Patent ID: 9028388
Filing Date: 2015-05-12
Classification: A61M,B01D,B04B

Abstract:
1. A method of predicting the volume of a component separated from whole blood, the method comprising: sensing, at a known radial location, a fluid pressure in a separation cavity containing whole blood using a pressure sensor in a wall of the separation cavity, the pressure sensor comprising a flexible membrane that moves in response to pressure changes in the cavity and such membrane being connected to a pressure transducer; predicting the volume of the whole blood from the sensing the fluid pressure step and an outboard volume located between the sensor and the bottom of the separation cavity; separating the whole blood into at least a first and second component; expressing the first separated component from the separation cavity to a collection cavity using an expandable chamber in the separation cavity, the expandable chamber being connected to a hydraulic circuit, wherein a pressure gauge is connected to the hydraulic circuit for measuring hydraulic pressure therein; sensing the movement of the first separated component; determining the volume of the expressed first separated component from the sensing the movement step; and predicting the volume of the second component remaining in the separation cavity from the predicted volume of the whole blood and the determined volume of the expressed first separated component.