A blood component separation device for separating a plurality of blood components from blood sampled from a blood donor, and collecting platelets, includes: an operation unit that calculates a predicted platelet recovery rate from a hematocrit value of the blood and a platelet concentration of the blood, and calculates a recommended processing amount of the blood recommended for collecting a target number of units of platelets on the basis of the calculated predicted platelet recovery rate, wherein the operating unit sets the predicted platelet recovery rate calculated from any the hematocrit value and any the platelet concentration to be smaller by a predetermined value a when the blood donor is female than that when the blood donor is male.

A blood component separation device for separating a plurality of blood components from blood sampled from a blood donor, and collecting platelets, includes: an operation unit that calculates a predicted platelet recovery rate from a hematocrit value of the blood and a platelet concentration of the blood, and calculates a recommended processing amount of the blood recommended for collecting a target number of units of platelets on the basis of the calculated predicted platelet recovery rate, wherein the operating unit sets the predicted platelet recovery rate calculated from any the hematocrit value and any the platelet concentration to be smaller by a predetermined value a when the blood donor is female than that when the blood donor is male.

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.

The present invention relates to a device and method for the preparation of platelet rich plasma, and to the plasma obtained by employing said device and method. The method comprises evaporating and dialysing plasma with the device of the invention to provide a plasma enriched in platelets and non-platelet biomolecules. The plasma thus obtained shows improved regenerative properties with respect to other plasma preparations.

Methods to significantly reduce clot formation in cold-stored platelet samples are described. The methods include collecting platelet samples at defined yields and/or concentrations and allowing collected platelet samples to rest at room temperature without agitation for a period of time before being moved into cold storage.

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.

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 medical device for separating a fluid, in particular for separating platelet-rich plasma from whole blood, includes three containers and at least one corresponding connection line having an intermediate bifurcation. Provided on the connection line are valve means for enabling or preventing a flow of fluid. At least one container includes a hollow container body and a plunger associated in a movable way to the container body. A modular structure has modules connected to enable separation thereof. A first module includes at least the first container and a corresponding portion of the first connection line, and a second module, which has at least one between the second and third containers with a corresponding portion of the first connection line. Provided at least at the interface between two modules of the modular structure are releasable connectors, in particular hydraulic connectors having at least two parts that can be coupled together, each of which belongs to a corresponding module.

Systems and methods are provided for collecting a platelet product from a fluid including platelets and plasma. Platelet-rich plasma is separated from at least a portion of another constituent of the fluid and then may be further separated into concentrated platelets and platelet-poor plasma, with the concentrated platelets being resuspended. Separated platelets (in the form of platelet-rich plasma or resuspended platelets) are conveyed through a size exclusion filter and into a platelet storage container. The size exclusion filter is configured to remove platelet clumps and/or particles larger than a platelet from the separated platelets. Subsequently, an additive is conveyed through the size exclusion filter and into the platelet storage container. Conveying additive through the size exclusion filter improves platelet recovery in the platelet product by displacement of separated platelets with the additive and may also break up any platelet clumps that are present in the size exclusion filter.

A blood separation method using a blood separation filter (10A) includes: an arrangement step of arranging a housing (18) such that a blood inflow chamber (20) is positioned below a filter member (24) and the blood outflow chamber (22) is positioned above a filter medium (38); a blood treatment step of allowing blood to flow in the filter medium (38) upward from vertically below; and a post residual treatment blood collection step of arranging the housing (18) such that an outflow port (28) is positioned vertically below the blood outflow chamber (22) so as to guide the post-separation residual blood in the housing (18) to the outflow port (28).