Multi-purpose, automated blood and fluid processing systems and methods

An automated system for separating and processing blood and blood components of a donor or patient comprising:

• (a) a sterile, pre-assembled, disposable fluid circuit module comprising:
• (i) means for withdrawing blood from a patient or donor,
• (ii) a separation chamber wherein said blood is separated into two or more components,
• (iii) means for treating at least one of said separated blood components,
• (iv) a flow control cassette having pre-formed flow path segments therein separated by valve stations for controlling communication between said flow path segments and pump stations for pumping fluid through said flow path segments, and
• (b) a re-usable module adapted to cooperatively receive said fluid circuit module, said re-usable module including:
• means cooperatively associated with said chamber for effecting separation of said blood component from the remainder of said blood;
• means for cooperating with said valve stations to allow the flow of fluid through said pre-formed flow paths of said cassette;
• and
• a programmable controller for selectively controlling fluid flow through said valve stations and selectively establishing flow communication between said flow segments.