The invention relates to a method for fluid separation of whole blood as a mixture of liquids into individual, differently-colored blood constituents, which blood is packed in flexible containers, in particular bags, wherein the bags are connected to one another with an at least partially light-transparent connection, in particular a flexible tube, and wherein the blood constituents are forced to flow from one container through the light-transparent connection into another container, in particular for the separation of concentrated thrombocytes from buffy coat, as well as to a device for performing the method.

An optical sensor is disclosed for use in an interactive cell processing system that includes a plurality of sensors arranged for monitoring and providing sensor data to a control module that directs processing of biological cells. The sensors including an optical sensor for characterizing a fluid transferred in a sterile manner during the processing. The optical sensor includes a light source, a light detector, a cuvette and a control circuit. The light source is connected to a control circuit and is constructed and arranged to emit light of at least one selected wavelength directed toward the fluid. The cuvette is constructed as a part of a fluid distribution manifold that includes several conduits for transferring the sterile fluid during the processing, wherein the cuvette is constructed and arranged to convey the fluid. The light detector is connected to the control circuit and is constructed and arranged to detect light that was emitted from the source and has interacted with the fluid flowing inside the cuvette. The control circuit is constructed and arranged to characterize the fluid in the cuvette based on the detected light.

An apparatus and a method are provided to monitor a generally transparent blood tube at a location that is downstream from a blood separator in order to detect the presence of red blood cells in a tube that is intended to carry a different blood component, for example platelets. A red light source and a green light source are located in relation to the tube so that red light emission and green light emission are directed toward the tube and toward the flowing blood component(s) that is carried within the tube. The red light source produces a red reflection intensity from red blood cells whose magnitude increases as a function of an increase in the concentration of red blood cells. The green light source produces a green reflection intensity from the red blood cells whose magnitude decreases as a function of an increase in the concentration of the red blood cells. These two light reflections are sensed by means of one broadband photodetector, or by two band-specific photodetectors, that are located on the same side of the tube, so as to be responsive only to reflected light. An output is provided by detecting the ratio of the magnitude of the red reflection intensity to the magnitude of the green reflection intensity.

A colorimetric red blood cell sensor provides an automatic system for deting and preventing the further mixing of red blood cells and plasma. The sensor includes a processor that controls blue and red light sources so that they collectively generate pulsed blue and red light signals that are directed through blood serum held in an optically transparent container. The red and blue signals are 180 degrees out of phase, and hence staggered, with respect to each other. A photodetector system detects the pulsed red and blue light signals and generates output signals representing the intensities of the staggered signals received by the photodetector system. A microprocessor determines the ratio of the intensities of the red and blue light signals detected by the photodetector system. If the ratio exceeds a limit, the microprocessor generates a fluid control signal that prevents further mixing of red blood cells and plasma.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for monitoring blood parameters during cardio-pulmonary bypass surgery or during other procedures which utilize an extracorporeal circuit. The apparatus is typically used to monitor the percentage of hemoglobin bound with oxygen (oxygen saturation), the total amount of hemoglobin in the blood, and the percent of blood which is comprised of red blood cells (hematocrit), although the apparatus can be adapted to measure other blood parameters. The apparatus (or monitor) provides real-time results to show immediate changes (trending) in the monitored parameters.