Patent ID: 6033561
Filing Date: 2000-03-07
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
An apheresis system comprising:a venipuncture needle;a blood separator apparatus for separating whole blood into at least first and second blood fractions, said blood separator apparatus having an inlet through which whole blood may flow thereinto, a first outlet through which a first blood fraction may flow therefrom, and a second outlet through which a second blood fraction may flow therefrom;a blood tube which extends from said venipuncture needle to the blood separator apparatus;a reversible blood withdrawal/infusion pump mounted on said blood tube at a location between said venipuncture needle and said blood separator apparatus such that a distal segment of the blood tube extends from the venipuncture needle to the reversible blood withdrawal/infusion pump, and a proximal segment of the blood tube extends from the reversible blood withdrawal/infusion pump to the blood separator apparatus;said reversible blood withdrawal/infusion pump being alternately operable in a first direction to withdraw blood through the venipuncture needle and into the the inlet of the blood separator apparatus, and a second direction to infuse a blood fraction from one of the outlets of the blood separator apparatus through the venipuncture needle;an air detector positioned on the distal segment of the blood tube between the venipuncture needle and the reversible blood withdrawal/infusion pump; and,an anticoagulant feed tube connected to the proximal segment of the blood tube between the reversible blood withdrawal/infusion pump and the blood separator apparatus.