US 6,440,372 B1 · Apparatus for cryopreservation and recovery of red blood cells

Abstract

A system dynamically adjusts the delivery rate of a cryopreservation solution to red blood cells to permit freezing. The delivery rate is preferably determined according to an equation that maintains a linear change of red blood cell osmolarity over time so as to prevent osmolarity shock of the red blood cells. In the preferred embodiment, the system includes a controller that is preconfigured to automatically deliver the cryopreservation solution to the red blood cells in accordance with the equation. The system may also support the recovery of thawed red blood cells by diluting the red blood cells and washing them of the cryopreservative. Again, the system preferably adjusts the delivery rate of a dilution solution so as to prevent osmolarity shock of the red blood cells during the recovery phase. The recovered red blood cells may be suspended in a preservation solution to further increase their shelf-life following the recovery phase.

Claims19

Dependent claims

An apparatus for preparing a blood component for cryopreservation by mixing the blood component with a volume of cryopreservation solution that exposes the blood component to a risk of osmolarity shock, the apparatus comprising:

at least one variable-speed pump coupled to the volume of cryopreservation solution and to the blood component, operation of the pump at a given speed defining a respective flow rate of cryopreservation solution to the blood component;
and
a controller operably coupled to the at least one pump so as to control the rate at which cryopreservation solution is delivered to the blood component, the controller configured to dynamically adjust the flow rate of the cryopreservation solution to reduce the risk of osmolarity shock to the blood component.

An apparatus for diluting a thawed, cryopreserved blood component with a volume of a dilution solution that exposes the blood component to a risk of osmolarity shock, in preparation for recovery of the blood component, the apparatus comprising:

means for coupling the dilution solution to the blood component;
at least one variable-speed pump disposed in the coupling means, operation of the at least one pump at a given speed defining a respective flow rate of dilution solution to the blood component;
and
a controller operably coupled to the at least one pump so as to control the rate at which dilution solution is delivered to the blood component;
the controller configured to dynamically adjust the flow rate of the dilution solution to reduce the risk of osmolarity shock to the blood component.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus for cryopreservation and recovery of red blood cells

Life of this patent

Apparatus for cryopreservation and recovery of red blood cells

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19