US20060217651A1 - Control system for driving fluids through an extracorporeal blood circuit - Google Patents
Control system for driving fluids through an extracorporeal blood circuit Download PDFInfo
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- US20060217651A1 US20060217651A1 US11/444,745 US44474506A US2006217651A1 US 20060217651 A1 US20060217651 A1 US 20060217651A1 US 44474506 A US44474506 A US 44474506A US 2006217651 A1 US2006217651 A1 US 2006217651A1
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- separator
- buffy coat
- plasma
- blood cells
- fluid
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04B—POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS
- F04B43/00—Machines, pumps, or pumping installations having flexible working members
- F04B43/12—Machines, pumps, or pumping installations having flexible working members having peristaltic action
- F04B43/1253—Machines, pumps, or pumping installations having flexible working members having peristaltic action by using two or more rollers as squeezing elements, the rollers moving on an arc of a circle during squeezing
- F04B43/1292—Pumps specially adapted for several tubular flexible members
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M1/00—Suction or pumping devices for medical purposes; Devices for carrying-off, for treatment of, or for carrying-over, body-liquids; Drainage systems
- A61M1/02—Blood transfusion apparatus
- A61M1/0209—Multiple bag systems for separating or storing blood components
- A61M1/0218—Multiple bag systems for separating or storing blood components with filters
- A61M1/0227—Multiple bag systems for separating or storing blood components with filters and means for securing the filter against damage, e.g. during centrifugation
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M1/00—Suction or pumping devices for medical purposes; Devices for carrying-off, for treatment of, or for carrying-over, body-liquids; Drainage systems
- A61M1/36—Other treatment of blood in a by-pass of the natural circulatory system, e.g. temperature adaptation, irradiation ; Extra-corporeal blood circuits
- A61M1/3601—Extra-corporeal circuits in which the blood fluid passes more than once through the treatment unit
- A61M1/3603—Extra-corporeal circuits in which the blood fluid passes more than once through the treatment unit in the same direction
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- A61M1/00—Suction or pumping devices for medical purposes; Devices for carrying-off, for treatment of, or for carrying-over, body-liquids; Drainage systems
- A61M1/36—Other treatment of blood in a by-pass of the natural circulatory system, e.g. temperature adaptation, irradiation ; Extra-corporeal blood circuits
- A61M1/3621—Extra-corporeal blood circuits
- A61M1/3622—Extra-corporeal blood circuits with a cassette forming partially or totally the blood circuit
- A61M1/36224—Extra-corporeal blood circuits with a cassette forming partially or totally the blood circuit with sensing means or components thereof
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M1/00—Suction or pumping devices for medical purposes; Devices for carrying-off, for treatment of, or for carrying-over, body-liquids; Drainage systems
- A61M1/36—Other treatment of blood in a by-pass of the natural circulatory system, e.g. temperature adaptation, irradiation ; Extra-corporeal blood circuits
- A61M1/3621—Extra-corporeal blood circuits
- A61M1/3622—Extra-corporeal blood circuits with a cassette forming partially or totally the blood circuit
- A61M1/36225—Extra-corporeal blood circuits with a cassette forming partially or totally the blood circuit with blood pumping means or components thereof
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M1/00—Suction or pumping devices for medical purposes; Devices for carrying-off, for treatment of, or for carrying-over, body-liquids; Drainage systems
- A61M1/36—Other treatment of blood in a by-pass of the natural circulatory system, e.g. temperature adaptation, irradiation ; Extra-corporeal blood circuits
- A61M1/3621—Extra-corporeal blood circuits
- A61M1/3622—Extra-corporeal blood circuits with a cassette forming partially or totally the blood circuit
- A61M1/36226—Constructional details of cassettes, e.g. specific details on material or shape
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M1/00—Suction or pumping devices for medical purposes; Devices for carrying-off, for treatment of, or for carrying-over, body-liquids; Drainage systems
- A61M1/36—Other treatment of blood in a by-pass of the natural circulatory system, e.g. temperature adaptation, irradiation ; Extra-corporeal blood circuits
- A61M1/3621—Extra-corporeal blood circuits
- A61M1/3622—Extra-corporeal blood circuits with a cassette forming partially or totally the blood circuit
- A61M1/36226—Constructional details of cassettes, e.g. specific details on material or shape
- A61M1/362261—Constructional details of cassettes, e.g. specific details on material or shape at least one cassette surface or portion thereof being flexible, e.g. the cassette having a rigid base portion with preformed channels and being covered with a foil
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M1/00—Suction or pumping devices for medical purposes; Devices for carrying-off, for treatment of, or for carrying-over, body-liquids; Drainage systems
- A61M1/36—Other treatment of blood in a by-pass of the natural circulatory system, e.g. temperature adaptation, irradiation ; Extra-corporeal blood circuits
- A61M1/3621—Extra-corporeal blood circuits
- A61M1/3622—Extra-corporeal blood circuits with a cassette forming partially or totally the blood circuit
- A61M1/36226—Constructional details of cassettes, e.g. specific details on material or shape
- A61M1/362263—Details of incorporated filters
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M1/00—Suction or pumping devices for medical purposes; Devices for carrying-off, for treatment of, or for carrying-over, body-liquids; Drainage systems
- A61M1/36—Other treatment of blood in a by-pass of the natural circulatory system, e.g. temperature adaptation, irradiation ; Extra-corporeal blood circuits
- A61M1/3621—Extra-corporeal blood circuits
- A61M1/3622—Extra-corporeal blood circuits with a cassette forming partially or totally the blood circuit
- A61M1/36226—Constructional details of cassettes, e.g. specific details on material or shape
- A61M1/362266—Means for adding solutions or substances to the blood
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M1/00—Suction or pumping devices for medical purposes; Devices for carrying-off, for treatment of, or for carrying-over, body-liquids; Drainage systems
- A61M1/36—Other treatment of blood in a by-pass of the natural circulatory system, e.g. temperature adaptation, irradiation ; Extra-corporeal blood circuits
- A61M1/3621—Extra-corporeal blood circuits
- A61M1/3627—Degassing devices; Buffer reservoirs; Drip chambers; Blood filters
- A61M1/3633—Blood component filters, e.g. leukocyte filters
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M1/00—Suction or pumping devices for medical purposes; Devices for carrying-off, for treatment of, or for carrying-over, body-liquids; Drainage systems
- A61M1/36—Other treatment of blood in a by-pass of the natural circulatory system, e.g. temperature adaptation, irradiation ; Extra-corporeal blood circuits
- A61M1/3681—Other treatment of blood in a by-pass of the natural circulatory system, e.g. temperature adaptation, irradiation ; Extra-corporeal blood circuits by irradiation
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M1/00—Suction or pumping devices for medical purposes; Devices for carrying-off, for treatment of, or for carrying-over, body-liquids; Drainage systems
- A61M1/36—Other treatment of blood in a by-pass of the natural circulatory system, e.g. temperature adaptation, irradiation ; Extra-corporeal blood circuits
- A61M1/3681—Other treatment of blood in a by-pass of the natural circulatory system, e.g. temperature adaptation, irradiation ; Extra-corporeal blood circuits by irradiation
- A61M1/3683—Other treatment of blood in a by-pass of the natural circulatory system, e.g. temperature adaptation, irradiation ; Extra-corporeal blood circuits by irradiation using photoactive agents
- A61M1/3686—Other treatment of blood in a by-pass of the natural circulatory system, e.g. temperature adaptation, irradiation ; Extra-corporeal blood circuits by irradiation using photoactive agents by removing photoactive agents after irradiation
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M1/00—Suction or pumping devices for medical purposes; Devices for carrying-off, for treatment of, or for carrying-over, body-liquids; Drainage systems
- A61M1/36—Other treatment of blood in a by-pass of the natural circulatory system, e.g. temperature adaptation, irradiation ; Extra-corporeal blood circuits
- A61M1/3693—Other treatment of blood in a by-pass of the natural circulatory system, e.g. temperature adaptation, irradiation ; Extra-corporeal blood circuits using separation based on different densities of components, e.g. centrifuging
- A61M1/3696—Other treatment of blood in a by-pass of the natural circulatory system, e.g. temperature adaptation, irradiation ; Extra-corporeal blood circuits using separation based on different densities of components, e.g. centrifuging with means for adding or withdrawing liquid substances during the centrifugation, e.g. continuous centrifugation
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04B—POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS
- F04B43/00—Machines, pumps, or pumping installations having flexible working members
- F04B43/0009—Special features
- F04B43/0081—Special features systems, control, safety measures
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M1/00—Suction or pumping devices for medical purposes; Devices for carrying-off, for treatment of, or for carrying-over, body-liquids; Drainage systems
- A61M1/36—Other treatment of blood in a by-pass of the natural circulatory system, e.g. temperature adaptation, irradiation ; Extra-corporeal blood circuits
- A61M1/3606—Arrangements for blood-volume reduction of extra-corporeal circuits
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M1/00—Suction or pumping devices for medical purposes; Devices for carrying-off, for treatment of, or for carrying-over, body-liquids; Drainage systems
- A61M1/36—Other treatment of blood in a by-pass of the natural circulatory system, e.g. temperature adaptation, irradiation ; Extra-corporeal blood circuits
- A61M1/3621—Extra-corporeal blood circuits
- A61M1/3627—Degassing devices; Buffer reservoirs; Drip chambers; Blood filters
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M2205/00—General characteristics of the apparatus
- A61M2205/12—General characteristics of the apparatus with interchangeable cassettes forming partially or totally the fluid circuit
- A61M2205/125—General characteristics of the apparatus with interchangeable cassettes forming partially or totally the fluid circuit with incorporated filters
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M2205/00—General characteristics of the apparatus
- A61M2205/12—General characteristics of the apparatus with interchangeable cassettes forming partially or totally the fluid circuit
- A61M2205/128—General characteristics of the apparatus with interchangeable cassettes forming partially or totally the fluid circuit with incorporated valves
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M2205/00—General characteristics of the apparatus
- A61M2205/35—Communication
- A61M2205/3546—Range
- A61M2205/3561—Range local, e.g. within room or hospital
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
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- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M2205/00—General characteristics of the apparatus
- A61M2205/75—General characteristics of the apparatus with filters
Definitions
- This invention relates generally to the field of systems for driving fluids through an extracorporeal blood circuit, and specifically to non-disposable systems for driving and controlling fluid flow through disposable extracorporeal blood circuit kits.
- Photopheresis systems and methods have been proposed and used which involve separation of buffy coat from the blood, addition of a photoactivatable drug, and UV irradiation of the buffy coat before re-infusion to the patient.
- Extracorporeal photopheresis may be utilized to treat numerous diseases including Graft-versus-Host disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Progressive Systematic Sclerosis, Juvenile Onset Diabetes, Inflammatory Bowel Disease and other diseases that are thought to be T-cell or white blood cell mediated, including cancer.
- Apheresis systems and methods have also been proposed and used which involve separation of blood into various components.
- apheresis systems and methods have also been proposed and used which involve separation of blood into various components, and also involve systems pumping and valving systems which are difficult to manufacture or operate.
- Prior photopheresis and apheresis systems and methods usually require batch processes and therefore take several hours to treat a patient or to obtain a sufficient supply of separated blood components.
- the systems are very complex to manufacture, especially the fluid flow controllers and valving systems.
- a disposable kit In known photopheresis systems, a disposable kit is provided that is loaded into a permanent piece of hardware.
- the disposable kit contain complex tubing that is used to carry blood fluids to and from the various devices included in the kit, such as a centrifuge bowl, an irradiation chamber, and various bags for delivering and/or collecting blood fluids.
- Known disposable kits often contain a cassette, or other controller mechanism, for controlling the flow of blood fluids throughout the disposable kit and to and from the patient.
- Disposable kits are used only once and must be replaced or disposed after each treatment session.
- the kit In performing a treatment process, the kit is connected to patient to form a closed-loop system and the various devices of the disposable kit are loaded into a permanent piece of equipment used to drive blood fluids throughout the disposable kit as necessary. Once loaded, the permanent blood drive system drives the blood fluids through the kit's fluid circuitry.
- Known permanent blood driving systems have control decks for receiving the cassette of the disposable cassette.
- an operator In preparing for a blood treatment process, an operator must properly load the cassette into the deck and load the other devices of the kit into their appropriate positions. It is vital that the cassette be loaded properly and not be able to move during treatment. It is also vital to ensure that the disposable kit being loaded onto the permanent blood driving system is compatible with the blood driving system and capable of carrying out the intended treatment.
- these goals must be balanced with the competing goals of reducing the complexity of cassette clamping mechanisms so as to reduce operator loading errors and reducing kit loading time.
- Another deficiency in existing blood driving systems is their inability to communicate or receive real time data during a treatment. If a problem arises during the treatment, either the problem will not be detected and/or nothing can be done until after the treatment. Thus, a need exists for a blood driving system that can both communicate real time data during a treatment and respond if necessary to data inputs in real time during a treatment process.
- prior photopheresis and apheresis systems and methods usually require batch processes and therefore take several hours to treat a patient or to obtain a sufficient supply of separated blood fragments. It is a constant object to reduce the time it takes to perform a complete photopheresis or apheresis treatment session. Another object is to reduce the amount of blood that must be drawn form a patient and processed in closed-loop processes per photopheresis treatment session. Yet another object to increase the amount of white blood cell yield or obtain a cleaner cut of buffy coat per volume of whole blood processed. Still another object is to reduce the costs and complexity associated with making the disposable kits used.
- the present invention is directed at permanent blood driving systems for photopheresis and apheresis to provide less complex, easier to manufacture, and a continuous process for separation of sufficient fragment for treatment so as to greatly reduce the treatment time.
- the invention in one aspect, is an improved deck for driving fluids through an extracorporeal blood circuit kit.
- the kit including a cassette for controlling fluid flow and having at least one tab protruding from a housing of the cassette.
- the deck is designed to allow easy, quick, and reliable loading of the cassette through the use a new cassette clamping mechanism.
- the deck comprises: a controller; a plate having a cassette loading area; at least one catch for slidably receiving a corresponding tab of the cassette, the catch positioned on the plate adjacent to the cassette loading area; at least one rotating clamp rotatable between an open position and a closed position, the rotating clamp positioned on the plate adjacent to the cassette loading area; wherein when the rotating clamp is in the open position, the rotating clamp does not obstruct the cassette from being removed from the cassette loading area; and wherein when the rotating clamp is in the closed position and the cassette loaded onto the cassette loading area, the rotating clamp prohibits the cassette from being removed from the cassette loading area.
- the rotating clamps rotate about an axis that is substantially perpendicular to a top surface of the plate. It is further preferable that the rotating clamps be spring loaded so as to return to the closed position when rotational force is not applied and that the rotational clamps be operably coupled by a timing belt so that rotation of all rotating clamps is coordinated. Providing two catches and two rotating clamps is most preferable.
- Each rotating clamp will preferably have an angled ledge that allows the cassette to be lowered onto the cassette loading area of the plate while the rotating clamps are in closed position.
- the angled ledge will also prohibit the cassette from being raised from the cassette loading area when the rotating clamps are in the closed position. Rotation between the open and closed positions can be facilitated by pneumatic cylinders.
- a cassette can be loaded onto the deck by aligning the tabs of the cassette with the catches, slidably inserting the tabs into the catches, and pressing the cassette downward onto the cassette loading area.
- the rotating clamps are rotated to the open position allowing the cassette to move below the angled ledge.
- the rotating clamps snap back to the closed position locking the cassette onto the cassette loading area.
- the cassette can not be removed or moved until the rotating clamps are moved to the open position after treatment is complete or until the operator does so manually. This setup provides little or no chance for operator error in loading the cassette and is time efficient.
- the deck also have at least one compression actuator adapted to move between a raised position and a lowered position.
- the compression actuator When the cassette is loaded onto the cassette loading area, and the compression actuator is in the raised position, the compression actuator will occlude a portion of flexible tubing within the cassette by compressing the portion of flexible tubing against a housing of the cassette.
- the compression actuators act as valves to control and direct fluid flow through desired fluid passageways of the kit.
- the deck has three compression actuators that are spring loaded and positioned on the plate so that when a cassette is loaded onto the cassette loading area, the three spring loaded compression actuators are aligned with portions of flexible tubing within the cassette that are connected directly to a patient. These three compression actuators can be coupled to one another so that their movement between the lowered and raised positions is coordinated.
- the deck have five compression actuators that are spring retracted and positioned on the plate so that when a cassette is loaded onto the cassette loading area, the five compression actuators are aligned with portions of flexible tubing within the cassette so as to be able to route fluids throughout the kit.
- the deck have an air bubble detector adapted to monitor tubes of the kit that are carrying fluids to and from a patient when the cassette is loaded onto the cassette loading area.
- the air bubble detector detects an air bubble, it will take the necessary actions to prohibit flow of fluids to and from the patient.
- the deck will also preferably have at least one peristaltic pump adjacent to the cassette loading area for driving fluids through the kit.
- the peristaltic pump will comprise a rotor rotatably mounted about a rotor axis; a housing having a curved wall surrounding at least a portion of the rotor and forming a tube pumping region between the rotor and the curved wall; the rotor comprising at least one drive roller for progressively compressing a loop of tubing against the curved wall; the rotor comprising a flange above the housing and an angled guide extending upward from the flange for displacing the loop of tubing toward the flange upon the rotor being rotated in a forward direction; the flange having an opening with a leading edge and a trailing edge for capturing and feeding the loop of tubing into the tube pumping region upon the rotor being rotated in the forward direction; and wherein the trailing edge is higher than the leading edge.
- five peristaltic pumps are provided
- a hematocrit sensor for monitoring a tube of the kit that leads to a treatment bag for the presence of red blood cells is also preferably provided.
- the hematocrit sensor can be coupled to the controller to control the peristaltic pump that drives fluid into the tube that leads into the treatment bag.
- the invention is a system for driving blood fluids through a disposable kit comprising: a housing having the deck described above; a centrifuge chamber within the housing; and an infrared communication port coupled to the controller.
- the infrared communication port is adapted to transmit real time data relating to a therapy session being performed on the system to a remote device. Infrared communication abilities allow the system to be able to both transmit and receive data in real time during a treatment process without disturbing the treatment.
- the system When the system is adapted to be used for photopheresis treatments, the system will further comprise a photoactivation chamber for receiving an irradiation chamber of the kit.
- the photoactivation chamber can be vertically oriented. It is more preferable that a leak detector be provided in the photoactivation chamber and that the leak detector comprises at least two U-shaped electrodes, a solid state switch connected to a first end of the electrodes, and an integrated circuit connected to a second end of the electrodes.
- the leak detector is coupled to the controller. It is still further preferable that a similar leak detector also be provided in the centrifuge chamber.
- a means to authenticate a unique identifier associated with the kit is also preferably provided on the system.
- the authentication means is coupled to the controller.
- the means to authenticate can be a data card receiving slot.
- the invention is a blood diving system having an upright tower configuration that reduces the footprint of the system, saving valuable hospital floor space.
- the system will comprise: a controller; a base portion having a top having a deck for receiving and controlling a cassette for directing fluid flow through the kit; an upper portion atop the top; and a centrifuge chamber within the upper portion. Placing the centrifuge chamber above the deck reduces the footprint of the system and provide a working platform for the operator to place objects on.
- the system When adapted to be used for photopheresis treatments, the system will have a photoactivation chamber in the base portion for receiving an irradiation chamber of the kit.
- the photoactivation chamber will be preferably vertically oriented and have a leak detector
- the system is provided with wheels for mobility and is preferably designed to have a height of the system is less than about 60 inches so as not to obstruct visibility during moving. Additionally, the system can be provided with all of the features discussed above.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of a disposable kit for use in photopheresis therapy embodying features of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is an elevated perspective view of an embodiment of a cassette for controlling fluid flow in the disposable photopheresis kit of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the cassette of FIG. 2 .
- FIG. 4 is a top view of the cassette of FIG. 2 with the cover removed and showing internal tubular circuitry.
- FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a cover of cassette of FIG. 2 .
- FIG. 6 is an elevated perspective view of an embodiment of a filter assembly.
- FIG. 7 is bottom perspective view of the filter assembly of FIG. 6 .
- FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the filter assembly of FIG. 6 .
- FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of the filter assembly of FIG. 6 .
- FIG. 10 is schematic representation of the filter assembly of FIG. 6 coupled to pressure sensors and a data processor.
- FIG. 11 is a front view of an irradiation chamber.
- FIG. 12 is a side longitudinal view of the irradiation chamber of FIG. 11 .
- FIG. 13 is a side transverse view of the irradiation chamber of FIG. 1
- FIG. 14 is a cut-away view of a section of the first plate and the second plate prior to being joined together to form the irradiation chamber of FIG. 11 .
- FIG. 15 is a cut-away dimensional end view of the irradiation chamber of FIG. 11 .
- FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the irradiation chamber of FIG. 11 positioned within a UVA light assembly.
- FIG. 17 is an elevated perspective view of an embodiment of a permanent tower system for use in conjunction with a disposable kit for facilitating a photopheresis therapy session.
- FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the photoactivation chamber, without a UVA light assembly, used in the tower system of FIG. 17 .
- FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the centrifuge chamber used in the tower system of FIG. 17 .
- FIG. 20 is an electrical schematic of the leak detection circuit provided in the photoactivation chamber of FIG. 18 .
- FIG. 21 is an electrical schematic of the leak detection circuit provided in the centrifuge chamber of FIG. 19 .
- FIG. 22 is an elevated perspective view of an embodiment of the fluid flow control deck of the tower system of FIG. 17 .
- FIG. 23 is a perspective bottom view of the control deck of FIG. 22 .
- FIG. 24 is an exploded view of the control deck of FIG. 22 .
- FIG. 25 is a top perspective view of the control deck of FIG. 22 with the cassette of FIG. 2 loaded thereon.
- FIG. 26 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a photopheresis treatment process.
- FIG. 27 is a schematic of an embodiment of the fluid flow circuit used in performing the treatment process of FIG. 26 .
- FIG. 28 is top perspective view an embodiment of a peristaltic pump.
- FIG. 29 is a cross sectional side view of the peristaltic pump of FIG. 28 .
- FIG. 30 is a top perspective view the rotor of the peristaltic pump of FIG. 29 .
- FIG. 31 is a bottom perspective view of the rotor of FIG. 30 .
- FIG. 32 is a top view of the peristaltic pump of FIG. 28 .
- FIG. 33 is a top view of the peristaltic pump of FIG. 28 in a loading position and near the cassette of FIG. 2 .
- FIG. 34 is an electrical schematic of the infrared communication port circuit.
- FIG. 35 illustrates an embodiment of a centrifuge bowl and a rotating frame.
- FIG. 36 is a dimensional view of the bowl of FIG. 35 .
- FIG. 37 is an exploded view of the bowl of FIG. 36 .
- FIG. 38 shows a cross sectional view of the bowl of FIG. 36 along the line XIX-XIX.
- FIG. 39A shows a cross sectional view of a connection sleeve in place with a lumen connector of the bowl of FIG. 38 along the line XX.
- FIG. 39B shows another cross sectional view of a connection sleeve in place with a lumen connector of the bowl of FIG. 38 .
- FIG. 40 shows a cross sectional view of the top core of the bowl of FIG. 37 .
- FIG. 41 shows a dimensional view of the top core and upper plate of FIG. 37 .
- FIG. 42 shows a bottom view of the top core of FIG. 41 .
- FIG. 43A shows a dimensional exploded view of the bottom core and a lower plate of the bowl of FIG. 37 .
- FIG. 43B shows an dimensional cross section view of the bottom core and a lower plate of the bowl of FIG. 43A attached together.
- FIG. 44 shows an exploded side view of the bottom core and a lower plate of FIG. 43A .
- FIG. 45 shows a dimensional view of another embodiment of a conduit assembly.
- FIG. 46 shows a dimensional view of the connection sleeve of FIG. 45 .
- FIG. 47 shows a dimensional view of one end of conduit assembly of FIG. 45 .
- FIG. 48 shows a dimensional view of an anchor end of the present invention.
- FIG. 49 shows a lateral cross-sectional view of an anchor end.
- FIG. 50 shows a horizontal cross-sectional view of an anchor end taken along line XXI.
- FIG. 51 illustrates a dimensional view of the rotating frame of FIG. 35 .
- FIG. 52 is an enlarged view of a holder for an external conduit.
- FIG. 53 shows an alternative embodiment of the bowl with the cross-section taken similarly to that shown in FIG. 38 .
- FIG. 54 shows an alternative embodiment of the top core.
- FIG. 55 shows an alternative embodiment of the connection sleeve.
- FIG. 1 illustrates disposable photopheresis kit 1000 embodying features of the present invention. It is necessary that a new disposable sterile kit be used for each therapy session.
- photopheresis kit 1000 is installed in permanent tower system 2000 ( FIG. 17 ). The installation of photopheresis kit 1000 into tower system 2000 is described in detail below.
- Photopheresis kit 1000 comprises cassette 1100 , centrifuge bowl 10 , irradiation chamber 700 , hematocrit sensor 1125 , removable data card 1195 , treatment bag 50 , and plasma collection bag 51 .
- Photopheresis kit 1000 further comprises saline connector spike 1190 and anticoagulant connector spike 1191 for respectively connecting saline and anticoagulant fluid bags (not shown).
- Photopheresis kit 1000 has all the necessary tubing and connectors to fluidly connect all devices and to route the circulation of fluids during a photopheresis treatment session. All tubing is sterile medical grade flexible tubing.
- Triport connectors 1192 are provided at various positions for the introduction of fluids into the tubing if necessary.
- Needle adapters 1193 and 1194 are provided for respectively connecting photopheresis kit 1000 to needles for drawing whole blood from a patient and returning blood fluids to the patient.
- photopheresis kit 1000 can be adapted to use a single needle to both draw whole blood from the patient and return blood fluids to the patient.
- a two needle kit is preferred because of the ability to simultaneously draw whole blood and return blood fluids to the patient.
- Cassette 1100 acts both as a tube organizer and a fluid flow router.
- Irradiation chamber 700 is used to expose blood fluids to UV light.
- Centrifuge bowl 10 separates whole blood into its different components according to density.
- Treatment bag 50 is a 1000 mL three port bag.
- Straight bond port 52 is used to inject a photoactivatable or photosensitive compound into treatment bag 50 .
- Plasma collection bag 51 is 1000 mL two port bag. Both treatment bag 50 and plasma collection bag 51 have a hinged cap spike tube 53 which can be used for drainage if necessary.
- Photopheresis kit 1000 further comprises hydrophobic filters 1555 and 1556 which are adapted to connect to pressure transducers 1550 and 1551 to filter 1500 via vent tubes 1552 and 1553 for monitoring and controlling the pressures within tubes connecting the patient ( FIG. 10 ). Monitoring the pressure helps ensure that the kit is operating within safe pressure limits.
- the individual devices of photopheresis kit 1000 and their functioning, are discussed below in detail.
- FIG. 2 shows a top perspective view of a disposable cassette 1100 for valving, pumping, and controlling the movement of blood fluids during a photopheresis treatment session.
- Cassette 1100 has housing 1101 that forms an internal space that acts as a casing for its various internal components and tubular circuitry. Housing 1101 is preferably made of hard plastic, but can be made of any suitably rigid material. Housing 1101 has side wall 1104 and top surface 1105 . Side wall 1104 of housing 1101 has tabs 1102 and 1103 extending therefrom.
- cassette 1100 needs to be secured to deck 1200 of tower system 2000 , as is best illustrated in FIG. 25 .
- Tabs 1102 and 1103 help position and secure cassette 1100 to deck 1200 .
- Cassette 1100 has fluid inlet tubes 1106 , 1107 , 1108 , 1109 , 1110 , 1111 , and 1112 for receiving fluids into cassette 1100 , fluid outlet tubes 1114 , 1115 , 1116 , 1117 , 1118 , and 1119 for expelling fluids from cassette 1100 , and fluid inlet/outlet tube 1113 that can be used for both introducing and expelling fluids into and out of cassette 1100 .
- These fluid input and output tubes fluidly couple cassette 1100 to a patient being treated, as well as the various devices of photopheresis kit 1000 , such as centrifuge bowl 10 , irradiation chamber 700 , treatment bag 50 , plasma collection bag 51 , and bags containing saline, anticoagulation fluid to form a closed-loop extracorporeal fluid circuit ( FIG. 27 ).
- Pump tube loops 1120 , 1121 , 1122 , 1123 , and 1124 protrude from side wall 1104 of housing 1101 .
- Pump tube loops 1120 , 1121 , 1122 , 1123 , and 1124 are provided for facilitating the circulation of fluids throughout photopheresis kit 1000 during therapy. More specifically, when cassette 1100 is secured to deck 1200 for operation, each one of said pump tube loops 1120 , 1121 , 1122 , 1123 , and 1124 are loaded into a corresponding peristaltic pump 1301 , 1302 , 1303 , 1304 , and 1305 ( FIG. 4 ).
- Peristaltic pumps 1301 , 1302 , 1303 , 1304 , and 1305 drive fluid through the respective pump tube loops 1120 , 1121 , 1122 , 1123 , and 1124 in a predetermined direction, thereby driving fluid through photopheresis kit 1000 ( FIG. 1 ) as necessary.
- the operation and automatic loading and unloading of peristaltic pumps 1301 , 1302 , 1303 , 1304 , and 1305 is discussed in detail below with respect to FIGS. 28-33 .
- cassette 1100 is shown with housing 1101 in an exploded state.
- the internal tubular circuitry within housing 1101 is not illustrated in FIG. 3 .
- the internal tubular circuitry is illustrated in FIG. 4 and will be discussed in relation thereto.
- Cassette 1100 has filter assembly 1500 positioned therein and in fluid connection with inlet tube 1106 , outlet tube 1114 , and one end of each of pump tube loops 1120 and 1121 .
- Filter assembly 1500 comprises vent chambers 1540 and 1542 . Filter assembly 1500 , and its functioning, is discussed in detail below with respect to FIGS. 6-10 .
- Housing 1101 comprises cover 1130 and base 1131 .
- Cover 1130 has top surface 1105 , a bottom surface 1160 ( FIG. 5 ), and side wall 1104 .
- Cover 1130 has openings 1132 and 1133 for allowing vent chambers 1540 and 1542 of filter assembly 1500 to extend therethrough.
- Side wall 1104 has a plurality of tube slots 1134 to allow the inlet tubes, outlet tubes, and pump loop tubes to pass into the internal space of housing 1101 for connection with the internal tubular circuitry located therein. Only a few tube slots 1134 are labeled in FIG. 3 to avoid numerical crowding.
- Tabs 1102 and 1103 are positioned on side wall 1104 so as not to interfere with tube slots 1134 .
- Cover 1130 has occlusion bars 1162 and 1162 A extending from bottom surface 1160 ( FIG. 5 ). Occlusion bars 1162 and 1162 A are preferably molded into bottom surface 1160 of cover 1130 during its formation.
- Base 1131 has a plurality of U-shaped tube-holders 1135 extending upward from top surface 1136 .
- U-shaped tube holders 1135 hold the inlet tubes, outlet tubes, pump loop tubes, filter assembly, and internal tubular circuitry in place. Only a few U-shaped holders 1135 are labeled in FIG. 3 to avoid numerical crowding.
- a U-shaped holder 1135 is provided on base 1131 at each location where an inlet tube, an outlet tube, or a pump loop tube passes through a tube slot 1134 on side wall 1104 .
- Male extrusions 1136 protrude from top surface 1136 of base 1131 for mating with corresponding female holes 1161 located on bottom surface 1160 of cover 1130 ( FIG. 5 ).
- a male protrusion 1136 is located at or near each of the four corners of base 1130 and near filter 1500 .
- Male protrusions 1136 mate with the female holes 1161 to form a snap-fit and secure base 1131 to cover 1130 .
- Base 1131 further comprises a hub 1140 .
- Hub 1140 is a five-way tube connector used to connect five tubes of the internal tubular circuitry. Preferably, three apertures 1137 are located near and surround three of the tubes leading into hub 1140 .
- Hub 1140 acts as a centralized junction which can be used, in conjunction with compression actuators 1240 - 1247 ( FIG. 22 ), to direct fluids through photopheresis kit 1000 and to and from the patient.
- appropriate tube connectors such as T-connectors 1141 and Y-connector 1142 , are used to obtain the desired flexible tubing pathways.
- Each aperture 1137 is surrounded by an aperture wall 1138 having slots 1139 for passing portions of the internal tubular circuitry therethrough.
- An elongated aperture 1157 is also provided on the floor of base 1131 .
- Apertures 1137 are located on base 1131 to align with corresponding compression actuators 1243 - 1247 of deck 1200 ( FIG. 22 ).
- Aperture 1157 is located on base 1131 to align with compression actuators 1240 - 1242 of deck 1200 ( FIG. 22 ).
- Each aperture 1137 is sized so that a single compression actuator 1243 - 1247 can extend therethrough.
- Aperture 1157 is sized so that three compression actuators 1240 - 1242 can extend therethrough.
- Compression actuators 1240 - 1247 are used to close/occlude and open certain fluid passageways of the internal tubular circuitry in order to facilitate or prohibit fluid flow along a desired path.
- the compression actuator 1240 - 1247 for that passageway is in a lowered position
- the appropriate compression actuator 1240 - 1247 is raised, extending the compression actuator 1240 - 1247 through aperture 1137 or 1157 and compressing a portion of the flexible tubular circuitry against bottom surface 1160 ( FIG. 5 ) of cover 1130 , thereby closing that passageway.
- occlusion bars 1163 and 1173 are positioned on bottom surface 1160 to align with the compression actuators 1240 - 1247 so that the portion of flexible tubing being occluded is compressed against occlusion bar 1163 or 1173 .
- the occlusion bar can be omitted or located on the compression actuators themselves.
- cassette 1100 it is preferable for cassette 1100 to have a unique identifier that can communicate with and relay information to permanent tower system 2000 .
- the unique identifier is provided to ensure that the disposable photopheresis kit is compatible with the blood drive equipment into which it is being loaded, and that the photopheresis kit is capable of running the desired treatment process.
- the unique identifier can also be used as a means to ensure that the disposable photopheresis kit is of a certain brand name or make.
- the unique identifier is embodied as data card 1195 ( FIG. 2 ) that is inserted into data card receiving port 2001 of permanent tower system 2000 ( FIG. 17 ).
- Data card 1195 has both read and write capabilities and can store data relating to the treatment therapy performed for future analysis.
- the unique identifier can also take on a variety of forms, including, for example, a microchip that interacts with the blood drive equipment when the kit is loaded, a bar code, or a serial number.
- Cover 1130 has data card holder 1134 for holding data card 1195 ( FIG. 1 ).
- Data card holder 1134 comprises four elevated ridges in a segmented rectangular shape for receiving and holding data card 1195 to cassette 1100 .
- Data card holder 1134 holds data card 1195 in place via a snap-fit ( FIG. 2 ).
- cassette 1100 At least a portion of the internal tubular circuitry is preferably made of flexible plastic tubing that can be pinched shut by the exertion of pressure without compromising the hermetic integrity of the tube.
- Base 1131 of cassette 1100 is illustrated in FIG. 4 so that the internal tubular circuitry can be viewed.
- Inlet tubes 1107 and 1108 and outlet tube 1115 are provided for coupling cassette 1100 to centrifuge bowl 10 ( FIG. 1 ).
- outlet tube 1115 is provide for delivering whole blood from cassette 1100 to centrifuge bowl 10
- inlet tubes 1107 and 1108 are respectively provide for returning a lower density blood components and higher density blood components to cassette 1100 for further routing through photopheresis kit 1000 .
- the lower density blood components can include, for example, plasma, leukocytes, platelets, buffy coat, or any combination thereof.
- the higher density components can include, for example, red blood cells.
- Outlet tube 1117 and inlet tube 1112 fluidly couple cassette 1100 to irradiation chamber 700 .
- outlet tube 1117 is provided for delivering an untreated lower density blood component, for example buffy coat, to irradiation chamber 700 for exposure to photo energy, while inlet tube 1112 is provided for returning the treated lower density blood component to cassette 1100 for further routing.
- an untreated lower density blood component for example buffy coat
- Inlet tube 1111 and outlet tube 1116 couple treatment bag 50 to cassette 1100 .
- Outlet tube 1116 is provided to deliver an untreated low density blood component, for example buffy coat, to treatment bag 50 .
- Outlet tube 1116 has hematocrit (“HCT”) sensor 1125 operably connected thereto to monitor for the introduction of a high density blood component, such as red blood cells.
- HCT sensor 1125 is a photo sensor assembly and is operably coupled to a controller. HCT sensor 1125 sends a detection signal to the controller when red blood cells are detected in outlet tube 1116 and the controller will take the appropriate action.
- Inlet tube 1111 is provided to return the untreated low density blood component from treatment bag 50 to cassette 1100 for further routing.
- Inlet tubes 1109 and 1110 are respectively connected to a saline and anticoagulant storage bags (not shown) via spikes 1190 and 1191 and are provided for delivering saline and an anticoagulant fluid to cassette 1100 for further routing to the patient.
- Inlet/Outlet tube 1113 and outlet tube 1118 couple plasma collection bag 50 to cassette 1100 . More specifically, outlet tube 1118 delivers a blood component, such as plasma, to plasma collection bag 51 . Inlet/Outlet tube 1113 can be used to either deliver red blood cells to plasma collection bag 51 from cassette 1100 or return the blood component(s) that build up in plasma collection bag 51 to cassette 1100 for further routing. Inlet tube 1106 and outlet tubes 1119 and 1114 are coupled to a patient. Specifically, outlet tube 1114 is provided to return treated blood, saline, untreated blood components, treated blood components, and other fluids back to the patient.
- Inlet tube 1106 is provided for delivering untreated whole blood (and a predetermined amount of an anticoagulant fluid) from the patient to cassette 1100 for routing and treatment within photopheresis kit 1000 .
- Outlet tube 1119 is specifically provided for delivering an anticoagulant fluid to inlet tube 1106 . It is preferable that all tubing is disposable medical grade sterile tubing. Flexible plastic tubing is the most preferred.
- Cassette 1100 has five pump tube loops 1120 , 1121 , 1122 , 1123 , and 1124 for driving blood fluids throughout cassette 1100 and photopheresis kit 1000 . More specifically, pump tube loop 1121 loads into whole blood pump 1301 and respectively drives whole blood in and out of cassette 1100 via inlet tube 1106 and outlet tube 1115 , passing through filter 1500 along the way. Pump loop tube 1120 loads into return pump 1302 and drives blood fluids through filter 1500 and back to the patient via outlet tube 1114 . Pump loop tube 1122 loads into red blood cell pump 1305 and draws red blood cells from centrifuge bowl 10 and drives them into cassette 1100 via inlet line 1108 .
- Pump loop tube 1123 loads into anticoagulant pump 1304 and drives an anticoagulant fluid into cassette 1100 via inlet tube 1124 and out of cassette 1100 to via outlet tube 1119 , which connects with inlet tube 1106 .
- Pump loop tube 1124 loads into recirculation pump 1303 and drives blood fluids, such as plasma, through treatment bag 50 and irradiation chamber 700 from cassette 1100 .
- Each of peristaltic pumps 1301 - 1305 are activated when necessary to perform the photopheresis treatment therapy according to an embodiment of the method of the present invention which is described below in relation to FIGS. 26-27 .
- Peristaltic pumps 1301 - 1305 can be operated one at a time or in any combination.
- the pumps 1301 - 1305 work in conjunction with compression actuators 1240 - 1247 to direct fluids through desired pathways of photopheresis kit 1000 .
- Apertures 1137 and 1157 are strategically located on base 1131 along the internal tubular circuitry to facilitate proper routing. Through the use of compression actuators 1240 - 1247 , the fluids can be directed along any pathway or combination thereof.
- Filter 1500 which is located within cassette 1100 as described above, is illustrated in detail in FIGS. 6-10 . Referring first to FIGS. 6 and 7 , filter 1500 is illustrated fully assembled. Filter 1500 comprises a filter housing 1501 .
- Filter housing 1501 is preferably constructed of a transparent or translucent medical grade plastic. However, the invention is not so limited and filter housing 1501 can be constructed of any material that will not contaminate blood or other fluids that are flowing therethrough.
- Filter housing 1501 has four fluid connection ports extruding therefrom, namely whole blood inlet port 1502 , whole blood outlet port 1503 , treated fluid inlet port 1504 , and treated fluid outlet port 1505 .
- Ports 1502 - 1505 are standard medical tubing connection ports that allow medical tubing to be fluidly connected thereto.
- Ports 1502 - 1505 respectively contain openings 1506 , 1507 , 1508 and 1509 . Openings 1506 , 1507 , 1508 and 1509 extend through ports 1502 , 1503 , 1504 and 1505 , forming fluid passageways into filter housing 1501 at the desired locations.
- Ports 1502 , 1503 , 1504 and 1505 are also used to secure filter 1500 within cassette 1100 . In doing so, ports 1502 , 1503 , 1504 and 1505 can engage U-shaped fasteners 1135 of cassette 1100 ( FIG. 3 ).
- Filter housing 1501 also has a protrusion 1510 extending the bottom surface of housing floor 1518 . Protrusion 1510 fits into a guide hole of base 1131 of cassette 1100 ( FIG. 3 ).
- Filter housing 1501 is a two-piece assembly comprising roof 1511 and base 1512 . Roof 1511 is connected to base 1512 by any means known in the art, such as ultrasonic welding, heat welding, applying an adhesive, or by designing roof 1511 and base 1512 so that a tight fit results between the two. While filter housing 1501 is illustrated as a two-piece assembly, filter housing 1501 can be either a single piece structure or a multi-piece assembly.
- Base 1512 has chamber separation wall 1513 extending upward from a top surface of housing floor 1518 ( FIG. 7 ). When base 1512 and roof 1511 are assembled, top surface 1515 of chamber separation wall 1513 contacts the bottom surface of roof 1511 , forming two chambers within the filter housing, whole blood chamber 1516 and filter chamber 1517 . Fluid can not directly pass between whole blood chamber 1516 and filter chamber 1517 .
- Whole blood chamber 1516 is a substantially L-shaped chamber having floor 1514 .
- Whole blood chamber 1516 has a whole blood inlet hole 1519 and a whole blood outlet hole (not illustrated) in floor 1514 .
- Whole blood inlet hole 1519 and the whole blood outlet hole are located at or near the ends of the substantially L-shaped whole blood chamber 1516 .
- Whole blood inlet hole 1519 forms a passageway with opening 1506 of inlet port 1502 so that a fluid can flow into whole blood chamber 1516 .
- the whole blood outlet hole (not illustrated) forms a passageway with opening 1507 of outlet port 1503 so that fluid can flow out of whole blood chamber 1516 .
- Filter chamber 1517 has floor 1520 .
- Floor 1520 has elevated ridge 1521 extending upward therefrom.
- Elevated ridge 1521 is rectangular and forms a perimeter. While elevated ridge 1521 is rectangular in the illustrated embodiment, elevated ridge 1521 can be any shape so long as it forms an enclosed perimeter.
- the height of elevated ridge 1521 is less than the height of chamber separation wall 1513 . As such, when roof 1511 and base 1512 are assembled, space exists between the top of elevated ridge 1521 and the bottom surface of roof 1511 . Elevated ridge 1521 and chamber separation wall 1513 form a trench 1524 there between.
- floor 1520 of filter chamber 1517 has treated fluid inlet hole 1522 and treated fluid outlet hole 1523 .
- Treated fluid inlet hole 1522 is located exterior of the perimeter formed by elevated ridge 1521 and forms a passageway with opening 1508 of inlet port 1504 so that a fluid can flow into filter chamber 1517 from outside filter housing 1501 .
- Treated fluid outlet hole 1523 is located interior of the perimeter formed by elevated ridge 1521 and forms a passageway with opening 1509 of outlet port 1505 so that a fluid can flow out of filter chamber 1517 .
- Filter 1500 further comprises filter element 1530 .
- Filter element 1530 comprises frame 1531 having filter media 1532 positioned therein.
- Frame 1531 has a neck 1534 that forms a filter inlet hole 1533 .
- Filter element 1530 is positioned in filter chamber 1517 so that frame 1531 fits into trench 1524 and neck 1534 surrounds treated blood inlet hole 1522 .
- Filter inlet hole 1533 is aligned with treated fluid inlet hole 1522 so that incoming fluid can freely flow through holes 1522 and 1533 into filter chamber 1517 .
- Frame 1531 of filter element 1530 forms a hermetic fit with elevated ridge 1521 .
- Filter media 1532 preferably has a pore size of approximately 200 microns. Filter media 1532 can be formed of woven mesh, such as woven polyester.
- Filter chamber 1517 further comprises filter vent chamber 1540 within roof 1511 .
- Filter vent chamber 1540 has gas vent 1541 in the form of a hole ( FIG. 9 ). Because gas vent 1541 opens into filter vent chamber 1540 which in turn opens into filter chamber 1517 , gases that build-up within filter chamber 1517 can escape through gas vent 1541 .
- whole blood chamber 1516 comprises blood vent chamber 1542 within roof 1511 .
- Blood vent chamber 1541 has gas vent 1543 in the form of a hole. Because gas vent 1543 opens into blood vent chamber 1542 which in turn opens into whole blood chamber 1517 , gases that build-up in whole blood chamber 1516 can escape via gas vent 1543 .
- FIG. 10 is a top view of filter 1500 having pressure sensors 1550 and 1551 connected to gas vents 1541 and 1543 .
- Pressure sensors 1550 and 1551 are preferably pressure transducers.
- Pressure sensor 1550 is connected to gas vent 1541 via vent tubing 1552 .
- Vent tubing 1552 fits into gas vent 1541 so as to form a tight fit and seal. Because gas vent 1541 opens into filter vent chamber 1540 which in turn opens into filter chamber 1517 , the pressure in vent tubing 1552 is the same as in filter chamber 1517 . By measuring the pressure in vent tubing 1552 , pressure sensor 1550 also measures the pressure within filter chamber 1517 .
- pressure sensor 1551 is connected to gas vent 1543 via vent tubing 1553 .
- Vent tubing 1553 fits into gas vent 1543 so as to form a tight fit and seal and pressure sensor 1551 measures the pressure within whole blood chamber 1516 .
- Filter vent chamber 1540 and blood vent chamber 1542 extend through openings 1132 and 1133 of cassette 1100 when filter 1500 is positioned therein ( FIG. 2 ). This allows the pressure within chambers 1516 and 1517 to be monitored while still protecting filter chamber 1500 and the fluid connections thereto.
- Pressure sensors 1550 and 1551 are coupled to controller 1554 , which is a properly programmed processor. Controller 1554 can be a main processor used to drive the entire system or can be a separate processor coupled to a main processor. Pressure sensors 1550 and 1551 produce electrical output signals representative of the pressure readings within chambers 1517 and 1516 respectively. Controller 1554 receives on a frequent or continuous basis data representing the pressure within chambers 1516 and 1517 . Controller 1554 is programmed with values representing desired pressures within chambers 1516 and 1517 . Controller 1554 continuously analyzes the pressure data it receives from pressure sensors 1550 and 1551 to determine whether the pressure readings are within a predetermined range from the desired pressure for chambers 1517 and 1516 .
- Controller 1554 is also coupled to whole blood pump 1301 and return pump 1302 .
- controller 1554 In response to the pressure data received from pressure sensors 1551 and 1550 , controller 1554 is programmed to control the speed of whole blood pump 1301 and return pump 1302 , thereby adjusting the flow rates through the pumps 1301 and 1301 . Adjusting these flow rates in turn adjust the pressure within whole blood chambers 1516 and filter chamber 1517 respectively. It is in this way that the pressure within the lines drawing and returning blood to and from the patient is maintained at acceptable levels.
- filter 1500 during a photopheresis therapy session will now be discussed in relation to FIGS. 1, 6 , and 10 . While the functioning of filter 1500 will be described in detail with respect to drawing whole blood from a patient and returning a component of said whole blood back into the patient after it is treated, the invention is not so limited. Filter 1500 can be used in connection with almost any fluid, including red blood cells, white blood cells, buffy coat, plasma, or a combination thereof.
- Whole blood pump 1601 draws whole blood from a patient who is connected to photopheresis kit 1000 via a needle connected to port 1193 .
- the rotational speed of whole blood pump is set so that the pressure of the line drawing the whole blood from the patient is at an acceptable level.
- the whole blood passes into cassette 1100 via inlet tube 1106 .
- Inlet tube 1106 is fluidly connected to inlet port 1502 of filter 1500 .
- the whole blood passes through opening 1506 of inlet port 1502 and into L-shaped whole blood chamber 1516 .
- the whole blood enters chamber 1516 through inlet hole 1519 which is located on floor 1514 .
- the whole blood spills along floor 1514 until it reaches the whole blood outlet hole (not illustrated) at the other end of L-shaped whole blood chamber 1516 .
- the whole blood outlet whole forms a passageway with opening 1507 of outlet port 1503 .
- the whole blood that is within chamber 1516 flows across floor 1514 , through the whole blood outlet hole, into outlet port 1503 , and out of filter 1500 through opening 1507 .
- Controller 1554 analyzes the received pressure data and if necessary adjusts the speed of whole blood pump 1301 , thereby adjusting the flow rate and pressure within chamber 1516 and inlet tube 1106 . Controller 1554 adjust the pump speed to ensure that the pressure is within the desired pressure range.
- the whole blood then exits filter 1500 through outlet port 1503 and passes out of cassette 1100 via outlet tube 1115 .
- the whole blood is then separated into components and/or treated as described in detail below.
- this treated fluid i.e. treated blood or blood components
- Untreated fluids such as red blood cells also must be filtered and will subjected to the below filtering process.
- the treated fluid is fed into filter chamber 1517 through opening 1508 of inlet port 1504 .
- Inlet port 1504 is fluidly connected to pump loop tube 1120 .
- the treated fluid enters filter chamber 1517 through inlet hole 1522 and passes through filter inlet hole 1533 of filter element 1530 .
- the treated fluid fills filter chamber 1517 until it spills over frame 1531 of filter element 1530 , which is secured to elevated ridge 1521 .
- the treated fluid passes through filter media 1532 .
- Filter media 1532 removes contaminants and other undesired materials from the treated fluid while at the same facilitating the release of trapped gases from the treated fluid.
- the treated fluid that passes through filter media 1532 gathers on floor 1520 of filter chamber 1517 within the perimeter formed by elevated ridge 1521 .
- This treated fluid then passes into treated fluid outlet hole 1523 and out of filter 1500 through opening 1506 of outlet port 1502 .
- the treated fluid is then returned to the patient via outlet tube 1114 , which is fluidly connected to outlet port 1502 .
- the treated fluid is driven through filter chamber 1517 and outlet tube 1114 by return pump 1302 .
- Pressure sensor 1550 continuously monitors the pressure within filter chamber 1517 through vent tube 1552 and transmits corresponding pressure data to controller 1554 .
- Controller 1554 analyzes the received pressure data and compares it to the desired pressure value and range. If necessary, controller 1554 adjusts the speed of return pump 1302 , thereby adjusting the flow rate and pressure within chamber 1517 and outlet tube 1114 .
- FIGS. 11-16 illustrate irradiation chamber 700 of photopheresis kit 1000 in detail.
- irradiation chamber 700 is formed by joining two plates, a front and a back plate having a thickness of preferably about 0.06 in. to about 0.2 in., which are preferably comprised of a material ideally transparent to the wavelength of electromagnetic radiation.
- a material ideally transparent to the wavelength of electromagnetic radiation.
- polycarbonate has been found most preferred although other materials such as acrylic may be employed.
- many known methods of bonding may be employed and need not be expanded on here.
- the first plate 702 has a first surface 712 and a second surface 714 .
- the first plate 702 has a first port 705 on a first surface 712 , in fluid communications with the second surface 714 .
- the second surface 714 of the first plate 702 has a raised boundary 726 A defining an enclosure.
- the boundary 726 A preferably extends substantially perpendicular from the second surface 714 (i.e. about 80-100 degrees). Extending from the second surface 714 (preferably substantially perpendicularly) are raised partitions 720 A.
- the boundary 726 A surrounds the partitions 720 A. One end of each partition 720 A extends and contacts the boundary 726 A.
- the second plate 701 has a first surface 711 and a second surface 713 .
- the second plate 701 preferably has a second port 730 on a first surface 711 , in fluid communications with the second surface 713 .
- the second surface 713 of the back plate 701 has a raised boundary 726 B defining an enclosure.
- the boundary 726 B preferably extends substantially perpendicular from the second surface 713 (i.e. about 80-100 degrees). Extending from the second surface 713 (preferably substantially perpendicular) are raised partitions ( 720 B).
- the boundary 726 B surrounds the partitions 720 B. One end of each partition 720 A extends and contacts one side of boundary ( 726 B).
- the joining of the second surfaces of the first and second plates results in a fluid tight junction between boundaries 726 A and 726 B thereby forming boundary 726 .
- Partitions 720 A and 720 B are also joined forming a fluid tight junction thereby forming partition 720 .
- the boundary 726 forms an irradiation chamber 700 and together with the partitions 720 provides a pathway 710 having channels 715 for conducting fluid.
- the pathway maybe serpentine, zig-zag, or dove-tailed. Currently preferred is a serpentine pathway.
- irradiation chamber 700 comprises a serpentine pathway 710 for conducting patient fluid, such as buffy coat or white blood cells, from inlet port 705 to outlet port 730 , i.e., the serpentine pathway 710 is in fluid communication with inlet port 705 of front plate 702 and outlet port 730 of back plate 701 .
- Patient fluid is supplied from cassette 1100 to inlet port 705 via outlet tube 1117 .
- the treated patient fluid is returned to cassette 1100 via inlet tube 1112 ( FIGS. 1 and 4 ).
- the patient fluid is driven by recirculation pump 1303 . Self-shielding effects of the cells is reduced while the cells are photoactivated by irradiation impinging upon both sides of irradiation chamber 700 .
- FIG. 11 shows pin 740 and recess 735 which align the two plates of irradiation chamber prior to being joined together in a sealing arrangement by RF welding, heat impulse welding, solvent welding or adhesive bonding. Joining of the plates by adhesive bonding and RF welding is more preferred. Joining of the front and back plates by RF welding is most preferred as the design of the raised partitions 720 and perimeter 725 minimizes flashing and allows for even application of RF energy. Locations of pin 740 and recess 735 may be inside serpentine pathway 710 or outside of serpentine pathway 710 .
- FIG. 2 also shows a view of an irradiation chamber with axis L. Rotation of chamber 700 180 degree about axis L gives the original configuration of the irradiation chamber. The irradiation chamber of the present invention has C 2 symmetry about axis L.
- the leukocyte enriched blood, plasma, and priming solution are delivered through inlet port 705 of front plate 702 of irradiation chamber 700 into channel 715 .
- the channel 715 in the irradiation chamber 700 is relatively “thin” (e.g. on the order of approximately 0.04′′ as distance between two plates) in order to present large surface area of leukocyte rich blood to irradiation and reduce the self-shielding effects encountered with lower surface area/volume ratios.
- the cross section shape of channel 715 is substantially rectangular (e.g. rectangular, rhomboidal or trapezoidal) which has as its long side the distance between partition 720 and the distance between the plates as its short side.
- the shape of the cross section is designed for optimal irradiation of cells passing through channel 715 . While a serpentine pathway 710 is preferred in order to avoid or minimize stagnant areas of flow, other arrangements are contemplated.
- the irradiation chamber 700 allows efficient activation of photoactivatable agents by irradiation from a light array assembly, such as the PHOTOSETTE®'s two banks of UVA lamps ( 758 ) for activation ( FIG. 16 ).
- the irradiation plate and UVA light assembly ( 759 ) are designed to be used in a setting where edge 706 is oriented downward and edge 707 points upward. In this orientation, fluids entering input port 705 can exit from outlet port 730 with the aid of gravity. In the most preferred embodiment, irradiation of both sides of the irradiation chamber takes place concurrently while still permitting facile removal of the chamber.
- UVA light assembly 759 is located within UV chamber 750 of permanent tower system 2000 ( FIGS. 17 and 18 ).
- irradiation chamber 700 has between 4 to 12 channels. More preferably, the irradiation chamber has 6 to 8 channels. Most preferably, the irradiation chamber has 8 channels.
- FIG. 14 shows cut-away views of the irradiation chamber.
- the channels 715 of serpentine pathway 710 are formed by the joining of raised partition 720 and perimeter 726 of the plates.
- the irradiation chamber of the present invention can be made from a biocompatible material and can be sterilized by known methods such as heating, radiation exposure or treatment with ethylene oxide (ETO).
- ETO ethylene oxide
- the method of irradiating cells using irradiation chamber 700 during extracorporeal treatment of cells with electromagnetic radiation (UVA) to be used in the treatment of a patient (such as to induce apoptosis in the cells and administer the cells into the patient) will now be discussed.
- the cells treated will be white cells.
- a photoactivatable or photosensitive compound is first administered to at least a portion of the blood of a recipient prior to the extracorporeal treatment of the cells.
- the photoactivatable or photosensitive compound may be administered in vivo (e.g., orally or intravenously).
- the photosensitive compound when administered in vivo may be administered orally, but also may be administered intravenously and/or by other conventional administration routes.
- the oral dosage of the photosensitive compound may be in the range of about 0.3 to about 0.7 mg/kg., more specifically, about 0.6 mg/kg.
- the photosensitive compound When administered orally, the photosensitive compound may be administered at least about one hour prior to the photopheresis treatment and no more than about three hours prior to the photopheresis treatment. If administered intravenously, the times would be shorter.
- the photosensitive compound may be administered prior to or contemporaneously with exposure to ultraviolet light.
- the photosensitive compound may be administered to whole blood or a fraction thereof provided that the target blood cells or blood components receive the photosensitive compound. A portion of the blood could first be processed using known methods to substantially remove the erythrocytes and the photoactive compound may then be administered to the resulting enriched leukocyte fraction.
- the blood cells comprise white blood cells, specifically, T-cells.
- the photoactivatable or photosensitive compound may, in the case of some psoralens, be capable of binding to nucleic acids upon activation by exposure to electromagnetic radiation of a prescribed spectrum, e.g., ultraviolet light.
- Photoactive compounds may include, but are not limited to, compounds known as psoralens (or furocoumarins) as well as psoralen derivatives such as those described in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,321,919 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,399,719.
- the photoactivatable or photosensitive compounds that may be used in accordance with the present invention include, but are not limited to, psoralen and psoralen derivatives; 8-methoxypsoralen; 4,5′8-trimethylpsoralen; 5-methoxypsoralen; 4-methylpsoralen; 4,4-dimethylpsoralen; 4-5′-dimethylpsoralen; 4′-aminomethyl-4,5′,8-trimethylpsoralen; 4′-hydroxymethyl-4,5′,8-trimethylpsoralen; 4′,8-methoxypsoralen; and a 4′-(omega-amino-2-oxa)alkyl-4,5′,8-trimethylpsoralen, including but not limited to 4′-(4-amino-2-oxa)butyl-4,5′,8-trimethylpsoralen.
- the photosensitive compound that may be used comprises the psoralen derivative, amotosalen (S-59) (Cerus, Corp., Concord, Calif.). See, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,552,286; 6,469,052; and 6,420,570.
- the photosensitive compound that may be used in accordance with the invention comprises 8-methoxypsoralen.
- Methoxsalen is a naturally occurring photoactive substance found in the seed of the Ammi majus (umbelliferae plant). It belongs to a class of compounds known as psoralens or furocoumarins. The chemical name is 9-methoxy-7H-furo[3,2-g][1]-benzopyran-7-one.
- the formulation of the drug is a sterile liquid at a concentration of 20 mcg/mL in a 10 mL vial. See http://www.therakos.com/TherakosUS/pdf/uvadexpi.pdf. Toxicology studies of extracorporeal photopheresis and different dosages of UVADEX® and ultraviolet light in beagle dogs is located in the investigator's brochure.
- the portion of the subject's blood, recipient's blood, or the donor's blood to which the photoactive compound has been administered is treated by subjecting the portion of the blood to photopheresis using ultraviolet light.
- the photopheresis treatment may be carried out using long wavelength ultraviolet light (UVA) at a wavelength within the range of 320 to 400 nm. Such a range is not limiting, however, but is merely provided as an example.
- UVA long wavelength ultraviolet light
- the exposure to ultraviolet light during the photopheresis treatment may have a duration of sufficient length to deliver, for example, about 1-2 J/cm 2 to the blood.
- the photopheresis step is carried out in vitro by installing irradiation chamber 700 into photoactivation chamber 750 of permanent tower system 2000 ( FIGS. 17 and 18 ).
- at least a fraction of the treated blood is returned to the subject, recipient, or donor.
- the treated blood or the treated enriched leukocyte fraction (as the case may be) may then be administered back to the subject, recipient, or donor.
- the photopheresis process consists of three phases including: 1) the collection of a buffy-coat fraction (leukocyte-enriched), 2) irradiation of the collected buffy coat fraction, and 3) reinfusion of the treated white blood cells. This process will be discussed below in greater detail.
- whole blood is centrifuged and separated in centrifuge bowl 10 .
- a total of approximately 240 ml of buffy coat and 300 ml of plasma are separated and saved for UVA irradiation.
- the collected plasma and buffy coat are mixed with heparinized normal saline and UVADEX®. (water soluble 8-methoxypsoralin). This mixture flows in a 1.4 mm thick layer through the irradiation chamber of the present invention.
- the irradiation chamber 700 is inserted in photoactivation chamber 750 of tower system 2000 between two banks of UVA lamps of the PHOTOSETTE® ( FIG. 15 ).
- PHOTOSETTE® UVA lamps irradiate both sides of this UVA-transparent irradiation chamber 700 , permitting exposure to ultraviolet A light, yielding an average exposure per lymphocyte of 1-2 J/cm 2 . Following the photoactivation period, the cells are removed from the irradiation chamber 700 .
- the cells are removed by the action of gravity and any cells remaining in the chamber are displaced from the chamber with additional fluid selected from the group consisting of saline, plasma, and combinations thereof.
- additional fluid selected from the group consisting of saline, plasma, and combinations thereof.
- the amount of additional fluid used to was the irradiation chamber will preferably be not more than 2 ⁇ the volume of the chamber, preferably not more than 1 ⁇ the volume of the chamber, more preferably not more than 0.5 ⁇ the volume of the chamber 0.25 ⁇ the volume of the chamber.
- the treated cells volume is reinfused to the patient.
- the effective amount of light energy that is delivered to the biological fluids may be determined using the methods and systems described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,219,584, which is entirely expressly incorporated herein by reference. Indeed, the application of ECP to the various diseases described herein may require an adjustment of the amount of light energy to optimize the treatment process.
- the photosensitizing agent used in the ECP process may be removed prior to returning the treated biological fluid to the patient.
- Methoxsalen (UVADEX®) is utilized in the ECP process.
- Methoxsalen belong to a group of compounds known as psoralens.
- the exposure to methoxsalen or other psoralens may cause undesirable effects on the subject, recipient, or donor such as phototoxicity or other toxic effects associated with psoralen and their decomposition products. Therefore, the psoralen, psoralen derivatives, or psoralen decomposition products that may remain in the biological fluid may be removed after UV exposure.
- a process for the removal of psoralen biological fluids is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,228,995, which is entirely expressly incorporated herein by reference.
- the present invention relates to methods and apparatus that separate fluid components, such as, for example, the components of a biological fluid by density or weight.
- Biological fluids encompass fluids that comprise, exist in, or are used in, or delivered to living organisms.
- biological fluids may comprise bodily fluids and their components, such as blood cells, plasma, and other fluids that comprise biological components, including living organisms such as bacteria, cells, or other cellular components.
- Biological fluids may also comprise whole blood or specific whole blood components, including red blood cells, platelets, white blood cells, and precursor cells.
- it may be desirable to remove blood from a patient for treatment such as for example, extracorporeal treatment.
- the present invention is adaptable to use with various centrifugal processing apparatus, and the specific example given herein is merely for illustrative purposes.
- Other uses for the separation techniques and apparatus may include other medical processes such as dialysis, chemotherapy, platelet separation and removal, and separation and removal of other specific cells.
- the present invention may be used to separate other types of fluids that include a wide variety of non-medical uses, such as, for example, oil and fluid component separation.
- All components used in the present invention should not adversely affect biological fluids or render them unsuitable for their intended uses, such as those described herein and may be made of any suitable material compatible with uses described herein including, but not limited to plastics, such as polycarbonate, methyl methacrylate, styrene-acrylonitrile, acrylic, styrene, acrylonitrile or any other plastic.
- plastics such as polycarbonate, methyl methacrylate, styrene-acrylonitrile, acrylic, styrene, acrylonitrile or any other plastic.
- any appropriate conventional means of joining the parts may be used including but not limited to, adhesives, ultrasonic welding or RF welding.
- the present invention has several advantages over centrifuges what use conventional Latham bowl.
- the Latham bowl in the UVAR® XTSTM system has one inlet port that allows whole blood to come into the bowl and one outlet port that allows plasma and buffy coat to come out. Having only two ports limits the volume of buffy coat that can be collected per cycle. Each cycle involves filling the bowl with whole blood; 2) spinning the bowl to separate whole blood into plasma, buffy coat, and red blood cells; 3) collecting buffy coat for treatment, 4) bringing the bowl to rest; and 5) returning collected plasma and red blood cells.
- This buffy coat collection method may be characterized as being “batch-like” as the volume of buffy coat required for irradiation treatment can only be collected after several cycles of buffy coat collection. The limited volume of collected buffy coat per cycle results from the accumulated red blood cells remained inside the bowl. Thus the accumulated red blood cells that can only be emptied at the end of a buffy coat collection cycle is an inherent limitation of the Latham Bowl.
- the bowl of the instant invention has three separate fluid conduits that can be used as an inlet port and two outlet ports.
- the additional fluid conduits allows for 1) reduce patient treatment time by having continuous spinning during the entire buffy coat collection process without having to stop spinning the bowl for removal of accumulated red blood cells; 2) treat small blood volume patients; by having collected red blood cells returned to patients continuously, these patients may be more amenable to medical treatments requiring the use of the buffy coat or fractions thereof such as extracorporeal photopheresis; 3) better separation of different components of fractions of cells within the buffy coat due to the increased spinning or rotation time and 4) the ability to separate high density red blood cells fractions from whole blood.
- This centrifuge bowl also provides the opportunity for reduced treatment time for any medical procedure requiring buffy coat fractions to be collected from patients that are substantially free of red blood cells, such as extra corporeal photopheresis.
- FIGS. 35 and 36 depict specific embodiments of the present invention.
- the embodiment depicted in FIG. 35 comprises a centrifuge bowl 10 A, conduit assembly 860 A, frame 910 A and stationary restraint 918 A.
- the centrifuge bowl 10 A is in fluid communications with external conduit 20 A of conduit assembly 860 A.
- Lower sleeve end 832 A ( FIG. 46 ) of connection sleeve 500 A is secured to bowl 10 A.
- Upper sleeve end 831 A of connection sleeve 500 A is secured to external conduit 20 A, connecting the external conduit 20 A to bowl 10 A and providing fluid communications from external conduit 20 A to bowl 10 A.
- the fluid communications enables fluid 800 to be supplied through external conduit 20 A to the bowl 10 A. Similarly this fluid communications also enables separated fluid components 810 and 820 to be removed from bowl 10 A through external conduit 20 A.
- Bowl 10 A and frame 910 A are adapted to be rotated around center axis 11 A.
- bowl 10 A comprises outer housing 100 A, connection sleeve 500 A, top core 200 A, bottom core 201 A, and housing floor 180 A.
- Outer housing 100 A may be constructed of any suitable biocompatible material as previously described for the purpose of the illustration in FIG. 36 the outer housing 100 A is constructed of clear plastic so that cores 200 A and 201 A are visible there through.
- Outer housing 100 A is attached to a housing floor 180 A, which in turn comprises protrusions 150 A for locking bowl 10 A into a rotational device such as rotational device 900 A.
- Bowl 10 A is preferably simplified in construction and is easy to manufacture by molding or other known manufacturing processes, such that it may be disposable or used for a limited number of treatments, and is most preferably capable of containing about 125 ml of fluid, such fluid possibly being pressurized.
- the volume capacity of the bowl may vary depending upon the health of the patient and his or her allowable extracorporeal volume.
- the volume capacity of the bowl may also vary depending upon the use of the bowl or the particular treatment for which the bowl is utilized.
- the transfer operations are preferably carried out within a sealed flow system, possibly pressurized, preferably formed of flexible plastic or similar material which can be disposed of after each use.
- the outer housing 100 A is substantially conical having an upper housing end 110 A, an outer housing wall 120 A and a lower housing end 190 A.
- Outer housing 100 A may be made of plastic (such as those plastics listed previously), or any other suitable material.
- Upper housing end 110 A has an outer surface 110 B, inner surface 110 C and housing outlet 700 A providing a passage between said surfaces.
- the upper housing will also have a neck 115 A formed about the housing outlet 700 A.
- the housing outlet 700 A and neck 115 A are sized to allow body 830 A of the connection sleeve 500 A to pass through while retaining sleeve flange 790 A, which extends from the body 830 A of connection sleeve 500 A.
- an o-ring 791 A may be inserted between the sleeve flange 790 A and inner surface 110 C of the housing end 110 A to ensure a fluid tight seal is provided.
- a second sleeve flange 790 B extends from the body 830 A of connection sleeve 500 B distal to the sleeve flange 790 A. Both sleeve flange 790 A and 790 B being adapted to fit within neck 115 A and retain o-ring 791 A therebetween.
- connection sleeve 500 A can be secured to bowl 10 A by any suitable means, including for example, a lip, groove, or tight fit and adhesive with a component of bowl 10 A.
- the outer housing wall joins the upper housing end 110 A and lower housing end 190 A.
- Lower housing end 190 A is attached to a housing floor 180 A of greater diameter than upper end 110 A. Housing floor 180 A is adapted to mate with the lower housing end 190 A and provide a fluid tight seal therewith.
- Housing floor 180 A may have an indentation 185 A that is used to collect denser fluid 810 .
- the diameter of outer housing 100 A increases from upper housing end 110 A to lower housing end 190 A.
- Outer housing 100 A is adapted to rotatably connect to a rotational device 900 ( FIG. 35 ), such as for example, a rotor drive system or a rotating bracket 910 .
- the rotatable connection may, for example, be a bearing that allows free rotation of bowl 10 A.
- Outer housing 100 A preferably has a locking mechanism.
- the locking mechanism may be one or more protrusions 150 A designed to interact with corresponding indentations in a centrifuge container or any other suitable interconnect or locking mechanism or equivalent known in the art.
- the locking mechanism may also comprise a key slot 160 ( FIG. 51 ).
- outer housing 100 A and the base 180 A define an interior volume 710 A in which cores 200 A and 201 A will fit when bowl 10 A is assembled.
- cores 200 A and 201 A are fully within interior volume 710 A of outer housing 100 A, occupying a coaxial volume of interior volume 710 A about axis 11 A.
- the top core 200 A and bottom core 201 A are substantially conical and respectively have upper core ends 205 A, 206 A; outer core walls 210 A, 211 A; and lower core ends 295 A, 296 A.
- the cores 200 A, 201 A occupy coaxial volumes of interior volume 710 A of bowl 10 A and forming separation volume 220 A between upper end 205 A and outer wall 210 A of top core 200 A and outer wall 211 A and lower core end 296 A of bottom core 201 A and outer housing 100 A.
- Separation volume 220 A is that space of interior volume 710 A that is between cores 200 A and 201 A and outer housing 100 A.
- top core 200 A comprises upper core end 205 A and a lower core end 295 A that are joined by outer core wall 210 A.
- the outer core wall 210 A having an outer surface 210 B and inner wall surface 210 C and a lower edge 210 D.
- the diameter of top core 200 A preferably increases from upper core end 205 A to lower core end 295 A.
- Upper core end 205 A also comprises an outer surface 205 B and an inner surface 205 C.
- lumen connector 481 A Centrally located about center axis and extending perpendicularly from the upper surface 205 B is lumen connector 481 A.
- Lumen connector 481 A has a top surface 482 A and a wall surface 482 B.
- Top surface 482 A has two passages 303 B and 325 D that provide fluid communications through the upper core end 205 A with second bowl channel 410 A and first bowl channel 420 A respectively.
- Second bowl channel 410 A is a conduit that has a conduit wall 325 A that extends perpendicularly from the inner surface 481 C of lumen connector 481 A.
- second bowl channel 410 has fluid communication with conduit channel 760 A through conduit 321 A having a first end 321 B and a second end 321 C that is adapted to fit into passage 325 D of lumen connector 481 A.
- conduit channel 760 A of external conduit 20 A has fluid communication with bowl channel 410 A.
- First bowl channel 420 A is a second conduit that has a channel wall 401 A that extends substantially perpendicularly from inner surface 481 C of the lumen connector 481 A. As shown in FIGS.
- first bowl channel 420 A has fluid communication with conduit channel 780 A of external conduit 20 A through hollow cylinder 322 A having a first end 322 B and a second end 322 C adapted to fit opening 303 B top surface 482 A.
- second bowl channel 410 A is disposed within first bowl channel 420 A.
- conduit wall 325 A may be composed of upper part 325 F and lower part 325 G and be fused with channel walls 401 A and 402 A.
- Top surface 482 A also has indentation 483 A which provides fluid communications with chamber 740 A.
- chamber 740 A When assembled, chamber 740 A is defined by lumen mounting recess 851 A less the volumes occupied by hollow cylinders 321 A and 322 A in the connection junction of connection sleeve 500 A and lumen connector 481 A.
- Chamber 740 A has fluid communication with conduit channel 770 A and with separation volume 220 A near neck 115 A through indentation 483 A.
- indentation 483 A forms a passageway for the removal of second separated fluid component 820 through bowl chamber 740 A.
- a plurality of spacers 207 A which extend from the outer surface and contact the inner surface 110 C of the upper housing end 110 A to ensure fluid communications between the separation volume 220 A and the passageway formed by the indentations 483 A.
- conduits 321 A and 322 A may be affixed to openings 325 D and 303 B in the top surface 482 A of the lumen connector 481 A.
- indentations 483 A may form a plurality channels in the lumen connector 481 A and be adapted to form chamber 740 B when connected to connection sleeve 500 A or 500 B.
- Chamber 740 B is adapted to have one or more surfaces 742 A that can mate with the male end 853 A of the connection sleeve 500 A (male end 853 A surrounds end 861 of external conduit 20 A).
- the shape of the male end 853 A and chamber 740 B may be nonsymmetrical or as is illustrated in FIGS. 53, 54 and 55 a guide 855 A may be provided which extends from the top surface of the lumen connector 481 A and is adapted to fit within opening 857 A of the sleeve flange 790 A.
- the lower core end 295 A comprises an upper plate 299 A having a top surface 298 A, a bottom surface 297 A, and an edge 299 B that attaches and makes direct contact with lower edge 210 D of the outer core wall 210 A.
- the edge 299 B of the upper plate 299 A is adapted to be joined with lower edge 210 D of outer core wall 210 A and form a fluid tight seal therewith.
- Extending perpendicularly from the top surface 298 A of upper plate 299 A is a channel wall 402 A, having an upper end 402 B and a lower end 402 C and surrounds opening 303 A which is substantially in the center of upper plate 299 A.
- a number of fins 403 A attached to the outside surface of channel wall 402 A and top surface 298 A, supports lumen wall 402 A.
- the channel wall 402 A is adapted to mate with channel wall 401 A forming a fluid tight seal and providing lumen 400 A.
- First bowl channel 420 A is in fluid communications with conduit channel 780 A of external conduit 20 A through conduit 322 A. Opening 303 A provides fluid communications from lumen 400 A to separation volume 220 A as will be further discussed.
- First bowl channel 420 A also surrounds second bowl channel 410 A.
- bottom core 201 A comprises an upper core end 206 A, a outer core wall 211 A and a lower core end 296 A.
- the outer core wall 211 A having an outer surface 211 B, an inner wall 211 C and lower edge 211 D.
- the diameter of bottom core 201 A preferably increases from upper core end 206 A to lower core end 296 A.
- Bottom core 201 A also has a top surface 309 A and a bottom surface 309 B.
- Top surface 309 A has an indentation 186 A (preferably generally circular) substantial in the center of the surface 309 A of the upper core end 206 A.
- the indentation 186 A has an upper surface 186 B and an inner surface 186 C.
- the upper surface 186 B of the indentation 186 A has therein an opening 324 D which extends through to the inner surface 186 C.
- the upper surface 186 B may also have a recess a 186 D adapted to receive an o-ring and form a fluid type seal around the lower end of 325 B of conduit wall 325 A.
- Extending perpendicularly from inner surface 186 C around said opening 324 D is conduit wall 324 A having a distal end 324 B.
- On the top surface 309 A extending from the indentation 186 A to the outer surface 211 B of the outer core wall 211 A are one or more channels 305 A.
- the top surface 309 A may be horizontal or slope upward or downward from indentation 186 A. If top surface 309 A slopes upward or downward from indentation 186 A to core end 206 A, one skilled in the art would be able to adjust the shapes of upper plate 299 A and upper core end 295 A accordingly. Channels 305 A may have an even depth through out the length of the channel 305 A. However, channel 305 A may slope downward or upward radially from the center. One skilled in the art would see that if top surface 309 A slopes upward or downward and channel 305 A has a constant depth, then channel 305 A slopes upward or downward accordingly.
- the bottom surface 297 A of upper plate 299 A is in direct contact with the top surface area 309 A of bottom core 201 A when completely assembled. This contact forms a fluid tight seal between the two surface areas forming an opening 305 B from the indentation 186 A to channel 305 A.
- a second opening 305 C from channel 305 A is formed in the outer surface 211 B of outer core wall 211 A.
- the opening 305 B provides fluid communications from indentation 186 A through channel 305 A and opening 305 C to separation volume 220 A ( FIGS. 38 and 40 ).
- fluid 800 flows through conduit channel 780 A and subsequently passes through first bowl channel 420 A. From first bowl channel 420 A, fluid 800 then goes to through channel 305 A to the separation volume 220 A.
- the lower core end 296 A has a lower plate 300 A, which has a top surface 300 B, a bottom surface 300 C and outer edge 300 D. Extending from the bottom surface 300 C of the lower plate 300 are one or more protrusions 301 A. The outer edge 300 D is adapted to be attached to the lower edge 211 D of the outer core wall 211 A and provide a fluid tight seal therewith. Positioned above housing floor 180 A, lower plate 300 A is circular and curves upward radially from its center (illustrated in FIG. 44 ). Alternatively, lower plate 300 A can be flat. As shown in FIG. 38 when positioned above housing floor 180 A, a volume 220 C exists between lower plate 300 A and housing floor 180 A.
- This volume 220 C is in fluid communication with separation volume 220 A.
- Lower plate 300 A may be made of plastic or any other suitable material. Additionally, extending substantially perpendicularly from the lower surface 300 C of lower plate 300 A is a conduit 320 A.
- Conduit 320 A has a first end 320 B that extends into the space 220 C between lower plate 300 A and housing floor 180 A and a second end 320 C that extends above the top surface 300 B of lower plate 300 A.
- the diameter of conduit 320 A is adapted to have a tight fit with conduit wall end 324 B.
- the volume inside conduit walls 324 A and 325 A comprises a lumen 400 B.
- the volume defined by lower plate 300 A, inner surface 211 C, and ceiling 253 A of bottom core 201 A, excluding second bowl channel 410 A, may comprise of air or a solid material (See FIGS. 43B and 44 ).
- support walls 405 A and 407 A may be optionally present.
- Support wall 405 A extends perpendicularly from bottom surface 309 B.
- Support wall 407 A extends perpendicularly from the top surface 300 B of lower plate 300 A and connects with support wall 405 A when the bottom core 201 A is assembled.
- Conduit wall 324 A may be connected to conduit 320 A to form a fluid tight seal and conduits 324 A, 320 A may be fused respectively with supports walls 405 A and 407 A.
- Additionally present extending from the bottom surface 300 C of lower plate 300 A are one or more orientation spacers 409 A that mate within indentation 185 A.
- the bowl 10 A will need to be balanced about center axis 11 A. Accordingly, weights may be added as part of the device as is appropriate to facilitate the balancing of the bowl 10 A such as weight 408 A illustrated in FIG. 53 .
- bowl 10 A is adapted so that outer housing 100 A, cores 200 A and 201 A, lower plate 300 A and upper plate 299 A, housing floor 180 A, external conduits 20 A and connection sleeve 500 A, and lumens 400 A and 400 B are in connection and rotate together.
- Housing floor 180 A of outer housing 100 A comprises recesses 181 A on its top surface and these recesses are shaped to fit protrusion 301 A of lower plate 300 A.
- lower plate 300 A has round protrusion 301 A on its bottom surface 300 C to restrict movement of lower plate 300 A with respect to housing floor 180 A.
- each single protrusion 301 A on the bottom surface of lower plate 300 A forms a tight fit with recess 181 A on housing floor 180 A.
- external conduit 20 A and connection sleeve 500 A, top core 200 A, upper plate 299 A, bottom core 201 A, lower plate 300 A, housing floor 180 A, and lumens 400 A and 400 B will rotate therewith.
- lumen 400 A allows whole blood 800 to come into bowl 10 A via a first bowl channel 420 A.
- First bowl channel 420 A provides a passageway for inflow of fluid 800 through lumen 400 A to indention 186 A and then to the separation volume 220 A through channel 305 A.
- Lumen 400 A is located inside top core 200 A.
- Lumen 400 A has a height from upper lumen end 480 A and lower lumen end 402 C.
- Lumen 400 A is formed by the connection of channel wall 401 A extending from the inner surface 481 C of lumen connector 481 A and channel wall 402 A extending from the top surface 298 A of upper plate 299 A.
- Channel wall 401 A is supported by a plurality of fins 251 A which are attached to the inner wall surface 210 C of the outer core wall 210 A and inner surface 205 C of the upper core end 205 A, and channel wall 402 A is supported by a plurality of fins 403 A ( FIG. 40 ). It can readily be seen that height of lumen 400 A can be adjusted by changing the sizes and shapes of core 200 A, channel wall 401 A, channel wall 402 A, conduit wall 325 A, and the height of conduit wall 324 A.
- lumen 400 A encloses an inner lumen 400 B.
- Lower lumen end 402 C has an opening 303 A which is in fluid communication with separation volume 220 A through a number of channel 305 A.
- lumen 400 A comprises first bowl channel 420 A.
- Second bowl channel 410 A is located inside first bowl channel 420 A of the top core 200 A and is enclosed therein from lumen end 480 A and to lumen 402 C.
- second bowl channel 410 A forms a passageway through lumen 400 B from below lower plate 300 A for the removal of a first separated fluid component 810 that gathers in indentation 185 A of housing floor 180 A.
- Second bowl channel 410 A extends from housing floor 180 A of outer housing 100 A through lumen 400 B and to conduit channel 760 A of external conduit 20 A.
- inner lumen 400 B allows red blood cells 810 to exit bowl 10 A via a second bowl channel 410 A that provides fluid communication from the housing floor above indentation 185 A to opening 324 E.
- Inner lumen 400 B has an upper conduit end 325 C and a lower conduit end 324 B and comprises two conduit walls 324 A and 325 A which are connected in a fluid tight manner and form second bowl channel 410 A that has a smaller diameter than and is separate and distinct from first bowl channel 420 A.
- Conduit wall 325 A is supported by a fin 251 A that extends through channel wall 401 A and attaches to conduit wall 325 A.
- lumen 400 B extends beyond indentation 186 A and through bottom plate 300 A.
- the first conduit wall 325 A has an upper end 325 C which has an opening 325 D on the top surface 482 A of lumen connector 481 A and a lower end 325 B having an opening 325 E adapted to fit tightly with upper end 324 C of conduit wall 324 A.
- Upper end 324 C of conduit wall 324 A is higher than indentation 186 A and has an opening 324 D.
- Conduit wall 324 A also has end lower end 324 B and is supported by a plurality of fins 252 A.
- Lower end 324 B having opening 325 E is adapted to connect to conduit 320 A having opening 302 A located near the center of lower plate 300 A.
- the connection of openings 325 E and 302 A provide fluid communication between lumen 400 B and the space 220 C between lower plate 300 A and housing floor 180 A.
- the space 220 C between lower plate 300 A and housing floor 180 A in turn has fluid communication with separation volume 220 A.
- Conduit 320 A provides a tight fit with lower end 324 B, providing support for second bowl channel 410 A.
- Each bowl channel 420 A and 410 A may be made of any type of flexible or rigid tubing (such as medical tubing) or other such device providing a sealed passageway, possibly for pressurized or unpressurized fluid flow, and which preferably can be disposable and sterilizable, i.e., of simple and efficient manufacture.
- conduit assembly 860 A is attached to bowl 10 A via connection sleeve 500 A which is attached onto the first end 861 A of external conduit 20 A having a first conduit channel 780 A, a second conduit channel 760 A, and a third conduit channel 770 A.
- Each conduit channel has fluid communication with a first bowl channel 420 A, a second bowl channel 410 A, and a bowl chamber 740 A.
- the three conduit channels are equally spaced 120° apart and equal in diameter in external conduit 20 A (See FIG. 50 ).
- conduit channel 780 A is fluidly connected with first bowl channel 420 A for inflowing fluid 800 from external conduit 20 A into bowl 10 A for separation.
- second conduit channel 760 A fluidly connects to second bowl channel 410 A for removing first separated fluid component 810 from bowl 10 A into external conduit 20 A.
- third conduit channel 770 A connects to bowl chamber 740 A for removing second separated fluid component 820 from bowl 10 A.
- external conduit 20 A has a connection sleeve 500 A on the first end 861 A and an anchor sleeve 870 A on the second end 862 A of external conduit 20 A.
- a first shoulder 882 and a second shoulder 884 which extend perpendicularly from the external conduit 20 A and are of a larger diameter.
- a first and second bearing rings 871 A and 872 A are a first and second bearing rings 871 A and 872 A.
- External conduit 20 A, anchor sleeve 870 A, and connection sleeve may be prepared from the same or different biocompatible materials of suitable strength and flexibility for use in this type of tubing in a centrifuge (one such preferred material is HYTREL®).
- the connection sleeve 500 A and the anchor sleeve 870 A may be attached through any suitable means such as adhesives, welding etc., however, for ease of manufacture it is preferred that the connection sleeve 500 A and the anchor sleeve 870 A be overmolded to the external conduit 20 A.
- anchor sleeve 870 A comprises a body 877 B having a first anchor end 873 A and second anchor end 874 A.
- Anchor sleeve 870 A is attached to second conduit end 862 A of external conduit 20 A (preferably by overmolding) and increases in diameter from first collar 873 A to the collar 874 A.
- a collar 886 A Spaced distally from second end 874 A is a collar 886 A, which extends perpendicularly from body 877 B and of a larger diameter than the body 877 B of the anchor sleeve 870 A.
- a plurality of ribs 877 A having a first rib end 877 B between the collar 886 A and second anchor end 873 A and a second rib end 877 C extending beyond the first anchor end 873 A are attached to the body 877 B.
- the second rib ends 877 C are joined together by a ring 880 A, which is also attached to external conduit 20 A.
- the ribs 877 A run parallel to the external conduit 20 A and are preferably placed over the region where conduit channels 760 A, 770 A, and 780 A, are closest to the surface of the external conduit 20 A ( FIG. 50 ).
- the regions where the conduit channels 760 A, 770 A and 780 A are closest to the outside diameter of external conduit 20 A unless reinforced tend to fail during high speed rotation.
- ribs parallel with the conduit channels beyond the anchor sleeve end 873 A provides reinforcement to this region and prevents conduit failure at high speed rotation.
- the ribs prevent the buckling of the external conduit 20 A in this region and act as structural elements to transfer the torsional stress to the anchor sleeve 870 A.
- Connection sleeve 500 A comprises body 830 A having an upper sleeve end 831 A and lower sleeve end 832 A ( FIGS. 46 and 47 ).
- Lower sleeve end 832 A has sleeve flange 790 A and a plurality of protrusions 843 A, which are sized to engage indentations 484 A on the wall surface 482 A of lumen connector 481 A.
- a fluid tight seal may be provided by placing o-ring 791 A around body 830 A and compressing the o-ring 791 A between flange 790 A and housing 100 A.
- Upper sleeve end 831 A is adapted to be secured to external conduit 20 A. Referring to FIG.
- connection sleeve 500 A is secured to bowl 10 A by means of sleeve flange 790 A and is adapted to fluidly connect conduit channels 780 A, 760 A, 770 A of external conduit 20 A to bowl channels 420 A and 410 A, and chamber 740 A of bowl 10 A.
- connection sleeve 500 A is mounted to lumen connector 481 A ( FIGS. 39A and 39B ).
- Connection sleeve 500 A preferably increases in diameter from upper sleeve end 831 A to lower sleeve end 832 A and is overmolded to first conduit end 861 A of external conduit 20 A.
- Connection sleeve 500 A connects bowl 10 A to external conduit 20 A without use of a rotatable seal, which would otherwise normally be located between bowl 10 A and connection sleeve 500 A.
- the seal-less connection between bowl 10 A and connection sleeve 500 A may occur as explained above or alternatively through use of, for example, an O-ring, a groove, or lip, grommet-type connection, welding, or a tight fit with or without adhesive in either bowl 10 A or connection sleeve 500 A.
- sleeve flange 790 A has a bottom surface 847 A that contacts with top surface 482 A of lumen connector 481 A forming a tight seal.
- lumen connector 481 A has a plurality of indentation 483 A that provides for fluid communication between separation chamber 220 A and bowl chamber 740 A, which, in turn has fluid communication with conduit channel 770 A.
- Bowl chamber 740 A is defined by lumen mounting recess 851 A and top surface 482 A of lumen connector 481 A, excluding the space occupied by hollow cylinders 321 A and 322 A.
- Connection sleeve 500 A helps to secure external conduit 20 A to bowl 10 A, thus fluidly connecting external conduit 20 A to bowl 10 A.
- This fluid connection enables fluid 800 to be supplied through external conduit 20 A to bowl 10 A.
- this fluid connection also enables separated fluid components b, 820 to be removed from bowl 10 A through external conduit 20 A.
- External conduit 20 A has an approximately constant diameter which helps to reduce the rigidity. An excessively rigid external conduit 20 A will heat up and fail more quickly. Additionally, a constant diameter conduit is cheap/easy to manufacture, allows easy experimentation with connection sleeve 500 A and anchor sleeve 870 A sizes, and allows bearing rings 871 A, 872 A to be easily slid thereon. Preferably the movement of bearings 871 A and 872 A will be constrained by first and second shoulders 882 A and 884 A. External conduit 20 A may be made of any type of flexible tubing (such as medical tubing) or other such device providing a sealed passageway for the flow of fluids, which may be pressurized, into or out of a reservoir of any sort, and which preferably can be disposable and sterilizable.
- flexible tubing such as medical tubing
- FIG. 17 illustrates tower system 2000 .
- Tower system 2000 is the permanent (i.e., non-disposable) piece of hardware that receives the various devices of photopheresis kit 1000 , such as, cassette 1100 , irradiation chamber 700 , and centrifuge bowl 10 ( FIG. 1 ).
- Tower system 2000 performs the valving, pumping, and overall control and drive of fluid flow through disposable photopheresis kit 1000 .
- Tower system 2000 performs all of the necessary control function automatically through the use of a properly programmed controller, for example a processor or IC circuit, coupled to all of the necessary components. While a new disposable kit must be discarded after each photopheresis therapy session, tower system 2000 is used over and over again.
- Tower system 2000 can be modified to perform a number of extracorporeal blood circuit treatments, for example apheresis, by properly programming the controller or by changing some of its components.
- Tower system 2000 has a housing having an upper portion 2100 and a base portion 2200 .
- Base portion 2200 has a top 2201 and a bottom 2202 .
- Wheels 2203 are provided at or near the bottom 2202 of base portion 2200 so that tower system 2000 is mobile and can easily be moved from room to room in a hospital setting.
- the front wheels 2203 are pivotable about a vertical axis to allow ease in steering and maneuvering tower system 2000 .
- Top 2201 of base portion 2200 has a top surface 2204 having control deck 1200 , best illustrated in FIG. 22 , built therein (see FIG. 22 ). In FIG. 17 , cassette 1100 is loaded onto control deck 1200 .
- Base portion 2200 also has hooks (not illustrated), or other connectors, to hang plasma collection bag 51 and treatment bag 50 therefrom. Such hooks can be located anywhere on tower system 2000 so long as their positioning does not interfere with the functioning of the system during therapy.
- Base portion 2200 has photoactivation chamber 750 ( FIG. 18 ) located behind door 751 . Additional hooks (not illustrated) are provided on tower system 2000 for hanging saline and anticoagulant bags. Preferably, these hooks are located on upper portion 2100 .
- Photoactivation chamber 750 ( FIG. 18 ) is provided in base portion 2200 of tower system 2000 between top 2201 and bottom 2202 behind door 751 .
- Door 751 is hingedly connected to base portion 2200 and is provided for access to photoactivation chamber 750 and to allow the operator to close photoactivation chamber 750 so that UV light does not escape into the surrounding during treatment.
- Recess 752 is provided to allow tubes 1112 , 1117 ( FIG. 1 ) to pass into photoactivation chamber 750 when irradiation chamber 700 is loaded and when door 751 is closed.
- the photoactivation chamber is discussed in detail below with respect to FIGS. 16 and 18 .
- Centrifuge chamber 2101 ( FIG. 19 ) is located in upper portion 2100 behind centrifuge chamber door 2102 .
- Centrifuge chamber door 2102 has a window 2103 so an operator can see in centrifuge chamber 2101 and monitor for any problems.
- Window 2103 is constructed with glass thick enough to withstand any forces that may be exerted on it from an accident during centrifugation which can rotate the centrifuge bowl at speeds greater than 4800 RPMs.
- window 2103 is constructed of shatter-proof glass.
- Door 2102 is hingedly connected to upper portion 2100 and has an automatic locking mechanism that is activated by the system controller during system operation. Centrifuge chamber 2101 is discussed below in more detail with respect to FIG. 19 .
- deck 1200 is located on top surface 2204 of base portion 2200 at or near the front of system tower 2000 while upper portion 2100 is extending upward from base portion 2200 near the rear of tower system 2000 .
- This allows the operator easy access to control deck 1200 while simultaneously affording the operator access to centrifuge chamber 2101 .
- tower system 2000 By designing tower system 2000 to have the centrifuge chamber 2101 in the upper portion 2100 and having the photoactivation chamber 750 and deck 1200 in base portion 2200 , an upright configuration is achieved.
- system tower 2000 has a reduced footprint size and takes up a reduced amount of valuable hospital floor space.
- the height of system tower 2000 remains below sixty inches so that one view is not obstructed when transporting the machine around the hospital form the rear.
- Tower system 2000 is robust enough to withstand forces and vibrations brought on by the centrifugation process.
- a monitor 2104 is provided on centrifuge chamber door 2102 above window 2103 .
- Monitor 2104 has a display area 2105 for visually displaying data to an operator, such as, for example, user interfaces for data entry, loading instructions, graphics, warnings, alerts, therapy data, or therapy progress.
- Monitor 2104 is coupled to and controlled by the system controller.
- a data card receiving port 2001 is provided on a side of monitor 2104 .
- Data card receiving port 2001 is provided to slidably receive data card 1195 which is supplied with each disposable photopheresis kit 1000 ( FIG. 1 ).
- data card 1195 can be pre-programmed to store serve a variety of data to supply to the system controller of tower system 2000 .
- data card 1195 can be programmed to relay information so that the system controller can ensure: (1) that the disposable photopheresis kit is compatible with the blood drive equipment into which it is being loaded; (2) that the photopheresis kit is capable of running the desired treatment process; (3) that the disposable photopheresis kit is of a certain brand name or make.
- Data card receiving port 2001 has the necessary hardware and circuitry to both read data from, and write data to, data card 1195 .
- data card receiving port 2201 will record treatment therapy data to data card 1195 .
- Such information can include for example, collection times, collection volumes, treatment times, volumetric flow rates, any alarms, malfunctions, disturbances in the process, or any other desired data. While data card receiving port 2001 is provided on monitor 2104 , it can be located anywhere on tower system 2000 so long as it is coupled to the system controller or other appropriate control means.
- Photoactivation chamber 750 is illustrated in cross section.
- Photoactivation chamber 750 is formed by housing 756 .
- Housing 756 fits within base portion 2200 of tower system 2000 behind door 751 ( FIG. 17 ).
- Photoactivation chamber 750 has a plurality of electrical connection ports 753 provided on back wall 754 . Electrical connection ports 753 are electrically coupled to a source of electrical energy.
- Photoactivation chamber 750 is designed to receive UVA light assembly 759 ( FIG. 16 ). When fully loaded into photoactivation chamber 750 , electrical contacts (not illustrated) located on contact wall 755 of UVA light assembly 759 form an electrical connection with electrical connection ports 753 . This electrical connection allows electrical energy to be supplied to UVA lamps 758 so that they can be activated.
- UVA light assembly 759 has two sets of UVA lamps 758 forming a space which irradiation chamber 700 can be inserted.
- the supply of electrical energy to UVA lamps 758 is controlled by the properly programmed system controller using a switch. UVA lamps 758 are activated and deactivated as necessary by the controller during the photopheresis therapy session.
- Vent hole 757 is provided in the top of housing 756 near back wall 754 of photoactivation chamber 750 . Vent hole 757 connects to vent duct 760 which leads out of the back of tower system 2000 . When heat generated by UVA lamps 758 builds up in photoactivation chamber 750 during a treatment therapy, this heat escapes photoactivation chamber 750 via vent hole 757 and vent duct 760 . The heat exits tower system 2000 through tower housing hole 761 located in the rear of tower system 2000 , away from the patient and the operator.
- Photoactivation chamber 750 further comprises tract 762 for receiving irradiation chamber 700 and holding irradiation in an upright position between UVA lamps 758 .
- Tract 762 is at or near the bottom of photoactivation chamber 750 .
- a leak detector circuit 763 is provided below tract 762 to detect any fluid leaks irradiation chamber 700 during, before, or after operation.
- Leak detector circuit 762 has two electrodes patterned in a U shape located on an adhesive backed flex circuit. The electrodes are designed to allow for application of a short circuit to test for discontinuities. One end of each electrode goes to an integrated circuit while the other end of each electrode is tied to a solid-state switch. The solid-state switch can be used to check for continuity of the electrodes.
- FIG. 19 illustrates centrifuge chamber 2101 in cross section with the housing of tower system 2000 removed.
- Rotational device 900 (also in cross-section) capable of utilizing 1-omega 2-omega spin technology is positioned within centrifuge chamber 2101 .
- Rotational device 900 includes a rotating bracket 910 and a bowl holding plate 919 for rotatably securing centrifuge bowl 10 ( FIG. 1 ).
- Housing 2107 of centrifuge chamber 2101 is preferably made of aluminum or some other lightweight, sturdy metal.
- other rotational systems may be used within tower system 2000 such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,986,442, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
- Leak detection circuit 2106 is provided on back wall 2108 of housing 2107 . Leak detection circuit 2106 is provided to detect any leaks within centrifuge bowl 10 or the connecting tubes during processing. Leak detection circuit 2106 is identical to leak detector circuit 762 described above. An electrical schematic of leak detection circuit 2106 is provided in FIG. 21 .
- FIG. 22 illustrates control deck 1200 of tower system 2000 ( FIG. 17 ) without a cassette 1100 loaded thereon.
- Control deck 1200 performs the valving and pumping so as to drive and control fluid flow throughout photopheresis kit 1000 .
- deck 1200 is a separate plate 1202 that is secured to base portion 2200 of tower system 2000 via screws or other securing means, such as, for example, bolts, nuts, or clamps.
- Plate 1202 can be made of steel, aluminum, or other durable metal or material.
- Deck 1200 has five peristaltic pumps, whole blood pump 1301 , return pump 1302 , recirculation pump 1303 , anticoagulant pump 1304 , and red blood cell pump 1305 extending through plate 1202 .
- Pumps 1301 - 1305 are arranged on plate 1202 so that when cassette 1100 is loaded onto deck 1200 for operation, pump loop tubes 1120 - 1124 extend over and around pumps 1301 - 1305 ( FIG. 25 ).
- Air bubble sensor assembly 1204 and HCT sensor assembly 1205 are provided on plate 1202 .
- Air bubble sensor assembly 1204 has three trenches 1206 for receiving tubes 1114 , 1106 , and 1119 ( FIG. 25 ).
- Air bubble sensor assembly 1204 uses ultrasonic energy to monitor tubes 1114 , 1106 , and 1119 for differences in density that would indicate the presence of air in the liquid fluids normally passing therethrough. Tubes 1114 , 1106 , and 1119 are monitored because these lines go to the patient.
- Air bubble sensor assembly 1204 is operably coupled and transmits data to the system controller for analysis.
- HCT sensor assembly 1205 has trench 1207 for receiving HCT component 1125 of tube 1116 .
- HCT sensor assembly 1205 monitors tube 1116 for the presence of red blood cells by using a photoelectric sensor.
- HCT sensor assembly 1205 is also operably coupled to and transmits data to the system controller. Upon HCT sensor assembly 1205 detecting the presence of red blood cells in tube 1116 , the system controller will take the appropriate action, such as stopping the appropriate pump or activating one of compression actuators 1243 - 1247 , to stop fluid flow through tube 1116 .
- Deck 1200 also has five compression actuators 1243 - 1247 and three compression actuators 1240 - 1242 strategically positioned on plate 1202 so that when cassette 1100 is loaded onto deck 1200 for operation, each of compression actuators 1240 - 1247 are aligned with corresponding apertures 1137 and 1157 .
- Compression actuators 1240 - 1247 can be moved between a lowered position and a raised position. As illustrated in FIG. 22 , compression actuators 1243 - 1247 are in the lowered position and compression actuators 1240 - 1242 are in the raised position. When in a raised position, and when cassette 1100 is loaded onto deck 1200 as illustrated in FIG.
- compression actuators 1240 - 1247 will extend through the corresponding apertures 1137 or 1157 and compress the portion of flexible tubing that is aligned with that aperture, thereby pinching the flexible tube shut so that fluid can not pass. When in the lowered position, compression actuators 1240 - 1247 do not extend through apertures 1137 and 1157 and thus do compress the flexible tubing.
- Compression actuators 1243 - 1247 are spring retracted so that their default position is to move to the lowered position unless activated. Compression actuators 1243 - 1247 are independently controlled and can be raised r lowered independent of one another. Compression actuators 1240 - 1242 on the other hand are coupled together. As such, when one compression actuator 1240 - 1242 is lowered or raised, the other two compression actuators 1240 - 1242 are also lowered in raised accordingly. Additionally, compression actuators 1240 - 1242 are spring loaded so that their default position is to move to the raised position. Thus, if the system loses power during a therapy session, compression actuators 1240 - 1242 will automatically move to the raised position, occluding tubes 1114 , 1106 , and 1119 and preventing fluids from entering or leaving the patient.
- deck 1200 further includes system controller 1210 , cylinder assembly 1211 , manifold assemblies 1213 , pump cable 1215 , pump motor cable 1216 , and timing belt assembly 1217 .
- System controller 1210 is a properly programmed integrated circuit that is operably coupled to the necessary components of the system to perform all of the functions, interactions, decisions, and reaction discussed above and necessary to perform a photopheresis therapy according to the present invention.
- Cylinder assembly 1211 couples each of compression actuators 1240 - 1247 to a pneumatic cylinder.
- Air ports 1212 are provided on the various elements of deck 1200 as necessary to connect air lines to the devices and the appropriate one of manifolds 1213 .
- plate 1202 includes a plurality of holes 1215 , 1219 , 1220 , 1221 , and 1218 so that the various components of deck 1200 can be properly loaded into and so that deck 1200 can be secured to tower system 2000 .
- pumps 1301 - 1305 fit into holes 1314
- HCT sensor assembly 1205 fits into hole 1220
- air bubble detector assembly 1204 fits into hole 1219
- compression actuators 1240 - 1247 extend through holes 1218
- bolts extend through holes 1221 to secure deck 1200 to tower assembly 2000 .
- cassette 1100 In order for system 2000 to perform a photopheresis therapy, cassette 1100 must be properly loaded onto deck 1200 . Because of the compression actuator valving system incorporated in the present invention, it is imperative that cassette 1100 be properly secured to deck 1200 and not shift or become dislodged when compression actuators 1240 - 1247 occlude portions of the flexible tubing by compressing the flexible tubing against cover 1130 of cassette 1100 ( FIG. 3 ). However, this requirement competes with the desired goals of ease in loading cassette 1100 onto deck 1200 and reducing operator errors. All of these goals are achieved by the below described cassette clamping mechanism.
- deck 1200 is provided with two catches 1208 and two rotating clamps 1203 and 1223 .
- Catches 1208 have a slot 1228 near the middle of the top plate. Catches 1208 are secured to plate 1202 at predetermined positions so that the spacing between them is substantially the same as the spacing between tabs 1102 and 1103 on cassette 1100 ( FIG. 2 ).
- Rotating clamps 1203 and 1223 are illustrated in a closed position. However, rotating clamps 1203 and 1223 can be rotated to an open position (not illustrated) manually or through the automatic actuation of a pneumatic cylinder.
- Rotating clamps 1203 and 1223 are spring loaded by torque springs so as to automatically return to the closed position when additional torque is not being applied. Rotating clamps 1203 and 1223 are linked together by timing belt assembly 1217 ( FIG. 24 ).
- timing belt assembly 1217 comprises timing belt 1226 , torque spring housings 1224 , and tension assembly 1225 .
- Timing belt assembly 1217 coordinates the rotation of rotational clamps 1203 and 1223 so that if one is rotated, the other also rotates in the same direction and the same amount. In other words, rotational clamps 1203 and 1223 are coupled.
- Tension assembly 1217 ensures that timing belt 1226 is under sufficient tension to engage and rotate the rotational clamp 1203 or 1223 that is being coordinated.
- Torque spring housings 1224 provide casings for the torque springs that torque rotational clamps 1203 and 1223 to the closed position.
- cassette 1100 when loading cassette 1100 onto deck 1200 , cassette 1100 is placed at an angle to deck 1200 and tabs 1102 and 1103 ( FIG. 2 ) are aligned with catches 1208 . Cassette 1100 is moved so that tabs 1102 and 1103 slidably insert into catches 1208 . Rotational clamps 1203 and 1223 are in the closed position at this time. The rear of the cassette 1100 (i.e. the side opposite the tabs 1102 and 1103 ) contacts rotational clamps 1203 and 1223 as tabs 1102 and 1103 are being inserted in catches 1108 .
- cassette 1100 As force is applied downward on cassette 1100 , rotational clamps 1103 and 1123 will be rotated to the open position, allowing the rear of cassette 1100 to move downward to a position below ledges 1231 of rotational clamps 1203 and 1223 . Once cassette 1100 is in this position, the rotational clamps 1203 and 1223 spring back from the force applied by the torque springs and rotate back to the closed position, locking cassette 1100 in place. When in the locked position, cassette 1100 can resist upward and lateral forces.
- rotational clamps 1203 and 1223 are rotated to the open position either manually or automatically. Automatic rotation is facilitated by an air cylinder that is coupled to an air line and system controller 1210 . Once rotational clamps 1203 and 1223 are in the open position, cassette 1100 is removed by simple lifting and sliding tabs 1102 and 1103 out of catches 1208 .
- peristaltic pumps 1301 - 1305 are provided on deck 1200 and are used to drive fluids through photopheresis kit 1000 ( FIG. 1 ) along desired pathways.
- the activation, deactivation, timing, speed, coordination, and all other functions of peristaltic pumps 1301 - 1305 are controlled by system controller 1210 .
- Peristaltic pumps 1301 - 1305 are identical in structure. However, the placement of each peristaltic pump 1301 - 1305 on deck 1200 dictates the function of each peristaltic pump 1301 - 1305 with respect to which fluid is being driven and along which pathway. This is because the placement of peristaltic pumps 1301 - 1305 dictates which pump loop 1220 - 1224 will be loaded therein.
- Whole blood pump 1301 has motor 1310 , position sensor 1311 , pneumatic cylinder 1312 , pneumatic actuator 1313 , rotor 1314 (best illustrated in FIG. 30 ), and housing 1315 .
- Rotor 1314 is rotatably mounted within housing 1315 and is in operable connection with drive shaft 1316 of motor 1310 .
- rotor 1314 is mounted within curved wall 1317 of housing 1315 so as to be rotatable by motor 1310 about axis A-A.
- a space 1318 exists between rotor 1314 and curved wall 1317 .
- This space 1318 is the tube pumping region of whole blood pump 1301 into which pump loop tube 1121 ( FIG. 33 ) fits when loaded for pumping.
- Position sensor 1316 is coupled to drive shaft 1316 of motor 1310 so that the rotational position of rotor 1314 can be monitored by monitoring drive shaft 1316 .
- Position sensor 1311 is operably connected and transmits data to system controller 1210 ( FIG. 24 ). By analyzing this data, system controller 1210 , which is also coupled to motor 1310 , can activate motor 1310 to place rotor 1314 in any desired rotational position.
- Housing 1315 also includes a housing flange 1319 .
- Housing flange 1319 is used to secure whole blood pump 1310 to plate 1202 of deck 1200 ( FIG. 22 ). More specifically, a bolt is extended through bolt holes 1320 of housing flange 1319 to threadily engage holes within plate 1202 .
- Housing flange 1319 also includes a hole (not shown) to allow pneumatic actuator 1313 to extend therethrough. This hole is sized so that pneumatic actuator 1313 can move between a raised and lowered position without considerable resistance.
- Pneumatic actuator 1313 is activated and deactivated by pneumatic cylinder 1312 in a piston-like manner through the use of air.
- Pneumatic cylinder 1312 comprises air inlet hole 1321 for connecting an air supply line.
- pneumatic actuator When air is supplied to pneumatic cylinder 1312 , pneumatic actuator extends upward through housing flange 1319 to a raised position. When air ceases to be supplied to pneumatic cylinder 1312 , pneumatic actuator retracts back into pneumatic cylinder 1312 , returning to the lowered position.
- System controller 1210 FIG. 22 ) controls the supply of air to air inlet hole 1321 .
- Curved wall 1317 of housing 1315 contains two slots 1322 (only one visible). Slots 1322 are located on substantially opposing sides of curved wall 1317 . Slots 1322 are provided for allowing pump loop tube 1121 ( FIG. 33 ) to pass into tube pumping region 1318 . More specifically, pump inlet portion 1150 and outlet portions 1151 ( FIG. 33 ) of pump loop tube 1121 pass through slots 1322 .
- Rotor 1314 is illustrated as removed from housing 1315 so that its components are more clearly visible.
- Rotor 1314 has a top surface 1323 , angled guide 1324 , rotor flange 1325 , two guide rollers 1326 , two drive rollers 1327 , and rotor floor 1328 .
- Guide rollers 1326 and drive rollers 1327 are rotatably secured about cores 1330 between rotor floor 1328 and a bottom surface 1329 of rotor flange 1325 .
- cores 1330 fit into holes 1331 of rotor floor 1328 and recesses 1332 in bottom surface 1329 .
- Guide rollers 1326 and drive rollers 1327 fit around cores 1330 and can rotate thereabout.
- two guide rollers 1326 and two drive rollers 1327 are provided.
- guide rollers 1326 and drive rollers 1327 are provided on rotor 1314 so as to be in an alternating pattern.
- drive rollers 1327 are provided to compress the portion of pump loop tube 1121 that is loaded into tube pumping region 1318 against the inside of curved wall 1317 as rotor 1314 rotates about axis A-A, thereby deforming the tube and forcing fluids to flow through the tube. Changing the rotational speed of rotor 1314 will correspondingly change the rate of fluid flow through the tube.
- Guide rollers 1326 are provided to keep the portion of pump loop tube 1121 that is loaded into tube pumping region 1318 properly aligned during pumping. Additionally, guide rollers 1326 help to properly load pump tube loop 1121 into tube pumping region 1318 .
- guide rollers 1326 are illustrated as having a uniform cross-section, it is preferred that the top plate of the guide rollers be tapered so as to come to a sharper edge near its outer diameter. Tapering the top plate results in a guide roller with a non-symmetric cross-sectional profile. The tapered embodiment helps ensure proper loading of the tubing into the tube pumping region.
- Rotor 1314 further includes cavity 1328 extending through its center. Cavity 1328 is designed to connect rotor 1314 to drive shaft 1316 of motor 1310 .
- Opening 1333 is defined by a leading edge 1334 and a trailing edge 1335 .
- leading and trailing are used assuming that rotating rotor 1314 in the clockwise direction is the forward direction while rotating rotor 1314 in a counterclockwise direction is the rearward direction.
- Leading edge 1334 is beveled downward into opening 1333 .
- Trailing edge 1335 extends upward from the top surface of rotor flange 1325 higher than the leading edge 1334 .
- Leading edge is provide for trailing edge for capturing and feeding pump loop tube 1121 into tube pumping region 1318 upon rotor 1314 being rotated in the forward direction.
- Rotor 1314 also has angled guide 1324 extending upward, at an inverted angle, from rotor flange 1325 .
- Angled guide 1324 is provided for displacing pump loop tube 1121 toward rotor flange 1325 upon rotor 1314 being rotated in the forward direction.
- angled guide 1324 has elevated ridge 1336 running along top surface 1323 for manual engagement by an operator if necessary. More preferably, angled guide 1314 is located forward of leading edge 1334 .
- whole blood pump 1301 can automatically load and unload pump lop tube 1121 into and out of tube pumping region 1318 .
- rotor 1314 is rotated to a loading position where angled guide 1324 will face cassette 1100 when cassette 1100 is loaded onto deck 1200 ( FIG. 25 ). More specifically, rotor 1314 is preset in a position so that angled guide 1324 is located between inlet portion 1150 and outlet portion 1151 of pump loop 1121 when cassette 1100 is secured to the deck, as is illustrated in FIG. 13 .
- pump lop tube 1121 extends over and around rotor 1314 .
- Pneumatic actuator 1313 is in the lowered position at this time.
- rotor 1314 is rotated in the clockwise direction (i.e., the forward direction).
- pump tube loop 1121 is contacted by angled guide 1324 and displaces against the top surface of rotor flange 1325 .
- the portions of pump loop tube 1121 that are displaced against rotor flange 1325 are then contacted by trailing edge 1325 and fed downward into tube pumping region 1318 through opening 1333 .
- a guide roller 1326 is provided directly after opening 1333 to further properly position the tubing within tube pumping chamber for pumping by drive rollers 1327 .
- inlet portion 1150 and outlet portion 1151 of pump loop tube 1121 pass through slots 1322 of curved wall 1317 .
- One and a half revolutions are needed to fully load the tubing.
- rotor 1314 is rotated to a position where opening 1333 is aligned with the slot 1322 through which outlet portion 1151 passes.
- pneumaic actuator 1313 is activated and extended to the raised position, contacting and lifting outlet portion 1151 to a height above trailing edge 1335 .
- Rotor 1314 is then rotated in the counterclockwise direction, causing trailing edge to 1335 to contact and remove pump loop tube 1121 from tube pumping region 1318 via opening 1333 .
- tower system 2000 ( FIG. 17 ) preferably further includes a wireless infrared (“IR”) communication interface (not shown).
- the wireless IR interface consists of three primary elements, system controller 1210 , IRDA protocol integrated circuit, 1381 , and IRDA transceiver port 1382 .
- the IR communication interface is capable of both transmitting and receiving data via IR signals from a remote computer or other device having IR capabilities.
- system controller 1210 sends serial communication data to the IRDA protocol chip 1381 to buff the data.
- IRDA protocol chip 1381 adds additional data and other communication information to the transmit string and then sends it to IRDA transceiver 1382 .
- Transceiver 1382 converts the electrical transmit data into encoded light pulses and transmits them to a remote device via a photo transmitter.
- IR data pulses are received by a photo detector located on the transceiver chip 1382 .
- the transceiver chip 1382 converts the optical light pulses to electrical data and sends the data stream to IRDA protocol chip 1381 where the electrical signal is stripped of control and additional IRDA protocol content.
- the remaining data is then sent to the system controller 1210 where the data stream is parsed per the communication protocol.
- IR communication interface By incorporating an IR communication interface on tower system 2000 real time data relating to a therapy session can be transmitted to a remote device for recording, analysis, or further transmission. Data can be sent via IR signals to tower system 2000 to control the therapy or allow protocols to be changed in a blinded state. Additionally, IR signals do not interfere with other hospital equipment, like other wireless transmission methods, such as radio frequency.
- FIG. 26 a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of the invention which includes photactivation of buffy coat
- FIG. 27 a schematic representation of apparatus which can be employed in such an embodiment
- the process starts 1400 with a patient 600 connected by means of a needle adapter 1193 carrying a needle, for drawing blood, and needle adapter 1194 carrying another needle, for returning treated blood and other fragments.
- Saline bag 55 is connected by connector 1190 and anticoagulant bag 54 is connected by connector 1191 .
- Actuators 1240 , 1241 , and 1242 are opened, anticoagulant pump 1304 is turned on, and saline actuator 1246 is opened so that the entire disposable tubing set is primed 1401 with saline 55 and anticoagulant 54 .
- the centrifuge 10 is turned on 1402 , and blood-anticoagulant mixture is pumped 1403 to the centrifuge bowl 10 , with the A/C pump 1304 and WB pump 1301 controlled at a 1:10 speed ratio.
- the return pump 1302 is set 1405 at the collection pump 1301 speed until red cells are detected 1406 at an HCT sensor (not shown) in the centrifuge chamber 1201 ( FIG. 19 ). Packed red cells and buffy coat have at this point accumulated in the spinning centrifuge bowl and are pumped out slowly at a rate, controlled by the processor, which maintains the red cell line at the sensor interface level.
- the red cell pump 1305 is then set 1407 at 35% of the inlet pump speed while controlling 1408 the rate to maintain the cell line at the interface level until the collection cycle volume is reached 1409 , at which point the red cell pump 1305 is turned off 1410 and the fluid path to the treatment bag 50 via the HCT sensor 1125 is opened by lowering actuator 1244 , and stops when the HCT sensor 1125 detects 1411 red cells.
- “Collection cycle volume” is defined as the whole blood processed target divided by the number of collection cycles, for example a white blood process target of 1500 ml may require 6 cycles, and so 1500/6 is a volume of 250 ml.
- red cells With whole blood continuing at 1410 to be delivered from the patient to the bowl and the red cell pump off, red cells will accumulate and will push out the buffy coat from inside the bowl 10 .
- the red cells are used to push out the buffy coat and will be detected by the effluent hematocrit (HCT) sensor, indicating that the buffy coat has been collected.
- HCT effluent hematocrit
- the centrifuge 10 effluent path is returned 1413 to the plasma bag 51 and the red cell pump 1305 rate is increased 1413 to the inlet pump 1301 pump rate until red cells are detected 1414 , which is the beginning of the second cycle. If another cycle 1412 is not needed, the centrifuge 10 is turned off 1415 and inlet pump 1301 and anticoagulant pump 1304 are set at KVO rate, 10 ml/hr in this embodiment.
- the effluent path is directed 1416 to the plasma bag 51 , the red cell pump 1305 rate is set 1417 at 75 ml/min, the recirculation pump 1303 and photoactivation lamps are turned on 1418 for sufficient period to treat the buffy coat, calculated by the controller depending on the volume and type of disease being treated.
- the red cell pump 1305 When the bowl 10 is empty 1419 , the red cell pump 1305 is turned off 1420 and the plasma bag 51 is emptied 1421 by opening actuator 1247 and continuing return pump 1302 .
- the return pump 1302 is turned off 1422 when the plasma bag 51 is empty and when photoactivation is complete 1423 , the treated cells are returned 1424 to the patient from the plate 700 by means of the return pump 1302 .
- Saline is used to rinse the system and the rinse is returned to the patient, completing the process 1425 .
- the anticoagulant, blood from patient, and fluid back to patient are all monitored by air detectors 1204 and 1202 , and the fluid back to the patient goes through drip chamber and filter 1500 .
- the pumps, 1304 , 1301 , 1302 , 1303 , and 1305 , the actuators 1240 , 1241 , 1242 , 1243 , 1244 , 1245 , 1246 , and 1247 , and the spinning of the bowl 10 are all controlled by the programmed processor in the tower.
- the process and related apparatus have significant advantages over prior processes and apparatus in that the invention allow buffy coat to be in the bowl longer since red cells are being drawn off while collecting buffy coat in the bowl while centrifuging, keeping more buffy coat in the bowl until the desired amount of buffy coat cells are collected prior to withdrawing the collected buffy cells. Platelets, leukocytes, and other buffy coat fractions can also be separated, or red cells can be collected rather than returning them with plasma to the patient as the illustrated process does.
- buffy coat 810 is subjected to rotational motion in centrifuge bowl 10 yields a “cleaner cut” of buffy coat 820 .
- a “cleaner cut” means that the hematocrit count (HCT %) is decreased.
- HCT % is the amount of red blood cells present per volume of buffy coat.
- the amount of time that buffy coat 820 is subjected to rotational motion in centrifuge bowl 10 can be maximized in the following manner. First, whole blood 800 is fed into first bowl channel 420 as centrifuge bowl 10 is rotating. As discussed above, whole blood 800 is separated into buffy coat 820 and RBC's 810 as it moves outwardly atop lower plate 300 .
- Second bowl channel 410 and third bowl channel 740 are closed at this time.
- the inflow of whole blood 800 is continued until the separation volume 220 is filled with a combination of buffy coat 820 near the top and RBC's 810 near the bottom of centrifuge bowl 10 .
- second bowl channel 410 By removing RBC's 810 from centrifuge bowl 10 via second bowl channel 410 only, additional volume is created for the inflow of whole blood 800 and the unremoved buffy coat 820 is subjected to rotational forces for an extended period of time.
- centrifuge bowl 10 continues to rotate, some of the RBC's 810 that may be trapped in buffy coat 820 get pulled to the bottom of centrifuge bowl 10 and away from third bowl channel 740 and buffy coat 820 .
- the buffy coat 820 that is removed has a lower HCT %.
- 90-100 milliliters of buffy coat/white blood cells must be captured in order to conduct a full photopheresis treatment.
- the present invention needs to process around 1.5 liters of whole blood.
- the required amount of buffy coat/white blood cells can be removed from the 1.5 liters of whole blood in about 30-45 minutes using the present invention, collecting around 60% or more of the total amount of the buffy coat/white blood cells that are subjected to the separation process.
- the captured buffy coat/white blood cells have an HCT of 2% or less.
- the UVAR XTS takes around 90 minutes to process 1.5 liters of whole blood to obtain the sufficient amount of buffy coat/white blood cells.
- the UVAR XTS only collects around 50% of the total amount of the buffy coat/white blood cells that are subjected to the separation process.
- the HCT of the buffy coat/white blood cells collected by the UVAR XTS is around, but not substantially below, 2%.
- Another existing apparatus, the Cobe SpectraTM by Gambro must process 10 liters of whole blood in order to collect the sufficient amount of buffy coat/white blood cells. This typically takes around 150 minutes, collecting only 10-15% of the total amount of the buffy coat/white blood cells that are subjected to the separation process, and having an HCT of about 2%.
- the present invention can perform the same functions in less than 70 minutes. These times do not include the patient preparation or prime time. The times indicate only the total time that the patient is connected to the system.
Abstract
A control deck and system for controlling and driving blood fluids through an extracorporeal blood circuit kit. In one aspect, the invention is a deck having an improved mechanism for securing a cassette in place during treatment operations. The improved deck comprises catches for slidably receiving tabs of the cassette and one or more rotating clamps for locking and securing the cassette in a loaded position. In another aspect the invention is a system for controlling and driving blood fluids having infrared communication abilities to transmit and receive real time data. In still another aspect, the invention is a system for controlling and driving blood fluids having an upright tower design that reduces the footprint of the system. In this embodiment, a centrifuge chamber is positioned in an upper portion of the system while the control deck and photoactivation chamber are located in a base portion of the system.
Description
- This invention relates generally to the field of systems for driving fluids through an extracorporeal blood circuit, and specifically to non-disposable systems for driving and controlling fluid flow through disposable extracorporeal blood circuit kits.
- Several treatments for disease require the removal of blood from a patient, processing the one or more components of the blood, and return of the processed components for a therapeutic effect. Those extracorporeal treatments require systems for safely removing blood from the patient, separating it into components, and returning the blood or blood components to the patient. With the advance of medical sciences, it has become possible to treat a patient's blood in closed-loop processes, returning the patient's own treated blood back to him in one medical treatment. An example of such processes include external treatment methods for diseases in which there is a pathological increase of lymphocytes, such as cutaneous T-cell lymphoma or other diseases affecting white blood cells. In such methods, the patient's blood is irradiated with ultraviolet light in the presence of a chemical or an antibody. Ultraviolet light affects the bonding between the lymphocytes and the chemical or antibody that inhibits the metabolic processes of the lymphocytes.
- Photopheresis systems and methods have been proposed and used which involve separation of buffy coat from the blood, addition of a photoactivatable drug, and UV irradiation of the buffy coat before re-infusion to the patient. Extracorporeal photopheresis may be utilized to treat numerous diseases including Graft-versus-Host disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Progressive Systematic Sclerosis, Juvenile Onset Diabetes, Inflammatory Bowel Disease and other diseases that are thought to be T-cell or white blood cell mediated, including cancer. Apheresis systems and methods have also been proposed and used which involve separation of blood into various components.
- Additionally, apheresis systems and methods have also been proposed and used which involve separation of blood into various components, and also involve systems pumping and valving systems which are difficult to manufacture or operate. Prior photopheresis and apheresis systems and methods usually require batch processes and therefore take several hours to treat a patient or to obtain a sufficient supply of separated blood components. Furthermore, the systems are very complex to manufacture, especially the fluid flow controllers and valving systems.
- In known photopheresis systems, a disposable kit is provided that is loaded into a permanent piece of hardware. The disposable kit contain complex tubing that is used to carry blood fluids to and from the various devices included in the kit, such as a centrifuge bowl, an irradiation chamber, and various bags for delivering and/or collecting blood fluids. Known disposable kits often contain a cassette, or other controller mechanism, for controlling the flow of blood fluids throughout the disposable kit and to and from the patient. Disposable kits are used only once and must be replaced or disposed after each treatment session. In performing a treatment process, the kit is connected to patient to form a closed-loop system and the various devices of the disposable kit are loaded into a permanent piece of equipment used to drive blood fluids throughout the disposable kit as necessary. Once loaded, the permanent blood drive system drives the blood fluids through the kit's fluid circuitry.
- Known permanent blood driving systems have control decks for receiving the cassette of the disposable cassette. In preparing for a blood treatment process, an operator must properly load the cassette into the deck and load the other devices of the kit into their appropriate positions. It is vital that the cassette be loaded properly and not be able to move during treatment. It is also vital to ensure that the disposable kit being loaded onto the permanent blood driving system is compatible with the blood driving system and capable of carrying out the intended treatment. However, these goals must be balanced with the competing goals of reducing the complexity of cassette clamping mechanisms so as to reduce operator loading errors and reducing kit loading time.
- Another very real advancement in photopheresis systems would result if the size, manufacturing complexity, manufacturing costs, and tubing within the disposable kit could be reduced, even at the cost of a more complex blood driving system. This is because the blood driving system represents permanent reusable equipment, whereas a new sterile disposable kit must be used each time. Known disposable photopheresis kits are difficult and expensive to manufacture, especially the valving and pumping mechanisms within the cassette.
- The size of existing permanent blood driving systems is another issue. Known blood driving systems are bulky and have a very large footprint, taking up valuable hospital floor space. Thus, the above goals must be achieved while maintaining, preferably reducing, the footprint of the permanent blood driving system.
- Another deficiency in existing blood driving systems is their inability to communicate or receive real time data during a treatment. If a problem arises during the treatment, either the problem will not be detected and/or nothing can be done until after the treatment. Thus, a need exists for a blood driving system that can both communicate real time data during a treatment and respond if necessary to data inputs in real time during a treatment process.
- Additionally, prior photopheresis and apheresis systems and methods usually require batch processes and therefore take several hours to treat a patient or to obtain a sufficient supply of separated blood fragments. It is a constant object to reduce the time it takes to perform a complete photopheresis or apheresis treatment session. Another object is to reduce the amount of blood that must be drawn form a patient and processed in closed-loop processes per photopheresis treatment session. Yet another object to increase the amount of white blood cell yield or obtain a cleaner cut of buffy coat per volume of whole blood processed. Still another object is to reduce the costs and complexity associated with making the disposable kits used.
- These objects and others are met by the present invention. The present invention is directed at permanent blood driving systems for photopheresis and apheresis to provide less complex, easier to manufacture, and a continuous process for separation of sufficient fragment for treatment so as to greatly reduce the treatment time.
- The invention, in one aspect, is an improved deck for driving fluids through an extracorporeal blood circuit kit. The kit including a cassette for controlling fluid flow and having at least one tab protruding from a housing of the cassette. The deck is designed to allow easy, quick, and reliable loading of the cassette through the use a new cassette clamping mechanism. In this aspect, the deck comprises: a controller; a plate having a cassette loading area; at least one catch for slidably receiving a corresponding tab of the cassette, the catch positioned on the plate adjacent to the cassette loading area; at least one rotating clamp rotatable between an open position and a closed position, the rotating clamp positioned on the plate adjacent to the cassette loading area; wherein when the rotating clamp is in the open position, the rotating clamp does not obstruct the cassette from being removed from the cassette loading area; and wherein when the rotating clamp is in the closed position and the cassette loaded onto the cassette loading area, the rotating clamp prohibits the cassette from being removed from the cassette loading area.
- It is preferable that the rotating clamps rotate about an axis that is substantially perpendicular to a top surface of the plate. It is further preferable that the rotating clamps be spring loaded so as to return to the closed position when rotational force is not applied and that the rotational clamps be operably coupled by a timing belt so that rotation of all rotating clamps is coordinated. Providing two catches and two rotating clamps is most preferable.
- Each rotating clamp will preferably have an angled ledge that allows the cassette to be lowered onto the cassette loading area of the plate while the rotating clamps are in closed position. The angled ledge will also prohibit the cassette from being raised from the cassette loading area when the rotating clamps are in the closed position. Rotation between the open and closed positions can be facilitated by pneumatic cylinders.
- When the above claming mechanism is provided on a deck, a cassette can be loaded onto the deck by aligning the tabs of the cassette with the catches, slidably inserting the tabs into the catches, and pressing the cassette downward onto the cassette loading area. As the cassette is forced downward against the rotating clamps, the rotating clamps are rotated to the open position allowing the cassette to move below the angled ledge. When the cassette is below the angled ledges, the rotating clamps snap back to the closed position locking the cassette onto the cassette loading area. When this happens the cassette can not be removed or moved until the rotating clamps are moved to the open position after treatment is complete or until the operator does so manually. This setup provides little or no chance for operator error in loading the cassette and is time efficient.
- Turning now to other elements of the inventive deck, it is preferred that the deck also have at least one compression actuator adapted to move between a raised position and a lowered position. When the cassette is loaded onto the cassette loading area, and the compression actuator is in the raised position, the compression actuator will occlude a portion of flexible tubing within the cassette by compressing the portion of flexible tubing against a housing of the cassette. As such, the compression actuators act as valves to control and direct fluid flow through desired fluid passageways of the kit. There are preferably eight compression actuators.
- It is further that at least one of the compression actuators be spring loaded so as to return the compression actuator to the raised position when force is not applied and that at least one compression actuator be spring retracted so as to return the compression actuator to the lowered position when force is not applied. More preferably, the deck has three compression actuators that are spring loaded and positioned on the plate so that when a cassette is loaded onto the cassette loading area, the three spring loaded compression actuators are aligned with portions of flexible tubing within the cassette that are connected directly to a patient. These three compression actuators can be coupled to one another so that their movement between the lowered and raised positions is coordinated. It is also preferred that the deck have five compression actuators that are spring retracted and positioned on the plate so that when a cassette is loaded onto the cassette loading area, the five compression actuators are aligned with portions of flexible tubing within the cassette so as to be able to route fluids throughout the kit.
- For patient safety, it is most preferable that the deck have an air bubble detector adapted to monitor tubes of the kit that are carrying fluids to and from a patient when the cassette is loaded onto the cassette loading area. When the air bubble detector detects an air bubble, it will take the necessary actions to prohibit flow of fluids to and from the patient.
- The deck will also preferably have at least one peristaltic pump adjacent to the cassette loading area for driving fluids through the kit. The peristaltic pump will comprise a rotor rotatably mounted about a rotor axis; a housing having a curved wall surrounding at least a portion of the rotor and forming a tube pumping region between the rotor and the curved wall; the rotor comprising at least one drive roller for progressively compressing a loop of tubing against the curved wall; the rotor comprising a flange above the housing and an angled guide extending upward from the flange for displacing the loop of tubing toward the flange upon the rotor being rotated in a forward direction; the flange having an opening with a leading edge and a trailing edge for capturing and feeding the loop of tubing into the tube pumping region upon the rotor being rotated in the forward direction; and wherein the trailing edge is higher than the leading edge. Most preferably, five peristaltic pumps are provided.
- A hematocrit sensor for monitoring a tube of the kit that leads to a treatment bag for the presence of red blood cells is also preferably provided. The hematocrit sensor can be coupled to the controller to control the peristaltic pump that drives fluid into the tube that leads into the treatment bag.
- In another aspect, the invention is a system for driving blood fluids through a disposable kit comprising: a housing having the deck described above; a centrifuge chamber within the housing; and an infrared communication port coupled to the controller. Preferably, the infrared communication port is adapted to transmit real time data relating to a therapy session being performed on the system to a remote device. Infrared communication abilities allow the system to be able to both transmit and receive data in real time during a treatment process without disturbing the treatment.
- When the system is adapted to be used for photopheresis treatments, the system will further comprise a photoactivation chamber for receiving an irradiation chamber of the kit. The photoactivation chamber can be vertically oriented. It is more preferable that a leak detector be provided in the photoactivation chamber and that the leak detector comprises at least two U-shaped electrodes, a solid state switch connected to a first end of the electrodes, and an integrated circuit connected to a second end of the electrodes. The leak detector is coupled to the controller. It is still further preferable that a similar leak detector also be provided in the centrifuge chamber.
- A means to authenticate a unique identifier associated with the kit is also preferably provided on the system. The authentication means is coupled to the controller. The means to authenticate can be a data card receiving slot.
- In yet another aspect, the invention is a blood diving system having an upright tower configuration that reduces the footprint of the system, saving valuable hospital floor space. In this embodiment, the system will comprise: a controller; a base portion having a top having a deck for receiving and controlling a cassette for directing fluid flow through the kit; an upper portion atop the top; and a centrifuge chamber within the upper portion. Placing the centrifuge chamber above the deck reduces the footprint of the system and provide a working platform for the operator to place objects on.
- When adapted to be used for photopheresis treatments, the system will have a photoactivation chamber in the base portion for receiving an irradiation chamber of the kit. The photoactivation chamber will be preferably vertically oriented and have a leak detector
- The system is provided with wheels for mobility and is preferably designed to have a height of the system is less than about 60 inches so as not to obstruct visibility during moving. Additionally, the system can be provided with all of the features discussed above.
- The invention is described in detail with respect to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate an embodiment of the inventive apparatus, assemblies, systems, and methods.
-
FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of a disposable kit for use in photopheresis therapy embodying features of the present invention. -
FIG. 2 is an elevated perspective view of an embodiment of a cassette for controlling fluid flow in the disposable photopheresis kit ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the cassette ofFIG. 2 . -
FIG. 4 is a top view of the cassette ofFIG. 2 with the cover removed and showing internal tubular circuitry. -
FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a cover of cassette ofFIG. 2 . -
FIG. 6 is an elevated perspective view of an embodiment of a filter assembly. -
FIG. 7 is bottom perspective view of the filter assembly ofFIG. 6 . -
FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the filter assembly ofFIG. 6 . -
FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of the filter assembly ofFIG. 6 . -
FIG. 10 is schematic representation of the filter assembly ofFIG. 6 coupled to pressure sensors and a data processor. -
FIG. 11 is a front view of an irradiation chamber. -
FIG. 12 is a side longitudinal view of the irradiation chamber ofFIG. 11 . -
FIG. 13 is a side transverse view of the irradiation chamber ofFIG. 1 -
FIG. 14 is a cut-away view of a section of the first plate and the second plate prior to being joined together to form the irradiation chamber ofFIG. 11 . -
FIG. 15 is a cut-away dimensional end view of the irradiation chamber ofFIG. 11 . -
FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the irradiation chamber ofFIG. 11 positioned within a UVA light assembly. -
FIG. 17 is an elevated perspective view of an embodiment of a permanent tower system for use in conjunction with a disposable kit for facilitating a photopheresis therapy session. -
FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the photoactivation chamber, without a UVA light assembly, used in the tower system ofFIG. 17 . -
FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the centrifuge chamber used in the tower system ofFIG. 17 . -
FIG. 20 is an electrical schematic of the leak detection circuit provided in the photoactivation chamber ofFIG. 18 . -
FIG. 21 is an electrical schematic of the leak detection circuit provided in the centrifuge chamber ofFIG. 19 . -
FIG. 22 is an elevated perspective view of an embodiment of the fluid flow control deck of the tower system ofFIG. 17 . -
FIG. 23 is a perspective bottom view of the control deck ofFIG. 22 . -
FIG. 24 is an exploded view of the control deck ofFIG. 22 . -
FIG. 25 is a top perspective view of the control deck ofFIG. 22 with the cassette ofFIG. 2 loaded thereon. -
FIG. 26 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a photopheresis treatment process. -
FIG. 27 is a schematic of an embodiment of the fluid flow circuit used in performing the treatment process ofFIG. 26 . -
FIG. 28 is top perspective view an embodiment of a peristaltic pump. -
FIG. 29 is a cross sectional side view of the peristaltic pump ofFIG. 28 . -
FIG. 30 is a top perspective view the rotor of the peristaltic pump ofFIG. 29 . -
FIG. 31 is a bottom perspective view of the rotor ofFIG. 30 . -
FIG. 32 is a top view of the peristaltic pump ofFIG. 28 . -
FIG. 33 is a top view of the peristaltic pump ofFIG. 28 in a loading position and near the cassette ofFIG. 2 . -
FIG. 34 is an electrical schematic of the infrared communication port circuit. -
FIG. 35 illustrates an embodiment of a centrifuge bowl and a rotating frame. -
FIG. 36 is a dimensional view of the bowl ofFIG. 35 . -
FIG. 37 is an exploded view of the bowl ofFIG. 36 . -
FIG. 38 shows a cross sectional view of the bowl ofFIG. 36 along the line XIX-XIX. -
FIG. 39A shows a cross sectional view of a connection sleeve in place with a lumen connector of the bowl ofFIG. 38 along the line XX. -
FIG. 39B shows another cross sectional view of a connection sleeve in place with a lumen connector of the bowl ofFIG. 38 . -
FIG. 40 shows a cross sectional view of the top core of the bowl ofFIG. 37 . -
FIG. 41 shows a dimensional view of the top core and upper plate ofFIG. 37 . -
FIG. 42 shows a bottom view of the top core ofFIG. 41 . -
FIG. 43A shows a dimensional exploded view of the bottom core and a lower plate of the bowl ofFIG. 37 . -
FIG. 43B shows an dimensional cross section view of the bottom core and a lower plate of the bowl ofFIG. 43A attached together. -
FIG. 44 shows an exploded side view of the bottom core and a lower plate ofFIG. 43A . -
FIG. 45 shows a dimensional view of another embodiment of a conduit assembly. -
FIG. 46 shows a dimensional view of the connection sleeve ofFIG. 45 . -
FIG. 47 shows a dimensional view of one end of conduit assembly ofFIG. 45 . -
FIG. 48 shows a dimensional view of an anchor end of the present invention. -
FIG. 49 shows a lateral cross-sectional view of an anchor end. -
FIG. 50 shows a horizontal cross-sectional view of an anchor end taken along line XXI. -
FIG. 51 illustrates a dimensional view of the rotating frame ofFIG. 35 . -
FIG. 52 is an enlarged view of a holder for an external conduit. -
FIG. 53 shows an alternative embodiment of the bowl with the cross-section taken similarly to that shown inFIG. 38 . -
FIG. 54 shows an alternative embodiment of the top core. -
FIG. 55 shows an alternative embodiment of the connection sleeve. - Features of the present invention are embodied in the permanent blood driving equipment, the disposable photopheresis kit, the various devices which make up the disposable kit, and the corresponding treatment process. The following written description is outlined as follows:
- I. Disposable Photopheresis Kit
-
- A. Cassette for Controlling Fluid Flow
- 1. Filter Assembly
- B. Irradiation Chamber
- C. Centrifuge Bowl
- 1. Drive Tube
- A. Cassette for Controlling Fluid Flow
- II. Permanent Tower System
-
- A Photoactivation Chamber
- B. Centrifuge Chamber
- C. Fluid Flow Control Deck
- 1. Cassette Clamping Mechanism
- 2. Self-Loading Peristaltic Pumps
- D. Infra-Red Communication
- III. Photopheresis Treatment Process
- The above-outline is included to facilitate understanding of the features of the present invention. The outline is not limiting of the present invention and is not intended to categorize or limit any aspect of the invention. The inventions are described and illustrated in sufficient detail that those skilled in this art can readily make and use them. However, various alternatives, modifications, and improvements should become readily apparent without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Specifically, while the invention is described in the context of a disposable kit and permanent blood drive system for use in photopheresis therapy, certain aspects of the invention are not so limited and are applicable to kits and systems used for rendering other therapies, such as apheresis or any other extracorporeal blood treatment therapy.
- Disposable Photopheresis Kit
-
FIG. 1 illustratesdisposable photopheresis kit 1000 embodying features of the present invention. It is necessary that a new disposable sterile kit be used for each therapy session. In order to facilitate the circulation of fluids throughphotopheresis kit 1000, and to treat blood fluids circulating therethrough,photopheresis kit 1000 is installed in permanent tower system 2000 (FIG. 17 ). The installation ofphotopheresis kit 1000 intotower system 2000 is described in detail below. - Photopheresis
kit 1000 comprisescassette 1100,centrifuge bowl 10,irradiation chamber 700,hematocrit sensor 1125,removable data card 1195,treatment bag 50, andplasma collection bag 51. Photopheresiskit 1000 further comprisessaline connector spike 1190 andanticoagulant connector spike 1191 for respectively connecting saline and anticoagulant fluid bags (not shown). Photopheresiskit 1000 has all the necessary tubing and connectors to fluidly connect all devices and to route the circulation of fluids during a photopheresis treatment session. All tubing is sterile medical grade flexible tubing.Triport connectors 1192 are provided at various positions for the introduction of fluids into the tubing if necessary. -
Needle adapters photopheresis kit 1000 to needles for drawing whole blood from a patient and returning blood fluids to the patient. Alternatively,photopheresis kit 1000 can be adapted to use a single needle to both draw whole blood from the patient and return blood fluids to the patient. However, a two needle kit is preferred because of the ability to simultaneously draw whole blood and return blood fluids to the patient. When a patient is hooked up tophotopheresis kit 1000, a closed loop system is formed. -
Cassette 1100 acts both as a tube organizer and a fluid flow router.Irradiation chamber 700 is used to expose blood fluids to UV light.Centrifuge bowl 10 separates whole blood into its different components according to density.Treatment bag 50 is a 1000 mL three port bag.Straight bond port 52 is used to inject a photoactivatable or photosensitive compound intotreatment bag 50.Plasma collection bag 51 is 1000 mL two port bag. Bothtreatment bag 50 andplasma collection bag 51 have a hingedcap spike tube 53 which can be used for drainage if necessary. Photopheresiskit 1000 further compriseshydrophobic filters pressure transducers vent tubes FIG. 10 ). Monitoring the pressure helps ensure that the kit is operating within safe pressure limits. The individual devices ofphotopheresis kit 1000, and their functioning, are discussed below in detail. - Cassette for Controlling Fluid Flow
-
FIG. 2 shows a top perspective view of adisposable cassette 1100 for valving, pumping, and controlling the movement of blood fluids during a photopheresis treatment session.Cassette 1100 hashousing 1101 that forms an internal space that acts as a casing for its various internal components and tubular circuitry.Housing 1101 is preferably made of hard plastic, but can be made of any suitably rigid material.Housing 1101 hasside wall 1104 andtop surface 1105.Side wall 1104 ofhousing 1101 hastabs cassette 1100 needs to be secured todeck 1200 oftower system 2000, as is best illustrated inFIG. 25 .Tabs secure cassette 1100 todeck 1200. -
Cassette 1100 hasfluid inlet tubes cassette 1100,fluid outlet tubes cassette 1100, and fluid inlet/outlet tube 1113 that can be used for both introducing and expelling fluids into and out ofcassette 1100. These fluid input and output tubesfluidly couple cassette 1100 to a patient being treated, as well as the various devices ofphotopheresis kit 1000, such ascentrifuge bowl 10,irradiation chamber 700,treatment bag 50,plasma collection bag 51, and bags containing saline, anticoagulation fluid to form a closed-loop extracorporeal fluid circuit (FIG. 27 ). -
Pump tube loops side wall 1104 ofhousing 1101.Pump tube loops photopheresis kit 1000 during therapy. More specifically, whencassette 1100 is secured todeck 1200 for operation, each one of saidpump tube loops peristaltic pump FIG. 4 ).Peristaltic pumps pump tube loops FIG. 1 ) as necessary. The operation and automatic loading and unloading ofperistaltic pumps FIGS. 28-33 . - Turning now to
FIG. 3 ,cassette 1100 is shown withhousing 1101 in an exploded state. For ease of illustration and description, the internal tubular circuitry withinhousing 1101 is not illustrated inFIG. 3 . The internal tubular circuitry is illustrated inFIG. 4 and will be discussed in relation thereto.Cassette 1100 hasfilter assembly 1500 positioned therein and in fluid connection withinlet tube 1106,outlet tube 1114, and one end of each ofpump tube loops Filter assembly 1500 comprisesvent chambers Filter assembly 1500, and its functioning, is discussed in detail below with respect toFIGS. 6-10 . -
Housing 1101 comprisescover 1130 andbase 1131.Cover 1130 hastop surface 1105, a bottom surface 1160 (FIG. 5 ), andside wall 1104.Cover 1130 hasopenings vent chambers filter assembly 1500 to extend therethrough.Side wall 1104 has a plurality oftube slots 1134 to allow the inlet tubes, outlet tubes, and pump loop tubes to pass into the internal space ofhousing 1101 for connection with the internal tubular circuitry located therein. Only afew tube slots 1134 are labeled inFIG. 3 to avoid numerical crowding.Tabs side wall 1104 so as not to interfere withtube slots 1134.Cover 1130 has occlusion bars 1162 and 1162A extending from bottom surface 1160 (FIG. 5 ). Occlusion bars 1162 and 1162A are preferably molded intobottom surface 1160 ofcover 1130 during its formation. -
Base 1131 has a plurality of U-shaped tube-holders 1135 extending upward fromtop surface 1136.U-shaped tube holders 1135 hold the inlet tubes, outlet tubes, pump loop tubes, filter assembly, and internal tubular circuitry in place. Only a fewU-shaped holders 1135 are labeled inFIG. 3 to avoid numerical crowding. Preferably, aU-shaped holder 1135 is provided onbase 1131 at each location where an inlet tube, an outlet tube, or a pump loop tube passes through atube slot 1134 onside wall 1104.Male extrusions 1136 protrude fromtop surface 1136 ofbase 1131 for mating with correspondingfemale holes 1161 located onbottom surface 1160 of cover 1130 (FIG. 5 ). Preferably, amale protrusion 1136 is located at or near each of the four corners ofbase 1130 and nearfilter 1500.Male protrusions 1136 mate with thefemale holes 1161 to form a snap-fit andsecure base 1131 to cover 1130. -
Base 1131 further comprises ahub 1140.Hub 1140 is a five-way tube connector used to connect five tubes of the internal tubular circuitry. Preferably, threeapertures 1137 are located near and surround three of the tubes leading intohub 1140.Hub 1140 acts as a centralized junction which can be used, in conjunction with compression actuators 1240-1247 (FIG. 22 ), to direct fluids throughphotopheresis kit 1000 and to and from the patient. In addition tohub 1140, appropriate tube connectors, such as T-connectors 1141 and Y-connector 1142, are used to obtain the desired flexible tubing pathways. - Five
apertures 1137 are located on the floor ofbase 1130. Eachaperture 1137 is surrounded by anaperture wall 1138 havingslots 1139 for passing portions of the internal tubular circuitry therethrough. Anelongated aperture 1157 is also provided on the floor ofbase 1131.Apertures 1137 are located onbase 1131 to align with corresponding compression actuators 1243-1247 of deck 1200 (FIG. 22 ).Aperture 1157 is located onbase 1131 to align with compression actuators 1240-1242 of deck 1200 (FIG. 22 ). Eachaperture 1137 is sized so that a single compression actuator 1243-1247 can extend therethrough.Aperture 1157 is sized so that three compression actuators 1240-1242 can extend therethrough. Compression actuators 1240-1247 are used to close/occlude and open certain fluid passageways of the internal tubular circuitry in order to facilitate or prohibit fluid flow along a desired path. When it is desired to have a certain passageway open so that fluid can flow therethrough, the compression actuator 1240-1247 for that passageway is in a lowered position However, when it is desired to have a certain fluid passageway closed so that fluid can not flow therethrough, the appropriate compression actuator 1240-1247 is raised, extending the compression actuator 1240-1247 throughaperture FIG. 5 ) ofcover 1130, thereby closing that passageway. Preferably,occlusion bars 1163 and 1173 (FIG. 5 ) are positioned onbottom surface 1160 to align with the compression actuators 1240-1247 so that the portion of flexible tubing being occluded is compressed againstocclusion bar - It is preferable for
cassette 1100 to have a unique identifier that can communicate with and relay information topermanent tower system 2000. The unique identifier is provided to ensure that the disposable photopheresis kit is compatible with the blood drive equipment into which it is being loaded, and that the photopheresis kit is capable of running the desired treatment process. The unique identifier can also be used as a means to ensure that the disposable photopheresis kit is of a certain brand name or make. In the illustrated example, the unique identifier is embodied as data card 1195 (FIG. 2 ) that is inserted into datacard receiving port 2001 of permanent tower system 2000 (FIG. 17 ).Data card 1195 has both read and write capabilities and can store data relating to the treatment therapy performed for future analysis. The unique identifier can also take on a variety of forms, including, for example, a microchip that interacts with the blood drive equipment when the kit is loaded, a bar code, or a serial number. -
Cover 1130 hasdata card holder 1134 for holding data card 1195 (FIG. 1 ).Data card holder 1134 comprises four elevated ridges in a segmented rectangular shape for receiving and holdingdata card 1195 tocassette 1100.Data card holder 1134 holdsdata card 1195 in place via a snap-fit (FIG. 2 ). - Referring now to
FIGS. 1 and 4 , the internal tubular circuitry ofcassette 1100 will now be discussed. At least a portion of the internal tubular circuitry is preferably made of flexible plastic tubing that can be pinched shut by the exertion of pressure without compromising the hermetic integrity of the tube.Base 1131 ofcassette 1100 is illustrated inFIG. 4 so that the internal tubular circuitry can be viewed.Inlet tubes outlet tube 1115 are provided forcoupling cassette 1100 to centrifuge bowl 10 (FIG. 1 ). More specifically,outlet tube 1115 is provide for delivering whole blood fromcassette 1100 tocentrifuge bowl 10, andinlet tubes cassette 1100 for further routing throughphotopheresis kit 1000. The lower density blood components can include, for example, plasma, leukocytes, platelets, buffy coat, or any combination thereof. The higher density components can include, for example, red blood cells.Outlet tube 1117 andinlet tube 1112fluidly couple cassette 1100 toirradiation chamber 700. More specifically,outlet tube 1117 is provided for delivering an untreated lower density blood component, for example buffy coat, toirradiation chamber 700 for exposure to photo energy, whileinlet tube 1112 is provided for returning the treated lower density blood component tocassette 1100 for further routing. -
Inlet tube 1111 andoutlet tube 1116couple treatment bag 50 tocassette 1100.Outlet tube 1116 is provided to deliver an untreated low density blood component, for example buffy coat, totreatment bag 50.Outlet tube 1116 has hematocrit (“HCT”)sensor 1125 operably connected thereto to monitor for the introduction of a high density blood component, such as red blood cells.HCT sensor 1125 is a photo sensor assembly and is operably coupled to a controller.HCT sensor 1125 sends a detection signal to the controller when red blood cells are detected inoutlet tube 1116 and the controller will take the appropriate action.Inlet tube 1111 is provided to return the untreated low density blood component fromtreatment bag 50 tocassette 1100 for further routing.Inlet tubes spikes cassette 1100 for further routing to the patient. - Inlet/
Outlet tube 1113 andoutlet tube 1118 coupleplasma collection bag 50 tocassette 1100. More specifically,outlet tube 1118 delivers a blood component, such as plasma, toplasma collection bag 51. Inlet/Outlet tube 1113 can be used to either deliver red blood cells toplasma collection bag 51 fromcassette 1100 or return the blood component(s) that build up inplasma collection bag 51 tocassette 1100 for further routing.Inlet tube 1106 andoutlet tubes outlet tube 1114 is provided to return treated blood, saline, untreated blood components, treated blood components, and other fluids back to the patient.Inlet tube 1106 is provided for delivering untreated whole blood (and a predetermined amount of an anticoagulant fluid) from the patient tocassette 1100 for routing and treatment withinphotopheresis kit 1000.Outlet tube 1119 is specifically provided for delivering an anticoagulant fluid toinlet tube 1106. It is preferable that all tubing is disposable medical grade sterile tubing. Flexible plastic tubing is the most preferred. -
Cassette 1100 has fivepump tube loops cassette 1100 andphotopheresis kit 1000. More specifically,pump tube loop 1121 loads intowhole blood pump 1301 and respectively drives whole blood in and out ofcassette 1100 viainlet tube 1106 andoutlet tube 1115, passing throughfilter 1500 along the way.Pump loop tube 1120 loads intoreturn pump 1302 and drives blood fluids throughfilter 1500 and back to the patient viaoutlet tube 1114.Pump loop tube 1122 loads into redblood cell pump 1305 and draws red blood cells fromcentrifuge bowl 10 and drives them intocassette 1100 viainlet line 1108.Pump loop tube 1123 loads intoanticoagulant pump 1304 and drives an anticoagulant fluid intocassette 1100 viainlet tube 1124 and out ofcassette 1100 to viaoutlet tube 1119, which connects withinlet tube 1106.Pump loop tube 1124 loads intorecirculation pump 1303 and drives blood fluids, such as plasma, throughtreatment bag 50 andirradiation chamber 700 fromcassette 1100. - Each of peristaltic pumps 1301-1305 are activated when necessary to perform the photopheresis treatment therapy according to an embodiment of the method of the present invention which is described below in relation to
FIGS. 26-27 . Peristaltic pumps 1301-1305 can be operated one at a time or in any combination. The pumps 1301-1305 work in conjunction with compression actuators 1240-1247 to direct fluids through desired pathways ofphotopheresis kit 1000.Apertures base 1131 along the internal tubular circuitry to facilitate proper routing. Through the use of compression actuators 1240-1247, the fluids can be directed along any pathway or combination thereof. - The Filter Assembly
-
Filter 1500, which is located withincassette 1100 as described above, is illustrated in detail inFIGS. 6-10 . Referring first toFIGS. 6 and 7 ,filter 1500 is illustrated fully assembled.Filter 1500 comprises afilter housing 1501.Filter housing 1501 is preferably constructed of a transparent or translucent medical grade plastic. However, the invention is not so limited and filterhousing 1501 can be constructed of any material that will not contaminate blood or other fluids that are flowing therethrough. -
Filter housing 1501 has four fluid connection ports extruding therefrom, namely wholeblood inlet port 1502, wholeblood outlet port 1503, treatedfluid inlet port 1504, and treatedfluid outlet port 1505. Ports 1502-1505 are standard medical tubing connection ports that allow medical tubing to be fluidly connected thereto. Ports 1502-1505 respectively containopenings Openings ports filter housing 1501 at the desired locations. -
Ports filter 1500 withincassette 1100. In doing so,ports U-shaped fasteners 1135 of cassette 1100 (FIG. 3 ).Filter housing 1501 also has aprotrusion 1510 extending the bottom surface ofhousing floor 1518.Protrusion 1510 fits into a guide hole ofbase 1131 of cassette 1100 (FIG. 3 ). - Referring now to
FIG. 8 ,filter 1500 is illustrated in an exploded state.Filter housing 1501 is a two-pieceassembly comprising roof 1511 andbase 1512.Roof 1511 is connected to base 1512 by any means known in the art, such as ultrasonic welding, heat welding, applying an adhesive, or by designingroof 1511 and base 1512 so that a tight fit results between the two. Whilefilter housing 1501 is illustrated as a two-piece assembly, filterhousing 1501 can be either a single piece structure or a multi-piece assembly. -
Base 1512 haschamber separation wall 1513 extending upward from a top surface of housing floor 1518 (FIG. 7 ). When base 1512 androof 1511 are assembled,top surface 1515 ofchamber separation wall 1513 contacts the bottom surface ofroof 1511, forming two chambers within the filter housing,whole blood chamber 1516 andfilter chamber 1517. Fluid can not directly pass betweenwhole blood chamber 1516 andfilter chamber 1517. -
Whole blood chamber 1516 is a substantially L-shapedchamber having floor 1514.Whole blood chamber 1516 has a wholeblood inlet hole 1519 and a whole blood outlet hole (not illustrated) infloor 1514. Wholeblood inlet hole 1519 and the whole blood outlet hole are located at or near the ends of the substantially L-shapedwhole blood chamber 1516. Wholeblood inlet hole 1519 forms a passageway with opening 1506 ofinlet port 1502 so that a fluid can flow intowhole blood chamber 1516. Similarly, the whole blood outlet hole (not illustrated) forms a passageway with opening 1507 ofoutlet port 1503 so that fluid can flow out ofwhole blood chamber 1516. -
Filter chamber 1517 hasfloor 1520.Floor 1520 has elevatedridge 1521 extending upward therefrom.Elevated ridge 1521 is rectangular and forms a perimeter. Whileelevated ridge 1521 is rectangular in the illustrated embodiment,elevated ridge 1521 can be any shape so long as it forms an enclosed perimeter. The height ofelevated ridge 1521 is less than the height ofchamber separation wall 1513. As such, whenroof 1511 andbase 1512 are assembled, space exists between the top ofelevated ridge 1521 and the bottom surface ofroof 1511.Elevated ridge 1521 andchamber separation wall 1513 form atrench 1524 there between. - In order to facilitate fluid flow through
filter chamber 1517,floor 1520 offilter chamber 1517 has treatedfluid inlet hole 1522 and treatedfluid outlet hole 1523. Treatedfluid inlet hole 1522 is located exterior of the perimeter formed byelevated ridge 1521 and forms a passageway with opening 1508 ofinlet port 1504 so that a fluid can flow intofilter chamber 1517 fromoutside filter housing 1501. Treatedfluid outlet hole 1523 is located interior of the perimeter formed byelevated ridge 1521 and forms a passageway with opening 1509 ofoutlet port 1505 so that a fluid can flow out offilter chamber 1517. -
Filter 1500 further comprisesfilter element 1530.Filter element 1530 comprisesframe 1531 havingfilter media 1532 positioned therein.Frame 1531 has aneck 1534 that forms afilter inlet hole 1533.Filter element 1530 is positioned infilter chamber 1517 so thatframe 1531 fits intotrench 1524 andneck 1534 surrounds treatedblood inlet hole 1522.Filter inlet hole 1533 is aligned with treatedfluid inlet hole 1522 so that incoming fluid can freely flow throughholes filter chamber 1517.Frame 1531 offilter element 1530 forms a hermetic fit withelevated ridge 1521. All fluid that entersfilter chamber 1517 throughholes filter media 1532 in order to exitfilter chamber 1517 via treatedfluid outlet hole 1523.Filter media 1532 preferably has a pore size of approximately 200 microns.Filter media 1532 can be formed of woven mesh, such as woven polyester. -
Filter chamber 1517 further comprisesfilter vent chamber 1540 withinroof 1511.Filter vent chamber 1540 hasgas vent 1541 in the form of a hole (FIG. 9 ). Becausegas vent 1541 opens intofilter vent chamber 1540 which in turn opens intofilter chamber 1517, gases that build-up withinfilter chamber 1517 can escape throughgas vent 1541. Similarly,whole blood chamber 1516 comprisesblood vent chamber 1542 withinroof 1511.Blood vent chamber 1541 hasgas vent 1543 in the form of a hole. Becausegas vent 1543 opens intoblood vent chamber 1542 which in turn opens intowhole blood chamber 1517, gases that build-up inwhole blood chamber 1516 can escape viagas vent 1543. -
FIG. 10 is a top view offilter 1500 havingpressure sensors gas vents Pressure sensors Pressure sensor 1550 is connected togas vent 1541 viavent tubing 1552.Vent tubing 1552 fits intogas vent 1541 so as to form a tight fit and seal. Becausegas vent 1541 opens intofilter vent chamber 1540 which in turn opens intofilter chamber 1517, the pressure invent tubing 1552 is the same as infilter chamber 1517. By measuring the pressure invent tubing 1552,pressure sensor 1550 also measures the pressure withinfilter chamber 1517. Similarly,pressure sensor 1551 is connected togas vent 1543 viavent tubing 1553.Vent tubing 1553 fits intogas vent 1543 so as to form a tight fit and seal andpressure sensor 1551 measures the pressure withinwhole blood chamber 1516.Filter vent chamber 1540 andblood vent chamber 1542 extend throughopenings cassette 1100 whenfilter 1500 is positioned therein (FIG. 2 ). This allows the pressure withinchambers filter chamber 1500 and the fluid connections thereto. -
Pressure sensors controller 1554, which is a properly programmed processor.Controller 1554 can be a main processor used to drive the entire system or can be a separate processor coupled to a main processor.Pressure sensors chambers Controller 1554 receives on a frequent or continuous basis data representing the pressure withinchambers Controller 1554 is programmed with values representing desired pressures withinchambers Controller 1554 continuously analyzes the pressure data it receives frompressure sensors chambers Controller 1554 is also coupled towhole blood pump 1301 and returnpump 1302. In response to the pressure data received frompressure sensors controller 1554 is programmed to control the speed ofwhole blood pump 1301 and returnpump 1302, thereby adjusting the flow rates through thepumps whole blood chambers 1516 andfilter chamber 1517 respectively. It is in this way that the pressure within the lines drawing and returning blood to and from the patient is maintained at acceptable levels. - The functioning of
filter 1500 during a photopheresis therapy session will now be discussed in relation toFIGS. 1, 6 , and 10. While the functioning offilter 1500 will be described in detail with respect to drawing whole blood from a patient and returning a component of said whole blood back into the patient after it is treated, the invention is not so limited.Filter 1500 can be used in connection with almost any fluid, including red blood cells, white blood cells, buffy coat, plasma, or a combination thereof. - Whole blood pump 1601 draws whole blood from a patient who is connected to
photopheresis kit 1000 via a needle connected toport 1193. The rotational speed of whole blood pump is set so that the pressure of the line drawing the whole blood from the patient is at an acceptable level. Upon being drawn from the patient, the whole blood passes intocassette 1100 viainlet tube 1106.Inlet tube 1106 is fluidly connected toinlet port 1502 offilter 1500. The whole blood passes throughopening 1506 ofinlet port 1502 and into L-shapedwhole blood chamber 1516. The whole blood enterschamber 1516 throughinlet hole 1519 which is located onfloor 1514. As more whole blood enterschamber 1516, the whole blood spills alongfloor 1514 until it reaches the whole blood outlet hole (not illustrated) at the other end of L-shapedwhole blood chamber 1516. As discussed above, the whole blood outlet whole forms a passageway with opening 1507 ofoutlet port 1503. The whole blood that is withinchamber 1516 flows acrossfloor 1514, through the whole blood outlet hole, intooutlet port 1503, and out offilter 1500 throughopening 1507. - As the whole blood passes through
whole blood chamber 1516, gases that are trapped in the whole blood escape. These gases collect inblood vent chamber 1542 and then escape viagas vent 1543.Pressure sensor 1551 continuously monitors the pressure withinblood chamber 1516 throughvent tube 1553 and transmits corresponding pressure data tocontroller 1554.Controller 1554 analyzes the received pressure data and if necessary adjusts the speed ofwhole blood pump 1301, thereby adjusting the flow rate and pressure withinchamber 1516 andinlet tube 1106.Controller 1554 adjust the pump speed to ensure that the pressure is within the desired pressure range. - The whole blood then exits
filter 1500 throughoutlet port 1503 and passes out ofcassette 1100 viaoutlet tube 1115. The whole blood is then separated into components and/or treated as described in detail below. Before being returned to the patient, this treated fluid (i.e. treated blood or blood components) must be filtered. Untreated fluids such as red blood cells also must be filtered and will subjected to the below filtering process. The treated fluid is fed intofilter chamber 1517 through opening 1508 ofinlet port 1504.Inlet port 1504 is fluidly connected to pumploop tube 1120. The treated fluid entersfilter chamber 1517 throughinlet hole 1522 and passes throughfilter inlet hole 1533 offilter element 1530. The treated fluid fillsfilter chamber 1517 until it spills overframe 1531 offilter element 1530, which is secured toelevated ridge 1521. The treated fluid passes throughfilter media 1532.Filter media 1532 removes contaminants and other undesired materials from the treated fluid while at the same facilitating the release of trapped gases from the treated fluid. The treated fluid that passes throughfilter media 1532 gathers onfloor 1520 offilter chamber 1517 within the perimeter formed byelevated ridge 1521. This treated fluid then passes into treatedfluid outlet hole 1523 and out offilter 1500 through opening 1506 ofoutlet port 1502. The treated fluid is then returned to the patient viaoutlet tube 1114, which is fluidly connected tooutlet port 1502. The treated fluid is driven throughfilter chamber 1517 andoutlet tube 1114 byreturn pump 1302. - Gases that are trapped in the treated fluid escape and collect in
filter vent chamber 1540 as the treated fluid flows throughfilter chamber 1517. These gases then escapefilter 1500 viagas vent 1541.Pressure sensor 1550 continuously monitors the pressure withinfilter chamber 1517 throughvent tube 1552 and transmits corresponding pressure data tocontroller 1554.Controller 1554 analyzes the received pressure data and compares it to the desired pressure value and range. If necessary,controller 1554 adjusts the speed ofreturn pump 1302, thereby adjusting the flow rate and pressure withinchamber 1517 andoutlet tube 1114. - Irradiation Chamber
-
FIGS. 11-16 illustrateirradiation chamber 700 ofphotopheresis kit 1000 in detail. Referring first toFIG. 11 ,irradiation chamber 700 is formed by joining two plates, a front and a back plate having a thickness of preferably about 0.06 in. to about 0.2 in., which are preferably comprised of a material ideally transparent to the wavelength of electromagnetic radiation. In the case of ultraviolet A radiation, polycarbonate has been found most preferred although other materials such as acrylic may be employed. Similarly, many known methods of bonding may be employed and need not be expanded on here. - The
first plate 702 has afirst surface 712 and asecond surface 714. In a preferred embodiment thefirst plate 702 has afirst port 705 on afirst surface 712, in fluid communications with thesecond surface 714. Thesecond surface 714 of thefirst plate 702 has a raisedboundary 726A defining an enclosure. Theboundary 726A preferably extends substantially perpendicular from the second surface 714 (i.e. about 80-100 degrees). Extending from the second surface 714 (preferably substantially perpendicularly) are raisedpartitions 720A. Theboundary 726A surrounds thepartitions 720A. One end of eachpartition 720A extends and contacts theboundary 726A. - The
second plate 701 has afirst surface 711 and asecond surface 713. In a preferred embodiment thesecond plate 701 preferably has asecond port 730 on afirst surface 711, in fluid communications with thesecond surface 713. Thesecond surface 713 of theback plate 701 has a raisedboundary 726B defining an enclosure. Theboundary 726B preferably extends substantially perpendicular from the second surface 713 (i.e. about 80-100 degrees). Extending from the second surface 713 (preferably substantially perpendicular) are raised partitions (720B). Theboundary 726B surrounds thepartitions 720B. One end of eachpartition 720A extends and contacts one side of boundary (726B). - The joining of the second surfaces of the first and second plates results in a fluid tight junction between
boundaries boundary 726.Partitions partition 720. Theboundary 726 forms anirradiation chamber 700 and together with thepartitions 720 provides apathway 710 havingchannels 715 for conducting fluid. The pathway maybe serpentine, zig-zag, or dove-tailed. Currently preferred is a serpentine pathway. - With reference to
FIGS. 11 and 12 ,irradiation chamber 700 comprises aserpentine pathway 710 for conducting patient fluid, such as buffy coat or white blood cells, frominlet port 705 tooutlet port 730, i.e., theserpentine pathway 710 is in fluid communication withinlet port 705 offront plate 702 andoutlet port 730 ofback plate 701. Patient fluid is supplied fromcassette 1100 toinlet port 705 viaoutlet tube 1117. After photoactivation and passing throughserpentine pathway 710, the treated patient fluid is returned tocassette 1100 via inlet tube 1112 (FIGS. 1 and 4 ). The patient fluid is driven byrecirculation pump 1303. Self-shielding effects of the cells is reduced while the cells are photoactivated by irradiation impinging upon both sides ofirradiation chamber 700. -
FIG. 11 showspin 740 andrecess 735 which align the two plates of irradiation chamber prior to being joined together in a sealing arrangement by RF welding, heat impulse welding, solvent welding or adhesive bonding. Joining of the plates by adhesive bonding and RF welding is more preferred. Joining of the front and back plates by RF welding is most preferred as the design of the raisedpartitions 720 and perimeter 725 minimizes flashing and allows for even application of RF energy. Locations ofpin 740 andrecess 735 may be insideserpentine pathway 710 or outside ofserpentine pathway 710.FIG. 2 also shows a view of an irradiation chamber with axis L. Rotation ofchamber 700 180 degree about axis L gives the original configuration of the irradiation chamber. The irradiation chamber of the present invention has C2 symmetry about axis L. - Referring to
FIGS. 11, 13 , and 16, the leukocyte enriched blood, plasma, and priming solution are delivered throughinlet port 705 offront plate 702 ofirradiation chamber 700 intochannel 715. Thechannel 715 in theirradiation chamber 700 is relatively “thin” (e.g. on the order of approximately 0.04″ as distance between two plates) in order to present large surface area of leukocyte rich blood to irradiation and reduce the self-shielding effects encountered with lower surface area/volume ratios. The cross section shape ofchannel 715 is substantially rectangular (e.g. rectangular, rhomboidal or trapezoidal) which has as its long side the distance betweenpartition 720 and the distance between the plates as its short side. The shape of the cross section is designed for optimal irradiation of cells passing throughchannel 715. While aserpentine pathway 710 is preferred in order to avoid or minimize stagnant areas of flow, other arrangements are contemplated. - The
irradiation chamber 700 allows efficient activation of photoactivatable agents by irradiation from a light array assembly, such as the PHOTOSETTE®'s two banks of UVA lamps (758) for activation (FIG. 16 ). The irradiation plate and UVA light assembly (759) are designed to be used in a setting whereedge 706 is oriented downward and edge 707 points upward. In this orientation, fluids enteringinput port 705 can exit fromoutlet port 730 with the aid of gravity. In the most preferred embodiment, irradiation of both sides of the irradiation chamber takes place concurrently while still permitting facile removal of the chamber. UVAlight assembly 759 is located withinUV chamber 750 of permanent tower system 2000 (FIGS. 17 and 18 ). - The irradiation chamber's fluid pathway loops to form two or more channels in which the leukocyte-enriched blood is circulated during photoactivation by UVA light. Preferably,
irradiation chamber 700 has between 4 to 12 channels. More preferably, the irradiation chamber has 6 to 8 channels. Most preferably, the irradiation chamber has 8 channels. -
FIG. 14 shows cut-away views of the irradiation chamber. Thechannels 715 ofserpentine pathway 710 are formed by the joining of raisedpartition 720 andperimeter 726 of the plates. - The irradiation chamber of the present invention can be made from a biocompatible material and can be sterilized by known methods such as heating, radiation exposure or treatment with ethylene oxide (ETO).
- The method of irradiating cells using
irradiation chamber 700 during extracorporeal treatment of cells with electromagnetic radiation (UVA) to be used in the treatment of a patient (such as to induce apoptosis in the cells and administer the cells into the patient) will now be discussed. Preferably the cells treated will be white cells. - In one embodiment of this method, a photoactivatable or photosensitive compound is first administered to at least a portion of the blood of a recipient prior to the extracorporeal treatment of the cells. The photoactivatable or photosensitive compound may be administered in vivo (e.g., orally or intravenously). The photosensitive compound, when administered in vivo may be administered orally, but also may be administered intravenously and/or by other conventional administration routes. The oral dosage of the photosensitive compound may be in the range of about 0.3 to about 0.7 mg/kg., more specifically, about 0.6 mg/kg.
- When administered orally, the photosensitive compound may be administered at least about one hour prior to the photopheresis treatment and no more than about three hours prior to the photopheresis treatment. If administered intravenously, the times would be shorter. Alternatively, the photosensitive compound may be administered prior to or contemporaneously with exposure to ultraviolet light. The photosensitive compound may be administered to whole blood or a fraction thereof provided that the target blood cells or blood components receive the photosensitive compound. A portion of the blood could first be processed using known methods to substantially remove the erythrocytes and the photoactive compound may then be administered to the resulting enriched leukocyte fraction. In one embodiment, the blood cells comprise white blood cells, specifically, T-cells.
- The photoactivatable or photosensitive compound may, in the case of some psoralens, be capable of binding to nucleic acids upon activation by exposure to electromagnetic radiation of a prescribed spectrum, e.g., ultraviolet light.
- Photoactive compounds may include, but are not limited to, compounds known as psoralens (or furocoumarins) as well as psoralen derivatives such as those described in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,321,919 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,399,719. The photoactivatable or photosensitive compounds that may be used in accordance with the present invention include, but are not limited to, psoralen and psoralen derivatives; 8-methoxypsoralen; 4,5′8-trimethylpsoralen; 5-methoxypsoralen; 4-methylpsoralen; 4,4-dimethylpsoralen; 4-5′-dimethylpsoralen; 4′-aminomethyl-4,5′,8-trimethylpsoralen; 4′-hydroxymethyl-4,5′,8-trimethylpsoralen; 4′,8-methoxypsoralen; and a 4′-(omega-amino-2-oxa)alkyl-4,5′,8-trimethylpsoralen, including but not limited to 4′-(4-amino-2-oxa)butyl-4,5′,8-trimethylpsoralen. In one embodiment, the photosensitive compound that may be used comprises the psoralen derivative, amotosalen (S-59) (Cerus, Corp., Concord, Calif.). See, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,552,286; 6,469,052; and 6,420,570. In another embodiment, the photosensitive compound that may be used in accordance with the invention comprises 8-methoxypsoralen.
- Methoxsalen is a naturally occurring photoactive substance found in the seed of the Ammi majus (umbelliferae plant). It belongs to a class of compounds known as psoralens or furocoumarins. The chemical name is 9-methoxy-7H-furo[3,2-g][1]-benzopyran-7-one. The formulation of the drug is a sterile liquid at a concentration of 20 mcg/mL in a 10 mL vial. See http://www.therakos.com/TherakosUS/pdf/uvadexpi.pdf. Toxicology studies of extracorporeal photopheresis and different dosages of UVADEX® and ultraviolet light in beagle dogs is located in the investigator's brochure.
- Next, the portion of the subject's blood, recipient's blood, or the donor's blood to which the photoactive compound has been administered is treated by subjecting the portion of the blood to photopheresis using ultraviolet light. The photopheresis treatment may be carried out using long wavelength ultraviolet light (UVA) at a wavelength within the range of 320 to 400 nm. Such a range is not limiting, however, but is merely provided as an example. The exposure to ultraviolet light during the photopheresis treatment may have a duration of sufficient length to deliver, for example, about 1-2 J/cm2 to the blood.
- The photopheresis step is carried out in vitro by installing
irradiation chamber 700 intophotoactivation chamber 750 of permanent tower system 2000 (FIGS. 17 and 18 ). In one embodiment, when the photopheresis step is carried out in vitro, at least a fraction of the treated blood is returned to the subject, recipient, or donor. The treated blood or the treated enriched leukocyte fraction (as the case may be) may then be administered back to the subject, recipient, or donor. - The photopheresis process consists of three phases including: 1) the collection of a buffy-coat fraction (leukocyte-enriched), 2) irradiation of the collected buffy coat fraction, and 3) reinfusion of the treated white blood cells. This process will be discussed below in greater detail. Generally, whole blood is centrifuged and separated in
centrifuge bowl 10. A total of approximately 240 ml of buffy coat and 300 ml of plasma are separated and saved for UVA irradiation. - The collected plasma and buffy coat are mixed with heparinized normal saline and UVADEX®. (water soluble 8-methoxypsoralin). This mixture flows in a 1.4 mm thick layer through the irradiation chamber of the present invention. The
irradiation chamber 700, is inserted inphotoactivation chamber 750 oftower system 2000 between two banks of UVA lamps of the PHOTOSETTE® (FIG. 15 ). PHOTOSETTE® UVA lamps irradiate both sides of this UVA-transparent irradiation chamber 700, permitting exposure to ultraviolet A light, yielding an average exposure per lymphocyte of 1-2 J/cm2. Following the photoactivation period, the cells are removed from theirradiation chamber 700. - In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the cells are removed by the action of gravity and any cells remaining in the chamber are displaced from the chamber with additional fluid selected from the group consisting of saline, plasma, and combinations thereof. For patients who are small such as children (e.g. under 30 kg) or patients whose vascular system is easily overloaded with fluids the amount of additional fluid used to was the irradiation chamber will preferably be not more than 2× the volume of the chamber, preferably not more than 1× the volume of the chamber, more preferably not more than 0.5× the volume of the chamber 0.25× the volume of the chamber. The treated cells volume is reinfused to the patient.
- For a description of similar photopheresis systems and methods, see U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/480,893, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. Also useful herein are the methods and systems described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,951,509; 5,985,914; 5,984,887, 4,464,166; 4,428,744; 4,398,906; 4,321,919; PCT Publication Nos. WO 97/36634; and WO 97/36581, all of which are entirely expressly incorporated herein by reference.
- The effective amount of light energy that is delivered to the biological fluids may be determined using the methods and systems described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,219,584, which is entirely expressly incorporated herein by reference. Indeed, the application of ECP to the various diseases described herein may require an adjustment of the amount of light energy to optimize the treatment process.
- Furthermore, the photosensitizing agent used in the ECP process may be removed prior to returning the treated biological fluid to the patient. For example, Methoxsalen (UVADEX®) is utilized in the ECP process. Methoxsalen belong to a group of compounds known as psoralens. The exposure to methoxsalen or other psoralens may cause undesirable effects on the subject, recipient, or donor such as phototoxicity or other toxic effects associated with psoralen and their decomposition products. Therefore, the psoralen, psoralen derivatives, or psoralen decomposition products that may remain in the biological fluid may be removed after UV exposure. A process for the removal of psoralen biological fluids is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,228,995, which is entirely expressly incorporated herein by reference.
- Centrifuge Bowl
- In a specific embodiment, the present invention relates to methods and apparatus that separate fluid components, such as, for example, the components of a biological fluid by density or weight. Biological fluids encompass fluids that comprise, exist in, or are used in, or delivered to living organisms. Indeed, biological fluids may comprise bodily fluids and their components, such as blood cells, plasma, and other fluids that comprise biological components, including living organisms such as bacteria, cells, or other cellular components. Biological fluids may also comprise whole blood or specific whole blood components, including red blood cells, platelets, white blood cells, and precursor cells. In particular, it may be desirable to remove blood from a patient for treatment, such as for example, extracorporeal treatment. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention is adaptable to use with various centrifugal processing apparatus, and the specific example given herein is merely for illustrative purposes. Other uses for the separation techniques and apparatus may include other medical processes such as dialysis, chemotherapy, platelet separation and removal, and separation and removal of other specific cells. Additionally, the present invention may be used to separate other types of fluids that include a wide variety of non-medical uses, such as, for example, oil and fluid component separation. All components used in the present invention should not adversely affect biological fluids or render them unsuitable for their intended uses, such as those described herein and may be made of any suitable material compatible with uses described herein including, but not limited to plastics, such as polycarbonate, methyl methacrylate, styrene-acrylonitrile, acrylic, styrene, acrylonitrile or any other plastic. Where parts of the present invention are indicated to be attached together and form a fluid tight seal any appropriate conventional means of joining the parts may be used including but not limited to, adhesives, ultrasonic welding or RF welding.
- The present invention has several advantages over centrifuges what use conventional Latham bowl. The Latham bowl in the UVAR® XTS™ system has one inlet port that allows whole blood to come into the bowl and one outlet port that allows plasma and buffy coat to come out. Having only two ports limits the volume of buffy coat that can be collected per cycle. Each cycle involves filling the bowl with whole blood; 2) spinning the bowl to separate whole blood into plasma, buffy coat, and red blood cells; 3) collecting buffy coat for treatment, 4) bringing the bowl to rest; and 5) returning collected plasma and red blood cells. This buffy coat collection method may be characterized as being “batch-like” as the volume of buffy coat required for irradiation treatment can only be collected after several cycles of buffy coat collection. The limited volume of collected buffy coat per cycle results from the accumulated red blood cells remained inside the bowl. Thus the accumulated red blood cells that can only be emptied at the end of a buffy coat collection cycle is an inherent limitation of the Latham Bowl.
- The bowl of the instant invention has three separate fluid conduits that can be used as an inlet port and two outlet ports. The additional fluid conduits allows for 1) reduce patient treatment time by having continuous spinning during the entire buffy coat collection process without having to stop spinning the bowl for removal of accumulated red blood cells; 2) treat small blood volume patients; by having collected red blood cells returned to patients continuously, these patients may be more amenable to medical treatments requiring the use of the buffy coat or fractions thereof such as extracorporeal photopheresis; 3) better separation of different components of fractions of cells within the buffy coat due to the increased spinning or rotation time and 4) the ability to separate high density red blood cells fractions from whole blood. This centrifuge bowl also provides the opportunity for reduced treatment time for any medical procedure requiring buffy coat fractions to be collected from patients that are substantially free of red blood cells, such as extra corporeal photopheresis.
- To achieve the objects in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein,
FIGS. 35 and 36 depict specific embodiments of the present invention. The embodiment depicted inFIG. 35 comprises acentrifuge bowl 10A,conduit assembly 860A,frame 910A andstationary restraint 918A. Thecentrifuge bowl 10A is in fluid communications withexternal conduit 20A ofconduit assembly 860A.Lower sleeve end 832A (FIG. 46 ) ofconnection sleeve 500A is secured to bowl 10A.Upper sleeve end 831A ofconnection sleeve 500A is secured toexternal conduit 20A, connecting theexternal conduit 20A to bowl 10A and providing fluid communications fromexternal conduit 20A to bowl 10A. The fluid communications enables fluid 800 to be supplied throughexternal conduit 20A to thebowl 10A. Similarly this fluid communications also enables separatedfluid components bowl 10A throughexternal conduit 20A.Bowl 10A andframe 910A are adapted to be rotated aroundcenter axis 11A. - Referring to
FIG. 36 ,bowl 10A comprisesouter housing 100A,connection sleeve 500A,top core 200A,bottom core 201A, andhousing floor 180A.Outer housing 100A may be constructed of any suitable biocompatible material as previously described for the purpose of the illustration inFIG. 36 theouter housing 100A is constructed of clear plastic so thatcores Outer housing 100A is attached to ahousing floor 180A, which in turn comprisesprotrusions 150A for lockingbowl 10A into a rotational device such asrotational device 900A.Bowl 10A is preferably simplified in construction and is easy to manufacture by molding or other known manufacturing processes, such that it may be disposable or used for a limited number of treatments, and is most preferably capable of containing about 125 ml of fluid, such fluid possibly being pressurized. In alternative embodiments, the volume capacity of the bowl may vary depending upon the health of the patient and his or her allowable extracorporeal volume. The volume capacity of the bowl may also vary depending upon the use of the bowl or the particular treatment for which the bowl is utilized. Additionally, to avoid contamination of biological fluids, or exposure of persons involved in the processing operation to the fluids, the transfer operations are preferably carried out within a sealed flow system, possibly pressurized, preferably formed of flexible plastic or similar material which can be disposed of after each use. - As is illustrated in
FIGS. 36 and 37 , theouter housing 100A is substantially conical having anupper housing end 110A, anouter housing wall 120A and a lower housing end 190A.Outer housing 100A may be made of plastic (such as those plastics listed previously), or any other suitable material.Upper housing end 110A has anouter surface 110B,inner surface 110C andhousing outlet 700A providing a passage between said surfaces. Preferably the upper housing will also have aneck 115A formed about thehousing outlet 700A. Thehousing outlet 700A andneck 115A are sized to allowbody 830A of theconnection sleeve 500A to pass through while retainingsleeve flange 790A, which extends from thebody 830A ofconnection sleeve 500A. In one embodiment of the present invention an o-ring 791A may be inserted between thesleeve flange 790A andinner surface 110C of thehousing end 110A to ensure a fluid tight seal is provided. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention illustrated inFIG. 53 , asecond sleeve flange 790B extends from thebody 830A ofconnection sleeve 500B distal to thesleeve flange 790A. Bothsleeve flange neck 115A and retain o-ring 791A therebetween. A fluid tight seal is provided in this embodiment by the o-ring contacting body 830A andinner surface 110C of thehousing end 110A adjacent to theneck 115A. However,connection sleeve 500A can be secured to bowl 10A by any suitable means, including for example, a lip, groove, or tight fit and adhesive with a component ofbowl 10A. The outer housing wall joins theupper housing end 110A and lower housing end 190A. Lower housing end 190A is attached to ahousing floor 180A of greater diameter thanupper end 110A.Housing floor 180A is adapted to mate with the lower housing end 190A and provide a fluid tight seal therewith. Any conventional means may be used to secure the lower housing end 190A to thehousing floor 180A, including but not limited to, adhesives, ultrasonic welding or RF welding.Housing floor 180A may have anindentation 185A that is used to collectdenser fluid 810. The diameter ofouter housing 100A increases from upper housing end 110A to lower housing end 190A. -
Outer housing 100A is adapted to rotatably connect to a rotational device 900 (FIG. 35 ), such as for example, a rotor drive system or arotating bracket 910. The rotatable connection may, for example, be a bearing that allows free rotation ofbowl 10A.Outer housing 100A preferably has a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism may be one ormore protrusions 150A designed to interact with corresponding indentations in a centrifuge container or any other suitable interconnect or locking mechanism or equivalent known in the art. The locking mechanism may also comprise a key slot 160 (FIG. 51 ). - Referring to
FIG. 37 ,outer housing 100A and thebase 180A define aninterior volume 710A in whichcores bowl 10A is assembled. When fully assembled,cores interior volume 710A ofouter housing 100A, occupying a coaxial volume ofinterior volume 710A aboutaxis 11A. - Referring to
FIGS. 38, 40 and 44, thetop core 200A andbottom core 201A are substantially conical and respectively have upper core ends 205A, 206A;outer core walls cores interior volume 710A ofbowl 10A and formingseparation volume 220A betweenupper end 205A andouter wall 210A oftop core 200A andouter wall 211A and lower core end 296A ofbottom core 201A andouter housing 100A.Separation volume 220A is that space ofinterior volume 710A that is betweencores outer housing 100A. - As depicted in
FIGS. 40 and 41 top core 200A comprises uppercore end 205A and alower core end 295A that are joined byouter core wall 210A. Theouter core wall 210A having anouter surface 210B andinner wall surface 210C and alower edge 210D. The diameter oftop core 200A preferably increases from uppercore end 205A tolower core end 295A. Uppercore end 205A also comprises anouter surface 205B and aninner surface 205C. Centrally located about center axis and extending perpendicularly from theupper surface 205B islumen connector 481A.Lumen connector 481A has atop surface 482A and awall surface 482B.Top surface 482A has twopassages core end 205A withsecond bowl channel 410A andfirst bowl channel 420A respectively.Second bowl channel 410A is a conduit that has aconduit wall 325A that extends perpendicularly from theinner surface 481C oflumen connector 481A. - As shown on
FIGS. 39B, 39A and 40, second bowl channel 410 has fluid communication withconduit channel 760A throughconduit 321A having afirst end 321B and asecond end 321C that is adapted to fit intopassage 325D oflumen connector 481A. Inoperation conduit channel 760A ofexternal conduit 20A has fluid communication withbowl channel 410A.First bowl channel 420A is a second conduit that has achannel wall 401A that extends substantially perpendicularly frominner surface 481C of thelumen connector 481A. As shown inFIGS. 39A, 39B and 40,first bowl channel 420A has fluid communication withconduit channel 780A ofexternal conduit 20A throughhollow cylinder 322A having a first end 322B and a second end 322C adapted to fit opening303 B top surface 482A. As is illustrated in one embodiment of the present invention,second bowl channel 410A is disposed withinfirst bowl channel 420A. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention illustrated inFIG. 53 ,conduit wall 325A may be composed ofupper part 325F andlower part 325G and be fused withchannel walls -
Top surface 482A also hasindentation 483A which provides fluid communications withchamber 740A. When assembled,chamber 740A is defined by lumen mountingrecess 851A less the volumes occupied byhollow cylinders connection sleeve 500A andlumen connector 481A.Chamber 740A has fluid communication withconduit channel 770A and withseparation volume 220A nearneck 115A throughindentation 483A. Thusindentation 483A forms a passageway for the removal of secondseparated fluid component 820 throughbowl chamber 740A. Optionally present on theouter surface 205B are a plurality ofspacers 207A which extend from the outer surface and contact theinner surface 110C of the upper housing end 110A to ensure fluid communications between theseparation volume 220A and the passageway formed by theindentations 483A. - In an alternative embodiment illustrated in
FIGS. 53, 54 and 55,conduits openings top surface 482A of thelumen connector 481A. Additionally,indentations 483A may form a plurality channels in thelumen connector 481A and be adapted to formchamber 740B when connected toconnection sleeve Chamber 740B is adapted to have one or more surfaces 742A that can mate with themale end 853A of theconnection sleeve 500A (male end 853A surrounds end 861 ofexternal conduit 20A). To facilitate the correct orientation of theconnection sleeve 500A to thelumen connector 481A the shape of themale end 853A andchamber 740B may be nonsymmetrical or as is illustrated inFIGS. 53, 54 and 55 aguide 855A may be provided which extends from the top surface of thelumen connector 481A and is adapted to fit within opening 857A of thesleeve flange 790A. - Referring back to
FIG. 40 , thelower core end 295A comprises anupper plate 299A having atop surface 298A, abottom surface 297A, and anedge 299B that attaches and makes direct contact withlower edge 210D of theouter core wall 210A. Theedge 299B of theupper plate 299A is adapted to be joined withlower edge 210D ofouter core wall 210A and form a fluid tight seal therewith. Extending perpendicularly from thetop surface 298A ofupper plate 299A is achannel wall 402A, having anupper end 402B and alower end 402C and surroundsopening 303A which is substantially in the center ofupper plate 299A. A number offins 403A, attached to the outside surface ofchannel wall 402A andtop surface 298A, supportslumen wall 402A. Thechannel wall 402A is adapted to mate withchannel wall 401A forming a fluid tight seal and providinglumen 400A.First bowl channel 420A is in fluid communications withconduit channel 780A ofexternal conduit 20A throughconduit 322A. Opening 303A provides fluid communications from lumen 400A toseparation volume 220A as will be further discussed.First bowl channel 420A also surroundssecond bowl channel 410A. - Referring to
FIGS. 43A, 43B and 44,bottom core 201A comprises an uppercore end 206A, aouter core wall 211A and a lower core end 296A. Theouter core wall 211A having anouter surface 211B, aninner wall 211C andlower edge 211D. The diameter ofbottom core 201A preferably increases from uppercore end 206A to lower core end 296A.Bottom core 201A also has atop surface 309A and abottom surface 309B.Top surface 309A has anindentation 186A (preferably generally circular) substantial in the center of thesurface 309A of the uppercore end 206A. Theindentation 186A has anupper surface 186B and aninner surface 186C. Theupper surface 186B of theindentation 186A has therein anopening 324D which extends through to theinner surface 186C. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention illustrated inFIG. 53 , theupper surface 186B, may also have a recess a 186D adapted to receive an o-ring and form a fluid type seal around the lower end of 325B ofconduit wall 325A. Extending perpendicularly frominner surface 186C around saidopening 324D isconduit wall 324A having adistal end 324B. On thetop surface 309A extending from theindentation 186A to theouter surface 211B of theouter core wall 211A are one ormore channels 305A. Thetop surface 309A may be horizontal or slope upward or downward fromindentation 186A. Iftop surface 309A slopes upward or downward fromindentation 186A tocore end 206A, one skilled in the art would be able to adjust the shapes ofupper plate 299A and uppercore end 295A accordingly.Channels 305A may have an even depth through out the length of thechannel 305A. However,channel 305A may slope downward or upward radially from the center. One skilled in the art would see that iftop surface 309A slopes upward or downward andchannel 305A has a constant depth, then channel 305A slopes upward or downward accordingly. - Referring to
FIG. 38 , thebottom surface 297A ofupper plate 299A is in direct contact with thetop surface area 309A ofbottom core 201A when completely assembled. This contact forms a fluid tight seal between the two surface areas forming anopening 305B from theindentation 186A to channel 305A. Asecond opening 305C fromchannel 305A is formed in theouter surface 211B ofouter core wall 211A. Theopening 305B provides fluid communications fromindentation 186A throughchannel 305A andopening 305C toseparation volume 220A (FIGS. 38 and 40 ). Thus fluid 800 flows throughconduit channel 780A and subsequently passes throughfirst bowl channel 420A. Fromfirst bowl channel 420A, fluid 800 then goes to throughchannel 305A to theseparation volume 220A. - Referring to
FIGS. 43A and 44 , the lower core end 296A has alower plate 300A, which has atop surface 300B, abottom surface 300C andouter edge 300D. Extending from thebottom surface 300C of the lower plate 300 are one ormore protrusions 301A. Theouter edge 300D is adapted to be attached to thelower edge 211D of theouter core wall 211A and provide a fluid tight seal therewith. Positioned abovehousing floor 180A,lower plate 300A is circular and curves upward radially from its center (illustrated inFIG. 44 ). Alternatively,lower plate 300A can be flat. As shown inFIG. 38 when positioned abovehousing floor 180A, avolume 220C exists betweenlower plate 300A andhousing floor 180A. Thisvolume 220C is in fluid communication withseparation volume 220A.Lower plate 300A may be made of plastic or any other suitable material. Additionally, extending substantially perpendicularly from thelower surface 300C oflower plate 300A is aconduit 320A.Conduit 320A has afirst end 320B that extends into thespace 220C betweenlower plate 300A andhousing floor 180A and asecond end 320C that extends above thetop surface 300B oflower plate 300A. The diameter ofconduit 320A is adapted to have a tight fit withconduit wall end 324B. The volume insideconduit walls lumen 400B. The volume defined bylower plate 300A,inner surface 211C, and ceiling 253A ofbottom core 201A, excludingsecond bowl channel 410A, may comprise of air or a solid material (SeeFIGS. 43B and 44 ). - In an alternative embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in
FIG. 53 ,support walls Support wall 405A extends perpendicularly frombottom surface 309B.Support wall 407A extends perpendicularly from thetop surface 300B oflower plate 300A and connects withsupport wall 405A when thebottom core 201A is assembled.Conduit wall 324A may be connected toconduit 320A to form a fluid tight seal andconduits supports walls bottom surface 300C oflower plate 300A are one ormore orientation spacers 409A that mate withinindentation 185A. - As will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, the
bowl 10A will need to be balanced aboutcenter axis 11A. Accordingly, weights may be added as part of the device as is appropriate to facilitate the balancing of thebowl 10A such asweight 408A illustrated inFIG. 53 . - Referring to
FIG. 38 ,bowl 10A is adapted so thatouter housing 100A,cores lower plate 300A andupper plate 299A,housing floor 180A,external conduits 20A andconnection sleeve 500A, andlumens Housing floor 180A ofouter housing 100A comprisesrecesses 181A on its top surface and these recesses are shaped to fitprotrusion 301A oflower plate 300A. As shown,lower plate 300A hasround protrusion 301A on itsbottom surface 300C to restrict movement oflower plate 300A with respect tohousing floor 180A. When assembled, eachsingle protrusion 301A on the bottom surface oflower plate 300A forms a tight fit withrecess 181A onhousing floor 180A. Thus, whenouter housing 100A is rotated,external conduit 20A andconnection sleeve 500A,top core 200A,upper plate 299A,bottom core 201A,lower plate 300A,housing floor 180A, andlumens - As illustrated in
FIG. 38 lumen 400A allowswhole blood 800 to come intobowl 10A via afirst bowl channel 420A.First bowl channel 420A provides a passageway for inflow offluid 800 throughlumen 400A to indention 186A and then to theseparation volume 220A throughchannel 305A.Lumen 400A is located insidetop core 200A.Lumen 400A has a height from upperlumen end 480A andlower lumen end 402C.Lumen 400A is formed by the connection ofchannel wall 401A extending from theinner surface 481C oflumen connector 481A andchannel wall 402A extending from thetop surface 298A ofupper plate 299A.Channel wall 401A is supported by a plurality offins 251A which are attached to theinner wall surface 210C of theouter core wall 210A andinner surface 205C of the uppercore end 205A, andchannel wall 402A is supported by a plurality offins 403A (FIG. 40 ). It can readily be seen that height oflumen 400A can be adjusted by changing the sizes and shapes ofcore 200A,channel wall 401A,channel wall 402A,conduit wall 325A, and the height ofconduit wall 324A. - As illustrated in
FIG. 38 ,lumen 400A, from upper lumen end 480A to lowerlumen end 402C, encloses aninner lumen 400B. Lowerlumen end 402C has anopening 303A which is in fluid communication withseparation volume 220A through a number ofchannel 305A. In the illustratedembodiment lumen 400A comprisesfirst bowl channel 420A.Second bowl channel 410A is located insidefirst bowl channel 420A of thetop core 200A and is enclosed therein fromlumen end 480A and to lumen 402C. Furthermore,second bowl channel 410A forms a passageway throughlumen 400B from belowlower plate 300A for the removal of a firstseparated fluid component 810 that gathers inindentation 185A ofhousing floor 180A.Second bowl channel 410A extends fromhousing floor 180A ofouter housing 100A throughlumen 400B and toconduit channel 760A ofexternal conduit 20A. - Referring
FIG. 38 (shown withoutconduit 321C),inner lumen 400B allowsred blood cells 810 to exitbowl 10A via asecond bowl channel 410A that provides fluid communication from the housing floor aboveindentation 185A toopening 324E.Inner lumen 400B has an upper conduit end 325C and a lower conduit end 324B and comprises twoconduit walls second bowl channel 410A that has a smaller diameter than and is separate and distinct fromfirst bowl channel 420A.Conduit wall 325A is supported by afin 251A that extends throughchannel wall 401A and attaches to conduit wall 325A. Unlikelumen 400A which has one end nearindentation 186A,lumen 400B extends beyondindentation 186A and throughbottom plate 300A. Thefirst conduit wall 325A has an upper end 325C which has anopening 325D on thetop surface 482A oflumen connector 481A and alower end 325B having anopening 325E adapted to fit tightly withupper end 324C ofconduit wall 324A.Upper end 324C ofconduit wall 324A is higher thanindentation 186A and has anopening 324D.Conduit wall 324A also has endlower end 324B and is supported by a plurality offins 252A.Lower end 324 B having opening 325E is adapted to connect toconduit 320A havingopening 302A located near the center oflower plate 300A. The connection ofopenings lumen 400B and thespace 220C betweenlower plate 300A andhousing floor 180A. Thespace 220C betweenlower plate 300A andhousing floor 180A in turn has fluid communication withseparation volume 220A. -
Conduit 320A provides a tight fit withlower end 324B, providing support forsecond bowl channel 410A. Eachbowl channel - Drive Tube
- As illustrated in
FIGS. 39A and 39B ,conduit assembly 860A is attached to bowl 10A viaconnection sleeve 500A which is attached onto thefirst end 861A ofexternal conduit 20A having afirst conduit channel 780A, asecond conduit channel 760A, and athird conduit channel 770A. Each conduit channel has fluid communication with afirst bowl channel 420A, asecond bowl channel 410A, and abowl chamber 740A. The three conduit channels are equally spaced 120° apart and equal in diameter inexternal conduit 20A (SeeFIG. 50 ). When fluidly connect toexternal conduit 20A andbowl 10A,conduit channel 780A is fluidly connected withfirst bowl channel 420A for inflowingfluid 800 fromexternal conduit 20A intobowl 10A for separation. Similarly,second conduit channel 760A fluidly connects tosecond bowl channel 410A for removing first separatedfluid component 810 frombowl 10A intoexternal conduit 20A. Finally,third conduit channel 770A connects to bowlchamber 740A for removing secondseparated fluid component 820 frombowl 10A. - As is illustrated in
FIG. 45 ,external conduit 20A has aconnection sleeve 500A on thefirst end 861A and ananchor sleeve 870A on thesecond end 862A ofexternal conduit 20A. Optionally present between theconnection sleeve 500A and theanchor sleeve 870A onexternal conduit 20A are a first shoulder 882 and a second shoulder 884 which extend perpendicularly from theexternal conduit 20A and are of a larger diameter. Between theconnection sleeve 500A andanchor sleeve 870A (or if present the first and second shoulder 882, 884) are a first and second bearing rings 871A and 872A.External conduit 20A,anchor sleeve 870A, and connection sleeve may be prepared from the same or different biocompatible materials of suitable strength and flexibility for use in this type of tubing in a centrifuge (one such preferred material is HYTREL®). Theconnection sleeve 500A and theanchor sleeve 870A may be attached through any suitable means such as adhesives, welding etc., however, for ease of manufacture it is preferred that theconnection sleeve 500A and theanchor sleeve 870A be overmolded to theexternal conduit 20A. - Referring to
FIGS. 45, 48 and 49anchor sleeve 870A comprises abody 877B having afirst anchor end 873A andsecond anchor end 874A.Anchor sleeve 870A is attached to second conduit end 862A ofexternal conduit 20A (preferably by overmolding) and increases in diameter fromfirst collar 873A to thecollar 874A. Spaced distally fromsecond end 874A is acollar 886A, which extends perpendicularly frombody 877B and of a larger diameter than thebody 877B of theanchor sleeve 870A. A plurality ofribs 877A having afirst rib end 877B between thecollar 886A andsecond anchor end 873A and asecond rib end 877C extending beyond thefirst anchor end 873A are attached to thebody 877B. The second rib ends 877C are joined together by aring 880A, which is also attached toexternal conduit 20A. Theribs 877A run parallel to theexternal conduit 20A and are preferably placed over the region whereconduit channels external conduit 20A (FIG. 50 ). The regions where theconduit channels external conduit 20A unless reinforced tend to fail during high speed rotation. Having ribs parallel with the conduit channels beyond theanchor sleeve end 873A provides reinforcement to this region and prevents conduit failure at high speed rotation. In one aspect, the ribs prevent the buckling of theexternal conduit 20A in this region and act as structural elements to transfer the torsional stress to theanchor sleeve 870A. -
Connection sleeve 500A comprisesbody 830A having anupper sleeve end 831A andlower sleeve end 832A (FIGS. 46 and 47 ).Lower sleeve end 832A hassleeve flange 790A and a plurality ofprotrusions 843A, which are sized to engageindentations 484A on thewall surface 482A oflumen connector 481A. When thebowl 10A is assembled, a fluid tight seal may be provided by placing o-ring 791A aroundbody 830A and compressing the o-ring 791A betweenflange 790A andhousing 100A.Upper sleeve end 831A is adapted to be secured toexternal conduit 20A. Referring toFIG. 46, 39A and 39B,connection sleeve 500A is secured to bowl 10A by means ofsleeve flange 790A and is adapted to fluidly connectconduit channels external conduit 20A to bowlchannels chamber 740A ofbowl 10A. When assembled,connection sleeve 500A is mounted tolumen connector 481A (FIGS. 39A and 39B ). -
Connection sleeve 500A preferably increases in diameter from upper sleeve end 831A tolower sleeve end 832A and is overmolded tofirst conduit end 861A ofexternal conduit 20A.Connection sleeve 500A connectsbowl 10A toexternal conduit 20A without use of a rotatable seal, which would otherwise normally be located betweenbowl 10A andconnection sleeve 500A. The seal-less connection betweenbowl 10A andconnection sleeve 500A may occur as explained above or alternatively through use of, for example, an O-ring, a groove, or lip, grommet-type connection, welding, or a tight fit with or without adhesive in eitherbowl 10A orconnection sleeve 500A. - As illustrated in
FIGS. 46 and 39 B,sleeve flange 790A has abottom surface 847A that contacts withtop surface 482A oflumen connector 481A forming a tight seal. However,lumen connector 481A has a plurality ofindentation 483A that provides for fluid communication betweenseparation chamber 220A andbowl chamber 740A, which, in turn has fluid communication withconduit channel 770A.Bowl chamber 740A is defined by lumen mountingrecess 851A andtop surface 482A oflumen connector 481A, excluding the space occupied byhollow cylinders protrusions 843A on thebottom surface 847A ofsleeve flange 790A engages and slides intoindentations 484A on thewall surface 482B oflumen connector 481A, thus providing a tight fit. -
Connection sleeve 500A helps to secureexternal conduit 20A to bowl 10A, thus fluidly connectingexternal conduit 20A to bowl 10A. This fluid connection enables fluid 800 to be supplied throughexternal conduit 20A to bowl 10A. Similarly, this fluid connection also enables separated fluid components b, 820 to be removed frombowl 10A throughexternal conduit 20A. -
External conduit 20A has an approximately constant diameter which helps to reduce the rigidity. An excessively rigidexternal conduit 20A will heat up and fail more quickly. Additionally, a constant diameter conduit is cheap/easy to manufacture, allows easy experimentation withconnection sleeve 500A andanchor sleeve 870A sizes, and allows bearing rings 871A, 872A to be easily slid thereon. Preferably the movement ofbearings second shoulders External conduit 20A may be made of any type of flexible tubing (such as medical tubing) or other such device providing a sealed passageway for the flow of fluids, which may be pressurized, into or out of a reservoir of any sort, and which preferably can be disposable and sterilizable. - Permanent Tower System
-
FIG. 17 illustratestower system 2000.Tower system 2000 is the permanent (i.e., non-disposable) piece of hardware that receives the various devices ofphotopheresis kit 1000, such as,cassette 1100,irradiation chamber 700, and centrifuge bowl 10 (FIG. 1 ).Tower system 2000 performs the valving, pumping, and overall control and drive of fluid flow throughdisposable photopheresis kit 1000.Tower system 2000 performs all of the necessary control function automatically through the use of a properly programmed controller, for example a processor or IC circuit, coupled to all of the necessary components. While a new disposable kit must be discarded after each photopheresis therapy session,tower system 2000 is used over and over again.Tower system 2000 can be modified to perform a number of extracorporeal blood circuit treatments, for example apheresis, by properly programming the controller or by changing some of its components. -
Tower system 2000 has a housing having anupper portion 2100 and abase portion 2200.Base portion 2200 has a top 2201 and a bottom 2202.Wheels 2203 are provided at or near thebottom 2202 ofbase portion 2200 so thattower system 2000 is mobile and can easily be moved from room to room in a hospital setting. Preferably, thefront wheels 2203 are pivotable about a vertical axis to allow ease in steering andmaneuvering tower system 2000.Top 2201 ofbase portion 2200 has atop surface 2204 havingcontrol deck 1200, best illustrated inFIG. 22 , built therein (seeFIG. 22 ). InFIG. 17 ,cassette 1100 is loaded ontocontrol deck 1200.Base portion 2200 also has hooks (not illustrated), or other connectors, to hangplasma collection bag 51 andtreatment bag 50 therefrom. Such hooks can be located anywhere ontower system 2000 so long as their positioning does not interfere with the functioning of the system during therapy.Base portion 2200 has photoactivation chamber 750 (FIG. 18 ) located behinddoor 751. Additional hooks (not illustrated) are provided ontower system 2000 for hanging saline and anticoagulant bags. Preferably, these hooks are located onupper portion 2100. - Photoactivation chamber 750 (
FIG. 18 ) is provided inbase portion 2200 oftower system 2000 between top 2201 and bottom 2202 behinddoor 751.Door 751 is hingedly connected tobase portion 2200 and is provided for access tophotoactivation chamber 750 and to allow the operator to closephotoactivation chamber 750 so that UV light does not escape into the surrounding during treatment.Recess 752 is provided to allowtubes 1112, 1117 (FIG. 1 ) to pass intophotoactivation chamber 750 whenirradiation chamber 700 is loaded and whendoor 751 is closed. The photoactivation chamber is discussed in detail below with respect toFIGS. 16 and 18 . -
Upper portion 2100 is located atopbase portion 2200. Centrifuge chamber 2101 (FIG. 19 ) is located inupper portion 2100 behindcentrifuge chamber door 2102.Centrifuge chamber door 2102 has awindow 2103 so an operator can see incentrifuge chamber 2101 and monitor for any problems.Window 2103 is constructed with glass thick enough to withstand any forces that may be exerted on it from an accident during centrifugation which can rotate the centrifuge bowl at speeds greater than 4800 RPMs. Preferably,window 2103 is constructed of shatter-proof glass.Door 2102 is hingedly connected toupper portion 2100 and has an automatic locking mechanism that is activated by the system controller during system operation.Centrifuge chamber 2101 is discussed below in more detail with respect toFIG. 19 . - Preferably,
deck 1200 is located ontop surface 2204 ofbase portion 2200 at or near the front ofsystem tower 2000 whileupper portion 2100 is extending upward frombase portion 2200 near the rear oftower system 2000. This allows the operator easy access to controldeck 1200 while simultaneously affording the operator access tocentrifuge chamber 2101. By designingtower system 2000 to have thecentrifuge chamber 2101 in theupper portion 2100 and having thephotoactivation chamber 750 anddeck 1200 inbase portion 2200, an upright configuration is achieved. As such,system tower 2000 has a reduced footprint size and takes up a reduced amount of valuable hospital floor space. The height ofsystem tower 2000 remains below sixty inches so that one view is not obstructed when transporting the machine around the hospital form the rear. Additionally, havingdeck 1200 in a fairly horizontal position will provide the operator with a place to set devices ofphotopheresis kit 1000 during the loading of other devices, facilitating easy loading.Tower system 2000 is robust enough to withstand forces and vibrations brought on by the centrifugation process. - A
monitor 2104 is provided oncentrifuge chamber door 2102 abovewindow 2103.Monitor 2104 has adisplay area 2105 for visually displaying data to an operator, such as, for example, user interfaces for data entry, loading instructions, graphics, warnings, alerts, therapy data, or therapy progress.Monitor 2104 is coupled to and controlled by the system controller. A datacard receiving port 2001 is provided on a side ofmonitor 2104. Datacard receiving port 2001 is provided to slidably receivedata card 1195 which is supplied with each disposable photopheresis kit 1000 (FIG. 1 ). As mentioned above,data card 1195 can be pre-programmed to store serve a variety of data to supply to the system controller oftower system 2000. For example,data card 1195 can be programmed to relay information so that the system controller can ensure: (1) that the disposable photopheresis kit is compatible with the blood drive equipment into which it is being loaded; (2) that the photopheresis kit is capable of running the desired treatment process; (3) that the disposable photopheresis kit is of a certain brand name or make. Datacard receiving port 2001 has the necessary hardware and circuitry to both read data from, and write data to,data card 1195. Preferably, datacard receiving port 2201 will record treatment therapy data todata card 1195. Such information can include for example, collection times, collection volumes, treatment times, volumetric flow rates, any alarms, malfunctions, disturbances in the process, or any other desired data. While datacard receiving port 2001 is provided onmonitor 2104, it can be located anywhere ontower system 2000 so long as it is coupled to the system controller or other appropriate control means. - Photoactivation Chamber for Receiving Irradiation Chamber
- Referring now to
FIGS. 16 and 18 ,photoactivation chamber 750 is illustrated in cross section.Photoactivation chamber 750 is formed byhousing 756.Housing 756 fits withinbase portion 2200 oftower system 2000 behind door 751 (FIG. 17 ).Photoactivation chamber 750 has a plurality ofelectrical connection ports 753 provided onback wall 754.Electrical connection ports 753 are electrically coupled to a source of electrical energy.Photoactivation chamber 750 is designed to receive UVA light assembly 759 (FIG. 16 ). When fully loaded intophotoactivation chamber 750, electrical contacts (not illustrated) located oncontact wall 755 of UVAlight assembly 759 form an electrical connection withelectrical connection ports 753. This electrical connection allows electrical energy to be supplied toUVA lamps 758 so that they can be activated. Preferably, three electrical connection ports are provided for each set ofUVA lamps 758. More preferably, UVAlight assembly 759 has two sets ofUVA lamps 758 forming a space whichirradiation chamber 700 can be inserted. The supply of electrical energy toUVA lamps 758 is controlled by the properly programmed system controller using a switch.UVA lamps 758 are activated and deactivated as necessary by the controller during the photopheresis therapy session. -
Vent hole 757 is provided in the top ofhousing 756 nearback wall 754 ofphotoactivation chamber 750.Vent hole 757 connects to ventduct 760 which leads out of the back oftower system 2000. When heat generated byUVA lamps 758 builds up inphotoactivation chamber 750 during a treatment therapy, this heat escapesphotoactivation chamber 750 viavent hole 757 and ventduct 760. The heat exitstower system 2000 throughtower housing hole 761 located in the rear oftower system 2000, away from the patient and the operator. -
Photoactivation chamber 750 further comprisestract 762 for receivingirradiation chamber 700 and holding irradiation in an upright position betweenUVA lamps 758.Tract 762 is at or near the bottom ofphotoactivation chamber 750. Preferably, a leak detector circuit 763 is provided belowtract 762 to detect any fluidleaks irradiation chamber 700 during, before, or after operation.Leak detector circuit 762 has two electrodes patterned in a U shape located on an adhesive backed flex circuit. The electrodes are designed to allow for application of a short circuit to test for discontinuities. One end of each electrode goes to an integrated circuit while the other end of each electrode is tied to a solid-state switch. The solid-state switch can be used to check for continuity of the electrodes. By closing the switch the electrodes are shorted to one another. The integrated circuit then detects the short. Closing the switch causes a situation equivalent to the electrodes getting wet (i.e., a leak). IN If the electrodes are damaged in any way, the continuity check will fail. This is a positive indication that the electrodes are not damaged. This test can be performed each time at system start-up or periodically during normal operation to ensure thatleak detection circuit 762 is working properly.Leak detection circuit 762 helps ensure that leaks do not go unnoticed during an entire therapy session because the leak detection circuit is damaged. An electrical schematic ofleak detector circuit 762 is provided inFIG. 20 . - Centrifuge Chamber
-
FIG. 19 illustratescentrifuge chamber 2101 in cross section with the housing oftower system 2000 removed. Rotational device 900 (also in cross-section) capable of utilizing 1-omega 2-omega spin technology is positioned withincentrifuge chamber 2101.Rotational device 900 includes arotating bracket 910 and abowl holding plate 919 for rotatably securing centrifuge bowl 10 (FIG. 1 ).Housing 2107 ofcentrifuge chamber 2101 is preferably made of aluminum or some other lightweight, sturdy metal. Alternatively, other rotational systems may be used withintower system 2000 such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,986,442, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. -
Leak detection circuit 2106 is provided onback wall 2108 ofhousing 2107.Leak detection circuit 2106 is provided to detect any leaks withincentrifuge bowl 10 or the connecting tubes during processing.Leak detection circuit 2106 is identical to leakdetector circuit 762 described above. An electrical schematic ofleak detection circuit 2106 is provided inFIG. 21 . - Fluid Flow Control Deck
-
FIG. 22 illustratescontrol deck 1200 of tower system 2000 (FIG. 17 ) without acassette 1100 loaded thereon.Control deck 1200 performs the valving and pumping so as to drive and control fluid flow throughoutphotopheresis kit 1000. Preferably,deck 1200 is aseparate plate 1202 that is secured tobase portion 2200 oftower system 2000 via screws or other securing means, such as, for example, bolts, nuts, or clamps.Plate 1202 can be made of steel, aluminum, or other durable metal or material. -
Deck 1200 has five peristaltic pumps,whole blood pump 1301,return pump 1302,recirculation pump 1303,anticoagulant pump 1304, and redblood cell pump 1305 extending throughplate 1202. Pumps 1301-1305 are arranged onplate 1202 so that whencassette 1100 is loaded ontodeck 1200 for operation, pump loop tubes 1120-1124 extend over and around pumps 1301-1305 (FIG. 25 ). - Air
bubble sensor assembly 1204 andHCT sensor assembly 1205 are provided onplate 1202. Airbubble sensor assembly 1204 has threetrenches 1206 for receivingtubes FIG. 25 ). Airbubble sensor assembly 1204 uses ultrasonic energy to monitortubes Tubes bubble sensor assembly 1204 is operably coupled and transmits data to the system controller for analysis. If an air bubble is detected, the system controller will shut down operation and prohibit fluid flow into the patient by occludingtubes tubes cassette 1100 as discussed above and/or shutting down the appropriate pump.HCT sensor assembly 1205 hastrench 1207 for receivingHCT component 1125 oftube 1116.HCT sensor assembly 1205 monitorstube 1116 for the presence of red blood cells by using a photoelectric sensor.HCT sensor assembly 1205 is also operably coupled to and transmits data to the system controller. UponHCT sensor assembly 1205 detecting the presence of red blood cells intube 1116, the system controller will take the appropriate action, such as stopping the appropriate pump or activating one of compression actuators 1243-1247, to stop fluid flow throughtube 1116. -
Deck 1200 also has five compression actuators 1243-1247 and three compression actuators 1240-1242 strategically positioned onplate 1202 so that whencassette 1100 is loaded ontodeck 1200 for operation, each of compression actuators 1240-1247 are aligned withcorresponding apertures FIG. 22 , compression actuators 1243-1247 are in the lowered position and compression actuators 1240-1242 are in the raised position. When in a raised position, and whencassette 1100 is loaded ontodeck 1200 as illustrated inFIG. 25 , compression actuators 1240-1247 will extend through the correspondingapertures apertures - Compression actuators 1243-1247 are spring retracted so that their default position is to move to the lowered position unless activated. Compression actuators 1243-1247 are independently controlled and can be raised r lowered independent of one another. Compression actuators 1240-1242 on the other hand are coupled together. As such, when one compression actuator 1240-1242 is lowered or raised, the other two compression actuators 1240-1242 are also lowered in raised accordingly. Additionally, compression actuators 1240-1242 are spring loaded so that their default position is to move to the raised position. Thus, if the system loses power during a therapy session, compression actuators 1240-1242 will automatically move to the raised position, occluding
tubes - Referring now to
FIGS. 23 and 24 ,deck 1200 further includessystem controller 1210,cylinder assembly 1211,manifold assemblies 1213,pump cable 1215, pumpmotor cable 1216, andtiming belt assembly 1217.System controller 1210 is a properly programmed integrated circuit that is operably coupled to the necessary components of the system to perform all of the functions, interactions, decisions, and reaction discussed above and necessary to perform a photopheresis therapy according to the present invention.Cylinder assembly 1211 couples each of compression actuators 1240-1247 to a pneumatic cylinder.Air ports 1212 are provided on the various elements ofdeck 1200 as necessary to connect air lines to the devices and the appropriate one ofmanifolds 1213. As such, air can be provided to the devices as necessary to actuate the necessary component, such as compression valves 1240-1247. All of these functions and timing are controlled bysystem controller 1210. Timingbelt assembly 1217 is used to coordinate the rotation ofrotating clamps 1203. Finally,plate 1202 includes a plurality ofholes deck 1200 can be properly loaded into and so thatdeck 1200 can be secured totower system 2000. Specifically, pumps 1301-1305 fit intoholes 1314,HCT sensor assembly 1205 fits intohole 1220, airbubble detector assembly 1204 fits intohole 1219, compression actuators 1240-1247 extend throughholes 1218, and bolts extend throughholes 1221 to securedeck 1200 to towerassembly 2000. - Cassette Clamping Mechanism
- Referring now to
FIGS. 22 and 25 , the method by whichcassette 1100 is loaded and secured todeck 1200 will now be discussed. In order forsystem 2000 to perform a photopheresis therapy,cassette 1100 must be properly loaded ontodeck 1200. Because of the compression actuator valving system incorporated in the present invention, it is imperative thatcassette 1100 be properly secured todeck 1200 and not shift or become dislodged when compression actuators 1240-1247 occlude portions of the flexible tubing by compressing the flexible tubing againstcover 1130 of cassette 1100 (FIG. 3 ). However, this requirement competes with the desired goals of ease inloading cassette 1100 ontodeck 1200 and reducing operator errors. All of these goals are achieved by the below described cassette clamping mechanism. - In order to facilitate clamping of
cassette 1100 todeck 1200,deck 1200 is provided with twocatches 1208 and tworotating clamps Catches 1208 have aslot 1228 near the middle of the top plate.Catches 1208 are secured toplate 1202 at predetermined positions so that the spacing between them is substantially the same as the spacing betweentabs FIG. 2 ). Rotatingclamps clamps clamps clamps FIG. 24 ). - Referring now to
FIG. 23 ,timing belt assembly 1217 comprisestiming belt 1226,torque spring housings 1224, andtension assembly 1225. Timingbelt assembly 1217 coordinates the rotation ofrotational clamps rotational clamps Tension assembly 1217 ensures thattiming belt 1226 is under sufficient tension to engage and rotate therotational clamp Torque spring housings 1224 provide casings for the torque springs that torquerotational clamps - Referring back to
FIGS. 22 and 25 , when loadingcassette 1100 ontodeck 1200,cassette 1100 is placed at an angle todeck 1200 andtabs 1102 and 1103 (FIG. 2 ) are aligned with catches 1208.Cassette 1100 is moved so thattabs Rotational clamps tabs 1102 and 1103) contactsrotational clamps tabs catches 1108. As force is applied downward oncassette 1100,rotational clamps cassette 1100 to move downward to a position belowledges 1231 ofrotational clamps cassette 1100 is in this position, therotational clamps cassette 1100 in place. When in the locked position,cassette 1100 can resist upward and lateral forces. - To remove
cassette 1110 after the therapy session is complete,rotational clamps system controller 1210. Oncerotational clamps cassette 1100 is removed by simple lifting and slidingtabs catches 1208. - Self-Loading Peristaltic Pumps
- Referring to
FIG. 24 , peristaltic pumps 1301-1305 are provided ondeck 1200 and are used to drive fluids through photopheresis kit 1000 (FIG. 1 ) along desired pathways. The activation, deactivation, timing, speed, coordination, and all other functions of peristaltic pumps 1301-1305 are controlled bysystem controller 1210. Peristaltic pumps 1301-1305 are identical in structure. However, the placement of each peristaltic pump 1301-1305 ondeck 1200 dictates the function of each peristaltic pump 1301-1305 with respect to which fluid is being driven and along which pathway. This is because the placement of peristaltic pumps 1301-1305 dictates which pump loop 1220-1224 will be loaded therein. - Referring now to
FIGS. 28 and 29 ,whole blood pump 1301 is illustrated in detail. The structure and functioning of whole blood pump will be described with the understanding that peristaltic pumps 1302-1305 are identical.Whole blood pump 1301 hasmotor 1310,position sensor 1311,pneumatic cylinder 1312,pneumatic actuator 1313, rotor 1314 (best illustrated inFIG. 30 ), andhousing 1315. -
Rotor 1314 is rotatably mounted withinhousing 1315 and is in operable connection withdrive shaft 1316 ofmotor 1310. Specifically,rotor 1314 is mounted withincurved wall 1317 ofhousing 1315 so as to be rotatable bymotor 1310 about axis A-A. Whenrotor 1314 is mounted inhousing 1315, aspace 1318 exists betweenrotor 1314 andcurved wall 1317. Thisspace 1318 is the tube pumping region ofwhole blood pump 1301 into which pump loop tube 1121 (FIG. 33 ) fits when loaded for pumping.Position sensor 1316 is coupled to driveshaft 1316 ofmotor 1310 so that the rotational position ofrotor 1314 can be monitored by monitoringdrive shaft 1316.Position sensor 1311 is operably connected and transmits data to system controller 1210 (FIG. 24 ). By analyzing this data,system controller 1210, which is also coupled tomotor 1310, can activatemotor 1310 to placerotor 1314 in any desired rotational position. -
Housing 1315 also includes ahousing flange 1319.Housing flange 1319 is used to securewhole blood pump 1310 to plate 1202 of deck 1200 (FIG. 22 ). More specifically, a bolt is extended throughbolt holes 1320 ofhousing flange 1319 to threadily engage holes withinplate 1202.Housing flange 1319 also includes a hole (not shown) to allowpneumatic actuator 1313 to extend therethrough. This hole is sized so thatpneumatic actuator 1313 can move between a raised and lowered position without considerable resistance.Pneumatic actuator 1313 is activated and deactivated bypneumatic cylinder 1312 in a piston-like manner through the use of air.Pneumatic cylinder 1312 comprisesair inlet hole 1321 for connecting an air supply line. When air is supplied topneumatic cylinder 1312, pneumatic actuator extends upward throughhousing flange 1319 to a raised position. When air ceases to be supplied topneumatic cylinder 1312, pneumatic actuator retracts back intopneumatic cylinder 1312, returning to the lowered position. System controller 1210 (FIG. 22 ) controls the supply of air to airinlet hole 1321. -
Curved wall 1317 ofhousing 1315 contains two slots 1322 (only one visible).Slots 1322 are located on substantially opposing sides ofcurved wall 1317.Slots 1322 are provided for allowing pump loop tube 1121 (FIG. 33 ) to pass intotube pumping region 1318. More specifically, pump inlet portion 1150 and outlet portions 1151 (FIG. 33 ) ofpump loop tube 1121 pass throughslots 1322. - Turning now to
FIGS. 30 and 31 ,rotor 1314 is illustrated as removed fromhousing 1315 so that its components are more clearly visible.Rotor 1314 has atop surface 1323, angledguide 1324,rotor flange 1325, twoguide rollers 1326, twodrive rollers 1327, androtor floor 1328.Guide rollers 1326 and driverollers 1327 are rotatably secured aboutcores 1330 betweenrotor floor 1328 and abottom surface 1329 ofrotor flange 1325. As is best illustrated inFIG. 29 ,cores 1330 fit intoholes 1331 ofrotor floor 1328 andrecesses 1332 inbottom surface 1329.Guide rollers 1326 and driverollers 1327 fit aroundcores 1330 and can rotate thereabout. Preferably, twoguide rollers 1326 and twodrive rollers 1327 are provided. More preferably, guiderollers 1326 and driverollers 1327 are provided onrotor 1314 so as to be in an alternating pattern. - Referring to
FIGS. 29 and 31 ,drive rollers 1327 are provided to compress the portion ofpump loop tube 1121 that is loaded intotube pumping region 1318 against the inside ofcurved wall 1317 asrotor 1314 rotates about axis A-A, thereby deforming the tube and forcing fluids to flow through the tube. Changing the rotational speed ofrotor 1314 will correspondingly change the rate of fluid flow through the tube.Guide rollers 1326 are provided to keep the portion ofpump loop tube 1121 that is loaded intotube pumping region 1318 properly aligned during pumping. Additionally, guiderollers 1326 help to properly loadpump tube loop 1121 intotube pumping region 1318. Whileguide rollers 1326 are illustrated as having a uniform cross-section, it is preferred that the top plate of the guide rollers be tapered so as to come to a sharper edge near its outer diameter. Tapering the top plate results in a guide roller with a non-symmetric cross-sectional profile. The tapered embodiment helps ensure proper loading of the tubing into the tube pumping region. -
Rotor 1314 further includescavity 1328 extending through its center.Cavity 1328 is designed to connectrotor 1314 to driveshaft 1316 ofmotor 1310. - Referring now to
FIGS. 30 and 32 , rotor flange hasopening 1333.Opening 1333 is defined by aleading edge 1334 and atrailing edge 1335. The terms leading and trailing are used assuming thatrotating rotor 1314 in the clockwise direction is the forward direction while rotatingrotor 1314 in a counterclockwise direction is the rearward direction. However, the invention is not so limited and can be modified for counterclockwise pumps. Leadingedge 1334 is beveled downward intoopening 1333. Trailingedge 1335 extends upward from the top surface ofrotor flange 1325 higher than theleading edge 1334. Leading edge is provide for trailing edge for capturing and feedingpump loop tube 1121 intotube pumping region 1318 uponrotor 1314 being rotated in the forward direction. -
Rotor 1314 also has angledguide 1324 extending upward, at an inverted angle, fromrotor flange 1325.Angled guide 1324 is provided for displacingpump loop tube 1121 towardrotor flange 1325 uponrotor 1314 being rotated in the forward direction. Preferably,angled guide 1324 has elevatedridge 1336 running alongtop surface 1323 for manual engagement by an operator if necessary. More preferably, angledguide 1314 is located forward of leadingedge 1334. - Referring now to
FIGS. 28 and 33 ,whole blood pump 1301 can automatically load and unloadpump lop tube 1121 into and out oftube pumping region 1318. Usingposition sensor 1311,rotor 1314 is rotated to a loading position whereangled guide 1324 will facecassette 1100 whencassette 1100 is loaded onto deck 1200 (FIG. 25 ). More specifically,rotor 1314 is preset in a position so thatangled guide 1324 is located between inlet portion 1150 and outlet portion 1151 ofpump loop 1121 whencassette 1100 is secured to the deck, as is illustrated inFIG. 13 . Whencassette 1100 is secured todeck 1200, pumplop tube 1121 extends over and aroundrotor 1314.Pneumatic actuator 1313 is in the lowered position at this time. - Once
cassette 1100 is properly secured and the system is ready,rotor 1314 is rotated in the clockwise direction (i.e., the forward direction). Asrotor 1314 rotates, pumptube loop 1121 is contacted byangled guide 1324 and displaces against the top surface ofrotor flange 1325. The portions ofpump loop tube 1121 that are displaced againstrotor flange 1325 are then contacted by trailingedge 1325 and fed downward intotube pumping region 1318 throughopening 1333. Aguide roller 1326 is provided directly after opening 1333 to further properly position the tubing within tube pumping chamber for pumping bydrive rollers 1327. When loaded, inlet portion 1150 and outlet portion 1151 ofpump loop tube 1121 pass throughslots 1322 ofcurved wall 1317. One and a half revolutions are needed to fully load the tubing. - To automatically unload
pump tube loop 1121 fromwhole blood pump 1301 after the therapy is complete,rotor 1314 is rotated to a position whereopening 1333 is aligned with theslot 1322 through which outlet portion 1151 passes. Once aligned,pneumaic actuator 1313 is activated and extended to the raised position, contacting and lifting outlet portion 1151 to a height above trailingedge 1335.Rotor 1314 is then rotated in the counterclockwise direction, causing trailing edge to 1335 to contact and removepump loop tube 1121 fromtube pumping region 1318 viaopening 1333. - Infra-Red Communication
- Referring to
FIG. 34 , tower system 2000 (FIG. 17 ) preferably further includes a wireless infrared (“IR”) communication interface (not shown). The wireless IR interface consists of three primary elements,system controller 1210, IRDA protocol integrated circuit, 1381, andIRDA transceiver port 1382. The IR communication interface is capable of both transmitting and receiving data via IR signals from a remote computer or other device having IR capabilities. In sending data,system controller 1210 sends serial communication data to theIRDA protocol chip 1381 to buff the data.IRDA protocol chip 1381 adds additional data and other communication information to the transmit string and then sends it toIRDA transceiver 1382.Transceiver 1382 converts the electrical transmit data into encoded light pulses and transmits them to a remote device via a photo transmitter. - In receiving data, IR data pulses are received by a photo detector located on the
transceiver chip 1382. Thetransceiver chip 1382 converts the optical light pulses to electrical data and sends the data stream toIRDA protocol chip 1381 where the electrical signal is stripped of control and additional IRDA protocol content. The remaining data is then sent to thesystem controller 1210 where the data stream is parsed per the communication protocol. - By incorporating an IR communication interface on
tower system 2000 real time data relating to a therapy session can be transmitted to a remote device for recording, analysis, or further transmission. Data can be sent via IR signals totower system 2000 to control the therapy or allow protocols to be changed in a blinded state. Additionally, IR signals do not interfere with other hospital equipment, like other wireless transmission methods, such as radio frequency. - Photopheresis Treatment Process
- Referring together to
FIG. 26 , a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of the invention which includes photactivation of buffy coat, andFIG. 27 , a schematic representation of apparatus which can be employed in such an embodiment, the process starts 1400 with apatient 600 connected by means of aneedle adapter 1193 carrying a needle, for drawing blood, andneedle adapter 1194 carrying another needle, for returning treated blood and other fragments.Saline bag 55 is connected byconnector 1190 andanticoagulant bag 54 is connected byconnector 1191. Actuators 1240, 1241, and 1242 are opened,anticoagulant pump 1304 is turned on, andsaline actuator 1246 is opened so that the entire disposable tubing set is primed 1401 withsaline 55 andanticoagulant 54. Thecentrifuge 10 is turned on 1402, and blood-anticoagulant mixture is pumped 1403 to thecentrifuge bowl 10, with the A/C pump 1304 andWB pump 1301 controlled at a 1:10 speed ratio. - When the collected volume reaches 150
ml 1404, thereturn pump 1302 is set 1405 at thecollection pump 1301 speed until red cells are detected 1406 at an HCT sensor (not shown) in the centrifuge chamber 1201 (FIG. 19 ). Packed red cells and buffy coat have at this point accumulated in the spinning centrifuge bowl and are pumped out slowly at a rate, controlled by the processor, which maintains the red cell line at the sensor interface level. - The
red cell pump 1305 is then set 1407 at 35% of the inlet pump speed while controlling 1408 the rate to maintain the cell line at the interface level until the collection cycle volume is reached 1409, at which point thered cell pump 1305 is turned off 1410 and the fluid path to thetreatment bag 50 via theHCT sensor 1125 is opened by loweringactuator 1244, and stops when theHCT sensor 1125 detects 1411 red cells. “Collection cycle volume” is defined as the whole blood processed target divided by the number of collection cycles, for example a white blood process target of 1500 ml may require 6 cycles, and so 1500/6 is a volume of 250 ml. With whole blood continuing at 1410 to be delivered from the patient to the bowl and the red cell pump off, red cells will accumulate and will push out the buffy coat from inside thebowl 10. The red cells are used to push out the buffy coat and will be detected by the effluent hematocrit (HCT) sensor, indicating that the buffy coat has been collected. - If another cycle is needed 1412, the
centrifuge 10 effluent path is returned 1413 to theplasma bag 51 and thered cell pump 1305 rate is increased 1413 to theinlet pump 1301 pump rate until red cells are detected 1414, which is the beginning of the second cycle. If anothercycle 1412 is not needed, thecentrifuge 10 is turned off 1415 andinlet pump 1301 andanticoagulant pump 1304 are set at KVO rate, 10 ml/hr in this embodiment. The effluent path is directed 1416 to theplasma bag 51, thered cell pump 1305 rate is set 1417 at 75 ml/min, therecirculation pump 1303 and photoactivation lamps are turned on 1418 for sufficient period to treat the buffy coat, calculated by the controller depending on the volume and type of disease being treated. - When the
bowl 10 is empty 1419, thered cell pump 1305 is turned off 1420 and theplasma bag 51 is emptied 1421 by openingactuator 1247 and continuingreturn pump 1302. Thereturn pump 1302 is turned off 1422 when theplasma bag 51 is empty and when photoactivation is complete 1423, the treated cells are returned 1424 to the patient from theplate 700 by means of thereturn pump 1302. Saline is used to rinse the system and the rinse is returned to the patient, completing theprocess 1425. - The anticoagulant, blood from patient, and fluid back to patient are all monitored by
air detectors filter 1500. The pumps, 1304, 1301, 1302, 1303, and 1305, theactuators bowl 10 are all controlled by the programmed processor in the tower. - The process and related apparatus have significant advantages over prior processes and apparatus in that the invention allow buffy coat to be in the bowl longer since red cells are being drawn off while collecting buffy coat in the bowl while centrifuging, keeping more buffy coat in the bowl until the desired amount of buffy coat cells are collected prior to withdrawing the collected buffy cells. Platelets, leukocytes, and other buffy coat fractions can also be separated, or red cells can be collected rather than returning them with plasma to the patient as the illustrated process does.
- It has been found that increasing the time that buffy
coat 810 is subjected to rotational motion incentrifuge bowl 10 yields a “cleaner cut” ofbuffy coat 820. A “cleaner cut” means that the hematocrit count (HCT %) is decreased. HCT % is the amount of red blood cells present per volume of buffy coat. The amount of time that buffycoat 820 is subjected to rotational motion incentrifuge bowl 10 can be maximized in the following manner. First,whole blood 800 is fed into first bowl channel 420 ascentrifuge bowl 10 is rotating. As discussed above,whole blood 800 is separated intobuffy coat 820 and RBC's 810 as it moves outwardly atop lower plate 300. Second bowl channel 410 andthird bowl channel 740 are closed at this time. The inflow ofwhole blood 800 is continued until the separation volume 220 is filled with a combination ofbuffy coat 820 near the top and RBC's 810 near the bottom ofcentrifuge bowl 10. By removing RBC's 810 fromcentrifuge bowl 10 via second bowl channel 410 only, additional volume is created for the inflow ofwhole blood 800 and the unremovedbuffy coat 820 is subjected to rotational forces for an extended period of time. Ascentrifuge bowl 10 continues to rotate, some of the RBC's 810 that may be trapped inbuffy coat 820 get pulled to the bottom ofcentrifuge bowl 10 and away fromthird bowl channel 740 andbuffy coat 820. Thus, whenthird bowl channel 740 is opened, thebuffy coat 820 that is removed has a lower HCT %. By controlling the inflow rate ofwhole blood 800 and the outflow rates ofbuffy coat 820 and RBC's 810, a steady state can be reached that yields abuffy coat 820 with an approximately constant HCT %. - The elimination of batch processing and the improved yields achieved by the current invention, have reduced the treatment time necessary to properly treat patients. For an average sized adult, 90-100 milliliters of buffy coat/white blood cells must be captured in order to conduct a full photopheresis treatment. In order to collect this amount of buffy coat/white blood cells, the present invention needs to process around 1.5 liters of whole blood. The required amount of buffy coat/white blood cells can be removed from the 1.5 liters of whole blood in about 30-45 minutes using the present invention, collecting around 60% or more of the total amount of the buffy coat/white blood cells that are subjected to the separation process. The captured buffy coat/white blood cells have an HCT of 2% or less. In comparison, one existing apparatus, the UVAR XTS, takes around 90 minutes to process 1.5 liters of whole blood to obtain the sufficient amount of buffy coat/white blood cells. The UVAR XTS only collects around 50% of the total amount of the buffy coat/white blood cells that are subjected to the separation process. The HCT of the buffy coat/white blood cells collected by the UVAR XTS is around, but not substantially below, 2%. Another existing apparatus, the Cobe Spectra™ by Gambro, must process 10 liters of whole blood in order to collect the sufficient amount of buffy coat/white blood cells. This typically takes around 150 minutes, collecting only 10-15% of the total amount of the buffy coat/white blood cells that are subjected to the separation process, and having an HCT of about 2%. Thus, it has been discovered that while existing apparatus and systems require anywhere from 152 to 225 minutes to separate, process, treat, and reinfuse the requisite amount of white blood cells or buffy coat, the present invention can perform the same functions in less than 70 minutes. These times do not include the patient preparation or prime time. The times indicate only the total time that the patient is connected to the system.
Claims (36)
1. A method of collecting a desired blood component comprising:
providing a separator having an inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet;
drawing whole blood from a source;
adding an anticoagulant fluid to the whole blood in a predetermined ratio to form a mixture of whole blood and anticoagulant fluid;
pumping the mixture of whole blood and anticoagulant fluid into the separator via the inlet at a selected inlet rate;
separating the mixture into blood components of different densities;
withdrawing plasma and red blood cells from the separator while continuing to pump the mixture of whole blood and anticoagulant fluid into the separator, the plasma and red blood cells being withdrawn at rates so as to build up buffy coat in the separator, the plasma being withdrawn via the first outlet and the red blood cells being withdrawn via the second outlet; and
upon a predetermined amount of buffy coat building up in the separator, collecting the buffy coat from the separator.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of collecting the buffy coat from the separator comprises discontinuing the withdrawal of red blood cells from the second outlet, thereby causing the red blood cells to push the buffy coat out of the separator via the first outlet.
3. The method of claim 2 further comprising collecting the withdrawn buffy coat in a treatment bag.
4. The method of claim 2 further comprising discontinuing the collecting of buffy coat when red blood cells are detected in an outlet line fluidly connected to the first outlet.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of withdrawing plasma and red blood cells from the separator comprises: withdrawing only the plasma from the separator via the first outlet until a predetermined amount of red blood cells are detected in the separator; and upon the predetermined amount of red blood cells being detected in the separator, withdrawing red blood cells from the separator at a rate so as to maintain the amount of red blood cells present in the separator at approximately the predetermined amount.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein the predetermined amount of red blood cells is detected using a hematocrit sensor.
7. The method of claim 1 further comprising: collecting the withdrawn plasma in a plasma storage bag; mixing the withdrawn plasma with a priming fluid; and upon a selected amount of plasma being collected in the plasma storage bag, returning the mixture of plasma and priming fluid to the source.
8. The method of claim 7 further comprising mixing the withdrawn red blood cells with the plasma and priming fluid mixture from the plasma collection bag and returning the red blood cells-plasma-priming fluid mixture to the source at a rate approximately equal to the inlet rate.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of pumping the mixture into the separator comprises passing the mixture through a cassette for controlling fluid flow before the mixture enters the separator.
10. The method of claim 1 further comprising: injecting a photoactivation chemical into the collected buffy coat; and irradiating the collected buffy coat within an irradiation chamber until a predetermined amount of energy has been transferred to the collected buffy coat.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein the step of irradiating the buffy coat comprises recirculating the collected buffy coat between a treatment bag and the irradiation chamber.
12. The method of claim 10 further comprising: passing the irradiated buffy coat through a filter; and returning the irradiated buffy coat to the source.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein overall treatment time is less than about 70 minutes.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein the overall treatment time is less than about 45 minutes.
15. The method of claim 12 wherein the filter is within a cassette for controlling fluid flow.
16. The method of claim 1 further comprising collecting the withdraw red blood cells.
17. The method of claim 1 wherein the source is a patient, a whole blood storage bag, or a blood donor, and wherein the separator is a centrifuge bowl.
18. A method of collecting a desired blood component comprising:
withdrawing whole blood from a patient;
combining anticoagulant with the whole blood at a selected ratio of anticoagulant to whole blood;
pumping the combination of whole blood and anticoagulant through a fluid flow controller to a separator;
operating the separator until air is displaced;
continuing to pump the combined whole blood and anticoagulant into the separator and collecting separated plasma until a selected amount of plasma is collected;
mixing plasma with a priming fluid and returning the mixture of plasma and priming fluid to the patient at the same rate as incoming whole blood until red blood cells are detected;
withdrawing red cells and pumping at a speed controlled so as to maintain a red cell line selected level in the separator while collecting buffy coat in the separator;
at a selected time, when a desired amount of buffy coat cells are collected in the separator, continuing to pump whole blood into the separator while discontinuing pumping red blood cells, thereby causing the red blood cells to push buffy coat out of the separator until a desired amount is collected in a buffy coat collector;
discontinuing collection of buffy coat when red blood cells have been detected.
19. The method of claim 18 further comprising:
mixing the withdrawn red blood cells with plasma from the plasma collection bag and returning the mixture to the patient;
pumping buffy coat to a treatment bag;
injecting photoactivation chemical into the buffy coat in the treatment bag;
pumping the buffy coat and photoactivation chemical mixture from the treatment bag to an irradiation chamber;
recirculating the buffy coat between the treatment bag and the irradiation chamber;
irradiating the buffy coat in the irradiation chamber while recirculating;
pumping the irradiated buffy coat from the irradiation chamber to the treatment bag;
pumping irradiated buffy coat from the treatment bag through a filter in the controller and then back to the patient.
20. The method of claim 19 wherein the priming fluid is a mixture of anticoagulant and saline.
21. The method of claim 19 wherein the fluid flow controller is a cassette, wherein the separator is a centrifuge bowl, wherein the air is displaced into a plasma bag, wherein red blood cells are detected at a bowl sensor, wherein the red blood cell line is detected at a sensor interface.
22. The method of claim 19 wherein the buffy coat cells are separated and one or more selected components are collected, the components selected from the group consisting of platelets and leukocytes.
23. The method of claim 19 further comprising priming the separator with anticoagulant and saline mixture.
24. The method of claim 19 further including rinsing the separator, treatment bag, and irradiation chamber with saline and returning the resultant rinse solution to the patient.
25. The method of claim 18 wherein the overall treatment time is less than about 70 minutes.
26. The method of claim 25 wherein the overall treatment time is less than about 45 minutes.
27. A method of performing a photopheresis treatment for diseases on a patient comprising:
drawing whole blood from a source;
adding an anticoagulant fluid to the whole blood in a predetermined ratio to form a mixture of whole blood and anticoagulant fluid;
separating the mixture of whole blood and anticoagulant into a plurality of blood components according to density;
mixing a photoactivation chemical with at least one of the blood components to form a mixture of the photoactivation chemical and the at least one blood component;
irradiating the combination of the at least one blood component and photoactivation chemical; and
returning the irradiated combination to a patient;
wherein the entire photopheresis treatment is completed in less than about 70 minutes.
28. The method of claim 27 wherein the entire photopheresis treatment is completed in less than about 45 minutes.
29. The method of claim 27 wherein the at least one blood component is buffy coat, a leukocyte, or platelets.
30. The method of claim 27 wherein the at least one blood component is buffy coat.
31. The method of claim 30 wherein the step of separating the mixture of whole blood and anticoagulant fluid comprises: providing a separator having an inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet; pumping the mixture of whole blood and anticoagulant fluid into the separator via the inlet at a selected inlet rate; and withdrawing plasma and red blood cells from the separator while continuing to pump the mixture of whole blood and anticoagulant fluid into the separator, the plasma and red blood cells being withdrawn at rates so as to build up buffy coat in the separator, the plasma being withdrawn via the first outlet and the red blood cells being withdrawn via the second outlet; and upon a predetermined amount of buffy coat building up in the separator, collecting the buffy coat from the separator.
32. The method of claim 31 wherein the step of collecting the buffy coat from the separator comprises discontinuing the withdrawal of red blood cells from the second outlet, thereby causing the red blood cells to push the buffy coat out of the separator via the first outlet; and discontinuing the collecting of buffy coat when red blood cells are detected in an outlet line fluidly connected to the first outlet.
33. The method of claim 31 wherein the step of withdrawing plasma and red blood cells from the separator comprises: withdrawing only the plasma from the separator via the first outlet until a predetermined amount of red blood cells are detected in the separator; and upon the predetermined amount of red blood cells being detected in the separator, withdrawing red blood cells from the separator at a rate so as to maintain the amount of red blood cells present in the separator at approximately the predetermined amount.
34. The method of claim 31 further comprising irradiating the collected buffy coat within an irradiation chamber until a predetermined amount of energy has been transferred to the collected buffy coat, the predetermined amount of energy being sufficient to induce apoptosis.
35. The method of claim 27 wherein the source is the patient, the photopheresis treatment being performed in a closed-loop system.
36. A method of collecting a desired blood component comprising:
providing a separator having an inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet;
drawing whole blood from a source;
adding an anticoagulant fluid to the whole blood in a predetermined ratio to form a mixture of whole blood and anticoagulant fluid;
pumping the mixture of whole blood and anticoagulant fluid into the separator via the inlet at a selected inlet rate;
separating the mixture into blood components of different densities;
withdrawing plasma and buffy coat from the separator while continuing to pump the mixture of whole blood and anticoagulant fluid into the separator, the plasma and buffy coat being withdrawn at rates so as to build up red blood cells in the separator, the plasma and buffy coat being withdrawn via the first outlet; and
upon a predetermined amount of red blood cells building up in the separator, collecting the red blood cells from the separator via the second outlet.
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EP1512418B1 (en) | 2009-10-28 |
US20060219644A1 (en) | 2006-10-05 |
DE602004023800D1 (en) | 2009-12-10 |
IL163707A0 (en) | 2005-12-18 |
IL196500A0 (en) | 2009-09-22 |
ATE446779T2 (en) | 2009-11-15 |
CA2479866C (en) | 2013-04-09 |
US20060224099A1 (en) | 2006-10-05 |
EP1512418A3 (en) | 2007-09-12 |
US20050049539A1 (en) | 2005-03-03 |
CA2479866A1 (en) | 2005-03-03 |
IL196501A0 (en) | 2009-09-22 |
CA2743969C (en) | 2014-12-23 |
CA2743969A1 (en) | 2005-03-03 |
US20060222561A1 (en) | 2006-10-05 |
ES2333959T3 (en) | 2010-03-03 |
IL196503A0 (en) | 2009-09-22 |
IL196501A (en) | 2015-10-29 |
IL196502A0 (en) | 2009-09-22 |
SG109586A1 (en) | 2005-03-30 |
JP2005074235A (en) | 2005-03-24 |
ES2333959T5 (en) | 2020-04-06 |
EP1512418B2 (en) | 2019-08-14 |
EP1512418A2 (en) | 2005-03-09 |
US7465285B2 (en) | 2008-12-16 |
PT1512418E (en) | 2009-11-20 |
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