Enhanced yield blood processing systems and methods establishing controlled vortex flow conditions
AssigneeBaxter International Inc.
InventorsRichard I. Brown, Michael R. Prisco
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Blood processing systems and methods create dynamic vortex flow conditions within the processing chamber by conveying blood into a separation path that extends circumferentially about the rotational axis along an entry path that extends generally parallel to the rotational axis. The vortex flow conditions perfuse blood into the separation path for separation into component parts. The systems and methods confine the vortex flow pattern along the entry path by reducing the radial width of the entry path.
Claims8
A chamber for rotation about a rotational axis to separate blood components comprising
- first and second spaced apart side walls forming a separation zone, the first wall being closer to the rotational axis than the second wall, the separation zone defining a separation path extending generally circumferentially about the axis of rotation, the separation path including an entry region having a first radial width and a second region circumferentially spaced from the entry region and having a Second radial width,
- an inlet passage communicating with the entry region to convey blood into the entry region along an entry path having an entry axis that extends generally parallel to the axis of rotation, the blood moving in a vortex flow pattern in the entry path about the entry axis for perfusion from the entry region into the second region for separation in the second region into component parts, and
- a stepped-up ridge radially extending into the entry region along the entry path making the first radial width less than the second radial width to thereby confine the vortex flow pattern within the entry region.
A method for separating blood components comprising the steps of
- rotating first and second spaced apart side walls forming a separation zone about a rotational axis, the first wall being closer to the rotational axis than the second wall, the separation zone defining a separation path extending generally circumferentially about the axis of rotation, the separation path including an entry region having a first radial width and a second region circumferentially spaced from the entry region and having a second radial width,
- conveying blood into the entry region along an entry path having an entry axis that extends generally parallel to the axis of rotation to establish a vortex flow pattern in the entry path about the entry axis that perfuses blood from the entry region into the second region for separation in the second region into component parts,
- confining the vortex flow pattern within the entry region by providing a stepped-up ridge radially extending into the entry region along the entry path, which makes the first radial width less than the second radial width.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.