CENTRIFUGE WITH MOVABLE MANDREL

摘要

There is disclosed herein a liquid processing apparatus for use in centrifugal apheresis in which whole blood is received from a donor, separated into therapeutic components and selectively collected. The apparatus includes a processing chamber support system for cooperating in controlling the volume of a variable-volume blood processing chamber during apheresis. The support system is constructed to spin about a spin axis and is substantially symmetric about said axis. The elements of the support system include a chamber cover for receiving a variable-volume chamber. A mandrel is provided for engaging the variable-volume chamber and applying a conforming force to the chamber by urging the chamber toward the cover and thereby causing the chamber to conform to the shape of the cover. Thus the chamber is positioned between the cover and mandrel during apheresis, and the cover and mandrel cooperate in controlling the volume and shape of the chamber. The apparatus and chamber define an annular blood volume having a blood sedimentation surface and a cylindrical plasma volume having a cylindrical blood/plasma interface. The area of the blood sedimentation surface is greater than the interface area so as to maximize blood cell separation while minimizing platelet separation during the red blood cell separation and collection.