A method for processing an initial liquid medium including cells in an initial concentration to obtain a product liquid medium including cells in a product concentration includes supplying the initial medium to a separator via a first supply system, separating the initial medium into various constituents including the product medium, extracting the product medium from the separator via a first outlet system, measuring a physical parameter related to the concentration of the cells in the initial medium using a sensor, and controlling at least one process parameter as a function of the physical parameter. During the step of separating the initial medium, a solution is supplied to the separator at a flow rate via a second supply system. The flow rate of the solution is determined based on the at least one process parameter, and is reduced when the concentration of the cells measured in the initial medium increases.

The disclosure provides an apparatus for processing a blood sample, a device for cells preparation and a method thereof. The disclosure can be used for blood separation, cell culture and preparation of cells. The apparatus mainly uses a weight sensor to have the weight and some liquid sensors. By optimizing the connection relationship of each device in the whole equipment, simplifying the operation process of the equipment, coordinating each step of the device, reducing the production cost, integrating the steps of PBMC cell separation and magnetic bead separation, the method makes the cell preparation process more intelligently automated, the operation simpler, the cell pollution reduced and the success rate of cell preparation improved. It has broad application prospects and huge market value.

An autotransfusion system for separating fluid constituents includes a centrifuge housing and a rotatable driving member mounted within the centrifuge housing. The rotatable driving member is configured to receive therein and rotationally engage any one of a plurality of centrifuge bowls with different heights. In some embodiments, the centrifuge bowl is integrated with a fluid line organizer to provide for easy and efficient organization of a plurality of different fluid lines incorporated into the autotransfusion system. In some embodiments, the centrifuge bowl and fluid line organizer are easily and efficiently coupled to the centrifuge housing for autotransfusion processing.

The invention relates to a system, comprising: a) a sample processing unit, comprising an input port and an output port coupled to a rotating container having at least one sample chamber, the sample processing unit configured provide a first processing step to a sample or to rotate the container so as to apply a centrifugal force to a sample deposited in the chamber and separate at least a first component and a second component of the deposited sample; and b) a sample separation unit coupled to the output port of the sample processing unit, the cell separation unit comprising separation column holder (42), a pump (64) and a plurality of valves (1-11) configured to at least partially control fluid flow through a fluid circuitry and a separation column (40) positioned in the holder, the separation column configured to separate labeled and unlabeled components of sample flowed through the column.

A funnel element having an open end and a closed pointed end configured to receive a multi-component fluid containing a solid fraction. The solid fraction can comprise cellular material that sediments toward the closed pointed end to form a cell pack. A wash fluid can be pumped through the cell pack to entrain microparticles and soluble contaminants. The wash fluid can be introduced into the funnel element below the cell pack such that the wash fluid percolates through the cell pack. The percolating wash fluid can dislodge microparticles or other contaminants trapped within the cell pack. Additional wash fluids can be added to funnel element where excess wash fluids overflow from the funnel element through the open end of the funnel element.

A method and system for separating a suspension of biological fluids is disclosed. The method and system include measuring and adjusting the flow rate of fluid into and out of a separator in order to achieve a target outlet concentration.

Embodiments are described for separating/collecting components from a multi-component fluid such as whole blood. Some embodiments provide for controlling the amount of a component, such as platelets, introduced into a separation chamber to ensure that the density of fluid in the separation chamber does not exceed a particular value. This may provide for collecting purer components. Other embodiments may provide for determining a chamber flow rate based on a concentration of a component in the multi-component fluid, which may then be used to determine a centrifuge speed, to collect purer concentrated components.

A device for the processing and separation of biological fluids into components comprises a hollow centrifugal processing chamber (10) fitted with an inlet/outlet head (20) and preferably with an axially movable piston (18). The inlet/outlet head has two separate inlets/outlets, for instance an axial inlet (29) and a lateral outlet (40). The processing chamber (1) is fitted with an internal flow guide (30) enabling operation of the device in a continuous processing mode wherein biological fluid to be processed is continuously intaken by say the axial inlet (29) and at the same time processed components are continuously removed via say the lateral outlet (40). The continuous processing flow can be driven by an external peristaltic pump (59) and/or by axial displacement of a piston (18) in the chamber (10).

An improved method for separating whole blood into components and collecting a desired blood component. The method allows a desired blood component to be subjected to centrifugal forces within a separator for prolonged periods of time, yielding a cleaner cut and higher yield of the desired blood component. Whole blood is drawn from a source and pumped into a separator, the undesired blood components are removed from the separator at rates so as to build up the desired blood component in the separator. The desired blood component is only removed after a predetermined amount of the desired blood component has built up in the separator. It is preferred that the desired blood component be buffy coat and that the method be used to perform photopheresis treatments. In another aspect, the invention is a method of performing a full photopheresis treatment to treat diseases in a reduced time, preferably less than about 70 minutes, and more preferably less than about 45 minutes.

A system for collecting MNCs to be treated with irradiation comprises a fluid circuit comprising a product container for receiving a MNC product. The system comprises a separator to work in association with the fluid circuit, the separator comprising a chamber for separation into RBCs, plasma, and an interface carrying MNCs between the RBCs and the plasma. A microprocessor-based controller is in communication with the separator, wherein the controller receives input of a target hematocrit for the MNC product. The controller also receives input for a total volume of whole blood and a number of cycles, and directs the interface and a portion of the RBCs into the product container for a resulting product volume comprising a volume of MNCs and a volume of RBCs. The controller automatically adjusts a RBC volume so that a ratio of RBCs within the MNC product to MNC product equals the target hematocrit.