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.

Described are embodiments that include methods and devices for detecting disposables that may be used in medical devices. Embodiments involve the detection of disposables used in apheresis machines. The disposable are configured to fit into portions, or features, of the apheresis machines in predetermined ways and embodiments provide for detecting whether the disposable have been loaded correctly.

An optical monitoring system is provided for use with a blood processing system. The system includes a light source configured to illuminate a disposable flow circuit received in a centrifuge and a light detector configured to receive an image of the disposable flow circuit. A controller combines two or more of the images received by the light detector to generate a two-dimensional output. The output is used to control the separation of blood within the disposable flow circuit. The monitoring system may also be used to verify that the disposable flow circuit is suitable for use with the centrifuge or that the disposable flow circuit is properly aligned within the centrifuge. The monitoring system may be positioned outside of the centrifuge bucket which receives the centrifuge.

Provided is a chamber configuration for a reverse flow centrifuge, and a reverse flow centrifuge system configured for low fluid volume and small radius rotation. The compact reverse flow centrifuge system has a reusable subsystem and a single use replaceable subsystem. The replaceable subsystem comprises a separation chamber, fluid delivery manifold and rotational mounting connecting the separation chamber to the fluid manifold. The single use replaceable subsystem provides a closed environment for execution of reverse flow centrifugation processes. The separation chamber has a substantially conical fluid enclosure portion connected to a neck portion, and a dip tube extends centrally through the conical fluid enclosure to provide a fluid path to the tip of the conical fluid enclosure.

The current disclosure presents embodiments directed to, among others, a support and/or clamp (60) for receiving a cylindrical element (e.g., a bearing (90)), which can include a base (62), a pair of opposed receiving members (64) projecting from the base (62) and spaced apart from one other to establish a receiving area (66) configured with a size and shape to removably receive at least one of a circular, cylindrical and spherical object therein, and at least one of a detent (24) and magnet (40) arranged within at least a portion of the receiving area (66), the detent (24) and/or magnet (40) configured to at least one of temporarily retain the object within the receiving area (66) and establish a sound associated with the receiving of the object.

An apparatus and method for performing counter flow centrifugation. The apparatus includes at least one vessel, a gear fixedly attached to at least a portion of the vessel such that rotation of the gear rotates the vessel, a handle assembly and a plurality of tubes extending through the handle assembly and to the vessel. The gear is configured to be rotated by a drive system. The handle assembly is rotatably attached to the gear and includes an opening therein. At least a portion of the gear engages at least a portion of the drive system through the opening. The handle assembly is configured to be rotated by the drive system. The vessel can be rotated at twice a speed of the handle assembly when the apparatus is inserted into a bowl of the counter flow centrifuge.

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 apparatus for manipulating particles includes: a rotor rotatable at a speed about an axis, the rotor having an outer periphery and front and rear opposite sides; at least one chamber mounted on the rotor, each chamber having an inlet and an outlet; an umbilical assembly rotatable about the axis; and a drive mechanism configured to rotate the umbilical assembly at about one-half the speed of the rotor. The umbilical assembly includes: a curvilinear guide tube connecting to a drum at the rear side of the rotor; a flexible conduit residing in the guide tube; and first and second elongate passageways for each chamber extending through the conduit, wherein the first passageway is in fluid communication with the inlet of a respective chamber and the second passageway is in fluid communication with the outlet of the respective chamber. The passageways are held in a spaced-apart relationship relative to one another.

Provided is a chamber configuration for a reverse flow centrifuge, and a reverse flow centrifuge system configured for low fluid volume and small radius rotation. The compact reverse flow centrifuge system has a reusable subsystem and a single use replaceable subsystem. The replaceable subsystem comprises a separation chamber, fluid delivery manifold and rotational mounting connecting the separation chamber to the fluid manifold. The single use replaceable subsystem provides a closed environment for execution of reverse flow centrifugation processes. The separation chamber has a substantially conical fluid enclosure portion connected to a neck portion, and a dip tube extends centrally through the conical fluid enclosure to provide a fluid path to the tip of the conical fluid enclosure.

Methods are provided for identifying a disposable flow circuit in a blood processing system. At least a portion of the disposable flow circuit is positioned within a centrifuge that is rotatable about a rotational axis and has a high-G outer wall with a window facing radially away from the rotational axis. The disposable flow circuit is monitored through the window to detect the presence of an expected identification feature and/or an expected alignment feature. If the expected feature is detected, a blood separation procedure is initiated, with the procedure including monitoring the disposable flow circuit through the window to detect characteristics of a fluid within the disposable flow circuit. If the expected feature is not detected, an alarm condition is generated and initiation of the blood separation procedure is prevented.