Method and apparatus for obtaining a desired rate of plasma collection from a membrane plasmapheresis filter

摘要

A method and apparatus are described for obtaining a desired rate of plasma collection from a membrane plasmapheresis filter having a blood inlet, a blood outlet, a plasma outlet, outer members and a pair of spaced microporous filter membranes defining a blood flow path. A holder is provided for the filter having means for applying pressure against the outer members. The blood pressure at the blood inlet is sensed during plasmapheresis and variable amounts of pressure are applied against the outer members at an angular direction with respect to the membranes. In this manner, the blood flow path gap between the membranes is controlled in accordance with a desired blood pressure adjacent the blood inlet.