Control system for driving fluids through an extracorporeal blood circuit

Abstract

A control deck and system for controlling and driving blood fluids through an extracorporeal blood circuit kit. In one aspect, the invention is a deck having an improved mechanism for securing a cassette in place during treatment operations. The improved deck comprises catches for slidably receiving tabs of the cassette and one or more rotating clamps for locking and securing the cassette in a loaded position. In another aspect the invention is a system for controlling and driving blood fluids having infrared communication abilities to transmit and receive real time data. In still another aspect, the invention is a system for controlling and driving blood fluids having an upright tower design that reduces the footprint of the system. In this embodiment, a centrifuge chamber is positioned in an upper portion of the system while the control deck and photoactivation chamber are located in a base portion of the system.

1 . A deck for driving fluids through an extracorporeal blood circuit kit, the disposable kit including a cassette for controlling fluid flow having at least one tab, the deck comprising: 
 a controller;    a plate having a cassette loading area;    at least one catch for slidably receiving a corresponding tab of the cassette, the catch positioned on the plate adjacent to the cassette loading area;    at least one rotating clamp rotatable between an open position and a closed position, the rotating clamp positioned on the plate adjacent to the cassette loading area;    wherein when the rotating clamp is in the open position, the rotating clamp does not obstruct the cassette from being removed from the cassette loading area; and    wherein when the rotating clamp is in the closed position and the cassette loaded onto the cassette loading area, the rotating clamp prohibits the cassette from being removed from the cassette loading area.    
     
     
         2 . The deck of  claim 1  wherein the rotating clamp rotates about an axis that is substantially perpendicular to a top surface of the plate.  
     
     
         3 . The deck of  claim 2  wherein the rotating clamp is spring loaded so as to return to the closed position when rotational force is not applied.  
     
     
         4 . The deck of  claim 3  wherein when more than one rotation clamp is provided, the rotational clamps are operably coupled by a timing belt so that rotation of all rotating clamps is coordinated.  
     
     
         5 . The deck of  claim 1  comprising two catches and two rotating clamps.  
     
     
         6 . The deck of  claim 1  wherein the rotating clamp comprises an angled ledge that allows the cassette to be lowered onto the cassette loading area of the plate while the rotating clamps are in closed position and prohibits the cassette from being raised from the cassette loading area when the rotating clamps are in the closed position.  
     
     
         7 . The deck of  claim 1  wherein the rotational clamp is rotated between the open and closed positions by pneumatic cylinders.  
     
     
         8 . The deck of  claim 1  further comprising at least one compression actuator adapted to move between a raised position and a lowered position, wherein when the cassette is loaded onto the cassette loading area and the compression actuator is in the raised position, the compression actuator will occlude a portion of flexible tubing within the cassette by compressing the portion of flexible tubing against a housing of the cassette.  
     
     
         9 . The deck of  claim 8  wherein the number of compression actuators is eight.  
     
     
         10 . The deck of  claim 8  wherein at least one of the compression actuators is spring loaded so as to return the compression actuator to the raised position when force is not applied.  
     
     
         11 . The deck of  claim 10  comprising three compression actuators that are spring loaded and positioned on the plate so that when a cassette is loaded onto the cassette loading area, the three spring loaded compression actuators are aligned with portions of flexible tubing within the cassette that are connected directly to a patient.  
     
     
         12 . The deck of  claim 11  wherein the three compression actuators that are spring loaded are coupled to one another so that movement between the lowered and raised positions for the three spring loaded compression actuators is coordinated.  
     
     
         13 . The deck of  claim 8  wherein at least one of the compression actuator is spring retracted so as to return the compression actuator to the lowered position when force is not applied.  
     
     
         14 . The deck of  claim 13  comprising five compression actuators that are spring retracted and positioned on the plate so that when a cassette is loaded onto the cassette loading area, the five compression actuators are aligned with portions of flexible tubing within the cassette so as to be able to route fluids throughout the kit.  
     
     
         15 . The deck of  claim 1  further comprising an air bubble detector adapted to monitor tubes of the kit that are carrying fluids to and from a patient when the cassette is loaded onto the cassette loading area.  
     
     
         16 . The deck of  claim 15  wherein the air bubble detector is adapted to prohibit flow of fluids to and from a patient upon an air bubble being detected.  
     
     
         17 . The deck of  claim 1  further comprising at least one peristaltic pump adjacent to the cassette loading area for driving fluids through the kit.  
     
     
         18 . The deck of  claim 17  wherein the peristaltic pump comprises a rotor rotatably mounted about a rotor axis; a housing having a curved wall surrounding at least a portion of the rotor and forming a tube pumping region between the rotor and the curved wall; the rotor comprising at least one drive roller for progressively compressing a loop of tubing against the curved wall; the rotor comprising a flange above the housing and an angled guide extending upward from the flange for displacing the loop of tubing toward the flange upon the rotor being rotated in a forward direction; the flange having an opening with a leading edge and a trailing edge for capturing and feeding the loop of tubing into the tube pumping region upon the rotor being rotated in the forward direction; and wherein the trailing edge is higher than the leading edge.  
     
     
         19 . The deck of  claim 18  wherein the number of peristaltic pumps is five.  
     
     
         20 . The deck of  claim 1  further comprising a hematocrit sensor for monitoring a tube of the kit that leads to a treatment bag for the presence of red blood cells.  
     
     
         21 . The deck of  claim 20  wherein the hematocrit sensor is adapted to control a peristaltic pump that drives fluid into the tube that leads into the treatment bag.  
     
     
         22 . A system for driving blood fluids through an extracorporeal blood circuit kit comprising: 
 a controller    a housing having the deck for receiving and controlling a cassette for directing fluid flow through the kit;    a centrifuge chamber within the housing; and    an infrared communication port coupled to the controller.    
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 22  wherein the infrared communication port is adapted to transmit real time data relating to a therapy session being performed on the system to a remote device.  
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 22  further comprising a photoactivation chamber for receiving an irradiation chamber of the kit in the housing.  
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 24  wherein the photoactivation chamber is vertically oriented.  
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 24  further comprising a leak detector in the photoactivation chamber.  
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 26  wherein the leak detector comprises at least two U-shaped electrodes, a solid state switch connected to a first end of the electrodes, and an integrated circuit connected to a second end of the electrodes, the leak detector coupled to the controller.  
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 22  further comprising a leak detector in the centrifuge chamber.  
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 28  wherein the leak detector comprises at least two U-shaped electrodes, a solid state switch connected to a first end of the electrodes, and an integrated circuit connected to a second end of the electrodes, the leak detector coupled to the controller.  
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 22  further comprising wheels at or near a bottom of the housing.  
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 22  further comprising means to hang a plurality of fluid bags from the housing.  
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 22  wherein the centrifuge chamber is in an upper portion of the housing and the deck is located on a top of a base portion of the housing, the centrifuge chamber being above the deck.  
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 32  wherein the height of the system is less than about 60 inches.  
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 22  further comprising means to authenticate a unique identifier associated with the kit, the authentication means coupled to the controller.  
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 34  wherein the means to authenticate is a data card receiving slot coupled to the controller.  
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 22  further comprising at least one compression actuator on the deck, the compression actuator adapted to move between a raised position and a lowered position, wherein when the cassette is loaded onto a cassette loading area and the compression actuator is in the raised position, the compression actuator will occlude a portion of flexible tubing within the cassette by compressing the portion of flexible tubing against a housing of the cassette.  
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 22  wherein the deck comprises a plate having a cassette loading area; at least one catch for slidably receiving a corresponding tab of the cassette, the catch positioned on the plate adjacent to the cassette loading area; at least one rotating clamp rotatable between an open position and a closed position, the rotating clamp positioned on the plate adjacent to the cassette loading area; wherein when the rotating clamp is in the open position, the rotating clamp does not obstruct the cassette from being removed from the cassette loading area; and wherein when the rotating clamp is in the closed position and the cassette loaded onto the cassette loading area, the rotating clamp prohibits the cassette from being removed from the cassette loading area.  
     
     
         38 . A system for driving blood fluids through an extracorporeal blood circuit kit comprising: 
 a controller;    a base portion having a top having a deck for receiving and controlling a cassette for directing fluid flow through the kit;    an upper portion atop the top; and    a centrifuge chamber within the upper portion.    
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 38  further comprising a photoactivation chamber in the base portion for receiving an irradiation chamber of the kit.  
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 39  wherein the photoactivation chamber is vertically oriented and has a leak detector in the photoactivation chamber.  
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 40  wherein the leak detector comprises two U-shaped electrodes, a solid state switch connected to a first end of the electrodes, and an integrated circuit connected to a second end of the electrodes.  
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 38  further comprising a leak detector in the centrifuge chamber.  
     
     
         43 . The system of  claim 42  wherein the leak detector comprises two U-shaped electrodes, a solid state switch connected to s first end of the electrodes, and an integrated circuit connected to a second end of the electrodes.  
     
     
         44 . The system of  claim 38  wherein the height of the system is less than about 60 inches.  
     
     
         45 . The system of  claim 38  further comprising at least one peristaltic pump for driving fluids through the kit, the peristaltic pumps located on the deck.  
     
     
         46 . The system of  claim 45  wherein the peristaltic pump comprises a rotor rotatably mounted about a rotor axis; a housing having a curved wall surrounding at least a portion of the rotor and forming a tube pumping region between the rotor and the curved wall; the rotor comprising at least one drive roller for progressively compressing a loop of tubing against the curved wall; the rotor comprising a flange above the housing and an angled guide extending upward from the flange for displacing the loop of tubing toward the flange upon the rotor being rotated in a forward direction; the flange having an opening with a leading edge and a trailing edge for capturing and feeding the loop of tubing into the tube pumping region upon the rotor being rotated in the forward direction; and wherein the trailing edge is higher than the leading edge.  
     
     
         47 . The system of  claim 38  further comprising one or more catches for receiving a tab of the cassette, and one or more rotating clamps for engaging and securing the cassette to the deck.  
     
     
         48 . The system of  claim 38  further comprising an infrared communication port adapted to transmit real time data relating to a therapy session being performed on the system to a remote device.  
     
     
         49 . The system of  claim 38  further comprising a plurality of compression actuators for closing off fluid passageways of the kit by compressing a portion flexible tube against a housing of the cassette.  
     
     
         50 . The system of  claim 38  further comprising means to authenticate a unique identifier associated with the kit, the authentication means coupled to the controller.  
     
     
         51 . The system of  claim 50  wherein the means to authenticate is a data card receiving slot.  
     
     
         52 . A system for driving blood fluids through an extracorporeal blood circuit kit comprising: 
 a controller;    a base portion having a top surface having a deck for receiving and controlling a cassette for directing fluid flow through the kit;    an upper portion atop the top surface;    a centrifuge chamber within the upper portion.    a photoactivation chamber for receiving an irradiation chamber of the kit, the photoactivation vertically oriented and located in the base portion below the deck;    a first leak detector in the photoactivation chamber and a second leak detector in the centrifuge chamber;    wherein a height of the system is less than about 60 inches;    five peristaltic pumps for driving fluid flow through the kit on the deck;    one or more catches for receiving a corresponding tab of the cassette, and one or more rotating clamps for engaging and securing the cassette to the deck;    a plurality of compression actuators for closing off fluid passageways of the kit by compressing a portion flexible tube;    means to hang a plurality of fluid bags;    means to authenticate a unique identifier associated with the kit, the authentication means coupled to the controller; and    an infrared communication port.    
     
     
         53 . An apparatus comprising a cassette for controlling movement of blood and separated blood components, the cassette comprising 
 a rigid plastic housing;    flexible tube loops extending out of the housing;    flexible tubing other than loops extending into, within, and out from of the housing;    at least one section of flexible tube within the housing exposed on one side of the housing so that fluid flow through the exposed section can be prevented when pressure is exerted on the exposed section from the exposed side.    
     
     
         54 . The apparatus of  claim 53  having a hub within the housing adapted to connect sections of the flexible tubes.  
     
     
         55 . The apparatus of  claim 53  wherein hub is adapted to connect five sections of flexible tubes.  
     
     
         56 . The apparatus of  claim 53  wherein the side of the housing where the flexible tube is exposed comprises apertures through which pressure can be exerted, and the housing has an opposing side adapted to resist the exerted pressure so as to close off the section of tubing between the aperture and the opposing side of the housing and thereby prevent fluid flow.  
     
     
         57 . The apparatus of  claim 53  wherein the housing has an opposing side which comprises at least one molded occluder bar which transverses the exposed section of flexible tube.  
     
     
         58 . The apparatus of  claim 53  wherein the rigid plastic housing has a top section and a bottom section which together form an internal space, the bottom section comprising at least one aperture for accessing the at least one exposed flexible tube section.  
     
     
         59 . The apparatus of  claim 53  having five tube loops and six apertures.  
     
     
         60 . The apparatus of  claim 53  wherein the housing has a top section and a bottom section which together form an internal space, the bottom section comprising at least one aperture for accessing the exposed flexible tube sections, at least one molded occluder bar on the side of the top section facing the internal space and opposed to the aperture, the cassette adapted to allow at least one actuator to selectively close off fluid flow in the exposed section of flexible tubing by pressing the flexible tubing through the aperture and against the molded occluder bar.  
     
     
         61 . The apparatus of  claim 53  having a filter in fluid communication with at least one flexible tube.  
     
     
         62 . The apparatus of  claim 53  having six apertures in the bottom section, corresponding molded ridges in the top section opposed to the apertures, and at least one section of flexible tubing between each aperture and each molded ridge; five tube loops; and a hub adapted to connect five sections of tube.  
     
     
         63 . The apparatus of  claim 53  wherein the cassette comprises a recordable smartcard on which are electronically recorded identification data.  
     
     
         64 . A method of making a cassette for controlling movement of blood during a blood separation session comprising 
 molding a rigid plastic top section with ridges on an underside;    molding a rigid plastic bottom section with apertures and flexible tube guides;    routing flexible tube through guides in the bottom section so that sections of tube traverse the ridges; and    attaching the top and bottom sections so that the sections traversing the ridges are exposed through the apertures.    
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 64  further including molding a hub in the top section and attaching flexible tube sections to the hub.  
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 64  wherein the bottom section and top section are attached by snap fitting.  
     
     
         67 . A method of making a cassette for controlling movement of blood and other fluids comprising molding a rigid tube holder, placing flexible tubing in the tube holder so that at least one section of tubing is exposed and so that fluid flow through the section can be prevented upon pressing the tubing from the exposed side.  
     
     
         68 . An apparatus comprising a cassette according to  claim 1 , a centrifuge bowl for separating the components of a fluid, and at least three flexible tubes between the bowl and the cassette, the bowl comprising 
 an outer housing, a core connected with said outer housing for rotation therewith; a lower plate; a lumen positioned inside said core extending axially through said core; a first bowl channel within said lumen to said top surface of said lower plate for inflowing said fluid;    a second bowl channel from within said separation volume beneath said lower plate for removing a first separated fluid component, and    a third bowl channel from said separation volume above said lower plate for removing a second separated fluid component;    the tubing comprising    a first flexible tube for inflowing whole blood from the cassette through the first bowl channel to the core of the bowl;    a second flexible tube for removing separated buffy coat or plasma from the bowl to the cassette; and    a third flexible tube for carrying separated red blood cells from the separation volume above the lower plate to the cassette.    
     
     
         69 . The apparatus of  claim 68  further including an irradiation chamber having a first port and a second port; 
 a flexible tube for carrying buffy coat from the cassette to the first port of the irradiation chamber;    a flexible tube for carrying irradiated buffy coat from the irradiation chamber to the cassette.    
     
     
         70 . The apparatus of  claim 68  further including an irradiation chamber having a first port and a second port; 
 a flexible tube for carrying buffy coat from the cassette to the first port of the irradiation chamber;    a flexible tube for carrying irradiated buffy coat from the irradiation chamber to the cassette;    the irradiation chamber having a rigid first plate having a first surface and a second surface said second surface having a raised boundary surrounding a plurality of raised partitions; a rigid second plate having a first surface and a second surface, said second surface having a raised boundary surrounding a plurality of raised partitions; wherein the second surface of said rigid first plate is contacted with second surface of said rigid second plate thereby forming a chamber; said chamber defined by the raised boundary surrounding the plurality of raised partitions which extend from said second surface of said first plate and said second surface of said second plate, wherein a plurality of channels are formed by said partition providing fluid communication with the first port and second port.    
     
     
         71 . An apparatus comprising a disposable kit, the kit comprising 
 a cassette according to  claim 53;     a saline bag inlet tube;    a treatment bag;    a plasma collection bag having an inlet tube for flowing plasma from the cassette and an outlet tube for flowing plasma to the cassette;    an anticoagulant inlet tube for flowing anticoagulant to the cassette;    an irradiation chamber having an inlet tube for flowing buffy coat from the cassette and an outlet tube for flowing irradiated buffy coat to the cassette;    a separation bowl having one tube for flowing blood to the separation chamber and at least two tubes for flowing separate blood fragments from the separation chamber;    means to withdraw blood from a patient comprising a tube for flowing blood to the cassette and means for connecting a needle; and    means to return blood fractions to the patient comprising a tube from the cassette.    
     
     
         72 . An apparatus comprising a disposable kit according to  claim 71  and a non-disposable tower, the tower comprising 
 a controller;    peristaltic pumps having peristaltic pump heads adapted to engage the pump loops of the cassette and to selectively pump fluid through the pump loops at the command of the controller;    a deck adapted to engage the cassette and having means to selectively exert pressure on each section of flexible tube through each aperture of the cassette under command of the controller;    a centrifuge chamber adapted to rotate the separation bowl at the command of the controller; and    a photoactivation cavity for receiving the irradiation chamber, the irradiation cavity having means to irradiate fluid in the irradiation chamber at the command of the controller.    
     
     
         73 . The apparatus of  claim 71  wherein the UV irradiation cavity is substantially vertical so that the UV chamber, when inserted in the UV irradiation cavity, has an inlet at the top and an outlet at the bottom of the UV chamber.  
     
     
         74 . The apparatus of  claim 71 , the tower having supports for hanging the saline bag, treatment bag, plasma bag, and anticoagulant bag.  
     
     
         75 . The apparatus of  claim 71  wherein 
 the cassette has five pump loops and five apertures and five corresponding molded ridges opposed to the apertures; and    the tower has five corresponding pump heads and five corresponding means to selectively exert pressure through the cassette apertures.    
     
     
         76 . The apparatus of  claim 71  having flexible tubing for whole blood flow from the patient to a vent means in the cassette, flexible tubing forming loops, the loops comprising an anticoagulant pump loop, a whole blood pump loop, a return to patient pump loop, a red blood pump loop, and a buffy coat recirculation pump loop, and flexible tubing for return of blood fractions and treated buffy coat back to the patient.  
     
     
         77 . The apparatus of  claim 71  wherein the cassette comprises a recordable, removable smartcard having electronically stored unique identification information and the tower comprises a smartcard reader-writer module, and means for receiving the smartcard in the module, reading the unique identification information to verify compatibility, and means for recording data to the smartcard during a blood treatment or separation session.  
     
     
         78 . A photopheresis method comprising: 
 providing a disposable kit and a non-disposable tower according to  claim 71;     withdrawing whole blood from a patient;    adding anticoagulant to form a mixture;    pumping the whole blood-anticoagulant mixture through the cassette to the centrifuge separation bowl;    operating the separation bowl until air in the bowl is displaced into the plasma bag;    collecting separated plasma in the plasma bag while continuing to pump the mixture into the bowl;    mixing plasma with priming fluid;    when a selected amount of plasma is collected, returning plasma to the patient at the same rate as incoming whole blood until red blood cells are detected at a bowl sensor;    withdrawing red cells and pumping at a speed controlled so as to maintain the red cell line at the sensor interface level;    mixing the withdrawn red blood cells with plasma from the plasma collection bag and returning the red blood cells-plasma mixture to the patient;    at a selected time, continuing to pump whole blood into the bowl while discontinuing withdrawing and pumping red blood cells, thereby causing the red blood cells to push buffy coat out of the bowl past the sensor into the buffy coat collection bag until a selected amount is collected;    discontinuing collection of buffy coat when red blood cells have been detected;    injecting photoactivation chemical into the buffy coat in the buffy coat collection bag;    recirculating buffy coat between the collection bag and the irradiation chamber;    irradiating the buffy coat in the irradiation chamber while recirculating;    pumping the irradiated buffy coat from the irradiation chamber;    pumping irradiated buffy coat from the collection bag through a filter in the cassette and then back to the patient;    rinsing the disposable kit with saline and returning the rinse solution to the patient.    
     
     
         79 . A method of collecting a desired blood component comprising: 
 providing a separator having an inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet;    drawing whole blood from a source;    adding an anticoagulant fluid to the whole blood in a predetermined ratio to form a mixture of whole blood and anticoagulant fluid;    pumping the mixture of whole blood and anticoagulant fluid into the separator via the inlet at a selected inlet rate;    separating the mixture into blood components of different densities;    withdrawing plasma and red blood cells from the separator while continuing to pump the mixture of whole blood and anticoagulant fluid into the separator, the plasma and red blood cells being withdrawn at rates so as to build up buffy coat in the separator, the plasma being withdrawn via the first outlet and the red blood cells being withdrawn via the second outlet; and    upon a predetermined amount of buffy coat building up in the separator, collecting the buffy coat from the separator.    
     
     
         80 . The method of  claim 79  wherein the step of collecting the buffy coat from the separator comprises discontinuing the withdrawal of red blood cells from the second outlet, thereby causing the red blood cells to push the buffy coat out of the separator via the first outlet.  
     
     
         81 . The method of  claim 80  further comprising collecting the withdrawn buffy coat in a treatment bag.  
     
     
         82 . The method of  claim 80  further comprising discontinuing the collecting of buffy coat when red blood cells are detected in an outlet line fluidly connected to the first outlet.  
     
     
         83 . The method of  claim 79  wherein the step of withdrawing plasma and red blood cells from the separator comprises: withdrawing only the plasma from the separator via the first outlet until a predetermined amount of red blood cells are detected in the separator; and upon the predetermined amount of red blood cells being detected in the separator, withdrawing red blood cells from the separator at a rate so as to maintain the amount of red blood cells present in the separator at approximately the predetermined amount.  
     
     
         84 . The method of  claim 83  wherein the predetermined amount of red blood cells is detected using a hematocrit sensor.  
     
     
         85 . The method of  claim 79  further comprising: collecting the withdrawn plasma in a plasma storage bag; mixing the withdrawn plasma with a priming fluid; and upon a selected amount of plasma being collected in the plasma storage bag, returning the mixture of plasma and priming fluid to the source.  
     
     
         86 . The method of  claim 85  further comprising mixing the withdrawn red blood cells with the plasma and priming fluid mixture from the plasma collection bag and returning the red blood cells-plasma-priming fluid mixture to the source at a rate approximately equal to the inlet rate.  
     
     
         87 . The method of  claim 79  wherein the step of pumping the mixture into the separator comprises passing the mixture through a cassette for controlling fluid flow before the mixture enters the separator.  
     
     
         88 . The method of  claim 79  further comprising: injecting a photoactivation chemical into the collected buffy coat; and irradiating the collected buffy coat within an irradiation chamber until a predetermined amount of energy has been transferred to the collected buffy coat.  
     
     
         89 . The method of  claim 88  wherein the step of irradiating the buffy coat comprises recirculating the collected buffy coat between a treatment bag and the irradiation chamber.  
     
     
         90 . The method of  claim 88  further comprising: passing the irradiated buffy coat through a filter; and returning the irradiated buffy coat to the source.  
     
     
         91 . The method of  claim 90  wherein overall treatment time is less than about 70 minutes.  
     
     
         92 . The method of  claim 91  wherein the overall treatment time is less than about 45 minutes.  
     
     
         93 . The method of  claim 90  wherein the filter is within a cassette for controlling fluid flow.  
     
     
         94 . The method of  claim 79  further comprising collecting the withdraw red blood cells.  
     
     
         95 . The method of  claim 79  wherein the source is a patient, a whole blood storage bag, or a blood donor, and wherein the separator is a centrifuge bowl.  
     
     
         96 . A method of collecting a desired blood component comprising: 
 withdrawing whole blood from a patient;    combining anticoagulant with the whole blood at a selected ratio of anticoagulant to whole blood;    pumping the combination of whole blood and anticoagulant through a fluid flow controller to a separator;    operating the separator until air is displaced;    continuing to pump the combined whole blood and anticoagulant into the separator and collecting separated plasma until a selected amount of plasma is collected;    mixing plasma with a priming fluid and returning the mixture of plasma and priming fluid to the patient at the same rate as incoming whole blood until red blood cells are detected;    withdrawing red cells and pumping at a speed controlled so as to maintain a red cell line selected level in the separator while collecting buffy coat in the separator;    at a selected time, when a desired amount of buffy coat cells are collected in the separator, continuing to pump whole blood into the separator while discontinuing pumping red blood cells, thereby causing the red blood cells to push buffy coat out of the separator until a desired amount is collected in a buffy coat collector;    discontinuing collection of buffy coat when red blood cells have been detected.    
     
     
         97 . The method of  claim 96  further comprising: 
 mixing the withdrawn red blood cells with plasma from the plasma collection bag and returning the mixture to the patient;    pumping buffy coat to a treatment bag;    injecting photoactivation chemical into the buffy coat in the treatment bag;    pumping the buffy coat and photoactivation chemical mixture from the treatment bag to an irradiation chamber;    recirculating the buffy coat between the treatment bag and the irradiation chamber;    irradiating the buffy coat in the irradiation chamber while recirculating;    pumping the irradiated buffy coat from the irradiation chamber to the treatment bag;    pumping irradiated buffy coat from the treatment bag through a filter in the controller and then back to the patient.    
     
     
         98 . The method of  claim 97  wherein the priming fluid is a mixture of anticoagulant and saline.  
     
     
         99 . The method of  claim 97  wherein the fluid flow controller is a cassette, wherein the separator is a centrifuge bowl, wherein the air is displaced into a plasma bag, wherein red blood cells are detected at a bowl sensor, wherein the red blood cell line is detected at a sensor interface.  
     
     
         100 . The method of  claim 97  wherein the buffy coat cells are separated and one or more selected components are collected, the components selected from the group consisting of platelets and leukocytes.  
     
     
         101 . The method of  claim 97  further comprising priming the separator with anticoagulant and saline mixture.  
     
     
         102 . The method of  claim 97  further including rinsing the separator, treatment bag, and irradiation chamber with saline and returning the resultant rinse solution to the patient.  
     
     
         103 . The method of  claim 96  wherein the overall treatment time is less than about 70 minutes.  
     
     
         104 . The method of  claim 103  wherein the overall treatment time is less than about 45 minutes.  
     
     
         105 . A method of performing a photopheresis treatment for diseases on a patient comprising: 
 drawing whole blood from a source;    adding an anticoagulant fluid to the whole blood in a predetermined ratio to form a mixture of whole blood and anticoagulant fluid;    separating the mixture of whole blood and anticoagulant into a plurality of blood components according to density;    mixing a photoactivation chemical with at least one of the blood components to form a mixture of the photoactivation chemical and the at least one blood component;    irradiating the combination of the at least one blood component and photoactivation chemical; and    returning the irradiated combination to a patient;    wherein the entire photopheresis treatment is completed in less than about 70 minutes.    
     
     
         106 . The method of  claim 105  wherein the entire photopheresis treatment is completed in less than about 45 minutes.  
     
     
         107 . The method of  claim 105  wherein the at least one blood component is buffy coat, a leukocyte, or platelets.  
     
     
         108 . The method of  claim 105  wherein the at least one blood component is buffy coat.  
     
     
         109 . The method of  claim 108  wherein the step of separating the mixture of whole blood and anticoagulant fluid comprises: providing a separator having an inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet; pumping the mixture of whole blood and anticoagulant fluid into the separator via the inlet at a selected inlet rate; and withdrawing plasma and red blood cells from the separator while continuing to pump the mixture of whole blood and anticoagulant fluid into the separator, the plasma and red blood cells being withdrawn at rates so as to build up buffy coat in the separator, the plasma being withdrawn via the first outlet and the red blood cells being withdrawn via the second outlet; and upon a predetermined amount of buffy coat building up in the separator, collecting the buffy coat from the separator.  
     
     
         110 . The method of  claim 109  wherein the step of collecting the buffy coat from the separator comprises discontinuing the withdrawal of red blood cells from the second outlet, thereby causing the red blood cells to push the buffy coat out of the separator via the first outlet; and discontinuing the collecting of buffy coat when red blood cells are detected in an outlet line fluidly connected to the first outlet.  
     
     
         111 . The method of  claim 109  wherein the step of withdrawing plasma and red blood cells from the separator comprises: withdrawing only the plasma from the separator via the first outlet until a predetermined amount of red blood cells are detected in the separator; and upon the predetermined amount of red blood cells being detected in the separator, withdrawing red blood cells from the separator at a rate so as to maintain the amount of red blood cells present in the separator at approximately the predetermined amount.  
     
     
         112 . The method of  claim 109  further comprising irradiating the collected buffy coat within an irradiation chamber until a predetermined amount of energy has been transferred to the collected buffy coat, the predetermined amount of energy being sufficient to induce apoptosis.  
     
     
         113 . The method of  claim 105  wherein the source is the patient, the photopheresis treatment being performed in a closed-loop system.  
     
     
         114 . A method of collecting a desired blood component comprising: 
 providing a separator having an inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet;    drawing whole blood from a source;    adding an anticoagulant fluid to the whole blood in a predetermined ratio to form a mixture of whole blood and anticoagulant fluid;    pumping the mixture of whole blood and anticoagulant fluid into the separator via the inlet at a selected inlet rate;    separating the mixture into blood components of different densities;    withdrawing plasma and buffy coat from the separator while continuing to pump the mixture of whole blood and anticoagulant fluid into the separator, the plasma and buffy coat being withdrawn at rates so as to build up red blood cells in the separator, the plasma and buffy coat being withdrawn via the first outlet; and 
 upon a predetermined amount of red blood cells building up in the separator, collecting the red blood cells from the separator via the second outlet.  
   
     
     
         115 . A peristaltic pump apparatus comprising: 
 a rotor rotatably mounted about a rotor axis;    a housing having a curved wall surrounding at least a portion of the rotor and forming a tube pumping region between the rotor and the curved wall;    the rotor comprising at least one drive roller for progressively compressing a loop of tubing against the curved wall;    the rotor comprising a flange above the housing and an angled guide extending upward from the flange for displacing the loop of tubing toward the flange upon the rotor being rotated in a forward direction;    the flange having an opening with a leading edge and a trailing edge for capturing and feeding the loop of tubing into the tube pumping region upon the rotor being rotated in the forward direction; and    wherein the trailing edge is higher than the leading edge.    
     
     
         116 . The peristaltic pump apparatus of  claim 115  wherein the flange has a top surface, the trailing edge extending upward from the top surface.  
     
     
         117 . The peristaltic pump apparatus of  claim 116  wherein the angled guide extends upward from the top surface at an inverted angle.  
     
     
         118 . The peristaltic pump apparatus of  claim 115  further comprising a position sensor for determining rotational position of the rotor.  
     
     
         119 . The peristaltic pump apparatus of  claim 118  further comprising a means to control the rotational position of the rotor based upon readings obtained from the sensor.  
     
     
         120 . The peristaltic pump apparatus of  claim 115  wherein the curved wall has at least one slot for passing the loop of tubing into the tube pumping region.  
     
     
         121 . The peristaltic pump apparatus of  claim 115  further comprising a means to lift a portion of the loop of tubing to a raised position when the loop of tubing is in the tube pumping region so that upon the rotor being rotated in a reverse direction the leading edge contacts and removes the loop of tubing from the tube pumping region.  
     
     
         122 . The peristaltic pump apparatus of  claim 121  wherein the means to lift is a pneumatic actuator.  
     
     
         123 . The peristaltic pump apparatus of  claim 122  further comprising a housing flange external to the curved wall, the pneumatic actuator located on the housing flange.  
     
     
         124 . The peristaltic pump apparatus of  claim 115  further comprising at least one guide roller for aligning the loop of tubing in the tube pumping region.  
     
     
         125 . The peristaltic pump apparatus of  claim 124  wherein a top plate of the guide roller is tapered.  
     
     
         126 . The peristaltic pump apparatus of  claim 124  comprising two drive rollers and two guide rollers positioned on the rotor in an alternating pattern.  
     
     
         127 . The peristaltic pump apparatus of  claim 115  wherein the angled guide comprises an elevated ridge portion along an upper surface of the rotor for manual engagement.  
     
     
         128 . The peristaltic pump apparatus of  claim 115  wherein the angled guide is located forward of the leading edge.  
     
     
         129 . A peristaltic pump apparatus comprising a rotor rotatably mounted about a rotor axis; a housing having a curved wall surrounding at least a portion of the rotor and forming a tube pumping region between the rotor and the curved wall; the rotor comprising at least one drive roller for progressively compressing a loop of tubing against the curved wall; the rotor comprising a flange above the housing and an angled guide extending upward from the flange for displacing the loop of tubing toward the flange upon the rotor being rotated in a forward direction; the flange having an opening with a leading edge and a trailing edge for capturing and feeding the loop of tubing into the tube pumping region upon the rotor being rotated in the forward direction; a position sensor for determining rotational position of the rotor; means to control the rotational position of the rotor based upon readings obtained from the sensor; wherein the trailing edge is higher than the leading edge; wherein the flange has a top surface, the trailing edge extending upward from the top surface; wherein the angled guide has a bottom that is at or about a same height as the top surface, the angled guide extending upward from the top surface at an inverted angle; wherein the curved wall has a slot for passing the loop of tubing into the tube pumping region; a pneumatic actuator for lifting a portion of the loop of tubing to a raised position when the loop of tubing is in the tube pumping region so that upon the rotor being rotated in a reverse direction the leading edge contacts and removes the loop of tubing from the tube pumping region; the pneumatic actuator located on a housing flange external to the curved wall; at least one guide roller for aligning the loop of tubing in the tube pumping region; and wherein the guide roller has a non-symmetric cross sectional profile; wherein the angled guide is located forward of the leading edge.  
     
     
         130 . A method of loading a peristaltic pump apparatus comprising a rotor rotatably mounted about a rotor axis, a housing having a curved wall around the rotor and forming a tube pumping region between the curved wall and the rotor, the rotor having at least one drive roller for progressively compressing a loop of tubing against the curved wall, the rotor comprising a flange above the housing and an angled guide extending upward from the flange for displacing the loop of tubing toward the flange upon the rotor being rotated in a forward direction, the flange having an opening with a leading edge and a trailing edge for capturing and feeding the loop of tubing into the tube pumping region upon the rotor being rotated in the forward direction, wherein the trailing edge is higher than the leading edge, the method comprising: 
 providing the peristaltic pump apparatus with the rotor being in a first predetermined position;    positioning a source of the loop of tubing near the peristaltic pump apparatus so that the loop of tubing is around the rotor and the angled guide is positioned between an inlet portion and an outlet portion of the loop of tubing;    rotating the rotor about the rotor axis in a forward direction causing the angled guide to contact and displace the loop of tubing toward the flange; and    loading the loop of tubing that is displaced toward the flange into the tube pumping region through the opening by contacting the loop of tubing with the trailing edge during the forward rotating.    
     
     
         131 . The method of  claim 130  wherein the curved wall comprises at least one slot through which the loop of tubing passes into the tube pumping region.  
     
     
         132 . The method of  claim 130  wherein the rotor further comprises at least one guide roller, the method further comprising aligning the loop of tubing within the pump tubing region as the loop of tubing is loading into the tube pumping region with the guide roller.  
     
     
         133 . The method of  claim 130  wherein the angled guide is located forward of the leading edge.  
     
     
         134 . A method of unloading a loop of tubing from a peristaltic pump apparatus comprising a rotor rotatably mounted about a rotor axis, a housing having a curved wall around the rotor and forming a tube pumping region between the curved wall and the rotor, the rotor having at least one drive roller for progressively compressing the loop of tubing against the curved wall, the rotor comprising a flange above the housing, the flange having an opening with a leading edge and a trailing edge, wherein the trailing edge is higher than the leading edge, an angled guide extending upward from the flange, the method comprising: 
 upon pumping being completed, rotating the rotor to a position where the opening on the flange is aligned with a portion of the loop of tubing;    lifting the portion of the loop of tubing to a raised position with a means to lift;    rotating the rotor in a rearward direction thereby removing the loop of tubing from the tube pumping region through contact with the leading edge; and    holding the loop of tubing against the flange upon the loop of tubing being removed from the tube pumping region with the angled guide.    
     
     
         135 . The method of  claim 134  further comprising: 
 rotating the rotor until the rotor is in a position where the angled guide is between an inlet portion and an outlet portion of the loop of tubing; and    removing the loop of tubing from around the rotor.    
     
     
         136 . The method of  claim 134  wherein the means to lift is a pneumatic actuator.  
     
     
         137 . The method of  claim 134  wherein the angled guide is located forward of the leading edge.  
     
     
         138 . A method of loading and unloading a peristaltic pump apparatus comprising a rotor rotatably mounted about a rotor axis, a housing having a curved wall around the rotor and forming a tube pumping region between the curved wall and the rotor, the rotor having at least one drive roller for progressively compressing a loop of tubing against the curved wall, the rotor comprising at least one guide roller; the rotor comprising a flange above the housing and an angled guide extending upward from the flange for displacing the loop of tubing toward the flange upon the rotor being rotated in a forward direction, the flange having an opening with a leading edge and a trailing edge, wherein the trailing edge is higher than the leading edge, the method comprising: 
 providing the peristaltic pump apparatus with the rotor being in a first predetermined position;    positioning a source of the loop of tubing near the peristaltic pump apparatus so that the loop of tubing is around the rotor and the angled guide is positioned between an inlet portion and an outlet portion of the loop of tubing;    rotating the rotor about the rotor axis in a forward direction causing the angled guide to contact and displace the loop of tubing toward the flange;    loading the loop of tubing that is displaced toward the flange into the tube pumping region through the opening by contacting the loop of tubing with the trailing edge during the forward rotating;    aligning the loop of tubing within the pump tubing region as the loop of tubing is loading into the tube pumping region with the guide roller;    upon pumping being completed, rotating the rotor to a position where the opening on the flange is aligned with the outlet portion of the loop of tubing;    lifting the portion of the loop of tubing to a raised position with a pneumatic actuator;    rotating the rotor in a rearward direction thereby removing the loop of tubing from the tube pumping region by contact with the leading edge;    holding the loop of tubing against the flange upon the loop of tubing being removed from the tube pumping region with the angled guide;    rotating the rotor in the rearward direction until the rotor is in a position where the angled guide is between the inlet portion and the outlet portion of the loop of tubing; and    removing the loop of tubing from around the rotor.    
     
     
         139 . A filter assembly for use in an extracorporeal body fluid flow circuit comprising: 
 a filter housing having a first chamber and a second chamber;    said first chamber having a first fluid inlet, a first fluid outlet, and a first vent chamber having a first gas vent;    said second chamber having a second fluid inlet, a second fluid outlet, and a second vent chamber having a second gas vent; and    a filter media positioned within said second chamber so that fluid must pass through said filter media in flowing from said second fluid inlet to said second fluid outlet.    
     
     
         140 . The filter assembly of  claim 139  wherein said first chamber is substantially L-shaped, said first fluid inlet and said first fluid outlet positioned at ends of said substantially L-shaped first chamber.  
     
     
         141 . The filter assembly of  claim 139  wherein said first fluid inlet and said first fluid outlet are located at or near a floor of said first chamber.  
     
     
         142 . The filter assembly of  claim 139  wherein said first vent chamber and said second vent chamber are located in a roof of said housing.  
     
     
         143 . The filter assembly of  claim 139  wherein said second chamber comprises a floor having a ridge forming a perimeter, said filter media positioned atop and mating with said ridge to form a sealed fit, said second fluid inlet located exterior to said perimeter, said second fluid outlet located in said floor of said second chamber and interior of said perimeter.  
     
     
         144 . The filter assembly of  claim 139  further comprising a first means to measure pressure connected to said first gas vent and adapted to measure pressure within said first chamber.  
     
     
         145 . The filter assembly of  claim 144  wherein said first means to measure pressure is operably coupled to a means to control pressure of fluid passing through said first chamber.  
     
     
         146 . The filter assembly of  claim 139  further comprising a second means to measure pressure connected to said second gas vent and adapted to measure pressure within said second chamber.  
     
     
         147 . The filter assembly of  claim 146  wherein said second means to measure pressure is operably coupled to a means to control pressure of fluid passing through said second chamber.  
     
     
         148 . The filter assembly of  claim 139  wherein said first fluid inlet is adapted to be fluidly connected to a patient to draw a body fluid from said patient and into said first chamber, said second fluid outlet adapted to be fluidly connected to a patient to return at least a component of said body fluid to said patient.  
     
     
         149 . The filter assembly of  claim 139  wherein said housing is made of a transparent or translucent material.  
     
     
         150 . The filter assembly of  claim 139  wherein said filter media has a pore size of about 200 microns.  
     
     
         151 . The filter assembly of  claim 139  wherein said first chamber does not have a filter media positioned therein.  
     
     
         152 . A filter assembly for use in an extra-corporeal body fluid flow circuit comprising: 
 a filter housing having a first chamber and a second chamber;    said first chamber having a first fluid inlet, a first fluid outlet, and a first vent chamber having a first gas vent;    said second chamber having a second fluid inlet, a second fluid outlet, and a second vent chamber having a second gas vent;    a filter media positioned within said second chamber so that fluid must pass through said filter media in flowing from said second fluid inlet to said second fluid outlet;    wherein said first vent chamber and said second vent chamber are located in a roof of said housing;    wherein said first fluid inlet and said first fluid outlet are located at or near a floor of said first chamber;    wherein said second chamber comprises a floor having a ridge forming a perimeter, said filter media positioned atop and mating with said ridge to form a sealed fit, said second fluid inlet located exterior to said perimeter and said second fluid outlet located in said floor of said second chamber interior of said perimeter;    a first pressure sensor connected to said first gas vent and operably coupled to a means to control pressure of fluid passing through said first chamber;    a second pressure sensor connected to said second gas vent and operably coupled to a means to control pressure of fluid passing through said second chamber;    wherein said housing is made of a transparent or translucent material; and    wherein said first chamber does not have a filter media positioned therein.    
     
     
         153 . A filter assembly for use in an extra-corporeal body fluid flow circuit comprising: 
 a filter housing having a first chamber;    said chamber having a first fluid inlet, a first fluid outlet, and a first vent chamber having a first gas vent;    a filter media positioned within said first chamber so that fluid must pass through said filter media in flowing from said first fluid inlet to said first fluid outlet; and    a first pressure sensor connected to said first gas vent and adapted to measure pressure inside said first chamber.    
     
     
         154 . The filter assembly of  claim 153  further comprising a second chamber within said filter housing, said second chamber having a second fluid inlet, a second fluid outlet, and a second vent chamber having a second gas vent.  
     
     
         155 . The filter assembly of  claim 154  further comprising a second pressure sensor connected to said second gas vent and adapted to measure pressure inside said second chamber.  
     
     
         156 . The filter assembly of  claim 154  wherein said second chamber does not have a filter media positioned therein.  
     
     
         157 . The filter assembly of  claim 153  wherein said first chamber comprises a floor having a ridge forming a perimeter, said filter element positioned atop and mating with said ridge to form a sealed fit, said first fluid inlet located exterior to said perimeter, said first fluid outlet located in said floor of said first chamber interior of said perimeter.  
     
     
         158 . The filter assembly of  claim 153  wherein said first vent chamber is located in a roof of said housing.  
     
     
         159 . The filter assembly of  claim 153  wherein said first pressure sensor is operably coupled to a means to control pressure of fluid passing through said first chamber.  
     
     
         160 . The filter assembly of  claim 153  wherein said first fluid inlet is adapted to be fluidly connected to a patient to return at least a components of a body fluid to a patient.  
     
     
         161 . The filter assembly of  claim 153  wherein said housing is made of a transparent or translucent material.  
     
     
         162 . The filter assembly of  claim 153  wherein said filter element comprises an approximately 200 micron filter.  
     
     
         163 . A method of filtering in an extracorporeal body fluid flow circuit comprising: 
 providing a filter assembly comprising a filter housing having a first chamber and a second chamber, said first chamber having a first fluid inlet, a first fluid outlet, and a first vent chamber having a first gas vent, said second chamber having a second fluid inlet, a second fluid outlet, and a second vent chamber having a second gas vent, and a filter media positioned within said second chamber so that fluid must pass through said filter media in flowing from said second fluid inlet to said second fluid outlet;    flowing a body fluid through said first chamber, said body fluid entering said first chamber through said first fluid inlet and exiting said first chamber through said first fluid outlet;    venting said first chamber with said first gas vent;    flowing at least a component of said body fluid through said second chamber, said component entering said second chamber through said second fluid inlet, passing through said filter media, and exiting said second chamber through said second fluid outlet; and    venting said second chamber with said second gas vent.    
     
     
         164 . The method of  claim 163  wherein said filter assembly further comprises a first pressure sensor connected to said first gas vent, said method further comprising: 
 measuring pressure within said first chamber through said first gas vent with said first pressure sensor; and    adjusting flow rate of said body fluid through said first chamber based on pressure measurements taken by said first pressure sensor.    
     
     
         165 . The method of  claim 163  wherein said filter assembly further comprises a second pressure sensor connected to said second gas vent, said method further comprising: 
 measuring pressure within said second chamber through said second gas vent with said second pressure sensor; and    adjusting flow rate of said body fluid through said second chamber based on pressure measurements taken by said second pressure sensor.    
     
     
         166 . The method of  claim 163  wherein said first chamber is substantially L-shaped, said first fluid inlet and said first fluid outlet positioned at ends of said substantially L-shaped first chamber.  
     
     
         167 . The method of  claim 163  wherein said second chamber comprises a floor having a ridge forming a perimeter, said filter element positioned atop and mating with said ridge to form a sealed fit, said second fluid inlet located exterior to said perimeter, said second fluid outlet located in said floor of said second chamber and interior of said perimeter.  
     
     
         168 . The method of  claim 163  wherein said body fluid flowed into said first fluid inlet chamber is drawn from a patient, and said component flowed through said second chamber is returned to said patient.  
     
     
         169 . The method of  claim 163  wherein said first chamber does not have a filter media positioned therein.  
     
     
         170 . A method of filtering in an extracorporeal body fluid flow circuit comprising: 
 providing a filter assembly comprising a filter housing having a first chamber and a second chamber, said first chamber having a first fluid inlet, a first fluid outlet, and a first vent chamber having a first gas vent, said second chamber having a second fluid inlet, a second fluid outlet, and a second vent chamber having a second gas vent, a filter media positioned within said second chamber so that fluid must pass through said filter media in flowing from said second fluid inlet to said second fluid outlet, said filter having a first pressure sensor connected to said first gas vent and a second pressure sensor connected to said second gas vent;    flowing a body fluid through said first chamber, said body fluid entering said first chamber through said first fluid inlet and exiting said first chamber through said first fluid outlet;    venting said first chamber with said first gas vent;    measuring pressure within said first chamber through said first gas vent with said first pressure sensor;    adjusting flow rate of said body fluid through said first chamber based on pressure measurements taken by said first pressure sensor;    flowing at least a component of said body fluid through said second chamber, said component entering said second chamber through said second fluid inlet, passing through said filter media, and exiting said second chamber through said second fluid outlet;    venting said second chamber with said second gas vent;    measuring pressure within said second chamber through said second gas vent with said second pressure sensor;    adjusting flow rate of said body fluid through said second chamber based on pressure measurements taken by said second pressure sensor; and    wherein said first chamber does not have a filter media positioned therein.    
     
     
         171 . A method of filtering in an extracorporeal body fluid flow circuit comprising: 
 providing a filter assembly comprising a chamber having a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a vent chamber having a gas vent, a filter media positioned within said chamber so that fluid must pass through said filter media in flowing from said fluid inlet to said fluid outlet, and a pressure sensor connected to said gas vent;    flowing a body fluid through said chamber, said body fluid entering said chamber through said fluid inlet, passing through said filter media, and exiting said chamber through said fluid outlet;    measuring pressure within said chamber through said vent with said pressure sensor; and    adjusting flow rate of said body fluid through said chamber based on pressure measurements taken by said pressure sensor.