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the donor through a draw line connected to a blood component separation device, and introduces anticoagulant into the withdrawn blood.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 are systems and methods for treating a biological fluid, e.g., to inactivate pathogens.

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 blood filtration system may include blood circuit configured to transmit a fluid within one or more lumens. The system may include an optical sensor configured to couple with the blood circuit. The optical sensor may measure one or more optical characteristics of the fluid in the blood circuit. The one or more optical characteristics may include a first optical characteristic corresponding to a concentration of an imaging substance in the fluid within the blood circuit. The system may include a controller in communication with the optical sensor. The controller may include a sampling module configured to record the one or more optical characteristics. The controller may include a physiological characteristic identification module configured to determine a plasma volume of the patient with the recorded optical characteristics of the imaging substance.

This disclosure relates to a method and system for fast freezing of a biological product (such as blood plasma) contained in an individual bag or a plurality of bags. This disclosure relates to a method and system for freezing plasma in an individual bag or a plurality of bags, favoring bottom-up ice-growth, by implementing a differential air flow on top and bottom surfaces of a horizontally placed bag or bags filled with plasma. This disclosure relates to a method and a differential air flow system for freezing plasma, wherein the heat transfer coefficient on a bottom of a bag is at least 10 times larger than at a top. This disclosure relates to a differential air flow system and method for freezing plasma, wherein the differential air flow on top and bottom surfaces of a plasma bag is imposed by at least one fan or blower.

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.

Provided are systems and methods for treating a biological fluid, e.g., to inactivate pathogens.

Provided is a gas fill fixture for use in lyophilization, a related system and method. The gas fill fixture includes a chassis, fill indicator and a lid, such that the chassis and lid together form a cavity for receiving a flexible lyophilization container. The system includes a lyophilization container, a lyophilizer and a gas fill fixture incorporating a chassis, a fill indicator and a lid. The method includes process steps for using the system to lyophilize a fluid.

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.

The disclosure provides for a container system and method for the cryopreservation and resuspension of a body fluid. The container system may include a cryopreservation container comprising the body fluid in a cryopreservation liquid, a resuspension container comprising a resuspension solution, a connection tube sterilely connecting the cryopreservation container and the resuspension container, and at least one shut-off element actively associated with the connection tube.