A CONTAINER FOR RECEIVING AND SEPARATING A FLUID, PREFERABLY BLOOD PLASMA, INTO ITS INGREDIENTS

Abstract: A container for receiving and separating blood plasma into its ingredients comprises two sealingly coupled sections (1 and 2). One container section (2) and the adjacent portion of the other container section are made of solid material, and the two container sections are screwed together. The container sections (1 and 2) comprise their respective chambers (29 and 30) for receiving their respective fluid ingredients, and these chambers are interconnected through a connecting channel (31) through the abutting portions, at which the container sections (1 and 2) are screwed together. A valve seat (21, 27) is shaped at each end of the connecting channel (31) for each valve member (22, 16) for a sealing closing of the chambers (29, 30) in the separated state of the container sections (1, 2). The valve members (22, 16) comprise mutually abutting projections (23, 12) ensuring a distance between the valve members (22, 16) exceeding the distance between the associated valve seats (27, 21) in the coupled state of the container sections (1, 2), but being smaller than the distance between the associated valve seats (27, 21) in a position during a separating movement of the container sections (1, 2). Furthermore, retaining means (15, 16) are provided for ensuring that the valve members (22, 19) do not engage the valve seats (27, 21) in the coupled state of the container sections (1, 2).

Description: Title: A container for receiving and separating a fluid, preferably blood plasma, into its ingredients. Technical Field The invention relates to a container for receiving and separating a fluid, preferably blood plasma, into its ingredients, where said container comprises two sealing— ly coupled sections. Background Art It is known inter alia from US-PS No. 4,714,457 to uti¬ lize the plasma fraction in blood for the preparation of so-called tissue glue. According to the publication the coagulation factors, such as fibrinogen, fibronectine , factor VIII, and factor XIII are precipitated from the plasma fraction. These coagulation factors are precipi¬ tated for instance by cryoprecipitation or by means of a precipitation-promoting agent such as ethanol. The pre¬ cipitated precipitate includes mainly fibrinogen and is used as tissue glue, such as in connection with opera¬ tion wounds, by the addition of a suitable enzyme, such as thrombine. Like in nature, the fibrinogen and throm- bine form together fibrin, which is an insoluble network of fibre-like material constituting a kind of tissue glue interconnecting the wound surfaces during a healing process. On account of the latter effect, a concentrate of coagulation factors containing mainly fibrinogen turned out to possess a favourable effect on the healing process after an operation. For short, the concentrate of coagulation factors is below referred to as fibrino¬ gen, as said fibrinogen is the main ingredient thereof. Several methods are today used for separating plasma from blood. The separating process can be performed by means of filters or centrifuging techniques or by way of combinations thereof. The methods are usually known as "plasmapheresis" . The methods have been developed be¬ cause it is often sufficient to give the patients a plasma transfusion, whereby it is unnecessary also to remove slowly regenerating blood cells from the donor. The precipitation of fibrinogen from plasma has pre¬ viously been performed in closed bag systems. The preci¬ pitation into such bags (blood bags) necessitated pro¬ duction of particular means for securing the bags in a for centrifugal bowl, in which the centrifuging is to be performed- In addition, it is difficult to separate the fibrinogen from the plasma in a reliable manner. The flexibility of the blood bags often results in the viscous fibrinogen loosening from the bag and mixing with a remaining plasma in the bag, whereby the concen¬ tration is substantially reduced. The latter problems have had the effect that these methods are not used by way of routine today. Description of the Invention The container according to the present invention is characterised in that at least one container section and the adjacent portion of the other container section are made substantially of solid material, that the two con¬ tainer sections can be separated, whereby the sections remain sealingly connected during the separating move¬ ment away from one another, that the container sections comprise their respective chamber for receiving their respective fluid ingredient, that the chambers are in¬ terconnected through a connecting channel defined by mutually abutting portions of each container section, that a valve seat is shaped at each end of the connect¬ ing channel for each valve member for a sealing closing of the chambers in the separated state of the container sections, that the valve members comprise mutually abut¬ ting projections ensuring a distance between the valve members exceeding the distance between the associated valve seats in the coupled state of the container sec¬ tions, but being smaller than the distance between the associated valve seats in a position during the separat¬ ing movement of the container sections, and that retain- ing means are provided for ensuring that the valve mem¬ bers do not engage the valve seats in the coupled state of the container sections. The resulting container is well-suited for use during the precipitation of fibrinogen from plasma. In addi¬ tion, the container allows a sterile storing of the two separated fractions in their respective separate con¬ tainer section. In this manner, the fibrinogen can be stored separately in a refrigerator until it is heated to liquid state immediately before its use and trans¬ ferred to a syringe so as to be used as tissue glue. The suitability of the container is partly due to the fact that one container section is made of solid material, whereby the fibrinogen can be precipitated on a solid bottom, and partly due to the fact that the container sections can be separated and are automatically closed during the separating movement, whereby the plasma and the fibrinogen are easily placed in their respective container section. As the distance between the valve members is smaller than the distance between the valve seats in a position during the separating movement of the container sections, the valve members close the openings into each container section before said con¬ tainer sections are completely separated during the last step of the separating movement. In this manner, the sealing closing of the container sections can be per¬ formed automatically without rendering it possible to handle the container in an incorrect manner. According to the invention the projections of the valve members may comprise co-operating and releasable snap¬ ping means ensuring that the valve members remain coupled together in the coupled state of the container sections- In this manner, a predetermined resistance is ensured against a separation of the valve members during the separating movement of the container sections in such a manner that the valve members are caused to en— gage their respective valve seats under a predetermined load, whereby said valve members can enter the engage¬ ment by way of friction and be retained in said engage¬ ment with the valve seats by the friction. In addition, one valve member can be supported at a distance from the associated valve seat by means of the other valve member and retaining means associated therewith. The retaining means may according to the invention ad¬ vantageously comprise a retaining projection placed at least on one valve member, said retaining projection extending away from the other valve member and engaging by way of friction adjacent portions of the correspond¬ ing container section. The valve members may according to the invention be as¬ sociated with their respective biased spring adapted to press said valve members into a sealing engagement with the valve seats during the separation of the container sections. In this manner, an additional pressing force is ensured for the valve members against the valve seats during and after the separating procedure. According to the invention the retaining projection on at least one valve member may advantageously comprise a recess for a co-operation by way of friction with a pro¬ jection on the wall of the corresponding container sec¬ tion opposite the valve seat. Moreover according to the invention the container sec— tions may be coupled together by means of co-operating threads, whereby the coupling and separation of the con¬ tainer sections can be performed in a particularly simple manner. Furthermore according to the invention, means may pre¬ ferably be provided for feeding fluid into the container under sterile conditions and for removing fluid ingre¬ dients also under sterile conditions from at least one of the separated container sections through the wall thereof. As a result it is possible to remove especially the fibrinogen from the container section in question without opening the valve. Finally according to the invention the opposing projec¬ tions of the valve members may comprise a recess on one projection, said recess telescopically receiving the other projection, and the snapping means may be formed by a circumferential rib placed on one projection and engaging a circumferential groove on the other projec¬ tion with the result that the valve members are retained relative to one another in a particularly simple manner. Brief Description of the Drawings The invention is described in greater detail below with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a side and substantially sectional view of a container according to the invention, Fig. 2 illustrates on a larger scale the lower portion of the container of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 corresponds to Fig. 2, but in a position during the separating movement of the two sections of the con¬ tainer , Fig. 4 corresponds to Fig. 2, but illustrating the two completely separated container sections, and Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic, sectional view of another em¬ bodiment of a container according to the invention. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention The container of Figs. 1 to 4 comprises two container sections designated the general reference numerals 1 and 2. The upper container section 1 comprises a convention¬ al bottomless blood bag 3, cf. Fig. 1, welded at the lower open end 4 between a rotationally symmetrical mouth portion 5 abutting the inner side of the blood bag 3 and a sleeve—shaped tube portion 6 abutting the outer side of said blood bag. The mouth portion 5 continues through a shoulder portion 7 into a tubular portion 8 provided with a thread 9 on the outside. The lower seond container section 2 is screwed on the thread 9 of the mouth portion 5, cf. the drawing. The entire lower container section 2 is rotationally sym¬ metrically shaped and comprises a tubular portion 10 provided with an internal thread 11. The internal thread 11 engages the thread 9 on the upper container section. The tubular portion 10 continues through a shoulder por¬ tion 12 into a cylindrical portion 13. The free end of the cylindrical portion is closed by means of a bottom member 14. The bottom member 14 comprises a disk with a circumferential flange 15' abutting the inner side of the cylindrical portion 13. The bottom member comprises furthermore a central, rotationally symmetrical projec¬ tion 15 projecting into the interior of the second con¬ tainer section 2. A first valve member 16 is retained on the latter projection by way of friction, said valve member also being rotationally symmetrically shaped. The first valve member 16 comprises a tubular portion 17 engaging the projection 15 on the bottom member 14. The cylindrical portion continues into a conical portion 18 in turn continuing into a comparatively narrower cylin¬ drical portion 19. The cylindrical portion 19 forms a projection of the valve member 16. The projection 19 is narrower than the cylindrical portion 17 engaging the projection 15 of the bottom member 14. Along the tran¬ sition area between the broad cylindrical portion 17 and the conical portion 18, the first valve member 16 is adapted to co-operate sealingly with the adjacent inner side of the threaded tubular portion 10 on the lower container section 2. Thus the area in question of the inner side of the tubular portion 10 forms a valve seat 21 for the first valve member. The valve seat 21 and the valve member 16 are besides formed in such a manner that they co-operate with one another by way of friction. A second valve member 22 is telescopically received on the narrow projection 19 of the first valve member 16. Thus the second valve member 22 comprises a cylindrical projection 23 surrounding the projection 19 on the first valve member 16. Internally, the cylindrical projection 23 comprises a transverse wall 24. Like the first valve member 16, the second valve member 22 comprises a conic¬ al portion 25 expanding in a direction away from the projection 23 at the end farthest from the valve member 16 and ending at a cylindrical portion 26. The transi¬ tion area between the conical portion 25 and the cylin¬ drical portion 26 is adapted to co-operate in a sealing manner with the inner side of the mouth portion 5 of the upper container section 1 on the inner side of the threaded tubular portion 8 of said mouth portion. The portion in question of the mouth portion forms thus a valve seat 27 for the second valve member 22. The valve seat 27 and the valve member 22 are adapted to co-oper- ate with one another by way of friction. The end of the second valve member 22 facing the inte¬ rior of the blood bag 3 is closed by means of a conical cap 28 glued thereon. As illustrated in the drawing, the telescopically co¬ operating projections 19 and 23, respectively, of the two valve members 16 and 22 are of such a length that the two valve members 16 and 22 in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2 are retained inside their respective con¬ tainer section 2 and 1 at a distance from the associated valve seats 21 and 27, said valve members in Figs. 1 and 2 being supported by the projection 15 on the lower con¬ tainer section 2. As a result, an open connection exists between the interiors of the two container sections 1 and 2. Thus an open connection exists between a first chamber 29 inside the upper container section 1 and a chamber 30 inside the lower container section 2 through a connecting channel 31. The connecting channel 31 is defined by the tubular portions 8 and 10, respectively, of the two container sections 1 and 2. As clearly illu¬ strated in Fig. 4, the projection 19 on the first valve member 16 comprises a circumferential rib 32. Corre¬ spondingly, the projection 23 on the second valve member 22 comprises on the inner side a circumferential groove 33. The rib 32 and the groove 33 are adapted to snap- engage one another in such a manner that the second valve member 22 remains positioned on the first valve member 16 in the position of Fig. 1 and is only. released by a predetermined force in the axial direction thereof. The distance between the two valve members 16 and 22 in the engaging position of the rib 32 and the groove 33 is of such a size, cf. Fig. 3, that the valve members 16 and 22 engage their associated valve seats 21 and 27, respectively, when the two container sections 1 and 2 have been partially unscrewed one another, but are still engaging one another through their threads 9 and 11. As also illustrated in Fig. 3, the first valve member 16 is partially disengaging the projection 15 on the bottom portion 14 of the lower container section 2 in the posi¬ tion in which the valve members 16 and 22 have fully engaged their valve seats 21 and 27. The engagement of the valve members 16 and 22 by means of the rib 32 and the groove 33 has the effect that the valve members 16 and 22 remain coupled together until they have been pulled into position relative to their valve seats 21 and 27. A continued unscrewing of the two container sections 1 and 2 relative to one another has the result that the two valve members 16 and 22 are pulled out of their en¬ gagement, cf. Fig. 4, and left sealingly engaging their respective valve seats 21 and 27. As illustrated in the drawing, the first container sec¬ tion comprises a tubing 34 for the feeding of plasma to the first container section 1. The container section comprises furthermore a tubing 35 allowing feeding under sterile conditions through a conventional filter of an agent, such as alcohol, for instance ethanol, for an acceleration of the precipitation of a concentrate of coagulation factors in the container. A rubber membrane 37 is furthermore provided within the shoulder portion 12 on the second container section, said rubber membrane allowing exsuction of concentrate from the second container section 2 by means of a sy¬ ringe . Beyond assisting in fastening the blood bag 3 on the mouth portion 5 of the upper container section 1, the outer sleeve—shaped tube portion 6 serves also to pro¬ vide the container with a pleasant appearance, said tube portion 6 abutting the broad cylindrical portion 13 on the second container section 2 when the two container sections are screwed tightly together. When the container according to the invention is used, plasma is filled therein through the tubing 14. After addition of suitable agents for accelerating the preci¬ pitation coagulation factors, the precipita ion process is initiated in a conventionally known manner, such as by way of cryoprecipitation . Subsequently, the container is subjected to a centrifuging in such a manner that the very viscous concentrate is placed in the second chamber 30 of the container inside the second container section 2. When the concentrate has been collected in the second container section 2, the container is turned in such a manner that the container section 1 with the blood bag 3 faces downwards. As a result, the blood plasma flows into the blood bag 3 while the concentrate of fibrinogen or coagulation factors remain in the container section 2 now being the upper section. Then the two container sec¬ tions 1 and 2 are separated by being unscrewed one ano¬ ther. As the two container sections gradually reach the position shown in Fig. 3 during their separating move¬ ment, the two valve members 16 and 22 are pulled into a tight engagement with their respective valve seats 21 and 27. A continued unscrewing during the last step of the mutual separating movement of the two container sec¬ tions causes the two valve members 16 and 22 to be pulled out of their engagement. Finally, the two con— tainer sections 1 and 2 reach the completely separated state shown in Fig. 4, said state allowing the sections to be handled separately according to desire. The con¬ tainer section 2 containing the concentrate can be placed in an refrigerator until the concentrate is to be used. When the concentrate is to be used, it is heated until it is sufficiently liquid for being sucked out through the rubber membrane 37. Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view of a second embodiment of the invention, where parts corresponding to the embodi¬ ment of Figs. 1 to 4 have been provided with the same reference numerals. The container of Fig. 5 comprises also two container sections 1 and 2. These container sections 1 and 2 are screwed together by means of a short thread. Therefore, a sterile-closing membrane 40 is provided about the connection place, said membrane being diagrammatically indicated. The membrane 40 is broken when the two container sections 1 and 2 are pulled a short distance apart after having been un¬ screwed one another. Each container section 1 and 2 com¬ prises a valve member 19 and 22 co-operating with their respective valve seat 21 and 27. Both valve members 19 and 22 comprise projections 41 and 42 facing away from their valve seats, said projections being received in their respective guide tubing 43 and 44, respectively. A spring 45 and 46 is arranged about each projection 41 and 42, said springs biasing the valve members 19 and 22 forwards towards their valve seats 21 and 27. The valve members 19 and 22 comprise furthermore projections 47 and 48 projecting forwards towards one another and abut¬ ting one another in the position shown in Fig. 5 so as to keep the valve members 19 and 22 in contact with the ends of the guide tubings 43 and 44 at a distance from the valve seats 21 and 27. The separation of the two container sections 1 and 2 activates the springs 45 and 46 to press the valve members against their respective valve seats 21 and 27, the two abutting projections 47 and 48 being of such a length that the valve seats en¬ gage one another before the membrane 40 is broken. The embodiment of the container shown in Fig. 5 is used in the same manner as stated above. The container according to the invention is easily pro¬ duced from injection moulded parts, and as far as the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 4 is concerned the two valve members 16 and 22 are assembled before the blood bag 3 is glued onto the mouth portion 5. Before the second valve member 22 is secured to the first valve member 16, said first valve member is mounted on the projection 15 on the bottom member 14, which is subsequently glued onto the second container section 2. The blood bag 3 is, as mentioned, fastened by way of gluing, but it can also be fastened by way of welding. Both the second container section 2 and the valve members 16 and 22 as well as the mouth portion 5 of the first container section 1 and the sleeve—shaped tube portion 6 are made of a solid plastic material, which may be of any suitable nature, such as polyvinyl chloride. The invention has been described with reference to pre¬ ferred embodiments. Many modifications may, however, be carried out without thereby deviating from the scope of the invention. The container of Figs. 1 to 4 may for instance be of another shape than the rotationally sym— metrical shape. Suitable sealing means may furthermore be provided in order to ensure the necessary sealing. The described container is preferably intended for use in connection with blood plasma, but it may, of course, also be used for other fluids with ingredients available in states allowing the described separation.

Claims: C l a ims . 1. A container for receiving and separating a fluid, preferably blood plasma, into its ingredients, where said container comprises two sealingly coupled sections, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that at least one contain¬ er section (2) and the adjacent portion (5, 6) of the other container section (1) are made substantially of solid material, that the two container sections (1, 2) can be separated, whereby the sections (1, 2) remain sealingly connected during the separating movement away from one another, that the container sections (1, 2) comprise their respective chamber (29 and 30) for re¬ ceiving their respective fluid ingredient, that the chambers (29, 30) are interconnected through a connect¬ ing channel (31) defined by mutually abutting portions (8, 10) of each container section (1, 2), that a valve seat (21, 27) is shaped at each end of the connecting channel (31) for each valve member (22, 16) for a seal— ing closing of the chambers (29, 30) in the separated state of the container sections (1, 2) , that the valve members (22, 16) comprise mutually abutting projections (23, 48; 19, 47) ensuring a distance between the valve members (22, 16) exceeding the distance between the as- sociated valve seats (27, 21) in the coupled state of the container sections (1, 2), but being smaller than the distance between the associated valve seats (27, 21) in a position during the separating movement of the con¬ tainer sections (1, 2) , and that retaining means (15, 17; 41, 43, 44, and 46) are provided for ensuring that the valve members (22, 19) do not engage the valve seats (27, 21) in the coupled state of the container sections (1, 2). 2. A container as claimed in claim 1, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i s e d in that the projections (19, 23) of the valve members (16, 22) comprise co-operating and releas- able snapping means (32, 33) ensuring that the valve members (16, 22) remain coupled together in the coupled state of the container sections (2, 1). 3. A container as claimed in claim 1 or 2, c h a r — a c t e r i s e d in that the retaining means (15, 17) comprise a retaining projection (17) placed at least on one valve member (16), said retaining projection extend¬ ing away from the other valve member (22) and engaging by way of friction adjacent portions of the correspond— ing container section (2) . 4. A container as claimed in claim 1 or 2, c h a r ¬ a c t e r i s e d in that the valve members (16, 22) are associated with their respective biased spring (45, 46) adapted to press said valve members (16, 22) into a sealing engagement with the valve seats (21, 27) during the separation of the container sections (2, 1). 5. A container as claimed in claim 3, c h a r a c - t e r i s e d in that the retaining projection (17) on at least one valve member (16) comprises a recess for a co-operation by way of friction with a projection (15) on the wall (14) of the corresponding container section (2) opposite the valve seat (21) . 6. A container as claimed in one or more of the preced¬ ing claims 1 to 5 , c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the container sections (1, 2) are coupled together by means of co-operating threads (9, 11). 7. A container as claimed in one or more of the preced¬ ing claims 1 to 6 , c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that means (36, 37) are provided for feeding fluid into the container under sterile conditions and for removing fluid ingredients also under sterile conditions from at least one of the separated container sections (1, 2) through the wall thereof- 8. A container as claimed in one or more of the preced¬ ing claims 2 to 5, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the opposing projections (19, 23) of the valve members (16, 22) comprise- a recess on one projection (23) , said recess telescopically receiving the other projection (19) , and that the snapping means (32, 33) are formed by a circumferential rib (32) placed on one projection and engaging a circumferential groove (33) on the other pro— jection.

Inventors: HOLM NIELS ERIK, HOLM, NIELS, ERIK
Applicants: UNES AS, UNES A/S
Application year: 1992
Main classification: A61J1
IPC codes: A61J1, A61K35, B04B5, G01N1, G01N33