An object of the present invention is to provide a method for efficiently separating megakaryocytes and platelets produced from the megakaryocytes, and an instrument for efficiently separating megakaryocytes and platelets produced from the megakaryocytes. According to the present invention, a method for separating megakaryocytes and platelets, including a contact step of bringing a culture solution that contains at least megakaryocytes into contact with a substrate coated with a biocompatible polymer that adheres to the megakaryocytes via at least one of a VLA-4 integrin or a VLA-5 integrin; a culture step of culturing the megakaryocytes to produce platelets before and/or after the contact step; and a recovery step of recovering the culture solution after the contact step and the culture step is provided.

A blood component separation device for separating a plurality of blood components from blood sampled from a blood donor, and collecting platelets, includes: an donor calculation 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 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 donor calculation 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 when the blood donor is female than that when the blood donor is male.

A method provides for procuring platelet rich plasma (PRP) from a sample of whole blood in a vial. The method includes the steps of: separating the whole blood into layers through centrifugation with an upper layer containing platelet poor plasma (PPP) and a PRP layer below the upper layer containing PRP; adjusting an end point of a first range of motion of an extractor relative to a position of the PRP layer; moving the extractor through the first range of motion through the vial, PPP passing out from the upper layer through the extractor; and after the extractor reaches the end point of the first range of motion, extracting the PRP through the extractor and collecting the PRP.

The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatus for producing platelet rich plasma, bone marrow mononuclear cells, stromal vascular fraction from adipose tissue, and other concentrated or enriched biological fluids.

A disposable bag set for separating discrete volumes of a composite fluid includes a separation bag including the composite fluid to be separated; a first bag in fluid communication with the separation bag, the first bag configured to receive a first component of the composite fluid from the separation bag; and a second bag in fluid communication with the first bag and not the separation bag, the second bag configured to receive a product formed using the first component.

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.

Methods and kits for treating a cardiac arrhythmia using a platelet rich plasma (PRP) composition are provided. Any type of arrhythmia may be treated using the PRP composition. The PRP composition may comprise PRP developed using blood collected from a patient suffering the cardiac arrhythmia. The PRP composition may be buffered to a physiological pH and may include one or more anti-arrhythmic agents, anti-coagulants, or other drugs. The PRP composition may be delivered using a nebulizer, minimally invasively, or surgically.

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.

Apparatus for treating blood. A device (10) for separating plasma from blood comprises a blood flow path (20) including formations (24) for agitating blood flow along the blood flow path and a separation membrane (28) with a first surface in fluid communication with the blood flow path. The device may be comprised in an extracorporeal blood circuit and used in a method for separating plasma from blood.