Patent ID: 6558307
Filing Date: 2003-05-06
Classification: A61M,B04B

Abstract:
A method of collecting platelets comprising:introducing whole blood into a centrifuge rotor; spinning the rotor at a first speed so as to separate the blood into a first component, a second component and a third component, wherein the first component is primarily plasma, wherein the second component is located, while the rotor is being spun, outside of the first component and is primarily red blood cells, and wherein the third component is located, while the rotor is being spun, between the first and second components and includes platelets; removing from the rotor an amount of first component; obtaining a measure of first component that has been removed to determine when a predetermined amount of first component has been removed; then changing the rotor's speed of rotation so as to cause the third component to mix with first component remaining in the rotor; and removing from the rotor at least a portion of the plasma containing platelets.