Abstract A package for storing blood is formed of a plastic laminate with the layer next to the package cavity being formed of a fluorinated ethylene-propylene polymer and the outer layer being formed of a non-thermoplastic polyimide with a melting temperature substantially higher than that of the inner layer. Openings leading to the cavity are heat sealed after blood has been introduced into the cavity by applying heat by conduction near the opening through the outer layer on at least one side of the package for melting and sealing opposing inner layers together. According to the method for storing blood in the package, the package is sealed after blood has been introduced therein by so applying heat through the outer layer and sealing together the opposing inner layers.
A sealed package containing a stored suspension of cellular components of blood, said package comprising nonrigid laminate wall portions resistant to a temperature of approximately that of liquid nitrogen, said walls being formed of a plastic laminate and defining an inner cavity containing said suspension, with at least one sealed opening to the inner cavity, the laminate including an inner layer next to the cavity and the suspension therein formed of a heat sealable, fluorinated ethylenepropylene polymer and further including an outer layer formed of a nonthermoplastic polyimide which as a melting temperature substantially higher than that of the inner layer so as to withstand heat-sealing temperatures applied directly thereto which actuate and thereby heat-seal said inner layer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
A sealed package containing a stored suspension of cellular components of blood, said package comprising nonrigid laminate wall portions resistant to a temperature of approximately that of liquid nitrogen, said walls being formed of a plastic laminate and defining an inner cavity containing said suspension, with at least one sealed opening to the inner cavity, the laminate including an inner layer next to the cavity and the suspension therein formed of a heat sealable, fluorinated ethylenepropylene polymer and further including an outer layer formed of a nonthermoplastic polyimide which as a melting temperature substantially higher than that of the inner layer so as to withstand heat-sealing temperatures applied directly thereto which actuate and thereby heat-seal said inner layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
A sealed package containing a suspension therein in accordance with claim 1, wherein the inner layer can withstand temperatures up to about 200° C and the outer layer can withstand temperatures up to at least 400° C.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A sealed package as described in claim 1, wherein the thickness of the laminate material ranges from 0.05 to about 0.5 mm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A sealed package as described in claim 1, wherein the inner layer of the laminate material is Teflon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A sealable package for storing a suspension in accordance with claim 1 in which said suspension comprises an additive to increase the time that the blood components can be frozen without cell damage.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
A sealable package in accordance with claim 5 in which said additive is glycerine.