Apparatus and Method for Processing Biological Material

A sedimentation assembly for washing and concentrating a cell population in a suspension, comprising:

• a first chamber for receiving a suspension including a cell population;
• a second chamber, adapted to be repeatedly removably placed in fluid communication with a fluid destination or source, including the first chamber;
• and
• the first and second chambers placeable as a unit in a sedimentation force field with the first and second chambers in fluid communication, wherein when the unit is subjected to the sedimentation force field at least a portion of the suspension flows from the first chamber to the second chamber, and a concentrated cell suspension is formed in the second chamber.

A method of concentrating cells in a suspension, comprising:

• a. collecting a suspension including a cell population within a first chamber;
• b. sedimenting the cell population to obtain a concentrated cell suspension within the first chamber;
• and
• c. flowing the concentrated cell suspension into a second chamber under a sedimentation force field.

A method of concentrating or washing cells in a suspension, comprising:

• a. collecting a suspension including a cell population within a first chamber;
• b. sedimenting the cell population to obtain a concentrated cell suspension within the first chamber;
• c. flowing the concentrated cell suspension into a second chamber under a sedimentation force field;
• d. disconnecting the second chamber from the first chamber;
• and
• e. flowing the concentrated cell suspension into a further fluid destination or source, the further fluid destination or source adapted to be placed together with the second chamber in a sedimentation force field.

An apparatus for reconstituting, washing or treating a cell preparation, comprising:

• a first chamber having at least one port;
• a second chamber having at least one port that is adapted to be repeatedly and removably placed in fluid communication with a fluid destination or source, including the first chamber;
• and
• wherein at least one port of the second chamber has a resealable valve and at least one port of the first chamber has a member for opening the valve.

A method for reconstituting, washing or treating a cell preparation, comprising:

• a. placing a cell preparation within a first chamber;
• b. flowing the cell preparation from the first chamber into a second chamber wherein the second chamber is adapted to be repeatedly and removably connected to and placed in fluid communication with the first chamber and wherein one of the first and second chambers further comprises a port having a resealable valve and the other of the first and second chambers further comprises a port having a member adapted to open the valve when the chambers are connected;
• and
• c. disconnecting the second chamber from the first chamber chamber and the valve closed.