag 11 can by an arrangement 17 to remove leukocytes and into a container 18 , eg a satellite bag. Typically, the collection bag 11 which now contains predominantly red blood cells, subjected to a pressure difference, as mentioned above, to the arrangement 17 prepare for the removal of leukocytes and initiate the flow process.

According to one another embodiment The invention provides a method in which the extraction of different biological fluids in different Elements of the system are included or retained, maximized, by either for it Ensures that one is behind the trapped or detained biological fluid gas volume present the liquid through these elements and into the intended container, arrangement or porous medium presses or by containing the trapped or retained liquid in the designated container, Arrangement or porous Medium by a pressure difference (for example by gravity gradient, a Pressure cuff, suction and the like.) Pulls. This ensures a more complete one Emptying the container, the arrangement or the porous Medium. After the container Completely emptied, the river becomes automatic interrupted.

Around a better understanding to ensure the invention described herein, the following Examples that relate to the application of the present invention deal, submitted. These examples are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the invention in any way.

example 1

The for execution of the first example used a biological fluid processing system comprises a blood collection bag, separate PRP and PRC removal arrangements of leukocytes and separate PRP and PRC satellite bags. Further prevented a barrier medium for Red blood cells between the collection bag and the PRP assembly for removal of Leukocytes the flow of red blood cells in the PRP satellite bag.

The red blood cell barrier assembly comprises a porous medium for blocking flow upon contact with red blood cells as the PRP exits the collection bag. The red blood cell barrier assembly was made from PBT fibers having an average diameter of 2.6 microns which, according to the methods described in U.S. Patent 4,880,548, were subjected to surface modification using hydroxyethyl methacrylate and methacrylic acid in a monomer ratio of 0.35: 1 to yield had a CWST of 95x10 ^-5 N / cm and a zeta potential of -11.4 millivolts. The porous member had an effective diameter of 2.31 cm, a filter area of 4.2 cm ² , a thickness of 0.051 cm, a void volume of 75% (density 0.34 g / cm ³ ) and a fiber surface of 0.08 m ² up.

The volume held in the housing of PRP was <0.4 cm ^3, which a PRP loss meant as an operating capacity of less than 0.2%. The current was stopped abruptly as the red blood cells reached the upstream surface of the red cell barrier. There were no visible signs of downstream red blood cells or hemoglobin.

The PRP arrangement for the removal of leukocytes, which is a porous medium to remove leukocytes from PRP after passage of the PRP the barrier arrangement for Red blood cells comprises is described in U.S. Patent 4,880,548. similarly, the PRC arrangement for the removal of leukocytes, which is a porous medium for the removal of Leukocytes from the PRC unit, described in U.S. Patent 4,925,572. in this example, a single unit of whole blood was used volunteer donor used. The blood unit was in one Collection bag, which was previously filled with 63 ml of CPDA anticoagulant collected. The collected blood became a low-speed centrifugation according to usual Blood bank practice subjected. The collection bag was carefully without Whirling its contents into a plasma extractor, which brought to a pressure of about 90 mm Hg with a spring.

Of the Pressure of the expressor pressed the PRP from the collection bag through the red blood cell barrier assembly, the PRP filter arrangement (where depletion of leukocytes took place) and then into the satellite bag. Upon exiting the PRP from the Collection bag was the interface between PRC and PRP. As soon as the red blood cells (which were present in the front of the PRC layer) in contact with the barrier arrangement for Red blood cells came, became the flow process automatically and without monitoring completed.

The The PRC remaining in the collection bag was also processed. Of the Collecting bag was hung up and then squeezed, to prepare the PRC filter to remove leukocytes. The PRC was subjected to depletion of leukocytes. After this the suspended one Collection bag was empty, the process was canceled automatically. The leukocyte depleted red blood cell product now finally became collected in the satellite bag and stood if necessary for transfusion available to a patient.

The previously collected in the satellite bag PRP was then according to normal Blood bank practice (centrifugation at high speed) with formation subjected to PC and plasma.

Example 2

Whole blood was collected in a Adsol ^® -Spenderset and processed under standard conditions to a PRP moiety. The PRP was then filtered to remove leukocytes using a filter device described in U.S. Patent 4,880,548. The removal efficiency was> 99.9%.

The filtered PRP unit was then placed in a pressure cuff to which a pressure of 300 mm Hg was applied. The tube leaving the bag (clamped at this point) was connected to the inlet port of an in 5 . 6 and 9 connected separating device connected. A microporous polyamide membrane having a pore size of 0.65 μm was then used as a separation medium in the device. The membrane area was about 17.4 cm ² . The depth of the channels of the first fluid flow path decreased from about 0.03 cm near the inlet to about 0.01 cm near the outlet. The depth of the channels of the second fluid flow path was about 0.025 cm. The outlet ports of the devices were connected to a hose which allowed the volume of fluid exiting the device to be measured and stored for analysis.

The test according to the invention was started by opening the clamp and allowing the PRP to enter the device. It was observed that a clear liquid (plasma) at one opening and one cloudy Liquid (platelet concentrate) exited at the other opening. The test duration was 42 minutes, during which time 154 ml of plasma and 32 ml of platelet concentrate were obtained. The platelet concentration in the plasma was 1.2 × 10 ⁴ / μl, while the platelet concentration in the platelet concentrate was 1.43 × 10 ⁶ / μl.

The The above results show that with a device according to the invention platelets can be concentrated to a suitable concentration and Plasma in a reasonable Time span can be won.

Example 3

• * w/Adsol^R

Whole blood was collected and processed into blood components according to Example 2 and compared to the product formed by conventional processing. The results comparing blood component volumes with the corresponding leukocyte counts are listed in Table I, which demonstrates the increased efficiency of leukocyte removal over conventional methods. Table I also shows the increased plasma yield and correspondingly reduced PRC yield resulting from the use of the invention.

• * w / Adsol ^R

Examples 4 to 8

The blood collection sets used to carry out the examples generally corresponded 1 without the optional arrangement of the red cell barrier medium. The method corresponded to the method described above using the device of 4 for the first centrifugation stage.

The porous medium for removing leukocytes from PRP was preformed into a cylindrical filter element 2.5 cm in diameter and 0.33 cm in thickness, to give PBT fibers having an average diameter of 2.6 μm and a density of 1.38 g / cm ³ which had been subjected to a surface treatment according to the method described in US Patent 4,880,548 using a mixture of hydroxyethyl methacrylate and methacrylic acid monomers in a weight ratio of 0.3: 1. The porous medium had a CWST of 95 x 10 ^-5 N / cm and a zeta potential of -11.4 millivolts at the pH of the plasma (7.3). The fiber surface was 0.52 m ² and the void volume 80%.

The porous medium for the removal of leucocytes from PRC was calculated according to equations (3) and (4) to have a leukocyte removal efficiency better than log 3 (ie> 99.9% Ver reduction in leukocyte content). This was achieved using 3.4 g PBT fibers of 2.6 μm, ie about 13%. more fibers than required according to equations (3) and (4). To further increase leukocyte removal efficiency, void volume was reduced to 81%. These changes led to an increase in efficiency to more than log 4 (ie> 99.99%). When the PRC was forced through this filter media in a 6.4 cm diameter housing, flow times in the desired range of 10 to 40 minutes resulted at an applied pressure of 90 mm Hg. The fiber surfaces were modified according to U.S. Patent 4,925,572 using a mixture of hydroxyethyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate in a weight ratio of 0.27: 1; the porous medium had a CWST of 66 × 10 ^-5 N / cm.

the porous as described above PRC medium was preceded by a prefilter consisting of five layers of meltblown prepared PBT webs, which are shown in the below Order to a total thickness of 0.25 cm were superimposed.

In the individual examples, a single blood unit of volunteer blood donors was used. The blood unit was collected in a blood collection set of the 1 (without the optional red cell barrier medium) with the collection bag of the kit previously filled with 63 ml of CPDA anticoagulant.

The volume of blood obtained from the different donors is given in column I of Table II. The collection set was placed in the centrifuge cup of 4 in accordance with standard blood bank practice, except that the PRC filter was attached to the clip, which in turn was attached to the top of the centrifuge cup, thereby attaching the PRC filter outside and above the centrifuge cup.

The Centrifuge was then left for 3 minutes with a 2280 G (at the bottom of the Bechers) corresponding rotational speed, causing the red blood cells sedimented in the lower part of the collecting bag. Then it became The clip was removed and the collection bag was carefully without Swirling the contents into a plasma extractor transferred with a spring had been brought to a pressure of about 90 mm Hg. By breaking up the closure that connected the collection bag to the PRP filter, and by subsequent Breaking open the closure that connected the PRP filter to the satellite bag, could the supernumerary PRP layer from the collection bag through the PRP filter into the satellite bag flow. At the exit of the PRP, the interface between PRC and PRP increased in the Collecting bag, wherein the flow process About 10 to 20 minutes lasted until the entire PRP through the PRP filter was kicked; at this time was the flow process abruptly and automatically aborted, as the front of the PRC layer reached the PRP filter. The hose was then next to the collection bag and disconnected next to the satellite bag. The hose between the two terminals and the PRP filter was cut off. The im Satellite bag collected PRP was then under usual Blutbankpraxis under Formation of leucocyte depleted PC and plasma processed. The Volumes of PC and plasma are shown in Table II together with the number the remaining leukocytes indicated in the PC.

The collection bag, which now contained only the sedimented red blood cells, was removed from the plasma extractor. 100 ml of AS3 nutrient solution previously placed in the other satellite bag was transferred through the PRC filter into the collection bag. The contents of the collection bag were then thoroughly mixed. At a pressure of about 120 mm Hg applied by gravity, the PRC in the collection bag was first depleted of leucocytes by passing it through the PRC filter to the satellite bag. The PRC was now more available as needed for transfusion to a patient. Volumes, hematocrit values and the number of remaining leucocytes in the PRC are listed in Table II.

• * pro Einheit

The leukocyte counts reported in the table reflect the sensitivity of the methods used to determine the number of residual leucocytes in the PRC and PC effluents. In fact, no leukocytes were detected in the leukocyte-depleted effluent of all samples. Parallel experiments using more sensitive (but more laborious) test procedures show that the leukocyte depletion efficiency is better by a factor of about 10 to 100 than the data in the table indicates. Table II

• * per unit

above The invention has been described in detail described and illustrated by examples. It is, however, on it to point out that the Invention various modifications and alternative embodiments accessible and not on the specific embodiments of the examples limited is. It should also be noted that these specific embodiments do not limit the invention but on the contrary the invention all modifications, equivalents and alternatives, which are among the spirit and scope of the invention fall, should include.

Claims (20)

A method of processing a biological fluid containing red blood cells, comprising: separating the biological fluid into a supernatant layer and a sediment layer, characterized in that the supernatant layer is passed through a first porous medium comprising a red blood cell barrier medium, until the flow of the sediment layer through the barrier is prevented or blocked, and the sediment layer is passed through a second porous medium comprising a leukocyte removal medium. The method of claim 1, wherein the supernatant Layer through a first porous Medium, which is a barrier medium for red blood cells in combination with a leukocyte-removing medium. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that after removing the supernatant layer, the sediment layer through a second porous one Medium is passed, which is a medium for the removal of leukocytes includes. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that the protruding Layer afterwards is passed through a separation medium. Apparatus for processing a biological fluid with red blood cells, full: a first container; one first porous Medium, that with the first container in which the first porous medium is a barrier medium for red blood corpuscle includes; and a second porous medium with the first container is in communication, wherein the second porous medium is a medium for removal of leukocytes. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that that the first porous one Medium a barrier medium for Red blood cells in combination with a leukocyte-removing medium. Device according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterized that after the first porous Medium a separation medium is provided. Device according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterized that the first porous one Medium and the second porous Medium fibers include those obtained by treatment with a monomer with a polymerizable group and a hydroxyl-containing group have been modified. Device according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized that the fibers of the first porous Medium with a mixture of Mo monomers containing hydroxyethyl methacrylate and methacrylic acid have been modified. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that that the weight ratio the monomers methacrylic acid to hydroxyethyl methacrylate in the modifying mixture 0.01: 1 to 0.5: 1. Device according to one of claims 5 to 10, characterized that the first porous one Medium the platelets allows a passage but the red blood cells blocked. Device according to one of claims 5 to 11, characterized in that the first porous medium comprises a fibrous medium, and wherein the fiber surface of the first porous medium is 0.3 to 2.0 m ² . Apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the first porous medium comprises a fibrous medium and wherein the fiber surface of the first porous medium is 0.35 to 0.6 m ² . Device according to one of claims 5 to 11, characterized in that the first porous medium comprises a fibrous medium, wherein the fiber surface of the first porous medium is 0.04 to 0.3 m ² . Device according to one of claims 5 to 11, characterized in that the first porous medium comprises a fibrous medium, wherein the fiber surface of the first porous medium 0.08 to 1.0 m ² is. Device according to one of claims 5 to 15, characterized in that the flow area of the first porous medium is 2.5 to 10 cm ² . Device according to one of claims 5 to 16, characterized that the first porous one Medium a zeta potential of -3 to -30 mV at a pH of 7.3. Device according to one of claims 5 to 17, characterized in that the first porous medium has a CWST value of more than 70 × 10 ^-5 N / cm. Device according to one of claims 5 to 18, characterized in that the second porous medium has a CWST value of more than 53 × 10 ^-5 N / cm. Device according to one of claims 5 to 19, comprising a second container and a third container, the first being porous Medium between the first and the second container, and the second porous medium is arranged between the first and the third container.