Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
A method of separating a blood product into useful components comprising the sequential steps of (a) introducing the blood product into a blood bag having at least two ports at the top of the bag and a longitudinal seal extending downwardly from the top of the bag and between the two ports to at least the lower half of the bag, wherien a channel is formed on one side of the longitudinal seal; (b) centrifuging the blood to separate the blood into an upper less dense portion and a lower more dense portion, and; (c) expressing the more dense portion out of the bag from the lower portion of the bag via the channel and a port with which the channel communicates.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
122 words
A method of separating a blood product into useful components comprising the sequential steps of (a) introducing the blood product into a blood bag having at least two ports at the top of the bag and a longitudinal seal extending downwardly from the top of the bag and between the two ports to at least the lower half of the bag, wherien a channel is formed on one side of the longitudinal seal; (b) centrifuging the blood to separate the blood into an upper less dense portion and a lower more dense portion, and; (c) expressing the more dense portion out of the bag from the lower portion of the bag via the channel and a port with which the channel communicates.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the blood product is whole blood, the less dense portion is plasma and the more dense portion is red blood cells.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherien the expression of the red blood cells is monitored using electronic monitoring means.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
183 words
A method of preparing platelets from whole blood comprising the sequential steps of (a) introducing whole blood into a blood bag having at least two ports at the top of the bag and a longitudinal seal extending downwardly for the top of the bag and between the ports to the lower half of the bag, wherein a channel is formed on one side of the longitudinal seal; (b) centrifuging the bag and its whole blood contents to form a lower more dense portion of red blood cells, an upper less dense portion of plasma and an intermediate buffy coat portion comprising platelets and while blood cells; (c) expressing the plasma portion out of the bag via one of the ports at the top of the bag and on one side of the longitudinal seal and expressing the red blood cell portion out of the bag via the channel on the other side of the longitudinal seal and a port with which the channel communicates; (d) then subjecting the remaining buffy coat portion to conditions sufficient to separate platelets from the buffy coat portion.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
183 words
A method of preparing platelets from whole blood comprising the sequential steps of (a) introducing whole blood into a blood bag having at least two ports at the top of the bag and a longitudinal seal extending downwardly for the top of the bag and between the ports to the lower half of the bag, wherein a channel is formed on one side of the longitudinal seal; (b) centrifuging the bag and its whole blood contents to form a lower more dense portion of red blood cells, an upper less dense portion of plasma and an intermediate buffy coat portion comprising platelets and while blood cells; (c) expressing the plasma portion out of the bag via one of the ports at the top of the bag and on one side of the longitudinal seal and expressing the red blood cell portion out of the bag via the channel on the other side of the longitudinal seal and a port with which the channel communicates; (d) then subjecting the remaining buffy coat portion to conditions sufficient to separate platelets from the buffy coat portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the buffy coat portion of step (d) is expressed from the bag into another bag connected via tubing to the top of the bag having the longitudinal seal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the other bag is elongated, having a length to width ratio of at least 2 to 1 and adapted to facilitate separation of platelets from the buffy coat portion when the elongated bag containing the buffy coat portion is centrifuged under conditions sufficient to encourage separation of the platelets from the buffy coat portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the elongated bag has attached thereto via tubing yet another bag suitable for storage of platelets.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the bag suitable for storage of platelets.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the bag suitable for storage of platelets comprises a bag made from a plastic film having a relatively high gas transmissivity.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the bag suitable for storage of platelets includes a platelet storage solution.