GB2208997A

GB2208997A - Blood component collection

Info

Publication number: GB2208997A
Application number: GB8820147A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Donn Douglas Lobdell
Original assignee: Cobe Laboratories Inc
Current assignee: Terumo BCT Inc
Priority date: 1987-08-26
Filing date: 1988-08-25
Publication date: 1989-04-26
Anticipated expiration: 2008-08-25
Also published as: GB2208997B; FR2619721A1; IT8867776A0; DE3828903C2; AU2112488A; JPH01145065A; IT1234207B; GB8820147D0; AU587949B2; FR2619721B1; JPH0667403B2; DE3828903A1; CA1312279C

Description

j J - F j c, U c BLOOD COMPONENT COLLECTION The invention relates to

apparatus for collecting components from a donor's blood.

In blood component separation and collection apparatus, f or example, a centrifuge, it is desired to prevent the introduction of bacteria into the collection bags for the blood components separated from a donor's blood. In at least some prior blood centrifuge systems, a disposable tubing set for use with each donor includes anticoagulant and saline priming solutions in bags preconnected to the blood supply line.

In accordance with the present invention we provide apparatus for collecting a blood component comprising: a sterile fluid flow line for receiving blood from a donor; a blood separator connected to said flow line; a blood component collection container connected to said separator; a supply line connected at one end to said sterile fluid flow line for the supply of supply solution thereto; and a filter on said supply line that permits passage of solution and blocks passage of bacteria.

The invention is hereinafter more particularly described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- 2 Fig. 1 is a diagram of an enbodiment of platelet collection apparatus according to the invention; Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a filter of the Fig. 1 apparatus;.and J Fig. 3 is an exploded elevation of a connector of the Fig. 1 apparatus.

tz, 11 Referring to Fig. 1, there is shown platelet collec- tion apparatus 10, including blood supply line 12, centrifuge 14 and outlet tubes 16, 18, 20. Anticoagulant supply bag 22 is connected to blood supply line 12 via supply line 24, having filter 26 on it and connected to anticoagulant bag 22 by connector 28. Outlet tube 20 is connected to platelet collection bag 30. Centrifuge 14 includes a ratat'i- ng bowl that receives a disposable channel connected to tubes 12, 16, 18, 20 and is similar to the centrifuge apparatus described inKellog et al. U. S. Patent No. 4,387,848, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. Tubes 12, 16-, 18, 20 are connected to the channel by a seal-less multichannel rotation connection n-eans of the type shown in U.S. Patent No. 4,146,172 (the disclosure, of which is incorporated by reference), maintaining the closed, bacteria-free system.

Referring to Fig. 2, it is seen that filter 26 includes upper housing 32 with inlet 34, lower housing 36 with outlet 38 and microporous membrane 40 therebetween. Filter 26 is available from Gelman Filters. Membrane 40 (available under the trade designation VERSAPOR 200) has a 0.2 micron pore size. Upper housing 32 also has vent holes 1,2 covered by membranes 44 carried on the lower surface of housing 32 Lower housing 36 has ribs 46 to support membrane 40 and to provide drainage channels between them directed into the opening to outlet 38.

1 9 Referring to Fig. 3, connector 28 includes needle 48, having sharp pointed end 50 for piercing'a wall of bag 22 and fluid flow passage 52 therein. Needle 48 is connected to clear plastic drip chamber 54 having fluid level indicia 56. Cap 58 is removably connectable-to cover a vent hole in base 60, form ed-integrally with needle 48. Cover 62 covers needle 48.

Apparatus 10 also includes a supply bag of saline prime solution connected to blood flow line 12 by a filter and supply tube (all not shown) similar to that for anticoagulant.

In operation, when centrifuge 14 is used with a new donor, a sterile tubing set including tubes 12, 16, 18, 20, 24 and a centrifuge channel (not shown) is mounted on centri fuge 14, and connector 28 is connected to anticoagulant bag 22 by puncturing bag 22 with needle 48 after removing needle cover 62. A sterile saline prime solution bag (not shown) is connected in a similar manner. During the removal of cover 62 and the connection of. connector 28 to bag 22, it is possible that the hydraulic system is exposed to bacteria. at connector 28. Any bacteria introduced into connector 28 are prevented from going past filter 26, owing to the pore size of membrane 40. Bacteria are thus prevented from being transported to platelet collection bag 30, where they could otherwise multiply during storage of the platelets. By providing filters and connectors on the tubing set, the supplies of anticoagulant and sterile solution can be shipped and stored separately from the tubing set, simplifying shipping, storage, and handling of the tubing set. In addition, different fluids and different bag volumes can be selected, depending upon a particular donor's need, and the solutions and tubing set can each be separately sterilized by a method most appropriate for each.

Puncturing needle 48 can be used multiple times during a given procedure to connect multiple bags. Thus the amounts - 4 of both saline and anticoagV1ant that are actually needed can be provided. This is an' advantage over permanently connected ba gs, which either limit the procedure to the amount of solution preconnected or tend to oversize the amount of fluid furnished with the set, which leads to both higher weights and wastage of fluid. This feature also permits flexibility to extend a procedure that is not proceeding as quickly as expect ed in terms of collection. The procedure can be extended until the desired amount of blood components have been collected, add ing a.new bag of anticoagulant as needed.

Other embodiments are conterrplated.

For exanple, other blood separators besides centrifuge 14 can be used. The invention is koplicable to collecting other blood conponents.

i'

Claims

1 Apparatus for collecting a blood component comprising: a sterile fluid flow line for receiving blood from a donor; a blood separator connected to said flow line; a blood component collection container connected to said separator; a supply line connected at one end to said sterile fluid flow line for the supply of supply solution thereto; and a filter on said supply line that permits passage of solution and blocks passage of bacteria.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the other end of said supply line is connected to a supply line connector adapted to be connected to a source of solution.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein said supply line connector includes a needle adapted for puncturing a wall of a source of supply solution.

4. Apparatus according to Claims 2 or 3, wherein said supply line connector has a drip chamber attached to it.

5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said filter comprises a membrane having a maximum pore size adapted to prevent passage of bacteria.

6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said supply line is coupled to a source of supply solution comprising anticoagulant or saline prime solution.

7. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said blood separator is a centrifuge.

8. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said blood component collection container is a platelet collection bag.

9. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising a second supply line connected at one end to said sterile fluid flow line for the supply of solution thereto; and a second filter on said second supply line that permits passage of solution and blocks passage of bacteria.

10. Apparatus for collecting blood components substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawing.

1 _z 9 Pub' ishe-- 19BE a: T-ne Pa.e.-., Off,ce Szatc House 6671 1-ligh He'brr-. London WC1R 4TE- Further copies may be obtained frcr.- TI-e Patent. Office Sales Branch, St Mazzy Cray, Orpington. Kent BR5 3RD Printed by Multiplex techniques ltd, St Maxy Cray. Kent. Con. 157-