Apparatus for monitoring hematocrit levels of blood

An apparatus for measuring the hematocrit of blood comprising:

• light emitting means for emitting light into a blood sample;
• first light detecting means the detecting light emitted from the light emitting means, said first light detecting means positioned to receive light emitted from the light emitting means into the blood sample along a first path from the light emitting means, through the blood sample. to the first light detecting means, said first light detecting means outputting a signal corresponding to the amount of light detected;
• second light detecting means for detecting light emitted from the light emitting means. said second light detecting means being positioned to receive light emitted from the light emitting means into the blood sample, such that light emitted from the light emitting means must travel farther to reach the second light detecting means than to reach the first light detecting means, thereby forming a second path from the light emitting means, through the blood sample, to the second light detecting means which is longer than the first path from the light emitting means to the first light detecting means, the second light detecting means outputting a signal corresponding to the amount of light detected;
• first conveying means, in communication with the light emitting means, for transmitting light from the light emitting means to the blood;
• second conveying means, in communication with the near detecting means, for transmitting to the first light detecting means light passing through the blood along the first path;
• third conveying means, in communication with the far detecting means, for transmitting to the second light detecting means light passing through the blood along the second path;
• and
• light intensity regulating means for regulating the intensity of light emitted by the light emitting means such that the received light on one of the paths remains at a constant value.

An optical connector for use with a hematocrit sensor comprising:

• a generally hollow member adapted to receive a blood sample therein with respect to which hematocrit is to be measured;
• and
• an optically clear flexible optical window positioned on the generally hollow member, and through which the blood sample within the generally hollow member may be visually accessed for measurement of its hematocrit;
• wherein the optical connector presses firmly into the flexible optical window to permit a substantially tight fitting contact.

An apparatus for regulating the operation of a plasma separator apparatus to keep the hematocrit measurement of blood output therefrom within a predetermined range, comprising:

• a plasma separator apparatus for removing unwanted waste components from the blood in order to cleanse the blood;
• and
• monitoring means for measuring the hematocrit of the cleansed blood outputted from the plasma separator apparatus, and for thereafter automatically regulating operating parameters of the plasma separator apparatus so as to maintain a hematocrit of the blood within a predetermined range;
• wherein the monitoring means for automatically regulating operating parameters of the plasma separator apparatus comprises a hematocrit sensor for measuring the hematocrit of blood, interconnected with the plasma separator apparatus by a microcomputer, said hematocrit sensor comprising light emitting means for emitting light into a blood sample, first light detecting means for detecting light emitted from the light emitting means, said first light detecting means positioned to receive light emitted from the light emitting means, through the blood sample, along a first path, and the first light detecting means outputting a signal corresponding to the amount of light detected, second light detecting means detecting light emitted from the light emitting means, said second light detecting means being positioned to receive light emitted from the light emitting means, through the blood sample, along a second path, such that light emitted from the light emitting means must travel farther to reach the second detecting means than to reach the first light detecting means, thereby forming a second path from the light emitting means to the second light detecting means which is longer than the first path from the light emitting means to the first light detecting means, and light intensity regulating means for regulating the intensity of light emitted by the light emitting means such that the received light in one of the paths remains at a constant value.

An apparatus for regulating the operation of a plasma separator apparatus to keep the measurement of blood output therefrom within a predetermined range, comprising:

• a plasma separator apparatus removing unwanted waste components from the blood in order to cleanse the blood;
• and
• monitoring means for measuring the hematocrit of the cleansed blood outputted from the plasma separator apparatus, and for thereafter automatically regulating operating parameters of the plasma separator apparatus so as to maintain a hematocrit of the blood within a predetermined range;
• wherein the monitoring means for automatically regulating operating parameters of the plasma separator apparatus comprises a hematocrit sensor for measuring the hematocrit of blood, interconnected with the plasma separator apparatus by limit switches, said hematocrit sensor comprising light emitting means for emitting light into a blood sample, first light detecting means for detecting light emitted from the light emitting means, said first light detecting means positioned to receive light emitted from the light emitting means, through the blood sample, along a first path, and the first light detecting memos outputting a signal corresponding to the amount of light detected, second light detecting means for detecting light emitted from the light emitting means, said second light detecting means being positioned to receive light emitted from the light emitting mean, through the blood sample, along a second path, such that light from the light emitting means must travel further to reach the second detecting means than to reach the first light detecting means, thereby forming a second path from the light emitting means to the second light detecting means which is longer than the first path from the light emitting means to the first light detecting means, and light intensity regulating means for regulating the intensity of light emitted by the light emitting means such that the received light on one of the paths remains at a constant value.