Blood product transfer system

Abstract

A system for transferring blood product between a blood storage bag and a processing bag. The system includes an airtight containment chamber for supporting therein one or more blood storage bags. A door is provided for access to the chamber and there is included an airtight fixture that allows tubing from the blood storage bag to exit the chamber. A fluid pump is coupled to the containment chamber for establishing either pressure or vacuum within the containment chamber. A controller controls the air pump to, in turn, control the transfer of a blood product.

1 .- 28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . A method of transferring blood product in either direction between a blood storage bag and a processing bag, said method comprising the steps of:
 disposing the blood storage bag in an airtight containment chamber with the blood storage bag hanging in an upright position;   coupling a pump to the airtight containment chamber;   providing either vacuum or pressure by means of the pump to the airtight containment to permit transfer of blood product in either direction between the blood storage bag and the processing bag.   
     
     
         30 . A method as in  claim 29  wherein the bags are disposed in a position that allows for blood product flow due to pressure or vacuum without allowing a blockage to occur via a collapsed tube or blood storage bag. 
     
     
         31 . A method as in  claim 29  including controlling the pump to select, in one state, pressure operation, and in another state, vacuum operation. 
     
     
         32 . A method as in  claim 31  wherein said one and another states are mutually exclusive. 
     
     
         33 . A method as in  claim 29  including disposing a plurality of storage bags in the chamber and providing a fluid control circuit that coupled only one at a time of either pressure or vacuum to the chamber. 
     
     
         34 . A method as in  claim 33  wherein some of the bags in the chamber are subjected to pressure during a first time interval and other of the bags are subjected to vacuum during a second time interval. 
     
     
         35 . A method as in  claim 29  including a pair of airtight containment chambers one for receiving a vacuum source and the other for receiving a pressure source. 
     
     
         36 . A method as in  claim 35  including an air control circuit coupled between the pump and the chambers for directing only pressure to one chamber and only vacuum to the other chamber. 
     
     
         37 . A method as in  claim 36  wherein said chambers are separated by a dividing wall. 
     
     
         38 . A method as in  claim 36  including a pair of pumps, one for each chamber.