Patent ID: 7438821
Filing Date: 2008-10-21
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. In a method of filtering blood using a filter comprising a flexible housing having an inlet port and outlet port, said inlet port being separated from the outlet port by a sheet-like filter element, said sheet-like filter element removing undesired components from the blood while feeding the blood by gravity, the method including: connecting the inlet port to a reservoir containing blood; connecting the outlet port to a recovery vessel; feeding the blood from the reservoir to the filter by gravity; adjusting at least one filtration parameter so that a pressure at an outlet side of the filter becomes 0 mmHg or more above atmospheric pressure; maintaining a pressure at the outlet side of the filter at 0 mmHg or more above atmospheric pressure throughout filtration by adjusting said at least one filtration parameter; and collecting filtered blood in the recovery vessel.