Automated platelet production during plasmapheresis

Abstract

Manual plasmapheresis is widely used to permit collection of fresh-frozen plasma with return of the red cells to the donor. However, this method is time-consuming and carries the inherent risk of returning the wrong cells to any individual donor. Automated plasmapheresis, using a specially designed discontinuous cell separator, permits the collection of 500 ml of plasma within 30 minutes without disconnecting the donor from the bag containing the donor's red cells. However, this plasma contains a small number of platelets which are not suitable for transfusion. We now report the modification of this machine to permit simultaneous collection of 3 units of platelet concentrate as well as 500 ml of plasma in less than 50 minutes. Reduction of the g force of the separator from 1200 to 650 g permits the simultaneous collection of plasma and a platelet concentrate with an average yield of 2.21 X 10(11) platelets. Platelet size distribution, in-vitro function. 51Cr survival, posttransfusion increment, and bleeding time correction are all normal. This modification has increased the flexibility of the separator and provides an instrument which can be used with a random volunteer blood donor population to generate both plasma and cells in less than 50 minutes and with increased cost-effectiveness over plasmapheresis alone.

Comparison of Platelet-Rich Plasma Collection Using the Haemonetics PCS and Baxter Autopheresis C

“…It has become customary for 4-6 of these PC to be administered as an adult therapeutic dose. PC derived from apheresis donors fall into two groups; those collected within a shorter time (less than lh), with an average yield of 1.5 x 1011 which are issued as triple concen trates [7], and longer plateletpheresis donations yielding a therapeutic dose (>3xlOn platelets) [8], The average yield of platelets in PC derived from single-arm PRP collec tion in our Centre is 1.7 x 1011, collected in 28-45 min (un published data). Preliminary studies had indicated that a therapeutic dose could be obtained in 75 min using the AutoC PRP system [9,10].…”

Computational Simulation of the Blood Separation Process

“…Centrifugal separators exhibit a number of interesting collection characteristics. Platelets can be collected reasonably free of leukocyte contamination with collection efficiencies on the order of 50% (2). Somewhat higher collection efficiencies can be achieved, but the platelet product begins to show significant lymphocyte contamination (3).…”