Patent ID: 7531098

Claim:
A system for deglycerolizing red blood cells (“RBCs”), comprising: a recirculation bag; and a continuous flow centrifuge (“CFC”) to separate a waste product from fluid containing RBCs, said CFC in fluid communication with said recirculation bag by a first tubing segment, said first tubing segment terminating at its first end at said CFC, and terminating at its second end at said recirculation bag; a blood pump to pump fluid containing RBCs from said recirculation bag to said CFC, said blood pump configured on said first tubing segment; a first valve to control the flow of fluid into said recirculation bag, said first valve configured on a second tubing segment, said second tubing segment terminating at its first end at said CFC, and terminating at its second end at said recirculation bag; a deglycerolized RBC bag to contain deglycerolized RBCs, said deglycerolized RBC bag in fluid communication with said second tubing segment by a third tubing segment, said third tubing segment terminating at its first end at said deglycerolized RBC bag, and terminating at its second end at a first junction with said second tubing segment, said first junction configured on said second tubing segment between said CFC and said first valve; a second valve to control the flow of fluid into said deglycerolized RBC bag, said second valve configured on said third tubing segment; and a cassette through which said first, second and third tubing segments pass.