Lyophilization
Embodiments of methods, systems, and apparatuses for lyophilizing, storing, and transfusing materials are described. In embodiments, the materials may include whole blood or a component of whole blood such as plasma.
1. A method of preparing a liquid comprising a blood component for lyophilization, the method comprising:
pooling a plurality of volumes of liquid comprising a blood component to generate a pooled volume of liquid;
removing a portion of liquid from the pooled volume of liquid to create a reduced volume of liquid; and
filling a plurality of containers with the reduced volume of liquid, wherein the plurality of containers comprise a wall that is permeable to water vapor.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising reducing pathogens in the reduced volume of liquid.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the reducing pathogens comprises:
adding a photosensitizer to the reduced volume of liquid; and
exposing the photosensitizer and the reduced volume of liquid to a light source.