| abstract |
An improved method for separating whole blood into components and collecting andesired blood component. The method allows a desired blood component to be subjectednto centrifugal forces within a separator for prolonged periods of time, yielding a cleaner cutnand higher yield of the desired blood component. Whole blood is drawn from a source andnpumped into a separator, the undesired blood components are removed from the separatornat rates so as to build up the desired blood component in the separator. The desired bloodncomponent is only removed after a predetermined amount of the desired blood componentnhas built up in the separator. It is preferred that the desired blood component be buffy coatnand that the method be used to perform photopheresis treatments. In another aspect, theninvention is a method of performing a full photopheresis treatment to treat diseases in anreduced time, preferably less than about 70 minutes, and more preferably less than aboutn45 minutes. |