Patent ID: 7713232

Claim:
A system for use in the processing of cells, the system comprising: a cell storage container; a wash solution container; a first pump; a first fluid path fluidly connected between the wash solution container, the cell storage container and the first pump, the first pump adapted to pump wash solution from the wash solution container to the cell storage container; a waste container; a second pump; a second fluid path fluidly connected between the waste container, the cell storage container and the second pump, the second pump adapted to remove effluent from the cell storage container and deliver it to the waste container; a valve mechanism fluidly connected to the first fluid path and disposed between the cell storage container and the wash solution container; a cell delivery pump; a third fluid path fluidly connected between the valve mechanism and the cell delivery pump; a computer operably connected to the first pump, the second pump and the cell delivery pump and adapted to control the operations thereof; a fourth fluid path adapted to be placed in fluid connection with the cell storage container to remove a sample from the cell storage container for analysis; a fifth fluid path adapted to introduce air into the cell storage container; a first t-connector disposed in the first fluid path for fluidly connecting the wash solution container, the cell storage container and the first pump; a first valve disposed between the wash solution container and the first t-connector and a second valve disposed between the first t-connector and the cell storage container; a second t-connector disposed in the second fluid path for fluidly connecting the waste container, the cell storage container and the second pump; and a third valve disposed between the waste container and the second t-connector and a fourth valve disposed between the second t-connector and the cell storage container.