Patent ID: 7549956
Filing Date: 2009-06-23
Classification: A61M,B04B

Abstract:
1. A method of reducing clumping of platelets during separation of blood components, comprising: providing a separation vessel including an inlet portion, an outlet portion, and a flow path between the inlet and outlet portions; rotating the separation vessel about an axis of rotation; introducing blood components into the rotating separation vessel such that the blood components stratify in the separation vessel to form at least a radial outer layer including red blood cells, an intermediate layer including at least platelets, and a radial inner layer including low density substances; removing the platelets from the separation vessel via an outlet port in the outlet portion; maintaining the radially outer layer of red blood cells between the intermediate layer and a radially outer wall of the separation vessel to substantially limit contact between the platelets and the radially outer wall of the separation vessel and thereby reduce platelet clumping; and maintaining the radial inner layer of low density substances between the intermediate layer and a radially inner wall of the separation vessel to substantially limit contact between the platelets and the radially inner wall of the separation vessel and thereby reduce platelet clumping, wherein the maintaining of the radially inner layer of low density substances includes trapping the low density substances with a trap dam.