Patent Description:
Biological fluid processing systems may be configured to process biological fluid, such as may be drawn from a patient, to provide a product that may be returned to the patient, for example. These processing systems may include a reusable processor or separator, as well as a disposable fluid circuit or set. According to certain systems, the circuit or set may be connected to the patient to exchange fluids with the patient. The set may also be connected to various containers that include other fluids, such as wash solutions and the like.

During the processing, the biological fluid may be combined with a photoactive compound, and then the fluid may be exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light. For example, the fluid may contain mononuclear cells (MNC), and may be combined with <NUM>-methoxypsoralen ("<NUM>-MOP"). It is believed that the combination of <NUM>-MOP and the photoactivation causes apoptosis, or programmed cell death, of T-cells.

At present, the MNC is collected in a long flexible container or bag that is disposed in a photoactivation device, such as is illustrated in <CIT>. These long flexible containers are irradiated using long UV bulbs, which bulbs are disposed parallel to the container, typically both above and below the container. Further, the length of the UV bulbs and the length of the flexible container is approximately the same. As a result of the use of large numbers of long UV bulbs, these photoactivation devices may make high power demands, resulting in added expense.

The photoactivation devices typically also include some form of mixing mechanism to mix the fluid in the container, because the cells nearer the surface of the container, and thus nearer the UV bulbs, receive a higher dose of radiation than cells in the center of the container. In addition, care is required to ensure an even thickness to reduce the likelihood of formation of hot and cold regions in the container during photoactivation. <CIT> describes a mixing system which includes a movable squeezing element and an irradiation source. Because of the issues with conventional technology, and particular those issues relating to maintaining an even fluid thickness, the volume of biological fluid treated using such technology may be limited.

In an aspect of the disclosure, an irradiation device in accordance with appended claim <NUM> is provided.

In one embodiment, the first chamber and the second chamber are disposed along a longitudinal axis of the processing container, and the table is rotatable about a table axis that is transverse to the longitudinal axis. The table axis may in particular be orthogonal to the longitudinal axis.

In one embodiment, the table has a table surface on which or to which the processing chamber is attached, and the table axis is orthogonal to the table surface.

In one embodiment, the table revolves about the table axis to move the first and second chambers between the first and second states.

A detailed description of the systems and methods in accordance with the present disclosure is set forth below.

As illustrated in <FIG>, an irradiation device <NUM> includes rotatable table <NUM> on which a processing container <NUM> is mounted. The irradiation device <NUM> also includes an ultraviolet (UV) light source <NUM> that is used to irradiate fluid in the processing container <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the processing container <NUM> includes a first chamber <NUM>, a second chamber <NUM> and at least one narrow passage <NUM>. The at least one narrow passage <NUM> (a single passage <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG> and a plurality of passages <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>) is in fluid communication at a first end <NUM> with the first chamber <NUM> and at a second end <NUM> with the second chamber <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the table <NUM> has a first state (or position, such as an angular position) wherein the first chamber <NUM> is disposed at a higher elevation than the second chamber <NUM>, and a second state wherein the second chamber <NUM> is disposed at a higher elevation than the first chamber <NUM>. As Illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG> and schematically in <FIG>, the UV light source <NUM> is disposed proximate to the at least one narrow passage <NUM> and configured to irradiate fluid passing through the at least one narrow passage <NUM>. In particular, the UV light source <NUM> is aligned with the passages <NUM>, and in the illustrated embodiments, the light source <NUM> is aligned with the passages <NUM> so as to irradiate only fluid with the passages <NUM> and not fluid within the chambers <NUM>, <NUM>.

According to a method of operation, the processing container <NUM> is mounted on the table <NUM>, for example through the use of one or more fasteners attached to the table, which fasteners may be disposed through openings formed in the container <NUM> or may grip parts of the container <NUM>. The container <NUM> may be oriented initially as illustrated in <FIG>, with the first chamber <NUM> disposed at a higher elevation (or above) the second chamber <NUM> (i.e., the first state). In this state, the fluid to be processed is in the second chamber <NUM>. The table <NUM> is then rotated from the first state to the second state, with the second chamber <NUM> disposed at a higher elevation (or above) the first chamber <NUM>.

As the table <NUM> is moved from the first state to the second state, the fluid in the second chamber <NUM> starts to move in the second chamber <NUM>, which may cause mixing of the contents in the second chamber <NUM>, particularly where more than one component is present. Further, the fluid in the second chamber <NUM> may at least start to enter the narrow passages <NUM>, depending on the geometry of the second chamber <NUM> and the orientation of the container <NUM>. Once the table <NUM> is in the second state, the fluid should enter all of the passages <NUM> and move under the force of gravity from the second chamber <NUM> to the first chamber <NUM>.

At least as the fluid moves from the second chamber <NUM> to the first chamber <NUM>, the UV light source <NUM> is activated. According to certain embodiments, the UV light source <NUM> is activated throughout the process. As illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the UV light source <NUM> need not move with the table <NUM>, but may be disposed separately from the table <NUM>, such that the table <NUM> and the container <NUM> move (rotate) relative to the UV light source.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the fluid has moved from the second chamber <NUM> to the first chamber <NUM>. At this point, the device <NUM> is ready to move the table <NUM> between the second state and the first state, so as to cause the fluid to move from the first chamber <NUM> to the second chamber <NUM>.

Having thus explained the general structure and operation of the device <NUM> with reference to <FIG>, the details of the structure and operation are now discussed, first with reference to <FIG>.

The block diagram of <FIG> illustrates an embodiment of the device <NUM> wherein the operation of the device <NUM> has been automated. To this end, the device <NUM> includes a controller <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may be may include a microprocessor (which, in fact may include multiple physical and/or virtual processors). According to other embodiments, the controller <NUM> may include one or more electrical circuits designed to carry out the actions described herein. In fact, the controller <NUM> may include a microprocessor and other circuits or circuitry. In addition, the controller <NUM> may include one or more memories. The instructions by which the microprocessor is programmed may be stored on the memory or memories associated with the microprocessor, which memory/memories may include one or more tangible non-transitory computer readable memories, having computer executable instructions stored thereon, which when executed by the microprocessor, may cause the microprocessors to carry out one or more actions or methods as described below.

The controller <NUM> is coupled to the UV light source <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may be configured to activate the UV light source <NUM> to irradiate the narrow passage(s) <NUM> throughout the operation of the device <NUM>, for example as long as a container <NUM> is mounted to or on the table <NUM>. According to other embodiments, the controller <NUM> may be configured to activate the UV light source <NUM> to irradiate the narrow passage(s) <NUM> only when the fluid is flowing through the passage(s) <NUM>. For example, the controller <NUM> may activate the UV light source <NUM> only when the table is in the second state after having previously been in the first state, and to deactivate the UV light source <NUM> when all or almost all (e.g., <NUM>%, <NUM>% or <NUM>%) of the fluid has moved from one chamber to the other chamber.

The UV light source <NUM> may include one or more light emitting diodes that emit radiation in the UV spectrum. According to an embodiment, the UV light source <NUM> includes a plurality of UV light emitting diodes (LED) arranged in an array. According to such an embodiment, the UV LED array may be, for example, a one dimensional array (e.g. disposed along a line) or a two dimensional array (e.g., disposed over an area having length and width). According to other embodiments, other light sources, such as bulbs, may be used.

The light source <NUM> may be disposed proximate to the passage(s) <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG> and schematically in <FIG> with all components of the light source <NUM> disposed proximate to the passage(s) <NUM>. The light source <NUM> may be disposed proximate to the passage(s) <NUM> by using one or more optical conduits (such as optic fibers or fiber optic cables) with a first end disposed proximate to the passage(s) <NUM> and a second end disposed proximate to the LED array, the LED array being disposed remotely from the passage(s) <NUM>. Either embodiment is referred to herein as having the light source disposed proximate to the passage(s) <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> may also be coupled to a motor <NUM> that is attached to the table <NUM>, for example on a surface <NUM> of the table <NUM> opposite a surface <NUM> of the table <NUM> to which or on which the processing container <NUM> is mounted. Compare <FIG> and <FIG>. It is not necessary that the motor <NUM> be mounted on a surface of the table <NUM>; instead, the motor <NUM> may be mounted to the side of the table <NUM> and may interact with an edge <NUM> of the table to cause the table <NUM> to rotate. Further, the table <NUM> may be mounted on a shaft, and the motor <NUM> may be mounted separately from the table <NUM> and the shaft, and may be coupled to the shaft (e.g., through the use of a belt and sprocket) to cause the table <NUM> to rotate.

The motor <NUM> may be capable of operation only in a single direction, such as in the clockwise direction as illustrated in <FIG>. If so, then the controller <NUM> would activate the motor <NUM> to move the table from the first state to the second state, and from the second state to the first state, in the clockwise direction. According to another embodiment, the motor <NUM> may be capable of bidirectional operation, or clockwise and counterclockwise directions. If so, then the controller <NUM> may activate the motor <NUM> to move the table from the first state to the second state in the clockwise direction, for example, and then from the second state to the first state in the counterclockwise direction.

The controller <NUM> may also be coupled to one or more sensors <NUM> (see <FIG>). The sensors <NUM> may be used to determine the orientation of the table <NUM>, and of the container <NUM> as a consequence. The sensors <NUM> may be used to determine if all or almost all of the fluid has moved from one chamber to the other chamber. The sensors <NUM> may be used to determine the intensity of the radiation emitted by the light source <NUM>, or the temperature of the fluid in the container <NUM>. The sensors <NUM> may include optical sensors that are disposed on one or both sides of the container <NUM> (such as may be used to determine if there is fluid remaining in one of the chambers), or the sensors may interact with a material disposed about the edge <NUM> of the table (such as may be used to determine the orientation of the table <NUM> on a relative or absolute basis).

As illustrated in <FIG>, the shape of the container <NUM>, and of the chambers <NUM>, <NUM>, may vary. Likewise, the shape of the passage(s) <NUM> may vary between different embodiments. Several embodiments have been provided in <FIG> to illustrate different aspects of the container <NUM>.

As a general comment applicable to the illustrated embodiments, the container <NUM> may be made of a material that is transparent, or at least translucent to light of the wavelength produced by the light source (e.g., UV light). According to the illustrated embodiments, the container <NUM> is also made of a flexible material, such that the container <NUM> may be bent without damage.

As a further general comment, the container <NUM> has a longitudinal axis <NUM> that extends between opposite first and second ends <NUM>, <NUM> of the container <NUM>. The chambers <NUM>, <NUM> are disposed along the longitudinal axis <NUM>; as illustrated, the chambers <NUM>, <NUM> may also be referred to as aligned with the longitudinal axis <NUM> in that they are disposed along the longitudinal axis. The passage or passages <NUM> are also aligned with the longitudinal axis <NUM>, with the first end(s) <NUM> of the passage(s) <NUM> closer to the first end <NUM> of the container <NUM> and the second end(s) <NUM> of the passage(s) <NUM> closer to the second end <NUM> of the container <NUM>. Again, in consideration of the symmetry of the passage or passages <NUM> about the longitudinal axis <NUM>, the passage(s) <NUM> may be described as aligned with the longitudinal axis <NUM>.

The container <NUM> also has a lateral axis <NUM> that extends between opposite first and second sides <NUM>, <NUM> of the container <NUM>. The lateral axis <NUM> is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis <NUM>. To the extent a dimension of the chamber <NUM>, <NUM> or the passage <NUM> in the longitudinal direction may be referred to as the length of the chamber <NUM>, <NUM> or passage <NUM>, a dimension of the chamber <NUM>, <NUM> or the passage <NUM> in the lateral direction may be referred to as the width of the chamber <NUM>, <NUM> or passage <NUM>.

It will be recognized that the passage <NUM> is narrow in the sense that the width of the passage <NUM> is significantly smaller than the width of the first and second chambers <NUM>, <NUM>. As illustrated, even in those embodiments that include a plurality of passages <NUM>, each of the individual passages <NUM> in the plurality of passages <NUM> is significantly smaller than the width of the first and second chambers. For example, the width of the passage <NUM> may be less than <NUM>% of the width of the chamber <NUM> or the chamber <NUM>. According to other embodiments, the width of the passage <NUM> may be, e.g., <NUM>% or <NUM>% of the width of the chamber <NUM>, or the chamber <NUM>.

In addition, although not illustrated in each of the embodiments, the container <NUM> may have one or more ports <NUM> attached thereto or formed therewith. The ports <NUM> may be couplable to other fluid circuits to permit biological fluid to be directed into the container <NUM> (chamber <NUM> or <NUM>). The ports <NUM> may also be used to remove materials from the container <NUM>.

Returning to <FIG>, this embodiment of the container <NUM> includes a first chamber <NUM> and a second chamber <NUM>. The container <NUM> also includes a single narrow passage <NUM> that is in fluid communication with the first chamber <NUM> at the first end <NUM> and with the second chamber <NUM> at the second end <NUM>.

Each of the first and second chambers <NUM>, <NUM> is defined by a wall or walls <NUM>, <NUM>. In particular, the wall <NUM> (or region <NUM> of combined wall <NUM>, <NUM>) defines the first chamber <NUM> and the wall <NUM> (or region <NUM> of the combined wall <NUM>, <NUM>) defines the second chamber <NUM>. It may also be said that the wall <NUM> defines the first chamber <NUM>, while the wall <NUM> defines the second chamber <NUM>. The wall <NUM>, <NUM> may be a structure separate from a front sheet and a back sheet of the container <NUM>, or the walls <NUM>, <NUM> may be defined by joining the front and back sheets together to form the wall <NUM>, <NUM>.

The wall <NUM>, <NUM> may have at least a curved section <NUM>, <NUM> that defines a volume <NUM>, <NUM>. In <FIG>, both of the curved sections <NUM>, <NUM> taper to define the narrow passage <NUM>. The curved nature of the sections <NUM>, <NUM> is believed to assist in the transfer of the fluid between the chambers <NUM>, <NUM> by limiting the obstacles to flow between the chambers <NUM>, <NUM> and the passage <NUM>.

Turning now to <FIG>, this embodiment of the container <NUM> also includes a first chamber <NUM> and a second chamber <NUM>. The container <NUM> includes a plurality of narrow passages <NUM> that are in fluid communication with the first chamber at first ends <NUM> and with the second chamber <NUM> at second ends <NUM>.

To define the narrow passages <NUM>, the container <NUM> may include a passage <NUM> in fluid communication with the first chamber <NUM> at a first end <NUM> and the second chamber <NUM> at the second end <NUM>, the passage <NUM> having a passage wall <NUM>. The container <NUM> also includes one or more baffles <NUM> disposed in the passage <NUM> to define the plurality of narrow passages <NUM> between the one or more baffles <NUM> and the passage wall <NUM>. In fact, the embodiment of <FIG> includes a plurality of baffles <NUM>, and at least one of the narrow passages <NUM> is defined between two of the plurality of baffles <NUM>.

Turning to the embodiment of <FIG>, this embodiment this embodiment of the container <NUM> also includes a first chamber <NUM> and a second chamber <NUM>. The container <NUM> includes a plurality of narrow passages <NUM> that are in fluid communication with the first chamber at first ends <NUM> and with the second chamber <NUM> at second ends <NUM>.

The wall(s) <NUM>, <NUM> are entirely curved. As such the wall(s) <NUM>, <NUM> define a volume <NUM>, <NUM> that incudes the entire chamber <NUM>, <NUM>.

As mentioned above, the first chamber <NUM> and the second chamber <NUM> are disposed along a longitudinal axis <NUM> of the processing container <NUM>. As will be recognized relative to <FIG>, the table <NUM> is rotatable about a table axis <NUM> that is transverse to the longitudinal axis <NUM> (see <FIG>), and thus extends into and out of the page of the drawings. As illustrated, the table axis <NUM> is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis <NUM>.

More particularly, the table <NUM> has the table surface <NUM> on which or to which the processing chamber <NUM> is attached, and the table axis <NUM> is orthogonal to the table surface <NUM>. Consequently, the table <NUM> revolves about the table axis <NUM> to move the first and second chambers <NUM>, <NUM> between the first and second states as illustrated in <FIG>. As mentioned above, and as illustrated in <FIG>, the device <NUM> may include motor <NUM> to rotate the table <NUM> about the table axis <NUM>.

It will be recognized that the table could alternatively rotate about a table axis that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis <NUM> of the container (e.g., parallel or coincident with the lateral axis <NUM>), but not orthogonal to the surface <NUM>. This alternate table axis instead would lie in the plane of the table <NUM> or parallel thereto. By revolving the table <NUM> about this axis, it would be possible to achieve a first state wherein the first chamber <NUM> is above the second chamber <NUM>, and a second state wherein the second chamber <NUM> is above the first chamber <NUM>. According to such an embodiment, it may be more efficient to have the UV light source <NUM> mounted to the table <NUM> as well, with opposing surfaces of the table <NUM> and the light source <NUM> spaced for the introduction of the container <NUM>.

Further variants of the processing container <NUM> are illustrated in <FIG>. These variants include features that could be used separately, or in combination with each other or with the features of the other embodiments of the processing container <NUM> described above in <FIG>. Consequently, it will be recognized that the illustrations of <FIG> are provided by way of explanation, not by way of limitation.

The processing container <NUM> of <FIG> illustrates an embodiment where in the first chamber <NUM> and the second chamber <NUM> have different sizes, and may also have different shapes and volumes. As illustrated, the first chamber <NUM> has larger dimensions in the direction of the longitudinal axis <NUM> and the lateral axis <NUM> (i.e., length and width). It will be recognized that according to other embodiments, either dimension (length or width) may be different between the chambers <NUM>, <NUM>, while the other dimension is the same. If the dimension of the chambers <NUM>, <NUM> into the plane of the page (thickness) is the same, then the difference in the dimensions along the axis <NUM>, <NUM> (length or width) will result in a difference in volume between the chambers <NUM>, <NUM>. It will be recognized that according other embodiments, it may be possible to vary the dimensions of the chambers <NUM>, <NUM> (length, width, and thickness) while maintaining the same volume for each of the chambers <NUM>, <NUM>. As also illustrated in <FIG>, the shape of the chambers <NUM>, <NUM> may vary, with the chamber <NUM> being more oval in shape that the chamber <NUM>, for example; greater differences in shape (e.g., one with curved sides vs. one with straight sides) may also be possible.

In the processing container <NUM> of <FIG>, the container <NUM> is symmetrical about the longitudinal axis <NUM>, but is not symmetrical about the lateral axis <NUM> by virtue of the fact that the chambers <NUM>, <NUM> are of a different size (having different dimensions). It is also possible for the container <NUM> not to be symmetrical about either axis <NUM>, <NUM>. The processing container <NUM> of <FIG> illustrates such an embodiment where the container <NUM> is not symmetrical about either axis <NUM>, <NUM>. Instead, the chambers <NUM>, <NUM> have centers that are offset from the longitudinal axis <NUM> in opposite directions.

It will be recognized that the variations in the container <NUM>, such as represented in <FIG>, can be used, for example, to vary the motion of the fluid between the chambers <NUM>, <NUM> as the container <NUM> is changed in orientation, for example as illustrated in <FIG>. The inner surfaces of the chambers <NUM>, <NUM> and the passage(s) <NUM> may also be varied (e.g., textured) to vary the motion of the fluid. Variations in the motion of the fluid as it transfers between the chambers <NUM>, <NUM> may further influence the mixing of the fluid within the chambers <NUM>, <NUM> and in the passages <NUM>. The variations in the container <NUM> may also be used to facilitate the transfer of the fluid between the chambers <NUM>, <NUM>, and between the chambers <NUM>, <NUM> and the passages <NUM>, such as in the embodiment of the processing container <NUM> in <FIG>, by providing a smoother transition between the chamber <NUM>, <NUM> and the passages <NUM>.

While the irradiation device <NUM> may be used independent and apart from equipment that takes a biological fluid and separates it into components, the irradiation device <NUM> may also be used as part of a system for processing a biological fluid. As illustrated in <FIG>, such a system <NUM> may include a cell separator <NUM> configured to separate a biological fluid into at least two streams of cell components, using for example a centrifugal separator, spinning membrane, etc. Further, the system <NUM> may include an irradiation device <NUM>, including a rotatable table <NUM>, a processing container <NUM>, and a (UV) light source <NUM>. Such a system <NUM> could be used to perform a variety of photo-treatments, such as extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) as simply one example.

The processing container <NUM> of the irradiation device <NUM> may be couplable to the cell separator <NUM> to receive the cell components of at least one of the at least two streams. The processing container also may include a first chamber <NUM>, a second chamber <NUM> and at least one narrow passage <NUM> in fluid communication at a first end <NUM> with the first chamber <NUM> and at a second end <NUM> with the second chamber <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>.

The processing container <NUM> of the irradiation device <NUM> of such a system <NUM> may be mounted on or to the table <NUM>. The table <NUM> may have a first state wherein the first chamber <NUM> is disposed at a higher elevation than the second chamber <NUM>, and a second state wherein the second chamber <NUM> is disposed at a higher elevation than the first chamber <NUM>. Further, the (UV) light source <NUM> may be disposed proximate to the narrow passage <NUM> and configured to irradiate fluid passing through the narrow passage <NUM>.

All of the discussion regarding the various embodiments of the irradiation device <NUM> may apply to the irradiation device <NUM> included as part of the system <NUM>, as indicated generally in <FIG> through the inclusion of the controller <NUM>, motor <NUM>, and sensors <NUM>. As also indicated in <FIG>, the cell separator <NUM> may include a reusuable apparatus <NUM> and a disposable fluid circuit <NUM> mounted to or on the reusable apparatus <NUM>, the fluid circuit <NUM> couplable to the processing container <NUM>. According to certain embodiments, the processing container <NUM> is detachable from the fluid circuit <NUM>.

According to one embodiments of the medical system <NUM>, the reusable device <NUM> may be an AMICUS® Separator, available from Fresenius Kabi USA, Lake Zurich, Illinois, configured to carry out apheresis. Briefly, <FIG> show such an embodiment of an apparatus <NUM>, with <FIG> illustrating the structures of the apparatus <NUM> schematically, <FIG> illustrating a representative blood centrifuge (defining part of the cell separator <NUM>) with a portion of a fluid circuit mounted thereon (which fluid circuit also may define part of the cell separator <NUM>, and may be an embodiment of the fluid circuit <NUM>), and <FIG> illustrating the remainder of the fluid circuit. Additional details of the interaction of such an apparatus and a set are discussed in <CIT>.

With reference first to <FIG>, the illustrated embodiment of the apparatus <NUM> thus may include a controller <NUM>, which may be configured as the controller <NUM> discussed above, and in particular may be configured to carry out one (or more) of the embodiments of the method discussed herein. The apparatus also includes an input device <NUM> in the form of a touch screen and an output device <NUM> in the form of an electronic display. The input devices <NUM> according to this embodiment may further include sensors (or sensor stations), such as weight scales, pressure sensors and air detectors. The controller <NUM> is coupled to the input devices <NUM> and the output device <NUM>, as well as to a plurality of pumps <NUM> (e.g. peristaltic pumps), a plurality of valves (or valve stations) <NUM>, and a centrifugal separator <NUM>. Mounted on the pumps <NUM>, the valves <NUM>, and the separator <NUM> (which along with the sensors <NUM> may together define an embodiment of an interface) is a fluid circuit <NUM>, which may be an embodiment of the fluid circuit <NUM>. The controller <NUM> is configured (e.g., programmed) to control each of the pumps <NUM>, valves <NUM>, and the centrifugal separator <NUM> to carry out an instance of a procedure in combination with the fluid circuit <NUM>.

Processing set (also referred to as a fluid circuit) <NUM> includes a plurality of processing fluid flow cassettes <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> (see <FIG>) with tubing loops for association with peristaltic pumps <NUM>. Set <NUM> also includes a network of tubing and connected (or pre-connected) containers for establishing flow communication with the patient and for processing and collecting fluids and blood and blood components, as discussed in detail below. The set <NUM> also includes a separation chamber <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the separation chamber <NUM> is defined by the walls of a flexible processing container <NUM> carried within an annular gap defined by a rotating spool element <NUM> (see <FIG>) and an outer bowl element of the device. The processing container <NUM> takes the form of an elongated tube that is wrapped about the spool element <NUM> before use. The bowl and spool element <NUM> are pivoted on a yoke between an upright position and a suspended position. In operation, the centrifuge <NUM> rotates the suspended bowl and spool element <NUM> about an axis, creating a centrifugal field within the processing chamber <NUM> of container <NUM>. Details of the mechanism for causing relative movement of the spool <NUM> and bowl elements as just described are disclosed in <CIT>.

As seen in <FIG>, the disposable processing set <NUM> may include the flexible processing container <NUM>, as well as additional containers, such as a container <NUM> for supplying anticoagulant, a waste container <NUM> for collecting waste from one or more steps in a process, a container <NUM> for holding saline or other wash or resuspension medium, a container <NUM> for collecting plasma, as well as other containers <NUM>. The set <NUM> also may include inlet line <NUM>, an anticoagulant (AC) line <NUM> for delivering AC from container <NUM>, an RBC line <NUM> for conveying red blood cells from chamber <NUM> of container <NUM> to a container <NUM>, a platelet-poor plasma (PPP) line <NUM> for conveying PPP to container <NUM> and line <NUM> for conveying other fluids to and from separation chamber <NUM> and the containers <NUM>. In addition, the blood processing set <NUM> includes one or more venipuncture needle(s) for accessing the circulatory system of the patient. As shown in <FIG>, set <NUM> includes an inlet needle <NUM> attached to the inlet line <NUM> and a return needle <NUM> attached to a return line <NUM>; in an alternative embodiment, a single needle can serve as both the inlet and outlet needle.

Claim 1:
An irradiation device (<NUM>), comprising:
a processing container (<NUM>) including a first chamber (<NUM>), a second chamber (<NUM>) and at least one narrow passage in fluid communication at a first end (<NUM>) with the first chamber (<NUM>) and at a second end (<NUM>) with the second chamber (<NUM>);
a rotatable table (<NUM>) on which the processing container (<NUM>) is mounted, the table (<NUM>) having a first state wherein the first chamber (<NUM>) is disposed at a higher elevation than the second chamber (<NUM>), and a second state wherein the second chamber (<NUM>) is disposed at a higher elevation than the first chamber (<NUM>);
characterised in that a UV light source (<NUM>) is disposed proximate to the narrow passage (<NUM>) and aligned with the passage (<NUM>) and configured to irradiate only fluid passing through the narrow passage (<NUM>).