Multi-unit blood processor with isolated valves for radio frequency sealing
AssigneeTerumo BCT, Inc.
InventorsHong Duc Nguyen, Bruce Ellingboe, Darryl Hudock
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus for separating at least two discrete volumes of a composite liquid into components, comprising a valve design that facilitates loading and unloading of sets of blood bags. The valves comprise a jaw mounted on a shaft, the jaw being adapted to apply radio frequency energy to seal a tube, a stepper motor section, and at least two position sensors. The valve sections are mounted on an upper plate, and the stepper motor sections are mounted on a lower plate. A main radio frequency coil is selectively electrically coupled to each of the valves through a multiplexing switch.
Claims8
An apparatus for separating at least two discrete volumes of whole blood into at least a first component and a second component comprising
- a centrifuge rotor adapted to rotate about a rotation axis,
- at least one separation cell, adapted to receive a separation bag of a set of fluidly interconnected bags, said set comprising at least said separation bag containing a volume of whole blood, and at least one component bag,
- a cavity adapted to receive at least said component bag,
- a plurality of valves mounted on the centrifuge rotor, the valves being adapted to control fluid flow between parts of the set of interconnected bags, each of said valves comprising
- spring-loaded valve section comprising
- a jaw mounted on a shaft, wherein said jaw is adapted to apply radio frequency energy to an adjacent tube to seal the tube, and
- a spring adapted to move said jaw into a closed position,
- a stepper motor section adapted to push against said shaft to move said jaw into an open position, said stepper motor section being mechanically and electrically disconnected from said shaft whenever said jaw is in a closed position and during radio frequency welding of the tube, and
- a controller electrically connected to said stepper motor section.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.