Blood and Marrow Draw Processing Devices and Methods

Abstract

Apparatus, systems and methods for processing a blood sample. One embodiment includes an isolation container having at least one sidewall defining an interior volume. The interior volume includes a medial reservoir in fluid communication with proximal and distal reservoirs. The diameter of the medial reservoir is less than the diameter of the proximal and distal reservoirs. Therefore, the isolation container has an interior volume which is roughly hour-glass shaped with the medial reservoir being a substantially narrowed portion or channel between two wider portions. The isolation container is configured such that the buffy coat layer of fractionated blood will be located within, or may be manipulated to be with the medial reservoir.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An isolation container for processing a blood sample comprising:
 a proximal reservoir having a diameter;   a transparent medial reservoir in fluid communication with the proximal reservoir, the transparent medial reservoir having a diameter which is less than the diameter of the proximal reservoir;   a distal reservoir positioned opposite the transparent medial reservoir from the proximal reservoir, the distal reservoir being in fluid communication with the transparent medial reservoir, the distal reservoir having a diameter which is greater than the diameter of the transparent medial reservoir; and   an adjustable sealing element in sealing engagement with a portion of a side wall of the distal reservoir, said adjustable sealing element providing for an increase or a decrease of a volume within the distal reservoir.   
     
     
         2 . The isolation container for processing a blood sample of  claim 1  further comprising a handle engaged with the sealing element. 
     
     
         3 . The isolation container for processing a blood sample of  claim 2  further comprising a threaded connection between the handle and the sealing element. 
     
     
         4 . The isolation container for processing a blood sample of  claim 1  further comprising a removable cap closing an opening into the proximal reservoir. 
     
     
         5 . The isolation container for processing a blood sample of  claim 1  further comprising a magnifying lens operatively associated with the transparent medial reservoir. 
     
     
         6 . A blood sample processing system comprising:
 an isolation container comprising:
 a proximal reservoir having a diameter; 
 a transparent medial reservoir in fluid communication with the proximal reservoir, the transparent medial reservoir having a diameter which is less than the diameter of the proximal reservoir; 
 a distal reservoir positioned opposite the transparent medial reservoir from the proximal reservoir, the distal reservoir being in fluid communication with the transparent medial reservoir, the distal reservoir having a diameter which is greater than the diameter of the transparent medial reservoir; and 
 an adjustable sealing element in sealing engagement with a portion of a side wall of the distal reservoir, said adjustable sealing element providing for an increase or a decrease of a volume within the distal reservoir; and 
   a sample withdrawal apparatus configured to withdraw a fluid from the isolation container.   
     
     
         7 . The blood sample processing system of  claim 6  further comprising a handle engaged with the sealing element. 
     
     
         8 . The blood sample processing system of  claim 7  further comprising a threaded connection between the handle and the sealing element. 
     
     
         9 . The blood sample processing system of  claim 8  further comprising a removable cap closing an opening into the proximal reservoir. 
     
     
         10 . The blood sample processing system of  claim 6  further comprising a magnifying lens operatively associated with the transparent medial reservoir. 
     
     
         11 . The blood sample processing system of  claim 6  further comprising a centrifuge comprising sample opening sized to receive the isolation container. 
     
     
         12 . The blood sample processing system of  claim 6  wherein the sample withdrawal apparatus comprises a syringe and a hollow needle. 
     
     
         13 . A method of processing a blood sample comprising:
 placing the blood sample into an isolation container comprising;
 a proximal reservoir having a diameter; 
 a transparent medial reservoir in fluid communication with the proximal reservoir, the transparent medial reservoir having a diameter which is less than the diameter of the proximal reservoir; 
 a distal reservoir positioned opposite the transparent medial reservoir from the proximal reservoir, the distal reservoir being in fluid communication with the transparent medial reservoir, the distal reservoir having a diameter which is greater than the diameter of the transparent medial reservoir; and 
 an adjustable sealing element in sealing engagement with a portion of a side wall of the distal reservoir, said adjustable sealing element providing for an increase or a decrease of a volume within the distal reservoir; 
   engaging the isolation container with a centrifuge;   centrifuging the blood sample within the isolation container; and   withdrawing a selected blood constituent from the transparent medial reservoir with a sample withdrawal apparatus.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the selected blood constituent is a buffy coat. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising causing the selected blood constituent to flow from the distal reservoir to the transparent medial reservoir by adjusting the position of the sealing element to cause a decrease in the volume within the distal reservoir. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising causing the selected blood constituent to flow from the proximal reservoir to the transparent medial reservoir by adjusting the position of the sealing element to cause an increase in the volume within the distal reservoir. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising removing a handle engaged with the sealing element by unthreading a threaded connection between the handle and the sealing element. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising closing an opening into the proximal reservoir with a removable cap prior to centrifuging the blood within the isolation container. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising:
 providing a sample withdraw apparatus comprising a syringe and a hollow needle; 
 removing the cap from the opening into the proximal reservoir; 
 viewing the selected blood constituent through a transparent side wall of the transparent medial reservoir; 
 inserting the hollow needle through the opening into the proximal reservoir and into fluid communication with the selected blood constituent in the transparent medial reservoir; and 
 withdrawing the selected blood constituent into the hollow needle with the syringe. 
 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising viewing the selected blood constituent through a magnifying lens operatively associated with the transparent side wall of the transparent medial reservoir.