BLOOD PROCESSING SYSTEMS AND METHODS WHICH RESTRICT IN FLOW OF WHOLE BLOOD TO INCREASE PLATELET YIELDS

摘要

Systems and methods for separating blood rotate a separation chamber about a rotational axis to create within the chamber a low-G wall radially close to the axis and a high-G wall spaced radially further from the axis than the low-G wall. The systems and methods introduce whole blood into an inlet region of the chamber during its rotation through a reduced passage. The reduced passage restricts whole blood flow, thereby causing more uniform perfusion of whole blood in the inlet. Separation of red blood cells begins within the inlet region toward the high-G wall. This creates a flow of plasma that moves within the inlet region radially toward the low-G wall and elutes platelets into suspension. The systems and methods direct the radial flow of plasma and eluted platelets to an outlet in the inlet region for transport from the chamber. The systems and methods thus use the high radial plasma velocities in the inlet region to lift greater numbers of both large and small platelets into suspension within the plasma for transport out the chamber.