Blood filtration methods and blood filtration apparatus

Abstract

The present invention relates to a blood filtration method and a blood filtration apparatus. Methods wherein a blood cell concentration gradient is formed in a storing unit in which blood is pooled before or after introducing the blood into a filter for eliminating leukocytes followed by the filtration. By the first method comprising forming a blood cell concentration gradient in the storing unit before introducing blood into the filter for eliminating leukocytes followed by the filtration, leukocytes can be efficiently eliminated from a whole blood product or a high platelet recovery ratio can be established while maintaining a high leukocyte elimination ratio. By the second method comprising forming a blood cell concentration gradient in the storing unit after introducing blood into the filter for eliminating leukocytes followed by the filtration, leukocytes can be efficiently eliminated from a whole blood product or a platelet product and platelets can be collected at a high ratio. A blood filtration apparatus which is an automated filtration initiator whereby a stable filtration performance can be achieved while relieving burden loaded on an operator.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.