Apparatus for separation of blood into components thereof

A disposable blood pathway for use in the centrifugal separation of blood in a spinning centrifuge rotor into a first blood component and a second blood component comprising, in combination:

• a flexible blood processing bag having at least one inlet port and one outlet port, said flexible blood processing bag having inner and outer wall members with a relatively small distance between said inner and said outer wall members compared to other internal bag dimensions so that the distance blood components travel during centrifugal separation is minimized when said bag is supported in the centrifuge rotor in a position whereby said relatively small distance is positioned transverse to the axis of rotation so that second blood component travels along this short internal bag dimension during centrifugal separation;
• a receiver container for receiving first blood component separated in said flexible blood processing bag, said receiver container having at least one inlet port and having a geometry which minimizes imbalance in said centrifuge rotor as separated first blood component is introduced into the receiver container;
• blood-compatible tubing connecting an outlet port of said flexible blood processing bag with an inlet port of said receiver container;
• and
• blood compatible tubing for providing fluid communication between a source of blood to be separated and an inlet port on said flexible blood processing bag.