Method and system for removing oxygen and carbon dioxide during red cell blood processing using an inert carrier gas and manifold assembly

A method of processing red blood cells (RBCs) comprising:

• filtering a flushing gas source through a gas circulation device to generate sterile flushing gas, said gas circulation device comprising, in fluid communication with each other:
• a flushing gas source providing said flushing gas;
• a gas outlet manifold;
• a first gas sterilization filter;
• a second gas sterilization filter;
• one or more gas sensor assemblies;
• a gas inlet manifold;
• and
• a controller,
• wherein said one or more gas sensor assemblies are selected from the group consisting of an oxygen sensor, an oxygen partial pressure sensor, a carbon dioxide sensor, a carbon dioxide partial pressure sensor, and combinations thereof;
• providing said sterile flushing gas to an oxygen or oxygen and carbon dioxide depletion (OCDD) device;
• and
• flowing said RBCs through said OCDD device to remove oxygen or oxygen and carbon dioxide from said RBCs, producing oxygen or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced red blood cells.