Patent ID: 7651474

Claim:
A disposable red blood cell collection assembly for an apheresis system for separating blood into at least one high hematocrit red blood cell component for collection and for the leukoreduction of the high hematocrit red blood cell component; said disposable assembly comprising: a blood removal/return assembly for removing blood from and returning any uncollected components to the donor; a blood processing vessel connected to said blood removal/return assembly, and adaptable to be connected to a separation system for separating blood received from the donor into blood components including the high hematocrit red blood cell component; an intermediate red blood cell collection bag disparate from yet preconnected via tubing lines to the blood processing vessel; an openable conduit connected to the intermediate red blood cell collection bag and adapted to be connected to a source of additive solution; an ultimate red blood cell collection container; a preconnected leukoreduction filter fluidly disposed between the intermediate red blood cell collection bag and the ultimate red blood cell collection container; whereby said red blood cell collection assembly is adapted to provide for the passing of undiluted high hematocrit red blood cells from the intermediate red blood cell collection bag through the leukoreduction filter and into the ultimate red blood cell collection container prior to the opening of the openable conduit; and an air removal bag interconnected to the ultimate red blood cell collection container for receiving air from the ultimate red blood cell collection container; and wherein the undiluted high hematocrit red blood cells are passed from the intermediate red blood cell collection bag through the leukoreduction filter and into the ultimate red blood cell collection container substantially simultaneously with or during the overall separation process.