US4258723A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Biological/pharmaceutical fluid collection and mixing system and method
Assignee: Sbr Lab Inc
•
Filing: 1978-08-01
•
Granted: 1981-03-31
•
Expires: 1998-08-01
Abstract
Abstract Blood collection apparatus, systems and methods for minimizing the lesion of collection caused by initial high volume ratios of anticoagulant fluid to blood at the beginning of known collection processes in which blood is passed into a collection bag containing the total amount of anticoagulant fluid for the entire amount of blood to be collected. A collection bag system has a bag containing the anticoagulant fluid which is passed to a blood collection bag at a rate determined by the flow rate of the blood into the collection bag to maintain the ratio of anticoagulant to blood at a level to minimize the lesion of collection throughout the collection process. The blood collection bag is suspended by a spring from a blood bag stand and the anticoagulant bag is supported by the stand in a fixed position. The bags are arranged on the stand and interconnected so that flow rate of anticoagulant is dependent upon the difference in levels of the blood and anticoagulant mixture in the collection bag and the anticoagulant in the anticoagulant bag. The collection bag is suspended from the stand by a spring to gradually lower the collection bag during the collection process and thereby maintain the difference between the levels at a desired value. In one embodiment, provision is made for mixing the blood and anticoagulant in a tube immediately prior to passing the mixture into the collection bag.
Inventors
- 👤 John P. McCue
- 👤 Mogens L. Bramson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 03:37
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M5/00; A61M5/14; A61M5/1414; A61M5/1415; A61M1/00; A61M1/36; A61M1/3672; A61M1/02; A61M2209/00; A61M2209/08; A61M2209/084
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 67
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
Apparatus for entering a first biological/pharmaceutical liquid of a first container into a mixing container through a tube at a rate controlled by the rate of entry into the mixing container of a second biological/pharmaceutical liquid, comprising: means for supporting the first container with the first liquid therein at a first liquid level; means for supporting the mixing container with the mixture of the first and second liquids therein at a second liquid level, the flow rate of said first liquid being dependent upon the difference between said first and second levels; and means associated with at least one of the supporting means and the container supported thereby for controlling the difference between said first and second levels, said controlling means including means for automatically causing relative motion between the container of said one supporting means and the container of the other supporting means in response to and in accordance with the weight of the liquid in the mixing container, said weight changing at a rate dependent upon the flow rate of the second liquid.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
Apparatus for entering a first biological/pharmaceutical liquid of a first container into a mixing container through a tube at a rate controlled by the rate of entry into the mixing container of a second biological/pharmaceutical liquid, comprising: means for supporting the first container with the first liquid therein at a first liquid level; means for supporting the mixing container with the mixture of the first and second liquids therein at a second liquid level, the flow rate of said first liquid being dependent upon the difference between said first and second levels; and means associated with at least one of the supporting means and the container supported thereby for controlling the difference between said first and second levels, said controlling means including means for automatically causing relative motion between the container of said one supporting means and the container of the other supporting means in response to and in accordance with the weight of the liquid in the mixing container, said weight changing at a rate dependent upon the flow rate of the second liquid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said first biological/pharmaceutical liquid is a blood anticoagulant fluid and said second biological/pharmaceutical liquid is whole blood.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said second biological/pharmaceutical liquid is whole blood.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 3 in which the whole blood is being drawn from a blood donor at a relatively unregulated rate, and the flow rate of the first liquid varies with the variation in said relatively unregulated rate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 3 in which the apparatus has a base above which said mixing container is supported and the distance between the mixing container when empty and the base is no greater than the height of a standard hospital bed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said controlling means is associated with the mixing container supporting means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 6 in which said relative motion causing means permits the mixing container to automatically move downwardly as the weight of the liquid therein increases.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 7 in which the relative motion causing means permits the mixing container to move in proportion to the changing weight of the liquid in the mixing container.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 7 in which said mixing container supporting means includes a rigid member and said moving means includes a resilient member connected to said rigid member and in movable supportive engagement with the mixing container.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 9 in which said mixing container is movably suspended from said rigid member by said resilient member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 10 in which said resilient member comprises a spring.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 7 in which said first container supporting means holds the first container in a relatively fixed position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
85 words
The apparatus of claim 12 including a base and a vertical member in supportive overlying engagement with the base and in which said first container supporting means includes a first rigid support member carried by the vertical member at a location spaced from the base and adapted for supportive attachment to the first container, and said mixing container supporting means includes a second rigid support member carried by the vertical member at a location spaced from both the base and the first rigid support member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 13 including a marker selectively positionable along the vertical member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 13 in which both said first and second rigid support members are adapted for suspension therefrom of said containers.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said controlling means substantially maintains a fixed selected difference between said first and second liquid levels for facilitating a substantially constant relative flow rate of said first and second levels.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 16 in which said difference is approximately nil.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 16 in which said difference is that amount necessary to maintain a ratio of flow rate of the first liquid to the flow rate of the second liquid of approximately 63:450 when the first liquid is CPD anticoagulant fluid and the second liquid is whole blood.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
142 words
A controlled biological/pharmaceutical liquid mixing system, comprising: a first container with a bottom holding a selected amount of a first biological/pharmaceutical liquid; a mixing container with a bottom; a tube connecting the bottoms of the first container and the mixing chamber; a second tube connected to the bottom of the mixing container for passage of a second biological/pharmaceutical liquid into the mixing container; means for supporting the first container with the first biological/pharmaceutical liquid at a first level; means for supporting the mixing container with the liquid mixture therein at a second level; and means associated with at least one of the supporting means and container supported thereby for causing said the container supported thereby to automatically move in accordance with the changing weight of the liquid held in the mixing container to control the rate of flow of said first liquid.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
142 words
A controlled biological/pharmaceutical liquid mixing system, comprising: a first container with a bottom holding a selected amount of a first biological/pharmaceutical liquid; a mixing container with a bottom; a tube connecting the bottoms of the first container and the mixing chamber; a second tube connected to the bottom of the mixing container for passage of a second biological/pharmaceutical liquid into the mixing container; means for supporting the first container with the first biological/pharmaceutical liquid at a first level; means for supporting the mixing container with the liquid mixture therein at a second level; and means associated with at least one of the supporting means and container supported thereby for causing said the container supported thereby to automatically move in accordance with the changing weight of the liquid held in the mixing container to control the rate of flow of said first liquid.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 19 in which the first biological/pharmaceutical liquid is blood anticoagulant storage fluid.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 19 in which said mixing container is sized to receive a selected amount of whole blood in addition to all of said anticoagulant fluid and said selected amount of anticoagulant is approximately 63/450 of the selected amount of whole blood.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 21 in which said selected amount of anticoagulant fluid is approximately 63 ml.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system of claim 19 in which the rate of flow is a function of the difference between said first and second levels, and said causing means controls the rate of flow of said second liquid by controlling the difference between said levels.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system of claim 23 in which said causing means is associated with the mixing container supporting means and permits the mixing container to move downward in relation to the first container as the weight of the liquid in the mixing container increases.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 24 in which said causing means comprises a resilient member.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 25 in which the mixing container is supported by said resilient member.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 26 in which said resilient member is a spring.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 19 in which each of said first container and said mixing container are bags.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 19 in which said second tube has an open end and a hollow needle attached thereto adapted for venipuncture.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
119 words
The system of claim 19 including a base, a vertical member in supported, overlying engagement with the base, and in which said first container supporting means includes a first support carried by the vertical member and spaced from the base and means for releasibly suspending the first container from the first support, said mixing container supporting means includes a second support carried by the vertical member and spaced from both the base and the first support, said causing means includes a resilient member with two ends, means for attaching one end to the second support and means for attaching the other end to said mixing container, said mixing container being suspended from said second support by said resilient member.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 30 in which said second support is intermediate the first support and the base.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 30 in which each of said first container and said mixing container are water impermeable bags and all said connecting tubes are plastic.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 30 in which said first biological/pharmaceutical liquid is a blood anticoagulant liquid.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 30 including means for releasibly closing each of said tubes.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 30 including an ancillary container connected to the mixing container through another tube and means for releasibly attaching said ancillary container to one of said first and second supports.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 30 in which said tube connecting the bottoms of the first container and the mixing container connects the containers through a portion of said second tube said connection being made at a point spaced from the bottom of said mixing container.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 36 in which said portion is adjacent the bottom of the mixing container.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 37 in which said first and second liquids mix in said portion before passing into the mixing container.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 30 in which the tube interconnecting the first container and the mixing container has a puncture seal at each of opposite ends thereof.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 19 in which said tube connecting the bottoms of the first container and the mixing container connects the containers through a portion of said second tube, said connection being made at a point spaced from the bottom of said mixing container.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 40 in which said portion is adjacent the bottom of the mixing container.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 41 in which said first and second liquids mix in said portion before passing into the mixing container.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
68 words
Apparatus for collection and storage of blood comprising: a first container bag holding a selected amount of anticoagulant liquid: a second container bag having only a slight amount of anticoagulant liquid obtained by wetting the inside surface thereof; a flexible tube interconnecting the bottoms of the bags; another flexible tube connected to the second container at one end and connected to a hollow needle at the opposite end.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
68 words
Apparatus for collection and storage of blood comprising: a first container bag holding a selected amount of anticoagulant liquid: a second container bag having only a slight amount of anticoagulant liquid obtained by wetting the inside surface thereof; a flexible tube interconnecting the bottoms of the bags; another flexible tube connected to the second container at one end and connected to a hollow needle at the opposite end.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 43 in which the first container holds approximately 63 ml of anticoagulant liquid.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 43 in which said other flexible tube is connected to the bottom of the second container and said first mentioned flexible tube interconnects the first and second containers through a portion of the other tube.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 45 in which said portion is adjacent the bottom of the second bag.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 43 in which each of said containers comprise flexible plastic bags.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 43 including a third bag and a tube interconnecting the third container and the first container.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
55 words
A method of blood collection comprising the steps of: (a) withdrawing fresh blood from a donor; (b) passing said freshly drawn blood into contact with an anticoagulant fluid; and (c) automatically controlling the rate of contact of said blood with said anticoagulant at a ratio of blood to anticoagulant which minimizes the lesion of collection.
Claim 53
Independent Claim
55 words
A method of blood collection comprising the steps of: (a) withdrawing fresh blood from a donor; (b) passing said freshly drawn blood into contact with an anticoagulant fluid; and (c) automatically controlling the rate of contact of said blood with said anticoagulant at a ratio of blood to anticoagulant which minimizes the lesion of collection.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
26 words
Blood collection method as in claim 49 wherein said rate-controlling step includes: maintaining said ratio within a tolerance of ±20% during the withdrawal of said blood.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
30 words
Blood collection method as in claim 50 wherein said rate of contact ratio of blood to anticoagulant is substantially the same as the ratio of blood to anticoagulant for storage.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
34 words
Blood collection method as in claim 51 wherein said anticoagulant is selected from the group consisting essentially of ACD, CPD, CPD-Adenine, and an anticoagulant containing an effective amount of a blood storage improving additive.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
19 words
Blood collection method as in claim 52 wherein said ratio is about 500 ml blood to 75 ml anticoagulant.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
12 words
Blood collection method as in claim 54 wherein said anticoagulant is ACD.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
19 words
Blood collection method as in claim 52 wherein said ratio is about 450 ml blood to 63 ml anticoagulant.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
12 words
Blood collection method as in claim 55 wherein said anticoagulant is CPD.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
19 words
Blood collection method as in claim 52 wherein said ratio is about 450 ml blood to 63 ml anticoagulant.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
12 words
Blood collection method as in claim 57 wherein said anticoagulant is CPD-Adenine.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
46 words
Blood collection method as in claim 50 wherein said rate-controlling step includes: (a) weighing the amount of blood withdrawn, and (b) passing an amount by weight of anticoagulant into contact with said blood in inverse proportion to a unit weight of blood times said blood/anticoagulant ratio.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
57 words
Blood collection method as in claim 50 wherein said rate-controlling step includes: (a) monitoring the amount of the blood withdrawn, and (b) passing an amount by volume of said anticoagulant into contact with said blood in inverse proportion to a unit weight of blood times said blood/anticoagulant ratio and the ratio of densities of blood and anticoagulant.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
54 words
Blood collection method as in claim 50 wherein said step of passing said blood into contact with anticoagulant includes: (a) introducing said blood into a sterile blood collection unit plastic main bag through a first tube, and (b) simultaneously introducing said ratioed amount of anticoagulant into said plastic main bag through a second tube.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
35 words
Blood collection method as in claim 61 which includes the step of: (a) wetting the surface of said plastic main bag with a thin film of anticoagulant prior to said introduction of said blood thereinto.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 43 in which each of said bags has a top opposite the bottom and means at said top for releasable connection to a suitable connector for suspending the bag therefrom.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-03-30 | 1984-09-29 | 1985-03-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-03-30 | 1988-09-29 | 1989-03-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-03-30 | 1992-09-29 | 1993-03-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |