Disposable manifold and valve

Claim 2

A valve for controlling biological fluid flow comprising: (a) a manifold having a fluid junction and a plurality of fluid pathways in the manifold through which fluid can flow into and out of the junction; and (b) one flexible tube coupled to a respective one of the pathways; (c) a retainer having a bearing surface, the manifold being secured in a predetermined position in the retainer and the tubes also being secured in a predetermined position against said bearing surface on said retainer, and (d) a rotatable cam having a spindle loaded by a spring, said cam not in fluid communication with the pathways such that rotation of the cam relative to the manifold closes and opens selected tubes contacting the cam and bearing surface to control the flow of fluid through the junction; (e) a support member; and (f) a cover on said support member which, when the manifold retainer and tubes are loaded into the support member and said cover is closed, forces the manifold and retainer against the cam, resulting in compression of the spring.

Claim 3

The valve of claim 1 in combination with a centrifuge and a container wherein said plurality of tubes comprises: a first tube through which a first fluid flows into the junction; a second tube through which a second fluid flows into the junction; a third tube for directing the fluids from the junction into said centrifuge; a fourth tube through which a centrifuged fluid flows into a container.

Claim 4

The valve of claim 2 wherein said cam means includes a handle with a lip which extends over said cover when the cover is closed and said handle is disposed in any position, such that other than a loading position, said cover cannot be opened except in the loaded position.

Claim 5

The valve of claim 3 wherein the cam is rotatable between five selectable positions.

Claim 6

The valve of claim 4 wherein the first position is such that the first and second tubes are closed.

Claim 7

The valve of claim 4 wherein the second position is such that the first tube is open, the second tube is closed, and the fourth tube is closed.

Claim 8

The valve of claim 4 wherein the third position is such that the first tube is closed, the second tube is open, and the fourth tube is closed.

Claim 9

The valve of claim 4 wherein the fourth position is such that the first and second tubes are closed.

Claim 10

The valve of claim 4 wherein the fifth position is such that the first and second tubes are closed and the fourth tube is open.

Claim 11

The valve of claim 2 wherein said cam is comprised of a first element for closing the first and second tubes, and a second element for closing the fourth tube.

Claim 12

The valve of claim 2 wherein the first fluid is comprised of blood.

Claim 13

The valve of claim 11 wherein the second fluid is comprised of a solution for washing blood.

Claim 14

The valve of claim 1 wherein said manifold and retainer are disposable.

Claim 15

A valve for controlling the flow of fluids in a system for the washing of a biological fluid comprising: (a) a disposable manifold having a plurality of tubes sealed to the manifold which form fluid pathways for the flow of fluids into and out of the manifold; and (b) a guide means, with a bearing surface, said guide means retaining said manifold and tubes in a predetermined position in which the tubes are disposed against said bearing surface; (c) a support member to which said guide means with said manifold and tubes is attached in a predetermined position; (d) a cam, having a spindle loaded by a spring which cam is rotatable on said support member, said cam not being in fluid communication with said fluid, the manifold and guide means being mounted in said support member adjacent to said cam such that movement of the cam closes and opens selected tubes by compressing said tubes against said bearing surface to control the flow of fluid into and out of the manifold; and (e) a cover rotatably mounted on said support member and wherein when said cover is closed, it forces the manifold and guide means against the cam, resulting in compression of the spring.

Claim 16

A valve for controlling the flow of fluids in a system for the washing of a biological fluid comprising: (a) a disposable manifold having a plurality of tubes sealed to the manifold which form fluid pathways for the flow of fluids into and out of the manifold; and (b) a guide means, with a bearing surface, said guide means retaining said manifold and tubes in a predetermined position in which the tubes are disposed against said bearing surface; (c) a support member to which said guide means with said manifold and tubes is attached in a predetermined position; (d) a cam, having a spindle loaded by a spring which cam is rotatable on said support member, said cam not being in fluid communication with said fluid, the manifold and guide means being mounted in said support member adjacent to said cam such that movement of the cam closes and opens selected tubes by compressing said tubes against said bearing surface to control the flow of fluid into and out of the manifold; and (e) a cover rotatably mounted on said support member and wherein when said cover is closed, it forces the manifold and guide means against the cam, resulting in compression of the spring.

Claim 17

The valve of claim 14 wherein said valve is manually actuated.

Claim 18

The valve of claim 14 wherein said valve is mechanically actuated.

Claim 19

The valve of claim 14 further comprising a sensor for detecting that the manifold is loaded onto the cam.

Claim 20

The valve of claim 14 wherein said cam is movable through a plurality of selectable positions such that each position is correlated with a closed or open position for each pathway.

Claim 21

The valve of claim 18 further comprising a sensor for detecting the position of the cam.

Claim 22

The valve of claim 18 wherein the guide means is loaded into the support means in a predetermined one of the selectable positions.