Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for collecting blood samples in vacuum sample tubes are disclosed. The samples, including the initial blood sample, are substantially free of excess air. Disclosed is also a biological fluid sampling system (18) comprising: a plastic container (42) including an interior chamber (54); a sample access site (68) external to and spaced from said container by y preselected distance; an internal flow path (43) communicating with said access site and extending substantially into said interior chamber, said internal flow path providing the only path for blood flow into and from said chamber.
Abstract:
Systems and methods collect leukocyte reduced blood components, including plasma that is free or virtually free of cellular blood species, such as red blood cells, platelets, and leukocytes.
Abstract:
A method for separating blood into its components and individually storing same is provided. The method has the steps of: providing a container having a body with at least a first and second chamber. Selective fluid communication is also possible between the first and second chamber, and a tube is in fluid communication with the first chamber. The method also has the steps of: passing the blood into the first chamber through the tube; centrifuging the container to separate the blood into plasma, red blood cells and buffy coat within the first chamber; and expressing a portion of the centrifuged blood into the second chamber. In another embodiment, the method for storing blood has the steps of: providing a container with a body having three chambers. The method has steps that include passing the blood into a chamber through the tube; centrifuging the container to separate the blood into plasma, red blood cells and buffy coat and expressing a portion of the separated blood into second and third chambers from the collection chamber.
Abstract:
A breakable seal is located within a housing (26). The housing includes a ribbed region (56) of restricted diameter protruding from the wall (46) into the bore (28). A breakable juncture (44) in the seal joins the tip (38) of a cannula member (32) to the base (34) of the cannula member (32). The leading portion (64) of the tip is free of any projection that frictionally angages either the wall or the ribbed region. Thus, neither the wall nor the ribbed region contacts or constrains movement of the leading portion in the bore when the tip is broken from the base. The trailing portion (66) of the tip carries at least one projection constructed to frictionally engage the ribbed region. The ribbed region constrains movement of the trailing portion through the bore when the tip is broken from the base. By rocking the cannula tip, the juncture can be broken and the cannula tip advanced to a secure position in the housing.
Abstract:
A blood sampling system including a sampling device located in line is provided. The sampling device (26, 70, and 102) provides an access port (40, 76, and 120) that allows undiluted blood to be sampled automatically by insertion of a luer. The sampling device can have a number of different structures, for example, a swing valve (41), a ball valve (88), or a breakable seal (130) for normally closing the sample port until a nozzle (60) of the luer blood collector is forcibly inserted into the sample port.
Abstract:
A blood sampling system (18) for obtaining blood samples from a fluid flow path (62) is disclosed. The sampling system (18) includes a container (42) that can be isolated from the remainder of a blood processing set (10) and allows for collection of a sample either before or after the blood donation.
Abstract:
This invention is a container (46) for housing body fluids. The container comprises a body defined by flexible walls having an interior for housing the body fluid. An elongated tube (44) extends from the body for housing a fluid to be added to the body fluid. The tube includes means (18, 32) (see Fig.1) for allowing selective fluid flow from the interior of the tube to the interior of the body allowing the fluid to be added to the body fluid. Additionally, the means for allowing selective fluid flow allows the body fluid to be expressed from the body of the container into the elongated tube. The present invention also provides a method for storing and treating blood.
Abstract:
A method for removing a frozen liquid (14) form a plastic container (12) without thawing the liquid is provided comprising the steps of: breaking an interfacial bond between the frozen liquid and plastic container by cutting the container along a circumference (20) thereof between a first and second end of the container; and removing the frozen liquid from the resultant cut container. An apparatus for removing liquid from a plastic container without thawing same is also provided. The apparatus includes a body (16) defining an interior for receiving the container. The body includes within the interior at least one cutting member (32) that is so constructed and arranged that it cuts the container along a circumference thereof when the container is received within the body. Additionally, the apparatus includes means (52) for removing the frozen liquid from the container.