Whole blood collection and processing method

A blood collection system comprising:

• a phlebotomy needle;
• a first tube in fluid communication with said needle;
• a whole blood leukocyte removal filter having an inlet in fluid communication with said first tube;
• a second tube in fluid communication with an outlet of said filter;
• and
• a blood-collection bag in fluid communication with said second tube, said blood collection bag being a single bag that is not connected to other bags.

A method for making a blood collecting system comprising:

• providing a phlebotomy needle, first and second tubes, a leukocyte removal filter having an inlet and an outlet, a blood-collection bag that is not connected to other bags, and anticoagulant;
• connecting said needle to an end of said first tube;
• connecting another end of said first tube to the inlet of said filter;
• connecting the outlet of said filter to an end of the second tube;
• connecting another end of the second tube to said blood collection bag;
• and
• placing said anticoagulant in said blood collection bag.

A blood collection system comprising:

• a phlebotomy needle;
• a first tube in fluid communication with said needle;
• a first pump in pumping relation to first tube;
• a blood-collection bag in fluid communication with said first tube, said blood collection bag being a single bag that is not connected to other bags;
• an anticoagulant bag containing anticoagulant in fluid connection with a second tube, said second tube being in fluid communication with said first tube;
• and
• a second pump in pumping relation with said second tube for pumping anticoagulant into the first tube.

A blood collection system comprising:

• a phlebotomy needle;
• a first tube in fluid communication with said needle;
• a whole blood leukocyte removal filter having an inlet in fluid communication with first tube;
• a second tube in fluid communication with an outlet of said filter;
• a blood-collection bag in fluid communication with said second tube, said blood collection bag being a single bag that is not connected to other bags;
• a sealable vacuum box comprising a vacuum pump for evacuating said vacuum box, wherein said blood-collection bag is sealed within said vacuum box and the flow rate of blood into said blood-collection bag is controlled by adjusting the vacuum;
• and
• a scale able to weigh said blood-collection bag while said blood-collection bag is sealed inside said vacuum box.

A method for making a blood collecting system comprising:

• providing a phlebotomy needle, a first and second tube, a leukocyte removal filter, a blood-collection bag that is not connected to other bags, a vacuum box comprising a vacuum pump for evacuating said vacuum box, a scale, and anticoagulant;
• connecting said needle to an end of said first tube;
• connecting another end of said tube to the inlet of said filter;
• connecting the outlet of said filter to an end of the second tube;
• connecting another end of the second tube to said blood collection bag;
• placing said blood-collection bag inside said vacuum box, sealing said vacuum box, and evacuating said vacuum box placing said blood-collection bag on top of said scale;
• and
• placing said anticoagulant in said blood-collection bag.

A blood component transferal system comprising:

• a blood-component bag containing blood, wherein said blood has been centrifuged such that blood components in said bag are located in separate, layered regions of said bag;
• a tube in fluid communication with said blood-component bag, wherein one end of said tube is connected with said bag and the other end of said tube splits into at least two branches;
• at least two blood-product bags in fluid communication with said tube, wherein each blood-product bag is connected to one of said branches;
• an optical controller comprising an optical sensor positioned upstream from said branches, wherein said optical sensor causes said controller to produce an output signal responsive to light received from fluid flowing through said tube;
• clamps on at least one of said branches, capable of opening and closing in response to the signal from said optical controller.