Systems and methods for removing undesired matter from blood cells

A method of collecting blood components comprising the steps of

• collecting blood having the undesired matter in a blood collection container,
• separating the blood in the blood collection container into a first component and a second component that contains the undesired matter,
• opening communication between the blood collection container and a first transfer assembly having an empty first transfer container and a second transfer container that contains an additive solution, to (i) convey the first component from the blood collection container into the empty first transfer container and (ii) convey a first quantity the additive solution from the second transfer container into the blood collection container to mix the additive solution with the second component that contains the undesired matter,
• opening communication between the blood collection container and a second transfer assembly having a third transfer container and a fluid path that leads to the third transfer container and that includes means for separating the undesired matter from the blood, to convey the mixture of the first quantity of additive solution and the second component that includes the undesired matter into the third transfer container through the separation means to remove the undesired matter, and
• opening communication between the first and second transfer assemblies to convey a second quantity of the additive solution from the second transfer container through the separation means, bypassing the blood collection container into the mixture contained in the third transfer container and thereby flush additional second component from the separation means.

A blood collection system comprising,

• a blood collection assembly,
• a first transfer assembly comprising an empty first transfer container and a second transfer container that contains an additive solution,
• a second transfer assembly comprising a third transfer container and a fluid path that leads to the third transfer container and that includes means for separating undesired matter from blood, and
• means for directing fluid flow within the system including flow control means operable
• (i) in a first mode for directing a first quantity of blood from the blood collection assembly for collection in the first transfer container,
• (ii) in a second mode for directing additive solution from the second transfer container into the blood collection assembly to mix with the quantity of blood remaining in the blood collection assembly,
• (iii) in a third mode for directing the mixture of the additive solution and the remaining blood from the blood collection assembly to the third transfer container through the separation means to remove the undesired materials, and
• (iv) in a fourth mode for directing a constituent of the blood contained in the first transfer container into the second transfer container bypassing the blood collection assembly for collection.

A blood collection system comprising,

• a blood collection assembly,
• a first transfer assembly comprising an empty first transfer container and a second transfer container that contains an additive solution,
• a second transfer assembly comprising a third transfer container and a fluid path that leads to the third transfer container and that includes means for separating undesired matter from blood, and
• means for directing fluid flow within the system including flow control means operable
• (i) in a first mode for directing a first quantity of blood from the blood collection assembly for collection in the first transfer container,
• (ii) in a second mode for directing a first quantity of the additive solution from the second transfer container into the blood collection assembly to mix with the quantity of blood remaining in the blood collection assembly,
• (iii) in a third mode for directing the mixture of the additive solution and the remaining blood from the blood collection assembly to the third transfer container through the separation means to remove the undesired materials,
• (iv) in a fourth mode for directing a second quantity of the additive solution from the second transfer container into the third transfer container through the separation means, bypassing the blood collection assembly, and
• (iv) in a fifth mode for directing a constituent of the blood contained in the first transfer container into the second transfer container for collection.

An assembly usable in association with a primary blood collection system, the assembly comprising

• a first transfer container made of a material that, when compared to DEHP-plasticized polyvinyl chloride materials, has a greater gas permeability that is beneficial for platelet storage,
• a second transfer container that holds an additive solution for red blood cells,
• conduit means having one branch that communicates with the first transfer container, a second branch that communicates with the second transfer container, and a third branch that joins the first and second branches and includes means for connecting the conduit means and associated containers to a primary blood collection system, and
• means operative, when the conduit means is attached to the primary blood collection system, for directing fluid flow between the conduit means and the blood collection system and including flow control means operative
• (i) in a first mode for directing a platelet-rich blood component from the primary collection system into the first transfer container;
• (ii) in a second mode for directing the additive solution from the second transfer container to the primary blood collection system;
• and
• (iii) in a third mode for directing a platelet-poor constituent separated from the component contained in the first transfer container into the second transfer container, leaving a concentration of platelets in the first transfer container for storage.