Device for separation of platelets from whole blood

Abstract

A method is described for separating, retrieving and concentrating platelets from whole blood relying on aggregation of the platelets followed by filtration. This method eliminates the need of a centrifuge for separating said cells from blood. To obtain cellular concentrates of platelets, blood is mixed with compatible agents that will aggregate cells while retaining contained growth factors. The resulting aggregates can then be separated from blood by filtration. If desired, the filter-captured aggregates are subject to a brief washing cycle where they are washed clean of residual aggregating agent, plasma, and red cells. Aggregates can then be partly or wholly deaggregated and the cells retrieved. The result is a suspension of cells and small aggregates with therapeutic levels of concentrated blood cells with included growth factors that are available for delivery to a wound site. A device that accomplishes the aforementioned process is also described.

1 . A device for separating platelets from whole blood, comprising: 
 a mixing/filtering chamber configured for mixing whole blood and an aggregating agent to form platelet aggregates when positioned in a first orientation, and further configured for collecting the platelet aggregates when positioned in a second orientation;    at least one inlet port for transferring whole blood and the aggregating agent into the mixing/filtering chamber;    a mixing mechanism for mixing the whole blood and the aggregating agent when the mixing/filtering chamber is positioned in the first orientation;    a filter for collecting the platelet aggregates when the mixing/filtering chamber is positioned in the second orientation; and    an outlet port for removing components of the whole blood that are not collected in the filter.    
   
   
       2 . A device as in  claim 1 , wherein the mixing mechanism is configured to optimize mixing to prevent substantial premature release of growth factor contents from the platelets.  
   
   
       3 . A device as in  claim 1 , wherein the filter has a pore size from 15 to 500 um.  
   
   
       4 . A device as in  claim 3 , wherein the pore size is from 15 to 100 um.  
   
   
       5 . A device as in  claim 1 , wherein the outlet port is also used for injecting a physiological solution into the mixing/filtering chamber for washing.  
   
   
       6 . A device as in  claim 1 , wherein the mixing mechanism is an electromagnetic motor and a magnetic stir bar.  
   
   
       7 . A device as in  claim 1 , wherein the filter comprises a material selected from the group consisting of metal, polymer, biomaterial, biodegradable material, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       8 . A device as in  claim 7 , wherein the filter comprises a material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, nylon, poly-tetra-fluoro-ethylene, polyester, hyaluronic acid, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       9 . A device for separating platelets from whole blood, comprising: 
 a mixing chamber configured for receiving and mixing whole blood and an aggregating agent to form platelet aggregates and residual blood components;    a filtering chamber configured for collecting platelet aggregates and allowing the residual blood components to substantially pass, said filtering chamber comprising a porous filter;    a valve disposed between the mixing chamber and the filtering chamber for holding the whole blood and the aggregating agent in the mixing chamber during mixing, and for allowing flow of the platelet aggregates and the residual blood components from the mixing chamber to the filtering chamber for filtering; and    an outlet port configured for removing components of the whole blood that are not collected in the filter.    
   
   
       10 . A device as in  claim 9 , wherein the mixing chamber includes a mixing mechanism optimized to prevent substantial premature release of growth factor contents from the platelets.  
   
   
       11 . A device as in  claim 9 , wherein the porous filter has a pore size from 15 to 500 um.  
   
   
       12 . A device as in  claim 11 , wherein the pore size is from 15 to 100 um.  
   
   
       13 . A device as in  claim 9 , wherein the outlet port is also used for injecting a physiological medium into the filtering chamber for washing the aggregates.  
   
   
       14 . A device as in  claim 9 , wherein the outlet port is also used for injecting a deaggregating agent into the filtering chamber for deaggregating the aggregates.  
   
   
       15 . A device as in  claim 9 , wherein the mixing device is an electromagnetic motor and a magnetic stir bar.  
   
   
       16 . A device as in  claim 9 , wherein the filter comprises a material selected from the group consisting of metal, polymer, biomaterial, biodegradable material, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       17 . A device as in  claim 16 , wherein the filter comprises a material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, nylon, poly-tetra-fluoro-ethylene, polyester, hyaluronic acid, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       18 . A device as in  claim 9 , wherein the removal of components not collected on the filter is provided by a syringe acting on the outlet port.  
   
   
       19 . A device as in  claim 13 , wherein the physiological medium is injected into the filtering chamber with a syringe.  
   
   
       20 . A device as in  claim 14 , wherein the deaggregating agent is injected into the filtering chamber with a syringe.  
   
   
       21 . A device as in  claim 9 , wherein the device is fully automated.