Provided is a method for producing platelets, in which damage to platelets is suppressed compared with a method in which platelets are separated using a filter from a megakaryocyte culture, and then the platelets are concentrated using a hollow fiber membrane and are further washed using the hollow fiber membrane, and purified platelets can be produced in a shorter period of time compared with the time that is taken to perform the above-described method so as to reduce damage to platelets. The method for producing purified platelets of the present invention includes a concentrating step of concentrating a megakaryocyte culture, and a centrifuging step of centrifuging platelets from an obtained concentrate.

Provided is a method for producing platelets, in which damage to platelets is suppressed compared with a method in which platelets are separated using a filter from a megakaryocyte culture, and then the platelets are concentrated using a hollow fiber membrane and are further washed using the hollow fiber membrane, and purified platelets can be produced in a shorter period of time compared with the time that is taken to perform the above-described method so as to reduce damage to platelets. The method for producing purified platelets of the present invention includes a concentrating step of concentrating a megakaryocyte culture, and a centrifuging step of centrifuging platelets from an obtained concentrate.

A blood washing system (20) having a rotor (22) defining an internal chamber for receiving a multi-component fluid and a skimmer assembly (24) including a moveable buoy (28) having an orifice (32) fluidly connected to an access port for the rotor for selectively withdrawing separated fractions of the multi-component fluid. The multi-component fluid can be fed into the internal chamber before the rotor (22) can be rotated at a first speed to fractionate the multi-component fluid. A brake can be applied to the rotor to slow rotation of the rotor to a slower second speed or stop rotation of the rotor causing the solid and denser fluid fractions to settle on the bottom wall (44) of the rotor (22). The buoy (28) can have a specific gravity corresponding to a selected fraction such that the buoy floats on a surface of the selected fraction, wherein the fractions floating on the selected fraction can be withdrawn through the orifice (32).

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 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 centrifuge basket includes a frustum-shaped hollow body defining a pair of opposed ends, being a larger end and a smaller end. The body defines an internal screening surface extending between the ends, the screening surface defining a plurality of apertures arranged to drain liquid from within the body. A plurality of ribs project into an interior of the body from the screening surface, the ribs being arranged in a plurality of annular arrays. The arrays are spaced axially along the screening surface and the ribs of at least one of the arrays are arranged transversely, at a defined included angle, relative to a generatrix line that forms a shape of the screening surface.

A decanter centrifuge that carries out solid-liquid separation by centrifugal force on an object to be processed that is fed into a rotating bowl and designed from a solid and a saturated solution wherein that solid is dissolved, and discharges solid phase components from a solid discharge opening and discharges liquid phase components from a solvent discharge opening thereof by rotationally operating a screw conveyor disposed within the rotating bowl, the decanter centrifuge being provided with a dilution solvent supply unit for supplying, during centrifuging of the object to be processed, dilution solvent that reduces the concentration of the saturated solution to a discharge path, which is a discharge path for saturated solution moving within the rotating bowl, and which is designed closer to the solvent discharge opening side-than a chamber for supplying the object to be processed.

A decanter centrifuge that carries out solid-liquid separation by centrifugal force on an object to be processed that is fed into a rotating bowl and designed from a solid and a saturated solution wherein that solid is dissolved, and discharges solid phase components from a solid discharge opening and discharges liquid phase components from a solvent discharge opening thereof by rotationally operating a screw conveyor disposed within the rotating bowl, the decanter centrifuge being provided with a dilution solvent supply unit for supplying, during centrifuging of the object to be processed, dilution solvent that reduces the concentration of the saturated solution to a discharge path, which is a discharge path for saturated solution moving within the rotating bowl, and which is designed closer to the solvent discharge opening side-than a chamber for supplying the object to be processed.

A pressurizing centrifugal dehydrator for removing moisture according to the present disclosure includes: an inner basket into which slurry is introduced; an outer basket surrounding the inner basket; a blocking barrier disposed in the outer basket; and a gas supplying portion for supplying gas into the inner basket and/or the outer basket, wherein a dehydration product is positioned between an outer circumference of the blocking barrier and an inner side of the outer basket to maintain airtightness of the outer basket.

A pressurizing centrifugal dehydrator for removing moisture according to the present disclosure includes: an inner basket into which slurry is introduced; an outer basket surrounding the inner basket; a blocking barrier disposed in the outer basket; and a gas supplying portion for supplying gas into the inner basket and/or the outer basket, wherein a dehydration product is positioned between an outer circumference of the blocking barrier and an inner side of the outer basket to maintain airtightness of the outer basket.