JP2020044095A - CTC collection system and CTC collection method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a CTC collection system and a CTC collection method capable of collecting a large amount of CTC to which an antibody is not adhering.SOLUTION: A CTC collection system 10 includes: a blood component separation device 12 for collecting blood from a patient and separating the collected blood into red blood cells, buffy coat, and plasma; and a CTC separation unit 14 including a separation filter 60 that passes white blood cells from the buffy coat while inhibiting the passage of CTC 80, which removes the CTC 80 adhering to the separation filter 60 with cleaning fluid and drains the removed CTC 80 into a CTC collection bag 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a CTC collection system and a CTC collection method suitable for collecting peripheral blood circulating tumor cells circulating in blood.

  During the process of tumor cell proliferation, tumor cells may infiltrate blood vessels, some of which are peeled off and flow into the blood, thereby circulating in the blood. Such tumor cells circulating in the blood are also called peripheral blood circulating tumor cells (CTC: Circulating Tumor Cells, hereinafter referred to as CTC). By detecting CTC, early detection of a tumor and diagnosis of the malignancy of the tumor can be performed.

However, the amount of CTC contained in blood is very small. In the early stage tumor, the proportion of CTC in the whole blood cells in the collected blood is as low as about 10 ^-6 to 10 ^-8 . Therefore, it is required to select and collect a small amount of CTC from a large number of blood cells.

  As a method for identifying or collecting such a small amount of peripheral blood circulating tumor cells, a method utilizing an antibody (eg, EpCAM or the like) that reacts with a specific antigen contained in CTC has been proposed (Patent Document 1).

JP 2017-104116 A

  However, it is difficult to collect CTC to which no antibody is bound by the conventional CTC collection method using an antibody. In addition, among tumor cells, only CTC expressing a specific antigen can be detected, and there is a possibility that detection may be omitted. Furthermore, since the number of obtained CTCs is small, there is a problem that an error easily occurs in the measurement result.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a CTC collection system and a CTC collection method capable of collecting a large amount of CTC to which no antibody is attached.

  One aspect of the present invention is to collect blood from a patient and separate the collected blood into red blood cells, buffy coat, and plasma, and to prevent passage of CTC while allowing white blood cells to pass through the buffy coat. And a CTC separation unit that separates the CTC attached to the separation filter with a cleaning liquid and flows the separated CTC into a CTC collection bag.

  Further, another aspect of the present invention is to collect blood from a patient, a blood component separation step of separating the collected blood into red blood cells, buffy coat, and plasma, while passing the buffy coat through white blood cells. A CTC separation step of passing the CTC through the separation filter to prevent the passage of the CTC and adhering the CTC to the separation filter; and a CTC collection step of separating the CTC adhered to the separation filter with a cleaning liquid and collecting the separated CTC. And a CTC collection method having the following.

  According to the CTC collection system and the CTC collection method of the above viewpoint, a blood component is separated into red blood cells, buffy coat, and plasma. Since the CTC is collected in the buffy coat, by passing only the buffy coat through the separation filter, it is possible to efficiently collect the CTC to which the antibody is not attached. Further, since unnecessary red blood cells and plasma can be returned to the patient's body, the amount of blood collected can be increased without increasing the burden on the patient, and a large amount of CTC can be collected.

It is a schematic structure figure of a CTC collection system concerning a 1st embodiment. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a blood sampling operation of the CTC sampling system in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a blood separation operation of the CTC collection system in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a blood return operation of the CTC collection system in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a CTC separation operation of the CTC collection system in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a CTC enrichment operation of the CTC collection system in FIG. 1. It is explanatory drawing which shows the CTC collection | recovery operation | movement of the CTC collection system of FIG. It is a schematic structure figure of a CTC collection system concerning a 2nd embodiment. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a CTC separation operation of the CTC collection system in FIG. 8. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a CTC collection operation of the CTC collection system in FIG. 8. It is a schematic structure figure of a CTC collection system concerning a 3rd embodiment.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(First embodiment)
The CTC collection system 10 according to the present embodiment includes a blood component separation device 12 and a CTC separation unit 14, as shown in FIG. The blood component separation device 12 collects blood from a patient, centrifuges the blood, and separates it into plasma, buffy coat, and red blood cells according to the difference in specific gravity. The blood component separation device 12 is configured to supply the buffy coat to the CTC separation unit 14. The buffy coat contains CTC (peripheral blood circulating tumor cells) 80 together with white blood cells and platelets. The CTC separation unit 14 is configured to separate and collect the CTC 80 from the buffy coat. Hereinafter, each part of the CTC collection system 10 will be further described.

  The blood component separation device 12 is configured as a system that collects buffy coat by collecting blood (whole blood) from a patient and centrifuging the blood to return the remaining blood components to the patient.

  The blood component separation device 12 includes a centrifugal separation device 15, a blood processing unit 16, an ACD liquid bag 18, a blood collection / return unit 22 having a blood collection needle 20, and a reservoir 24. The blood processing unit 16 is detachably attached to the centrifugal separator 15 and configured to separate blood components by centrifugal force from the centrifugal separator 15. The ACD liquid bag 18 contains an ACD liquid as an anticoagulant.

  The blood collection / return unit 22 is connected to the blood processing unit 16 via the connector 32 and the tube 42, and is connected to the ACD liquid bag 18 via the connector 32 and the tube 40.

  The blood processing unit 16 can be attached to a centrifugal rotor of the centrifugal separator 15, and is formed in a container shape so that blood is introduced, flows, and flows out. The blood processing section 16 is connected to the reservoir 24 via a red blood cell transfer tube 44 and a plasma transfer tube 46. The blood processing unit 16 is connected to the CTC separation unit 14 via a buffy coat transfer tube 50.

  The reservoir 24 is connected to the blood processing unit 16 via a red blood cell transfer tube 44 and a plasma transfer tube 46. In the reservoir 24, red blood cells and plasma sent from the blood processing unit 16 are stored. Further, the reservoir 24 is connected to the blood collection / return unit 22 via the tube 48 and the connector 32. The tube 48 is provided with a blood return pump 65 that sends red blood cells and plasma stored in the reservoir 24 back to the blood collection / return unit 22.

  The tube 40 is provided with an ACD pump 64 for sending out the ACD liquid in the ACD liquid bag 18. Further, the tube 42 is provided with a blood collection pump 66 for transferring the blood collected by the blood collection / return unit 22 to the blood processing unit 16 together with the ACD solution.

  The ACD pump 64 is a pump for transferring the ACD liquid from the ACD liquid bag 18 to the blood processing unit 16, and is configured to flow the ACD liquid by pressing the tube 40. The blood collection pump 66 is a pump that draws blood from a patient and sends the blood to the blood processing unit 16, and is configured to flow the blood by pressing the tube 42. The blood return pump 65 is a pump that returns the blood component temporarily stored in the reservoir 24 to the patient, and is configured to flow the blood component by pressing the tube 48.

  The plasma transfer tube 46 is provided with a plasma pump 68. The plasma pump 68 is a pump that sends the plasma separated in the blood processing unit 16 toward the reservoir 24, and presses the plasma transfer tube 46 to cause the plasma to flow.

  The CTC separation unit 14 is connected to the blood component separation device 12 via a buffy coat transfer tube 50. The CTC separation section 14 has a drainage storage section 26, a cleaning liquid bag 28, a CTC collection bag 30, a separation filter 60, and a concentration filter 62. A buffy coat transfer pump 69 is provided in the buffy coat transfer tube 50, and the buffy coat separated by the blood component separation device 12 is fed through the buffy coat transfer pump 69.

  The buffy coat transfer pump 69 is connected to the separation filter 60 via the joint 34 and the tube 51. As the separation filter 60, a porous plate in which a plurality of fine holes (through holes) are uniformly formed in a thin metal plate (filter film) made of titanium, stainless steel, nickel, or the like can be used. Specifically, the separation filter 60 has a through-hole having a diameter smaller than 10 μm, which is a typical size of the CTC 80. Such a through-hole of the separation filter 60 is formed by, for example, a lithography method and an etching process.

  The separation filter 60 allows passage of relatively deformable white blood cells and platelets smaller in diameter than the through-hole, while preventing passage of the CTC 80 which is harder than blood cells and is easily caught in the through-hole. The separation filter 60 captures the separated CTC 80 on a non-penetrating surface (outside the through hole), and the CTC 80 is configured to be detachably attached to the separation filter 60. The downstream side of the separation filter 60 is connected to the drainage accommodating section 26 via a tube 52, a joint 36 and a tube 53. The washing liquid bag 28 is connected to the downstream side of the separation filter 60 via a tube 52, a joint 36, and a tube 54.

  The cleaning liquid bag 28 stores a cleaning liquid for cleaning the separation filter 60 and concentrating the CTC 80. A cleaning liquid pump 70 for sending out the cleaning liquid is provided in the tube 54 between the cleaning liquid bag 28 and the joint 36.

  The concentration filter 62 is made of a perforated plate similar to the separation filter 60. The concentration filter 62 is configured to prevent passage of the CTC 80 separated from the separation filter 60 together with the cleaning liquid. However, the concentration filter 62 is set to have a smaller surface area than the separation filter 60, and is configured to be able to capture the attached CTC 80 with a smaller amount of cleaning liquid than the separation filter 60.

  One end of the concentration filter 62 is connected to the joint 34 via a tube 55, and the other end of the concentration filter 62 is connected to the joint 38 via a tube 56. The joint 38 is connected to the joint 36 via a tube 57 and is connected to the drainage container 26 via a tube 58. That is, the concentration filter 62 is connected to the cleaning liquid bag 28 via a path passing through the tubes 56, 57 and 54, and is connected to the drainage storage section 26 via a path via the tubes 56 and 58.

  The CTC collection bag 30 is connected to the joint 34 via a tube 59. That is, the CTC collection bag 30 is connected to the concentration filter 62 via a path passing through the tube 59, the joint 34, and the tube 55.

  The CTC separation unit 14 is provided with clamps 72 to 76 which are the channel opening / closing mechanisms. That is, when the clamps 72 to 76 operate, the tube, which is the flow path provided with the clamp, is closed. The clamp 72 is provided on the tube 59 connecting the CTC collection bag 30 and the joint 34. The clamp 73 is provided on the tube 52 that connects the separation filter 60 and the joint 36. The clamp 74 is provided on the tube 53 that connects the joint 36 and the drainage container 26. The clamp 75 is provided on the tube 58 that connects the joint 38 and the drainage container 26. The clamp 76 is provided on the tube 57 that connects the joint 36 and the joint 38.

  The pumps 64, 65, 66, 68, 69, 70, the clamps 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, and the centrifugal separator 15 of the CTC collection system 10 operate under the control of a controller (not shown).

  Next, the CTC collection method according to the present embodiment will be described together with the operation of the CTC collection system 10 described above.

  In preparation for collecting CTC 80 from a patient using the CTC collection system 10 shown in FIG. 1, the blood processing unit 16 is mounted on the centrifugal rotor of the centrifugal separator 15. The blood collection needle 20 is punctured by a patient.

  Next, when an operation start is instructed to the CTC collection system 10 by a user operation, the operation is performed as shown in FIG. First, the ACD pump 64 operates to perform priming of the centrifugal separator 15 with the ACD liquid.

  Next, the centrifugal rotor of the centrifugal separator 15 is rotated to apply centrifugal force to the blood processing unit 16, and by operating the blood collection pump 66, blood (whole blood) is taken out of the patient to remove the blood (whole blood). Introduce blood into. The blood introduced into the blood processing unit 16 is separated into red blood cells (rich red blood cells), buffy coat, and plasma by centrifugal force. CTC 80 is collected on a buffy coat.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 3, the red blood cells separated in the blood processing section 16 are transferred to the reservoir 24 via the red blood cell transfer tube 44. The plasma separated in the blood processing section 16 is transferred to the reservoir 24 via the plasma transfer tube 46.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the blood component separation device 12 returns the blood component temporarily stored in the reservoir 24 to the patient during centrifugation. The blood collecting operation for collecting blood from the patient shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and the blood returning operation for returning blood components to the patient shown in FIG. 4 are repeated a plurality of times. The blood collection operation and the blood return operation are performed until a sufficient amount of buffy coat is collected in the blood processing unit 16. Since the red blood cells and plasma are returned to the patient, the burden on the patient can be reduced, and the buffy coat can be collected from the blood more than the limit for collecting whole blood (eg, 400 cc).

  When a sufficient amount of buffy coat is collected in the blood processing unit 16, the buffy coat in the blood processing unit 16 is transferred to the CTC separation unit 14, as shown in FIG. The buffy coat is transferred to the CTC separation unit 14 via the buffy coat transfer tube 50 under the operation of the buffy coat transfer pump 69, and the CTC 80 is separated by the separation filter 60. At that time, in the CTC separating section 14, the clamp 72, the clamp 75 and the clamp 76 are closed, the clamp 73 and the clamp 74 are opened, and the cleaning liquid pump 70 is stopped. At this time, the blood component separation device 12 repeats blood collection and blood return operations from the patient, transfers the buffy coat to the CTC separation unit 14, and returns red blood cells and plasma to the patient. In the illustrated example, a blood collection operation is shown, but the blood collection operation and the blood return operation are performed alternately. The same applies to FIG.

  The buffy coat sent out by the buffy coat transfer pump 69 flows through the buffy coat transfer tube 50, the joint 34, and the tube 51 and is sent to the separation filter 60. In the separation filter 60, platelets and white blood cells contained in the buffy coat pass, and the CTC 80 is blocked. As a result, the CTC 80 adheres and remains on the surface of the separation filter 60. Further, the buffy coat that has passed through the separation filter 60 flows into the drainage accommodating section 26 through the path of the tube 52, the joint 36, and the tube 53. Since the separation filter 60 is formed to have a sufficient surface area, it allows the buffy coat to pass through without causing clogging.

  After the transfer of the buffy coat and the separation operation by the separation filter 60 are completed, the concentration operation of the CTC 80 is performed as shown in FIG. In this step, the clamp 72, the clamp 74, and the clamp 76 of the CTC separating unit 14 are closed, and the clamp 73 and the clamp 75 are opened. In addition, the buffy coat transfer pump 69 is stopped, and the cleaning liquid pump 70 is operated. At this time, the blood component separation device 12 performs blood collection and blood return operations in parallel.

  The cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid bag 28 flows back through the separation filter 60 via the tube 54, the joint 36 and the tube 52 under the operation of the cleaning liquid pump 70. As a result, the CTC 80 separates from the separation filter 60 and flows out together with the cleaning liquid. The cleaning liquid containing the CTC 80 flows into the concentration filter 62 via the tube 51, the joint 34, and the tube 55. In the concentration filter 62, the CTC 80 contained in the cleaning liquid is blocked, and the CTC 80 adheres to the concentration filter 62. The cleaning liquid that has passed through the concentration filter 62 is collected in the drainage storage unit 26 via the tube 56, the joint 38, and the tube 58. The cleaning of the separation filter 60 is performed with a first amount of cleaning liquid sufficient to flow the CTC 80 attached to the separation filter 60. That is, the cleaning liquid pump 70 operates until the first amount of the cleaning liquid is sent out.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 7, the CTC separation unit 14 performs a CTC recovery operation of transferring the CTC 80 attached to the concentration filter 62 to the CTC collection bag 30 together with the cleaning liquid. In this step, the clamps 73, 74, 75 of the CTC separating section 14 are closed, and the clamps 72, 76 are opened. Further, the buffy coat transfer pump 69 is stopped, and the cleaning liquid pump 70 is operated.

  The cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid bag 28 is sent to the concentration filter 62 via the tube 54, the joint 36, the tube 57, the joint 38, and the tube 56 in this order under the operation of the cleaning liquid pump 70. When the cleaning liquid flows back through the concentration filter 62, the CTC 80 is separated together with the cleaning liquid. Then, the CTC 80 flows into the CTC collection bag 30 via the tube 55, the joint 34, and the tube 59 together with the cleaning liquid. Since the concentration filter 62 has a smaller surface area than the separation filter 60, the CTC 80 can be recovered with a second amount of cleaning liquid smaller than the first amount required for cleaning the separation filter 60. That is, by using the concentration filter 62, the concentration of the CTC 80 can be increased as compared with the case where the CTC 80 is directly collected from the separation filter 60. As described above, the CTC 80 is collected in the CTC collection bag 30, and the collection of the CTC 80 by the CTC collection system 10 of the present embodiment is completed.

  According to the CTC collection system 10 and the CTC collection method described above, the following effects can be obtained.

  In the CTC collection system 10, the blood component separation device 12 collects blood while sending red blood cells and plasma back to the patient. Thus, the amount of blood collected can be increased without increasing the burden on the patient, and a large amount of CTC80 can be collected.

  In the CTC collection system 10, the blood component separation device 12 may separate blood by centrifugation. As a result, a widely used centrifugal separator can be used, so that the CTC collection system 10 can be constructed without increasing the cost.

  In the CTC collection system 10, the CTC separation unit 14 may separate the CTC 80 attached to the separation filter 60 by causing the cleaning liquid to flow back to the separation filter 60. Thus, the CTC 80 separated from the buffy coat can be collected by a simple operation.

  In the CTC collection system 10, a concentration filter 62 having a smaller surface area than the separation filter 60 may be further provided. In this case, the CTC separating unit 14 separates the CTC 80 attached to the separation filter 60 with the first amount of the washing liquid and attaches the CTC 80 to the concentration filter 62, and then uses the second amount of the washing liquid smaller than the first amount. The CTC 80 attached to the concentration filter 62 may be detached and poured into the CTC collection bag 30. Thereby, the concentration of the CTC 80 collected in the CTC collection bag 30 can be increased. Further, since the surface area of the separation filter 60 can be increased, a large amount of buffy coat can be processed without clogging.

  In the CTC collection system 10, the separation filter 60 may have a structure in which a filter film and a plurality of through-holes having a smaller diameter than the CTC 80 are formed through the filter film in the thickness direction. According to such a separation filter 60, since the CTC 80 only adheres to the flat surface of the filter film, the separation of the CTC 80 by the cleaning liquid becomes easy. As a result, the CTC 80 can be efficiently recovered from the separation filter 60.

  In the CTC collection system 10, the blood component separation device 12 and the separation filter 60 may be connected via the tube 50 for transferring the buffy coat. Thus, the buffy coat collected by the blood component separation device 12 can be efficiently sent to the separation filter 60.

  Further, the CTC collection method may include a blood return step of returning red blood cells and plasma to the patient between blood component separation steps. Thus, the amount of blood collected can be increased without increasing the burden on the patient, and a large amount of CTC80 can be collected.

  In the CTC collection method, blood may be separated by centrifugation in the blood component separation step. As a result, a widely used centrifugal separator can be used, so that the CTC collection method can be performed without increasing the cost.

  In the CTC collecting method, the CTC 80 attached to the separation filter 60 may be separated by causing the cleaning liquid to flow back to the separation filter 60 in the CTC recovery step. Thus, the CTC 80 separated from the buffy coat can be collected by a simple operation.

  In the CTC collection method, the CTC collection step includes a step of separating the CTC 80 attached to the separation filter 60 with a first amount of the washing liquid and attaching the CTC 80 to the concentration filter 62 having a smaller area than the separation filter 60; Removing the CTC 80 attached to the concentration filter 62 with a second amount of the washing liquid smaller than the amount, and collecting the CTC 80 in the CTC collection bag 30. Thereby, the concentration of the CTC 80 collected in the CTC collection bag 30 can be increased.

(Second embodiment)
As shown in FIG. 8, the CTC collection system 10A according to the second embodiment includes a blood component separation device 12 and a CTC separation unit 14A. In the CTC collection system 10A, the same components as those of the CTC collection system 10 of FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. As shown, the blood component separation device 12 is similar to the CTC collection system 10 of FIG. In the present embodiment, a CTC separation unit 14A that is more simplified than the CTC separation unit 14 in the first embodiment is provided.

  The CTC separation unit 14A includes a drainage storage unit 26, a cleaning liquid bag 28, a CTC collection bag 30, and a separation filter 60. The blood component separator 12 and the CTC separator 14A are connected by a buffy coat transfer tube 50. A buffy coat transfer pump 69 is provided in the buffy coat transfer tube 50.

  The buffy coat transfer tube 50 is connected to the separation filter 60 via the joint 34 and the tube 51. The CTC collection bag 30 is connected to the joint 34 via a tube 59. The separation filter 60 is connected to the drainage storage unit 26 via the tube 52, the joint 36, and the tube 53, and is connected to the cleaning liquid bag 28 via the tube 52, the joint 36, and the tube 54.

  A clamp 72 is provided on a tube 59 connected between the joint 34 and the CTC collection bag 30. Further, a clamp 74 is provided on the tube 53 connected between the joint 36 and the drainage accommodating section 26. Further, a cleaning liquid pump 70 is provided in the tube 54 connecting the joint 36 and the cleaning liquid bag 28.

  Next, the CTC collection method according to the present embodiment will be described together with the operation of the above-described CTC collection system 10A.

  First, blood (whole blood) is collected from a patient by the blood component separation device 12, and only a buffy coat is collected. Blood components other than buffy coat return to the patient. The operation up to this point is the same as the operation described with reference to FIGS.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 9, the CTC collection system 10A performs an operation of transferring the buffy coat to the CTC separation unit 14A and separating the CTC 80 from the buffy coat under the operation of the buffy coat transfer pump 69. At this time, the clamp 72 is closed, the clamp 74 is opened, and the cleaning liquid pump 70 is stopped. The buffy coat is sent to the separation filter 60 via the joint 34 and the tube 51. In the separation filter 60, the CTC 80 is blocked, and the CTC 80 is separated from the buffy coat.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 10, the cleaning liquid is caused to flow back to the separation filter 60 to recover the CTC 80. That is, the clamp 74 is closed and the clamp 72 is opened. Further, the buffy coat transfer pump 69 is stopped, and the cleaning liquid pump 70 is operated. The cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid bag 28 is sent to the separation filter 60 via the tube 54, the joint 36 and the tube 52 under the operation of the cleaning liquid pump 70. When the cleaning liquid flows back through the separation filter 60, the CTC 80 attached to the separation filter 60 is released. The cleaning liquid containing the CTC 80 is collected in the CTC collection bag 30 via the tube 51, the joint 34, and the tube 59. The cleaning liquid is supplied in an amount (first amount) sufficient to separate the CTC 80 attached to the separation filter 60. With the above operation, the collection of the CTC 80 is completed.

  According to the CTC sampling system 10A according to the present embodiment described above, the filter of the CTC separation unit 14A is constituted only by the separation filter 60, so that the device configuration is simplified. In addition, according to the CTC collection method according to the present embodiment, the enrichment operation is not required, so that the CTC collection operation can be simplified.

(Third embodiment)
The CTC collection system 10B according to the third embodiment includes a CTC separation unit 14. The configuration of the CTC separation unit 14 is the same as that of the CTC separation unit 14 of the CTC collection system 10 shown in FIG.

  In the CTC collection system 10B of the present embodiment, a buffy coat container 82 containing a buffy coat is connected to the CTC separation unit 14. The buffy coat in the buffy coat container 82 is collected in advance from the blood of the patient by the blood component separation device 12 (see FIG. 1). That is, the blood component separator 12 and the CTC separator 14 are connected via the buffy coat container 82.

  The buffy coat container 82 is connected to the joint 34 via the connection tube 50B. The buffy coat container 82 is configured to be fed into the CTC separation unit 14 via a buffy coat transfer pump 69 attached to the connection tube 50B. The CTC separating unit 14 collects the CTC 80 in the CTC collection bag 30 by the same operation as described with reference to FIGS.

  According to the CTC collection system 10B according to the present embodiment, the buffy coat container 82 that stores the buffy coat collected by the blood component separation device 12 is provided, and the buffy coat is applied to the separation filter 60 via the buffy coat container 82. Supplied. Thus, the blood component separation device 12 and the CTC collection system 10B can be separately installed. Therefore, for example, the buffy coat collected from the patient using the blood component separation device 12 of another facility is stored in the buffy coat container 82, and the buffy coat container 82 is stored in the CTC collection system 10B according to the present embodiment. It is also possible to carry the CTC 80 by carrying it to the installed facility.

  Further, according to the CTC collection method of the present embodiment, the method includes the step of storing the buffy coat separated by the blood component separation device 12 in the buffy coat container 82. In the CTC separation step, the buffy coat of the buffy coat container 82 The coat is passed through a separation filter 60. In this way, by using the buffy coat container 82, the CTC separation step can be performed at a different place and at a different time from the blood component separation step.

  Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. No.

10, 10A, 10B CTC collection system 12 blood component separator 14, 14A CTC separator 15 centrifugal separator 16 blood processing unit 18 ACD liquid bag 22 blood collection / return unit 24 reservoir 26 Drainage storage unit 28 Cleaning liquid bag 30 CTC collection bag 60 Separation filter 62 Concentration filter

Claims (15)

A blood component separation device for collecting blood from a patient and separating the collected blood into red blood cells, buffy coat, and plasma,
A CTC separation, comprising a separation filter that allows white blood cells to pass therethrough while preventing CTCs from passing through the buffy coat, separates the CTC attached to the separation filter with a washing liquid, and flows the separated CTC into a CTC collection bag. Department and
CTC collection system comprising:   The CTC collection system according to claim 1, wherein the blood component separation device collects the blood while sending the red blood cells and the plasma back to a patient.   3. The CTC collection system according to claim 1, wherein the blood component separation device separates the blood by a centrifugation method.   4. The CTC collection system according to claim 1, wherein the CTC separation unit causes the cleaning liquid to flow back to the separation filter, thereby removing the CTC attached to the separation filter. 5. system.   The CTC collection system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a concentration filter having a smaller surface area than the separation filter, wherein the CTC separation unit removes the CTC attached to the separation filter. After detaching with the amount of washing liquid of 1 and attaching to the concentration filter, the CTC attached to the concentration filter is detached with a second amount of washing liquid smaller than the first amount and poured into the CTC collection bag. CTC collection system.   The CTC collection system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the separation filter includes a filter membrane, and a plurality of through holes having a diameter smaller than the CTC and penetrating the filter membrane in a thickness direction. CTC sampling system being formed.   The CTC collection system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the blood component separation device and the separation filter are connected via a tube that transfers the buffy coat.   The CTC collection system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a buffy coat container that stores the buffy coat collected by the blood component separation device, via the buffy coat container. A CTC collection system, wherein a buffy coat is supplied to the separation filter. A container for buffy coat containing a buffy coat obtained by separating components of the patient's blood,
The buffy coat supplied from the buffy coat container has a separation filter that allows white blood cells to pass therethrough while preventing CTC from passing therethrough.The CTC attached to the separation filter is separated by a washing liquid, and the separated A CTC separation unit for pouring the CTC into the CTC collection bag;
CTC collection system comprising: A blood component separation step of collecting blood from the patient and separating the collected blood into red blood cells, buffy coat, and plasma,
A CTC separation step of passing the buffy coat through a separation filter that allows the passage of white blood cells while blocking the passage of CTC, and adheres the CTC to the separation filter;
A CTC collection step of separating the CTC attached to the separation filter with a cleaning liquid and collecting the separated CTC;
A CTC collection method comprising:   The CTC collection method according to claim 10, further comprising a blood return step of returning the red blood cells and the plasma to a patient between the blood component separation steps.   The CTC collection method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the blood component is separated by centrifugation in the blood component separation step.   The CTC collection method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein in the CTC recovery step, the cleaning liquid is caused to flow back to the separation filter, thereby removing the CTC attached to the separation filter. Method. The CTC collection method according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the CTC collection step includes:
A step of removing the CTC attached to the separation filter with a first amount of a washing liquid and attaching the CTC to a concentration filter having a smaller area than the separation filter;
Removing the CTC attached to the concentration filter with a second amount of the washing liquid smaller than the first amount, and collecting the CTC in a CTC collection bag;
A CTC collection method comprising:   The CTC collection method according to any one of claims 10 to 14, further comprising a step of storing the buffy coat separated in the blood component separation step in a buffy coat container, wherein in the CTC separation step, A CTC collection method in which a buffy coat of the buffy coat container is passed through the separation filter.

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