Blood pumping and processing system

A system for blood storage and processing purposes comprising:

• a disposable housing for processing blood received in the housing;
• a reservoir contained within the disposable housing for receiving blood from outside the housing and having an opening therein for communication with a source of blood;
• a precollector having a housing, the housing having an inlet which may be connected to a means for suctioning blood and other fluids from an operative site;
• the inlet communicating with a filter to filter blood introduced through the inlet, wherein blood passes through the filter and into the precollector housing for storage purposes or for purposes of transfer into the reservoir;
• a support housing associated with the disposable housing, the support supporting the precollector;
• an inlet on the precollector for receiving a vacuum line to withdraw filtered blood contained in the precollector;
• a blood transfer line contained partially within the precollector to provide a conduit for withdrawal of the filtered blood and partially outside the precollector to communicate with the opening in the reservoir to allow the withdrawal of blood from the precollector into the reservoir and disposable housing.

A blood processing system for use in processing aspirated blood in which blood fluids are separated comprising:

• a disposable housing for processing blood received within the housing;
• the disposable housing having a separator for receiving the aspirated blood and for separating a mixture of blood cells and platelets from blood fluids;
• the disposable housing further having means for conveying blood to the separator for separating blood cells;
• a reusable housing which cooperates with the disposable housing;
• the reusable housing having means for controlling the means for conveying blood for separating blood cells from blood fluids wherein the reusable housing cooperates with the disposable housing through at least one connector which mates with a corresponding connector in the disposable housing.

A blood processing system for use in processing blood of various hematocrit levels aspirated from a surgical site comprising:

• a separator for receiving the aspirated blood and for separating a mixture of blood cells and platelets from blood fluids;
• a transducer for sensing a first pressure of blood entering the separator;
• a transducer for sensing a second pressure of blood exiting the separator;
• a microprocessor for determining the difference between the first and second pressures;
• and
• a pump controlled by the microprocessor for introducing a variable amount of fluid into the mixture of separated blood cells and platelets, the pump delivering a variable amount of fluid in response to the pressure differential determined by the microprocessor so as to adjust the hematocrit of the mixture of blood cells and platelets.

A blood processing system for use in processing aspirated blood in which blood fluids are separated comprising;

• a disposable housing for processing blood received within the housing;
• the disposable housing having a separator for receiving the aspirated blood and for separating a mixture of blood cells and platelets from blood fluids;
• the disposable housing further including a pump for conveying blood to the separator for separating blood cells;
• a reusable housing which cooperates with the disposable housing having at least one pneumatic connector which mates with a corresponding connector in the disposable housing and including a microprocessor for controlling the pneumatic pressure applied to the pump.

A blood processing system, comprising:

• first and second separators for separating blood cell and fluid components, each separator having an inlet for the blood to be processed and an outlet for the separated blood cells and an outlet for the separating fluid, a line in communication with the blood cell outlet of the first separator and the inlet of the second separator;
• a blood pump for pumping the blood to be processed into the first separator;
• a fluid pump for introducing a variable amount of fluid into the line;
• a waste pump for pumping the separated fluid from the first and second separators;
• a plurality of pneumatic diaphragm valves for controlling the flow of blood and fluid through the blood processing system;
• a plurality of pneumatic connectors in communication with the plurality of pneumatic diaphragm valves;
• and
• a disposable housing for supporting the first and second separators, blood pump, fluid pump, waste pump, plurality of pneumatic diaphragm valves and plurality of pneumatic connectors.