Bag Set for Separating Discrete Volumes of A Composite Liquid

Abstract

A set of bags having a three-way connector shaped to allow an outlet channel and tube connected thereto to be closer to the rotation axis of a centrifuge than another connected outlet and tube.

1 . A set of bags for the separation of a composite liquid into at least two components in a centrifuge having a rotation axis, comprising:
 a collection and separation bag having a median axis, a top and a bottom, for cooperating with a centrifuge so that the median axis of the collection and separation bag substantially intersects the rotation axis, the bottom is the farthest from the rotation axis and the top is the closest to the rotation axis, wherein the top of the separation bag comprises two edges converging towards a tip located on the median axis;   a collection tube having a first end connected to the collection and separation bag; and   at least two satellite bags connected to the top of the collection and separation bag, wherein at least one satellite bag in which a component is to be transferred during a rotation of the centrifuge, is connected to the tip of the collection and separation bag.   
     
     
         2 . A set of bags according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first flexible tube having:
 a first end connected to a first satellite bag; 
   a valve section for engaging a first pinch valve of the centrifuge;   a second flexible tube having:
 a first end connected to a second satellite bag; 
   a valve section for engaging a second pinch valve of the centrifuge; and   a three-way connector having:
 an inlet channel for connection to the collection and separation bag; 
 a first outlet channel connected to a second end of the first tube, and 
 a second outlet channel connected to a second end of the second tube, 
 wherein the three-way connector is so shaped as to allow a section of either one of the first outlet channel and the first tube and a section of either one of the second outlet channel and the second tube to be the closest to the rotation axis when the first valve section is engaged in the first pinch valve and the second valve section is engaged in the second pinch valve. 
   
     
     
         3 . A bag set according to  claim 2 , wherein the section of either one of the first outlet channel and the first tube and the section of either one of the second outlet channel and the second tube that are the closest to the rotation axis when the first valve section is engaged in the first pinch valve and the second valve section is engaged in the second pinch valve, coincide at a meeting point of the first outlet channel and the second outlet channel. 
     
     
         4 . A bag set according to  claim 3 , wherein the first outlet channel and the second outlet channel are substantially aligned and the inlet channel is perpendicular thereto. 
     
     
         5 . A bag set according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the section of either one of the first outlet channel and the first tube that is the closest to the rotation axis when the first valve section is engaged in the first pinch valve and the second valve section is engaged in the second pinch valve comprises a section of the first tube between the three way connector and the first valve section, and   the section of either one of the second outlet channel and the second tube that is the closest to the rotation axis when the first valve section is engaged in the first pinch valve and the second valve section is engaged in the second pinch valve comprises a section of the second tube between the three way connector and the second valve section.   
     
     
         6 . A bag set according to  claim 5 , wherein an angle between the first outlet channel and the inlet channel is between 90 degrees and 180 degrees, and an angle between the second outlet channel and the inlet channel is between 90 degrees and 180 degrees. 
     
     
         7 . A bag set according to  claim 2 , wherein the inlet channel, the first outlet channel, and the second outlet channel join in a central location. 
     
     
         8 . A bag set according to  claim 2 , wherein the first outlet channel connects to the inlet channel at a first location and the second outlet channel connects to the inlet channel at a second location, the first location being closer to the rotation axis than the second location when the first valve section is engaged in the first pinch valve and the second valve section is engaged in the second pinch valve. 
     
     
         9 . A bag set according to  claim 2 , further comprising a third tube having a first end connected to the tip of the collection and separation bag and a second end connected to the inlet channel. 
     
     
         10 . A bag set according to  claim 9 , wherein the third tube comprises a detection section for engaging a cell detector of the centrifuge. 
     
     
         11 . A bag set according to  claim 9 , further comprising a breakable stopper connected to the third tube. 
     
     
         12 . A bag set according to  claim 2 , for the separation of whole blood into a plasma component, a platelet component and a red blood cell component, wherein the first satellite bag is for collecting the plasma component and the second satellite bag is for collecting the platelet component. 
     
     
         13 . A bag set according to  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a third satellite bag for collecting red blood cells;   a third tube having:
 a first section having a first end connected to the top of the collection and separation bag; and 
 a second section having a second end connected to the third satellite bag; and 
   a leuko-reduction filter having an inlet connected to a second end of the first section of the third tube and an outlet connected to a first end of the second section of the third tube.   
     
     
         14 . A bag set according to  claim 12 , further comprising a needle connected to a second end of the collection tube.