Blood component collection system with pressure detection apparatus having two load detectors and method

A blood component collection system comprising:

• a blood component separation device having a first load detector and a second load detector;
• and
• a blood component collection cassette configured to be attachable to the blood component separation device,
• wherein the blood component collection cassette includes a cassette body in which a flow path is formed,
• the flow path has a first line through which blood flows when the blood component separation device is in operation and a second line through which blood does not flow when the blood component separation device is in operation,
• the cassette body includes a first line forming member made of a soft material to form the first line and a second line forming member made of a soft material to form the second line,
• the first line forming member is provided with a first pressure-receiving portion to be pressed by the first load detector in an attached state in which the blood component collection cassette is attached to the blood component separation device,
• the second line forming member is provided with a second pressure-receiving portion to be pressed by the second load detector in the attached state, and
• the blood component separation device obtains an internal pressure of the first line based on a load detected by the first load detector and a load detected by the second load detector.

A blood component collection kit configured to be attached to a blood component separation device having a first load detector and a second load detector, the blood component collection kit comprising:

• a blood collection needle for collecting blood from a donor;
• and
• a flow path member in which a flow path is formed to connect the blood collection needle and a centrifugal unit of the blood component separation device to each other,
• wherein the flow path comprises a cassette comprising a first line and a second line branching from the first line,
• the first line is supplied with the blood collected from the donor,
• the second line is filled with air,
• the flow path member has a first line forming member made of a soft material to form the first line and a second line forming member made of a soft material to form the second line,
• the first line forming member is provided with a first pressure-receiving portion configured to be pressed by the first load detector of the blood component separation device in an attached state in which the blood component collection kit is attached to the blood component separation device, and
• the second line forming member is provided with a second pressure-receiving portion configured to be pressed by the second load detector of the blood component separation device in the attached state.

A flow path internal pressure detection method of detecting a pressure in a flow path of a blood component collection cassette attached to a blood component separation device for collecting a blood component,

• the blood component collection cassette including a cassette body in which a flow path is formed,
• the flow path having a first line and a second line,
• the cassette body having a first line forming member made of a soft material to form the first line and a second line forming member made of a soft material to form the second line,
• the flow path internal pressure detection method comprising:
• a first measurement step of pressing the first line forming member in a state in which blood is sent to the first line and measuring a load α1 caused by pressing of the first line forming member;
• a second measurement step of pressing the second line forming member in a state in which blood is not sent to the second line and measuring a load α2 caused by pressing of the second line forming member;
• a load calculation step of calculating a differential load α obtained by subtracting the load α2 measured in the second measurement step from the load α1 measured in the first measurement step;
• and
• an internal pressure calculation step of calculating an internal pressure of the first line based on the calculated differential load α.