Blood storage bag system and depletion devices with oxygen and carbon dioxide depletion capabilities

Abstract

A blood storage system. The system has a collection bag for red blood cells; an oxygen/carbon dioxide depletion device; a storage bag for red blood cells; and tubing connecting the collection bag to the depletion device and the depletion device to the storage bag. The depletion device includes a receptacle of a solid material having an inlet and an outlet adapted to receiving and expelling a flushing gas; a plurality of hollow fibers or gas-permeable films extending within the receptacle from an entrance to an exit thereof. The hollow fibers or gas-permeable films are adapted to receiving and conveying red blood cells.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A red blood cell composition comprising:
 re-oxygenated stored red blood cells wherein said red blood cells were depleted of oxygen and carbon dioxide and stored under oxygen and carbon dioxide depleted conditions at a temperature of 1° C. to 6° C. for a period of time.   
     
     
         22 . The red blood cell composition of  claim 21 , wherein said re-oxygenated stored red blood cells were stored for 1 week and have a 2-3,biphosphoglycerate (DPG) level of at least 15 μmol/g Hb, were stored for 2 weeks and have a DPG level of at least 15 μmol/g Hb, were stored for 2.5 weeks and have a DPG level of at least 1 μmol/g Hb, or were stored for 3 weeks and have a DPG level of at least 1 μmol/g Hb. 
     
     
         23 . The red blood cell composition of  claim 21 , wherein said re-oxygenated stored red blood cells have been depleted of leukocytes. 
     
     
         24 . The red blood cell composition of  claim 21 , wherein said re-oxygenated stored red blood cells have been depleted of platelets. 
     
     
         25 . A method for optimizing stored red blood cells comprising:
 depleting both oxygen and carbon dioxide from red blood cells to produce oxygen and carbon dioxide depleted red blood cells;   storing said oxygen and carbon dioxide depleted red blood cells in an anaerobic storage bag; and   re-oxygenating said stored oxygen and carbon dioxide depleted red blood cells prior to transfusion.   
     
     
         26 . A method in  claim 25 , wherein said red blood cells comprise an additive solution provided prior to said depleting of oxygen and carbon dioxide. 
     
     
         27 . A method in  claim 26 , wherein said additive solution comprises OFAS3, AS1, AS3, AS5, SAGM or MAPS. 
     
     
         28 . A method in  claim 25 , further comprising reducing leukocytes from said red blood cells. 
     
     
         29 . A method in  claim 25 , further comprising reducing platelets from said red blood cells. 
     
     
         30 . A method of  claim 25 , wherein said red blood cells are leukocyte reduced. 
     
     
         31 . A method of  claim 25 , wherein said red blood cells are platelet reduced. 
     
     
         32 . A method in  claim 25 , wherein said oxygen and carbon dioxide depleted red blood cells are maintained in an oxygen and carbon dioxide depleted environment during said storing. 
     
     
         33 . The method in  claim 25 , wherein said depleting of oxygen and carbon dioxide occurs prior to cooling said red blood cells to a storage temperature of 1° C. to 6° C. 
     
     
         34 . The method in  claim 33 , wherein said depleting occurs at room temperature. 
     
     
         35 . A method in  claim 25 , wherein said re-oxygenating occurs immediately prior to transfusion. 
     
     
         36 . A method in  claim 25 , wherein said re-oxygenating is performed using a gas flush device and flushing with oxygen or air. 
     
     
         37 . A method in  claim 36 , wherein said flushing is with air. 
     
     
         38 . A method in  claim 36 , wherein said flushing is with pure oxygen. 
     
     
         39 . A method for maintaining 2-3,biphosphoglycerate (DPG) levels in red blood cells for transfusion comprising:
 mixing red blood cells with an additive solution;   reducing leukocytes and platelets from said red blood cells;   passing said red blood cells through an oxygen and carbon dioxide depletion device to prepare oxygen and carbon dioxide depleted red blood cells;   storing said oxygen and carbon dioxide depleted red blood cells in an anaerobic storage bag; and   re-oxygenating said stored oxygen and carbon dioxide depleted red blood cells prior to transfusion.   
     
     
         40 . A method in  39 , wherein said additive solution comprises OFAS3, AS1, AS3, AS5, SAGM or MAPS.