Methods for blood component collection

A method for using an automated blood collection system to collect blood components from a source, the method comprising:

• receiving whole blood from the source;
• separating the whole blood into a first component and a second component;
• after the separating of the whole blood into the first component and the second component, separating the second component and a second portion of the first component into a third component and a fourth component;
• after the separating of the second component and the second portion of the first component into the third component and the fourth component, removing the third component in its entirety;
• if a total collected amount is less than a hypovolemic level or a pre-selected maximum for the source as adjusted by real-time data regarding the collection of the blood component from the source using the automated blood collection system following the removing of the third component, separating the fourth component into the second portion of the first component and a fifth component, then removing the second portion of the first component, and then separating the fifth component into a sixth component and a residual mix and removing the sixth component;
• and
• if the total collected amount is at the hypovolemic level or the pre-selected maximum for the source as adjusted by the real-time data, separating the fourth component into the second portion of the first component, the sixth component, and the residual mix and then removing the sixth component.

A protocol for an automated blood collection system configured to collect blood components from a source, the protocol comprising:

• a pre-platelet collection phase that includes separating a first amount of a first component from whole blood received from the source;
• a platelet collection phase that includes separating a total amount of collectable platelets from the whole blood as available after the pre-platelet collection phase;
• and
• a post-platelet collection phase that includes separating a second amount of a first component from the whole blood as available after the platelet collection phase, the first amount being a total amount of collectable first component less the second amount of the first component, the total amount of collectable first component being determined by a hypovolemic level or a pre-selected maximum for the source as adjusted by real-time data regarding the collection of the blood components from the source using the automated blood collection system.