A processing system includes a processor including a separator, a set configured to cooperate with the separator to separate whole blood into plasma and other components, the set including an inlet line attachable to a patient to receive whole blood and an return line attachable to a patient to return processed fluid, and a source of replacement fluid connected to the disposable set, the processor configured to combine the other components with replacement fluid to define the processed fluid. The processor includes a controller and an input device coupled to the controller, the controller configured to receive an input via the input device, the input representing a volume of replacement fluid, and to control the processor to separate whole blood passing through the set and to combine the other components with the replacement fluid according to the input until the source of replacement fluid is empty.

A fluid separation system and method includes a durable hardware component including a pump station with plurality of pumps, a centrifuge mounting station and drive unit, a plurality of valves and clamps, and a controller. The system includes a single use fluid flow circuit having a separation chamber configured to be received by the centrifuge and the fluid flow circuit is engageable with the durable hardware component to control fluid flow within the fluid flow circuit. The fluid flow circuit having an air access component configured to selectively receive air and to provide the air into a conduit to induce plug flow between the separated fluid component and another separated fluid component, wherein the controller is configured to operate the system to perform one or more blood processing procedures to convey a fluid into the separation chamber and to remove a separated fluid component from the separation chamber.

A method for collecting plasma includes determining the weight and hematocrit of a donor, and inserting a venous-access device into the donor. The method then withdraws blood from the donor through a draw line connected to a blood component separation device, and introduces anticoagulant into the withdrawn blood. The blood component separation device separates the blood into a plasma component and a second blood component, and the plasma component is collected from the blood component separation device and into a plasma collection container. The method may then calculate (1) a percentage of anticoagulant in the collected plasma component, and (2) a volume of pure plasma collected within the plasma collection container. The volume of pure plasma may be based, at least in part, on the calculated percentage of anticoagulant. The method may continue until a target volume of pure plasma is collected within the plasma collection container.

Provided is a loading tray assembly for housing a lyophilization container and a related system and method. The loading tray assembly includes a chassis including a contact void configured to facilitate direct contact between the attached lyophilization container and a lyophilizer shelf. The method includes securing a multi-part lyophilization container including a peelable seal on a lyophilization loading tray assembly, inputting a liquid into a non-breathable section of the lyophilization container, loading the tray assembly into a lyophilizer, freezing the liquid, applying heat energy and a vacuum, the vacuum causing an opening of the peelable seal and occluding the lyophilization container to isolate the frozen liquid.

Apparatus and methods for concentrating platelet-rich plasma is described herein. One variation may generally comprise a tube having a length and defining a channel within and one or more ports located at a proximal end of the tube and in fluid communication with the channel. A plunger may slidably translatable within the channel while forming a seal against an inner surface of the channel and a float may have a pre-selected density and defining a concave interface surface, wherein the float is slidably contained within the channel such that the concave interface surface is in apposition to the one or more ports.

A method of collecting plasma includes receiving donor parameters at a controller of a plasma collection device electronically from a donor management system. The method includes storing a target volume for raw plasma which is based at least in part on donor height and weight used to calculate total donor blood volume, the target volume for raw plasma based on the total donor blood volume. The method includes setting the target volume for raw plasma and controlling the plasma collection device to operate draw and return phases to withdraw whole blood from a donor and separate the whole blood into the plasma product and a second blood component comprising red blood cells and to return the second blood component to the donor. The controller operates the draw and return phases until a volume of raw plasma in the collection container equals the target volume of raw plasma.

The invention provides apheresis devices and their use for removal of substantially all types of cell free DNA (cfDNA) in patients' blood, including nucleosome-bound cfDNA, exosome-bound cfDNA and unbound cfDNA (including double stranded DNA (dsDNA), single stranded DNA (ssDNA) and oligonucleotides), to limit the negative effects of the circulating cfDNA and to treat various diseases.

A body fluid component separating device according to an embodiment may comprise: a housing; a piston which divides the housing into a first space and a second space and connects the first space and the second space via fluid-connection; and a manipulator which is coupled to the piston to be operable and is configured to maintain a pressure balance between the first space and the second space, adjust movement of the piston between a first location at which the first space has a first volume and a second location at which the first space has a second volume that is different from the first volume, and fix the piston on an arbitrary location between the first location and the second location.

Described are embodiments that include methods and devices for separating components from multi-component fluids. Embodiments may involve use of separation vessels and movement of components into and out of separation vessels through ports. Embodiments may involve the separation of plasma from whole blood. Also described are embodiments that include methods and devices for positioning portions, e.g., loops, of disposables in medical devices. Embodiments may involve use of surfaces for automatically guiding loops to position them into a predetermined position.

A method of delivering a therapeutic agent to a nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disc is provided. The method comprises inserting a delivery tool containing the therapeutic agent through an anterior portion, a lateral portion, or an anterolateral portion of an annulus fibrosus and into the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc and delivering the therapeutic agent to the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc. Devices and kits are also provided.