Patent ID: 6102883
Filing Date: 2000-08-15
Classification: A61M,B04B

Abstract:
A method of collecting and processing blood from a donor, the method comprising the steps of:providing a disposable collection system having(i) a first container,(ii) a second container,(iii) venous-access means,(iv) a centrifuge rotor for receiving the blood and having a total volume that varies, and(v) tubing connecting the first container, the second container, the venous-access means and the rotor;providing a control apparatus for receiving the rotor, the control apparatus including means for spinning the rotor so as to cause the separation of the blood into plasma and red blood cells;installing the centrifuge rotor into the control apparatus;connecting the donor to the collection system;drawing a volume of whole blood from a donor through the venous-access means;directing the whole blood from the venous-access means to the rotor into the collection system while the centrifuge rotor is installed in the control apparatus;causing the control apparatus to spin the rotor so as to separate the whole blood into plasma and red blood cells;directing the plasma from the rotor to the first container; anddirecting the red blood cells from the rotor to the second container.