Membrane separation devices, systems and methods employing same and data management systems and methods
A membrane separation device is disclosed along with systems and methods employing the device in blood processing procedures. In one embodiment, a spinning membrane separator is provided in which at least two zones or regions are created in the gap between the membrane and the shell, such that mixing of the fluid between the two regions is inhibited by a radial rib associated with the membrane that decreases the gap between the membrane and the shell to define two fluid regions, the ridge isolating the fluid in the two regions to minimize mixing between the two. Automated systems and methods are disclosed for separating a unit of previously collected whole blood into components, such as concentrated red cells and plasma, for collecting red cells and plasma directly from a donor in a single pass, and for cell washing. Data management systems and methods and priming methods are also disclosed.
1. A method for washing biological cells comprising:
providing a separator comprising a relatively rotatable cylindrical housing and an internal member; wherein said cylindrical housing has an interior surface and said internal member has an exterior surface, said surfaces defining a gap therebetween, wherein at least one of said surfaces includes a porous membrane;
introducing cells suspended in a liquid medium into said gap;
rotating at least one or both of said housing and said internal member;
separating said cells from said liquid medium;
concentrating said cells;
removing at least some of said concentrated cells from said separator through a first outlet to a first integrally connected in-process container;
removing at least some of said separated liquid medium from said separator through a second outlet;
resuspending said concentrated cells in the first in-process container with a replacement fluid;
introducing said resuspended cells into the gap of said separator;
concentrating said cells and removing said concentrated cells to a second integrally connected in-process container;
removing at least some of the separated replacement fluid from said separator through said second outlet;
determining whether an acceptable volume of concentrated cells has been attained in said second integrally connected container; and
transferring said concentrated cells from said second integrally connected in-process container to an integrally connected final product container upon attainment of an acceptable volume of concentrated cells.
2. The method of claim 1 comprising adding a storage medium to said concentrated cells in one of said integrally connected containers.
3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
sequentially introducing a wash medium and cell suspension into said gap.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein whether an acceptable volume of concentrated cells has been attained is determined by weighing the first integrally connected container.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein if it is determined that an acceptable volume of concentrated cells has not been attained in said second integrally connected in-process container, then
resuspending said concentrated cells in the second in-process container with replacement fluid;
introducing said resuspended cells into the gap of said separator;
concentrating said cells and removing said concentrated cells to the first integrally connected in-process container;
determining whether an acceptable volume of concentrated cells has been attained in said first integrally connected container; and
transferring said concentrated cells from said first integrally connected in-process container to the second integrally connected final product container upon attainment of an acceptable volume of concentrated cells.