Container For Blood

Abstract

A container for blood is provided in which blood received from a patient can be stored and processed without the necessity of being transferred to another container. For example, the blood can be centrifuged, frozen or transfused without the necessity of being transferred to another container. The container comprises a closed annular flexible container of a flexible material which is inert to blood and which is provided with at least one opening for the passage of blood into and out of the annular container. The flexible material may be enclosed in an inflexible material.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a container for blood, which is particularly suitable for use in connection with centrifuging, freezing, transfusion and the like.

In the handling of blood it is of great importance that sterility should be maintained during the various processes which the blood has to undergo. It is desirable therefore that the same container should be used for different processes so as to avoid transfer of the blood.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a container which is suitable for all processes which are put into practice in today's blood-giving activities without the necessity of transferring the blood from one container to another. It is a further object of the invention to provide a method of storing blood which avoids the necessity of transferring blood from one container to another for processing the blood such as by freezing, centrifuging, and the like.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The foregoing and other objects which will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art are achieved according to the present invention by providing a container for blood which avoids the necessity of transferring the blood from one container to another for centrifuging, freezing, transfusion, and the like which comprises a closed annular container of a flexible material which is inert to blood and which is provided with at least one opening for the passage of blood into and out of said container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

There follows a detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, together with accompanying drawings. However, it is to be understood that the detailed description and accompanying drawings are provided solely for the purpose of illustrating a preferred embodiment and that the invention is capable of numerous modifications and variations apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic elevation view, in section, of a container according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic elevation view, in section, of an alternative container according to the invention;

FIG. 3 shows how the container according to FIG. 1 can be used in blood transfusion; and

FIG. 4 is a radial elevation section of a centrifuge according to co-pending application Ser. No. 61,583, filed Aug. 6, 1970 showing the use of several containers according to the present invention.

The container shown in FIG. 1 is annular and has broadly speaking the shape of a disc, the disc being formed by an outer wall 1 and an inner wall 2 with an opening 3 in the center. The disc is conical in section. At the inner portion of the annular container, a tube 4 is connected which serves for the feed and discharge of blood to and from the same. The outer and inner wall 1 and 2 respectively are joined together at their inner edges by a transverse wall 5, and at their outer edges 6 the two walls 1 and 2 are bent together and welded together, so that a closed annular container is obtained. In place of the single tube 4 shown, a plurality of such connecting tubes may be arranged, distributed in a suitable manner along the periphery of the inner wall 5 of the annular container.

The walls of the container are inert to blood and may be of laminar construction with an inside layer of a material that is harmless to blood, such as Teflon or polyethylene, and an outer layer of strong material with mechanical strength and freezing resistance, for example nylon.

The annular shape of the container shown in suitable and practical for centrifuging and for other treatment of the blood. The annular form represents a shape which can easily be adapted to a centrifuge, the central portion of which can pass through the opening in the center of the container. Moreover, owing to its flexibility, the container is suitable for application in transfusion, since it can readily be brought to the shape shown in FIG. 3 for delivery of the blood contained in it, leaving behind only a negligible residue.

In the modified embodiment according to FIG. 2 there is an inner flexible container 7 and an inflexible outer portion 8 enclosing the flexible container and consisting of a bottom portion 8' with a lid 8" placed therein. The inner portion 7 in its relaxed condition may have a shape as shown in FIG. 2 or the shape which is shown in FIG. 1. In the latter case the shape shown in FIG. 2 is obtained through deformation when the inner portion 7 is placed in the outer portion 8. The latter is of rigid material such as rigid plastic and of a suitable annular shape so as to enclose the inner portion 7 without forming a space between inner and outer portion. If the rigid material has good thermal conductivity, the container according to FIG. 2 is suitable for freezing of blood. The rigid outer portion can be given an appropriate volume corresponding to the quantity of blood usually occurring in transfusions.

FIG. 3 shows a container in accordance with FIG. 1 or an inner portion of a container according to FIG. 2 in position to be used in blood transfusion. Owing to its flexibility, container 9 can be inserted in a transfusion bucket 10, in the bottom of which is a hole 11 through which the tube 4 can be conducted for connection to the patient.

The container has particular utility in a centrifuge of the type described in U.S. application Serial No. 61,583 filed August 6, 1970 which is incorporated herein by reference.

Utilization of several containers in a centrifuge is illustrated in FIG. 4. The centrifuge comprises a rotating chamber 12 containing a compressible container 13 according to the invention for the liquid to be centrifuged. The centrifuge also includes means 14 to compress the container against conical member 19 to transfer liquid from the container during centrifugation. The compressing means is also capable of compressing one or more further compressible containers 15, 16, 17 according to the invention to transfer liquid therefrom to the first-mentioned compressible container 13. The compressing means is preferably a diaphragm member which is urged by centrifugal force against a compressible container. In one application, container 13 is filled with blood to be centrifuged and, after the serum is separated by rotation of chamber 12 about the axis of rotor 18 a valve is opened permitting the diaphragm to compress container 13 to transfer the serum to a further container 15. The valve is then closed and speed reduced until the diaphragm returns to its rest position causing compression of a still further container 17 provided with wash water. A valve is then opened to permit transfer of some or all of the wash water into the first-mentioned container 13 and the device may then be braked to cause the water to mix with the blood cells therein. The washed blood cells are then centrifuged and the water transferred to the water container 17 or yet a still further container 16 by the actuation of an appropriate valve similarly as in the case of transferring the serum. The washing operation is repeated if desired until all of the wash water has been utilized.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a centrifuge having a rotor and, disposed about said rotor in said centrifuge, an annular container for holding blood during rotation of said centrifuge, said annular container being made of a flexible material and comprising a hollow annular chamber formed by two annular side walls spaced apart a short distance and by two transverse end walls extending between and joining the edges of said annular sides thus forming said chamber, the central area of said container within the annular chamber being open such that the annular container is disposable about said rotor, and said annular container including a tube attached to the end wall of said container adjacent the open central area of the container for conveying blood into and out of said annular container.

2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said container includes an outer portion of non-flexible material totally enclosing said flexible annular container.

3. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said outer wall is formed by the outer edges of said annular sides being bent towards one another and joined to each other.

4. An annular container for holding blood during centrifuging, said container being made of flexible material and comprising a hollow annular chamber formed by two annular side walls spaced apart a short distance and by two transverse end walls extending between and joining the edges of said annular sides thus forming said chamber, the central area of said container within the annular chamber being open such that the annular container is disposable about a centrifuge rotor, said annular container including a tube attached to the end wall of said container adjacent the open central area of the container for conveying blood into and out of said annular container, said chamber being conical such that the container is adapted to bear against a conical member in a centrifuge during centrifuging.