Abstrict A blood separator having: a blood bag pressurizing section for
retaining a centrifuged blood bag and pressurizing the same at a
predetermined pressure; a retention/measurement section for retaining
at least two separation bags connecting with the blood bag via tubes
and capable of receiving separated blood components, and measuring
the weight of the separation bags; limiting devices provided at
intermediate portions of the tubes between the blood bag and the
separation bags to limit the flows of liquids in the tubes; a detector
for detecting the level of an interface between components of blood
in the blood bag retained in the blood bag pressurizing section;
a moving device for moving the detector relative to the blood bag;
and a controller for controlling the limiting devices while receiving,
as an item of control information, detection information from the
detector and/or measurement information from the retention/measurement
section.
Claims What is claimed is:
1. A blood separator for separating blood components from a blood
bag into separation bags, comprising:
blood bag pressurizing means for retaining and controllably pressurizing
the blood bag at a predetermined pressure after centrifugation;
bag retaining means for retaining at least two of said separation
bags;
tube means for connecting the at least two of said separation bags
with said blood bag to receive separated blood components;
limiting means, provided at intermediate portions of said tube
means between said blood bag and said separation bags retained by
said retaining means, for limiting liquid flow in said tube means;
detection means for detecting an interface level between the blood
components in said blood bag retained by said blood bag pressurizing
means;
moving means for moving said detection means relative to said blood
bag pressurizing means; and
control means for controlling said limiting means while receiving
detection information supplied as an item of control information
from said detection means.
2. A blood separator according to claim 1 wherein said detection
means includes
light emitting means for emitting light,
light receiving means for receiving as transmitted light, the light
emitted from said light emitting means and transmitted through said
blood bag, and
means for detecting the interface level from a change in intensity
of the transmitted light due to a difference between compositions
of the blood components in said blood bag.
3. A blood separator according to claim 1
wherein said tube means includes an outlet tube extending from
said blood bag and diverging at a divergence point into a tube connecting
with a first one of said separation bags and another tube connecting
with a second one of said separation bags, and
wherein said limiting means limits the liquid flow between the
divergence point and said separation bags.
4. A blood separator according to claim 1 wherein a position of
at least one of said bag retaining means for retaining said separation
bags is higher than said blood bag pressurizing means.
5. A blood separator according to claim 4 wherein a separated
blood component received by one of said separation bags retained
at the position higher than said blood bag pressurizing means can
be returned to said blood bag.
6. A blood separator for separating blood components from a blood
bag into separation bags, comprising:
blood bag pressurizing means for retaining and controllably pressurizing
said blood bag at a predetermined pressure after centrifugation;
tube means for connecting said separation bags with said blood
bag to receive separated blood components;
a plurality of retention/measurement means, each provided for one
of said separation bags, for measuring the weight of and for holding
said separation bags;
limiting means, provided at intermediate portions of said tube
means between said blood bag and said separation bags, for limiting
liquid flow in said tube means;
detection means for detecting an interface level between the blood
components in said blood bag retained by said blood bag pressurizing
means;
moving means for moving said detection means relative to said blood
bag; and
control means for controlling said limiting means while receiving,
as control information, at least one of detection information from
said detection means and measurement information from said retention/measurement
means.
7. A blood separator according to claim 6 wherein said detection
means includes
light emitting means for emitting light,
light receiving means for receiving as transmitted light, the light
emitted from said light emitting means and transmitted through said
blood bag, and
means for detecting the interface level from a change in intensity
of the transmitted light due to a difference between compositions
of the blood components in said blood bag.
8. A blood separator according to claim 6
wherein said tube means includes an outlet tube extending from
said blood bag and diverging at a divergence point into a tube connecting
with a first one of said separation bags and another tube connecting
with a second one of said separation bags, and
wherein said limiting means limits the liquid flow between the
divergence point and said separation bags.
9. A blood separator according to claim 6 wherein a position of
at least one of said bag retaining means for retaining said separation
bags is higher than said blood bag pressurizing means.
10. A blood separator according to claim 9 wherein a separated
blood component received by one of said separation bags retained
at the position higher than said blood bag pressurizing means can
be returned to said blood bag.
11. A blood separator according to claim 10 wherein said control
means includes means for controlling rate of flow of the liquid
flow based upon said measurement information from one of said retention/measurement
means when said separated blood component is returned.
12. A blood separator according to claim 6 further comprising
a compact mounting structure for mounting said blood bag pressurizing
means, said tube means, said retention/measurement means, said limiting
means, said detection means, said moving means and said control
means.
Description TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a blood separator which automatically
separates centrifuged component parts of blood contained in a blood
bag by distributing the component parts to separation bags.
BACKGROUND ART
Recently, abuses associated with whole blood transfusion are becoming
to be regarded as a serious problem, and component transfusion,
whereby only the component parts of blood necessary for a patient
are used for transfusion, is increasingly being adopted with a view
to minimizing the physical burdens imposed on a patient and unfavorable
side effects due to immunity and the like.
To make a component preparation, it is necessary to separate the
component parts of blood in a blood bag by means of a centrifugal
separator and to supply the component parts to respective separation
bags.
In a conventional process, a separator stand such as that shown
in FIG. 8 is used to manually separate centrifuged plasma in a blood
bag and enclose the separated plasma by forming an enclosing portion
in a tube extending from a separation bag.
That is, a blood bag 1 which has undergone centrifugation is set
under vertically retaining pins 3 while blood corpuscles are prevented
from rising. An intermediate portion of a tube extending from a
separation bag 4 is previously closed by a clamp 6 and a separation
needle 7 attached to the extreme end of the tube 5 is put through
an outlet 1a of the blood bag 1 so that the two bags are connected
with each other. A lever 8 of the separation stand 2 is then disengaged
from a hook 9. The lever 8 that is constantly forced by a spring
(not shown) in the desired direction thereby pinches the blood bag
1 between a swingable pressurizing plate 11 and a stationary plate
10 of the separation stand 2. At the same time, the clamp 6 closing
the intermediate portion of the tube 5 is removed, thereby allowing
plasma to be separately supplied to the separation bag 4. When blood
corpuscles star entering the tube 5 after the plasma has moved to
the separation bag 4 the tube 5 is closed by the clamp 6 the pressurizing
plate 11 is returned, and the lever 8 is brought into engagement
with the hook 9.
Thereafter, the separation bag 4 is pressed by hand and the clamp
6 is opened so as to discharge air toward the blood bag 1 and the
tube 5 is closed by the clamp 6.
Conventionally, an ordinary separation process is based on manual
operations, as described above, and entails the problems described
below. 1) The burden imposed on the operator is considerable. That
is to say, the separation operation is labor-intensive and is conducted
one bag at a time. The number of bags simultaneously operated by
one operator is at most two. The level of working efficiency is
therefore low. 2) Such items of equipment as a separation stand,
a balance and a tube sealer must be provided separately, and the
space occupied by such equipment is considerable. 3) A high degree
of skill and intuition are needed in controlling the quantity of
each blood component part.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a blood separator
free from these problems.
The present invention therefore provides in one of its aspects
a blood separator having: a blood bag pressurizing means for retaining
a centrifuged blood bag and pressurizing the same at a predetermined
pressure; a retention/measurement means for retaining at least two
separation bags connecting with the blood bag via tube means and
capable of receiving separated blood components, the retention/measurement
means measuring the weight of the separation bags; a limiting means
provided at intermediate portions of the tube means between the
blood bag and the separation bags, the limiting means limiting the
flows of liquids in the tube means; and a control means for controlling
the limiting means while being supplied with information on the
weight measured by the retention/measurement means as an item of
control information.
The present invention provides in another of its aspects a blood
separator having: a blood bag pressurizing means for retaining a
centrifuged blood bag and pressurizing the same at a predetermined
pressure; a bag retaining means for retaining at least two separation
bags connecting with the blood bag via a tube means and capable
of receiving separated blood components; a limiting means provided
at intermediate portions of the tube means between the blood bag
and the separation bags retained by the retaining means, the limiting
means limiting the flows of liquids in the tube means; a detection
means for detecting the level of an interface between components
of blood in the blood bag retained by the blood bag pressurizing
means; a moving means for moving the detecting means relative to
the blood bag; and a control means for controlling the limiting
means while being supplied with detection information from the detection
means as an item of control information.
The present invention provides in still another of its aspects
a blood separator having: a blood bag pressurizing means for retaining
a centrifuged blood bag and pressurizing the same at a predetermined
pressure; a retention/measurement means for retaining at least two
separation bags connecting with the blood bag via tube means and
capable of receiving separated blood components, the retention/measurement
means measuring the weight of the separation bags; a limiting means
provided at intermediate portions of the tube means between the
blood bag and the separation bags, the limiting means limiting the
flows of liquids in the tube means; a detection means for detecting
the level of an interface between components of blood in the blood
bag retained by the blood bag pressurizing means; a moving means
for moving the detecting means relative to the blood bag; and a
control means for controlling the limiting means while being supplied
with detection information from the detection means and/or measurement
information from the retention/measurement means as an item of control
information.
The control means controls the limiting means by receiving detection
information supplied as an item of control information from the
detection means, and thereby automatically stores the component
parts in the respective separation bags.
The control means controls the limiting means by receiving information
on the weight measured by the retention/measurement means as an
item of control information, and thereby automatically stores the
component parts in the respective separation bags.
The control means controls the limiting means by receiving, as
an item of control information, detection information from the detection
means and/or measured weight information from the retention/measurement
means, and thereby automatically stores the component parts in the
respective separation bags.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGS. 1A to 1C are diagrams of the appearance of an embodiment
of the present invention;
FIG. 2A and 2B are block diagrams of this embodiment;
FIGS. 3A to 3C are flow charts of a first sequence of the embodiment
FIG. 4 is a diagram of a state of a blood bag which has undergone
strong centrifugation;
FIG. 5 is a diagram of a state of a secondary bag which has undergone
light centrifugation after separation processing in accordance with
the first sequence of the embodiment;
FIGS. 6A and 6B are flow charts of a second sequence of the embodiment;
FIGS. 7A and 7B are flow charts of a third sequence of the embodiment;
and
FIG. 8 is a diagram of the appearance of a conventional blood separator.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described
below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIGS. 1A to 1C are a plan view, a front view and a side view of
an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the appearance
thereof.
Referring to FIGS. 1A to 1C, a pressurizing plate 21 for pressurizing
a blood bag 51 a stopper 22 for limiting the movement of the pressurizing
plate 21 a measurement plate 23 a weight scale window 24 through
which a measured value of the weight of an object placed on the
measurement plate 23 is indicated are illustrated. The weight of
the object on the measurement plate 23 is measured by a spring balance
mechanism having parallel links and incorporating a rotary encoder
which outputs a signal having a value proportional to the measured
weight.
An adjustment knob 25 is used to adjust the position of a photosensor
29 in the vertical direction. A worm gear 26 is fixed to a rotary
shaft connected to the adjustment knob 25. The worm gear 26 constantly
meshes with a pinion gear 27 to which the photosensor 29 is secured.
At a pressurization/retention section 28 the blood bag 51 is retained
and pressurized with the pressurizing plate 21. The photosensor
29 is used to detect a concentrated red corpuscle portion of blood
in the blood bag 51 suspended from hook pins (not shown) of the
pressurization/retention section 28.
A separation bag is suspended from a hanger 31. A spring balance
mechanism having parallel links is constructed below the hanger
31. A rotary encoder incorporated in the balance mechanism outputs
a signal having a value proportional to the measured weight of the
separation bag suspended from the hanger 31. Another hanger 32 is
provided from which a separation bag optionally used is suspended.
Each of clamp valves 33 to 35 is operated to control the flow of
a liquid in a tube by fastening a tube sealer. When the valve is
closed, the liquid flow is stopped. An operational panel 40 is provided
with a power switch 15 a select switch 36 for selecting one of
different operational modes, a start switch 37 and a stop switch
38. Handles 41 and 42 and a maintenance panel 43 are also provided.
Bags 51 to 54 which receive component parts of blood may also be
attached to the hanger 32 if necessary.
The construction of an electric control section of this embodiment
will be described below with reference to block diagrams of FIGS.
2A and 2B.
A control section 100 controls the overall operation of this embodiment
in accordance with a program stored in a program cassette 200 attached
to a connector 115 of a program cassette control section 114. A
pressurizing cylinder control section 101 controls a pressurizing
cylinder 102 which maintains the pressurizing plate 21 in a non-pressurizing
state against the pressure of a spring (not shown). The pressurizing
plate 21 pressurizes a set bag by the force of this spring when
the pressurizing cylinder 102 is not actuated. A hanger weight conversion
section 103 calculates the weight of a bag suspended from the hanger
31 from a signal which is output from a rotary encoder 105 of a
weight measurement section 104 provided below the hanger 31 and
which has a value proportional to the weight of the bag, the hanger
weight conversion section 103 then outputs a calculated value to
the control section 100. A weight conversion section 106 calculates
the weight of a bag placed on the measurement plate 23 from a signal
which is output from a rotary encoder 108 and which has a value
proportional to the weight of the bag measured by a weight measurement
section 107 and the weight conversion section 106 outputs a calculated
value to the control section 100.
Valve control sections 110 to 112 control opening/closing of the
clamp valves 1 to 3 (33 to 35). A RAM 113 a sound output control
section 116 for driving a speaker or controlling sound outputs from
the speaker, e.g., a chime sound, the photosensor 29 and the switches
36 to 38 are also connected to the control section 100.
OPERATION
A process of control effected by the thus-constructed embodiment
will be described below with specific reference to the flow charts
of FIGS. 3A to 3C.
In step S1 a key "1" of the select switch 36 is selected
to select a first sequence. In step S2 bags are thereafter set
in respective positions. In this case, a blood bag 51 which has
undergone strong centrifugation (e.g., at 1700 to 5500 G for 4 to
10 minutes) is set inside the pressurizing plate 21 a secondary
bag 1 (52) is suspended from the hanger 31 and a secondary bag 3
(53) and a tertiary bag (54) are placed on the measurement plate
23. In step S3 communication is provided between the secondary
and tertiary bags and the blood bags by tubes extending through
the clamp valves 1 and 3 (33 and 35), as shown in FIG. 1A, although
no tube is provided between the hanger 32 and the clamp valve 2
(34) in this case.
The component parts of blood in the blood bag 51 are separate from
each other, as shown in FIG. 4. That is, a concentrated red corpuscle
layer 61 is formed at the bottom, a white corpuscle layer 62 is
formed over the layer 61 a platelet layer 63 is formed over the
layer 62 and a plasma layer 64 is formed at the highest position.
In step S4 check is made to determine whether or not the detection
position of the photosensor 29 is approximately at a predetermined
height (e.g., about 32 mm) from an upper surface of the blood bag
51 (position A shown in FIG. 4) after the blood bag 51 has been
suitably set at the position of the pressurizing plate 21. If the
photosensor 29 is not at the predetermined position, the photosensor
29 is moved in the vertical direction in step S5 by rotating the
adjustment knob 25 so as to adjust the photosensor 29 to the desired
position, and the process then proceeds to step S6. Since light
can be transmitted through the plasma layer 64 supply of the blood
content to the secondary bag 1 (52) can be controlled so that the
content is discharged until the photosensor 29 detects the concentrated
red corpuscle layer 61 thereby enabling the user to adjust the
amount of supplied liquid.
Preparation for blood separation is thereby completed. Then, in
step S6 the start switch 37 is depressed to input a starting signal.
In step S7 the clamp valve 2 (34) and the clamp valve 3 (35) are
closed to inhibit the liquid from flowing through the set tubes.
The flows into the secondary bag 2 (not set, in this example) and
the secondary bag 3 (53) are thereby stopped. In step S8 a command
to stop actuation of the pressurizing cylinder is issued to the
pressurizing cylinder control section 101 thereby allowing the
pressurizing plate 21 to squeeze (press) the blood bag 51 by the
pressure of the pressurizing plate spring. Consequently, in step
S9 the blood content in the blood bag 51 is transported to the
secondary bag 1 (52) via the clamp valve 1 (33) in an open state.
In step S10 whether or not the photosensor 29 has detected the
concentrated red corpuscle layer 61 is checked. If NO, completion
of detection is awaited. After the red corpuscle level in the blood
bag 51 has been detected by the photosensor 29 the process proceeds
from step S10 to step S11 and a command to close the clamp valve
1 (33) is issued to the valve control section 110 thereby stopping
the flow into the secondary bag 1 (52). As a result, only the plasma
layer 64 in the blood bag 51 is transported to the secondary bag
1 (52).
In step S12 the weight of the secondary bag 3 (53) and the tertiary
bag (54) that are placed on the measurement plate 23 and that are
vacant is measured (weight data is read from the weight conversion
section 106), and the value of the weight is stored in the RAM 113.
In step S13 the valve control section 3 (112) is controlled so
as to open the clamp valve 3 (35) and, in step S14 the blood content
in the blood bag 51 is thereby transported to the secondary bag
3 (53). The control section 100 monitors the measured weight output
from the weight conversion section 106 and checks whether or not
a quantity of blood content corresponding to a first set value (e.g.,
70 g) designated from the program cassette 200 has entered the bag
(or whether or not the weight of the bag has increased). After transportation
of the first set quantity has been completed, the process proceeds
to step S16 and the valve control section 3 (112) is controlled
so as to close the clamp valve 3 (35), thereby stopping the flow
into the secondary bag 3 (53). Thereafter, in step S17 the pressurizing
cylinder control section 101 is controlled so as to actuate the
pressurizing cylinder 102 to open the pressurizing plate 21. The
secondary bag 3 (53) is thereby supplied with platelets, part of
white and red corpuscles and the rest of plasma.
In step S18 the valve control section 1 (110) is controlled so
as to open the clamp valve 1 (33) and, in step S19 the blood content
(plasma) is thereby allowed to flow from the secondary bag 1 (52)
into the primary bag, i.e., the blood bag 51 by spontaneous fall.
Then, in step S20 the weight of the secondary bag 1 (52) suspended
from the hanger 31 is read from the hanger weight conversion section
103 and whether or not a quantity of liquid corresponding to a
set bag weight (e.g., 20 g) designated from the program cassette
200 has entered the blood bag 51 is monitored. After the set value
has been reached, the process proceeds to step S21 and the valve
control section 110 is controlled so as to close the clamp valve
1 (33), thereby stopping the flow into the blood bag 51.
Thus, the predetermined quantity of plasma flows into the concentrated
red corpuscles remaining in the blood bag 51. As a result, the hematocrit
value of the concentrated red corpuscle liquid can be corrected
to, for example, 80% or less.
Separation of the blood components is thus completed and, in steps
S22 and S23 the sound output control section 116 is controlled
so as to output a chime sound from the speaker 117 several times
as well as to blink the start lamp 118 (illumination portion of
the illumination type of start switch 37). The operator thereby
recognizes that the process of separating the blood components has
been completed. The operator then pinches the tubes used for connection
between the bags by clips or the like so as to close the tubes,
and thereafter depresses the end switch 38 to input an ending signal.
In response to this input monitored by the control section 100
the process proceeds to step S25 and the valve control sections
110 to 112 are controlled so as to open the clamp valves 33 to 35
thereby terminating the process.
In the above description, the present invention is exemplified
with respect to the case where the secondary bag 2 is not suspended
from the hanger 32. The secondary bag 2 may be used in such a manner
that an additive liquid for preservation of blood to be supplied
to the blood bag as desired is contained in the secondary bag 2
and a predetermined quantity of the additive liquid is supplied
to the blood bag 51 after step S17. Of the blood component parts
separated and distributed in the blood bag 51 and the secondary
bags 1 (52) and 3 (53), concentrated red corpuscles 61 white corpuscles
62 and platelets 63 and part of plasma 64 can be separated more
finely.
To perform this operation, the secondary bag 3 (53) is subjected
to weak centrifugation. For example, weak centrifugation is effected
at 800 G for 5 minutes. After this processing, the content of the
secondary bag 3 (53) is in a state such as that illustrated in FIG.
5 and the upper most layer is a layer of liquid platelets 65. A
quantity of liquid platelets can be obtained by such a light centrifugation.
Thereafter, a process in accordance with a second sequence shown
in FIGS. 6A and 6B may be executed.
First, in step S50 a key "2" of the select switch 36
is depressed to select the second sequence. In step S51 the secondary
bag 3 (53) in the state shown in FIG. 5 is set at the pressurizing
plate 21 the tertiary bag (54) is placed on the measurement plate
33 and connection is provided between these bags by using a tube
which is led through the clamp valve 3 (35). In step S52 whether
or not the photosensor 29 is at the predetermined position is checked,
as in the case of step S4. If NO, the adjustment knob 25 is rotated
in step S53 to set the photosensor 29 to the desired position. The
process then proceeds to step S54 and the start switch 37 is depressed
and turned on. The control section 100 detects the on state of the
start switch 37 and controls the pressurizing cylinder control section
101 to stop actuation of the pressurizing cylinder, so that the
pressurizing plate 21 is pressed against the secondary bag 3 (53)
by the force of the pressurizing plate spring (not shown). Then,
in step S56 the clamp valve 3 (35) is opened, and the content liquid
in the secondary bag 3 (53) is transported to the tertiary bag (54).
In step S58 whether or not the photosensor 29 has detected red
corpuscles is monitored. After the photosensor 29 has detected red
corpuscles, the process proceeds to step S59 and the valve control
section 110 is controlled so as to close the clamp valve 3 (35).
In steps S60 to S62 chime sound is output, the start lamp 118 is
made to blink, and the input given by pressing the end switch 38
is awaited, as in the case of steps S22 to S24. The operator presses
the end switch after he has recognized the completion of the second
sequence and performed necessary operations. Then, the process proceeds
from step S62 to step S63 the clamp valve 1 is opened, and the
process terminates.
This control process enables liquid platelets 65 to be separated
alone from the mass of concentrated red corpuscles 61 white corpuscles
62 and liquid platelets 65.
The present invention has been described with respect to the case
where the content liquid in the secondary bag 3 (53) is separated
under the control using the photosensor 29. However, the embodiment
apparatus is capable of effecting separation by utilizing weight
measurement instead of sensing with the photosensor.
An example of such a separation process based on weight measurement
will be described below with reference to the flow charts of FIGS.
7A and 7B.
In step S100 a key "3" of the select switch 36 is depressed
to select a third sequence. In step 101 the secondary bag 3 (53)
in the state shown in FIG. 5 is set at the pressurizing plate 21
and the tertiary bag (54) is placed on the measurement plate 23.
In step S102 communication is provided between the secondary bag
3 (53) and the tertiary bag (54) by a tube which is clamped by the
clamp valve 3 (35) at its intermediate portion. In step S103 the
start switch 37 is depressed and turned on. The control section
100 detects this operation, the process immediately proceeds to
step 104 and the valve control section 110 is controlled so as
to close the clamp valve 3 (35). Then, in step S105 the weight
of the tertiary bag (54) placed on the measurement plate 23 is measured
and a measured value is stored in the RAM 113. In step S106 the
pressurizing cylinder control section 101 is controlled so as to
stop actuation of the pressurizing cylinder, so that the pressurizing
plate 21 is pressed against the secondary bag 3 (53) by the force
of the pressurizing plate spring. In step S107 the clamp valve
3 (35) is opened and, in step S108 the blood content of the secondary
bag 3 (53) is transported to the tertiary bag (54) by the pressing
with the pressurizing plate 21.
In step S109 the weight of the tertiary bag (54) is monitored
by being read from the weight conversion section 106 and is checked
to determine whether or not the weight of the tertiary bag has been
increased to a predetermined value designated from the program cassette
200 by transportation of a predetermined quantity (e.g., 40 g).
After transportation of the predetermined quantity has been completed,
the process proceeds to step S110. In steps S110 to S114 the same
processing as steps S59 to S63 of FIG. 6 is executed.
As described above, the blood separator in accordance with this
embodiment operates on the basis of a multi-bag system for making
blood component preparations by centrifugation (e.g., a double-bag
system, triple-bag system, a quadruple-bag system or SAG bag system)
and automatically separates the blood component parts (red and white
corpuscles, platelets and plasma) as desired. The present invention
thus eliminates the need for any manual separating operation such
as that required in the conventional system, thereby reducing the
burdens imposed on the operator.
Moreover, the present invention enables one unit to have various
functions, i.e., functions as a separation stand, a function for
detecting an interface between the blood components, a clamping
function (tube sealing function) and a weight measuring function,
thereby enabling construction of a blood separator having a reduced
size.
The blood separator of the present invention can be operated by
any person to separate the blood components uniformly, although
conventionally the operator needs to be skilled in controlling the
detection of an interface between the blood components and the quantity
(weight) of each blood component part as well as have quick perceptions.
As described above, the blood separator of the present invention
is, though reduced in size, capable of automatically separating
desired quantities of blood components without requiring a high
degree of skill and intuition.
Also, the blood separator of the present invention is, though reduced
in size, capable of enabling the operator to select the height at
which the interface is detected, as well as automatically separating
desired quantities of blood components without requiring a high
degree of skill and intuition. |