Blood banks collect, process, store and distribute blood and blood products. After collection, whole blood (WB) is separated into its main components. Red blood cells, plasma and platelets are used effectively for patient purposes, while white blood cells are depleted. Red blood cells transport oxygen to body tissues, plasma has specific proteins that allow proper regulation of coagulation and healing, and platelets help the blood clot. A key instrument in the blood banking workflow is a centrifuge. Centrifuges separate whole blood into red blood cells, plasma and platelets. This note presents possible methods for the preparation of blood components and illustrates general guidelines for the different protocols in blood component production. In addition, it provides a troubleshooting guide for the improvement of blood product yields as well as gives guidance on the correct use of centrifuge accessories and explains the Thermo Scientific™ Accumulated Centrifugal Effect (ACE™) integrator function.
Blood Banking and Large Capacity Centrifugation
Introduction
Blood banks collect, process, store and distribute blood and blood products. After collection, whole blood (WB) is separated into its main components. Red blood cells, plasma and platelets are used effectively for patient purposes, while white blood cells are depleted. Red blood cells transport oxygen to body tissues, plasma has specific proteins that allow proper regulation of coagulation and healing, and platelets help the blood clot. A key instrument in the blood banking workflow is a centrifuge. Centrifuges separate whole blood into red blood cells, plasma and platelets. This note presents possible methods for the preparation of blood components and illustrates general guidelines for the different protocols in blood component production. In addition, it provides a troubleshooting guide for the improvement of blood product yields as well as gives guidance on the correct use of centrifuge accessories and explains the Thermo Scientific™ Accumulated Centrifugal Effect (ACE™) integrator function.
Blood Processing
Blood component preparation is performed to separate blood components from whole blood. Red blood cells (RBCs) and plasma are produced by a single-step hard spin centrifugation. Platelet concentrates (PLTs), RBCs and plasma are prepared by a two-step centrifugation. The two main procedures for preparing PLTs are the platelet-rich plasma (PRP) method and the buffy-coat method.
Platelets from whole blood (buffy-coat method)
In European countries, platelets preparation is done by the buffy-coat (BC) method. The first centrifugation step (hard-spin) is used initially to separate whole blood into three components: RBCs, plasma and a BC layer. The components are extracted into a “top-and-bottom” or a “top-top” blood bag collection set, in which plasma and RBCs are transferred to storage bags and the BC layer is left in the primary collection bag. This BC contains PLTs, white blood cells (WBCs), plasma, and some RBCs. Subsequently, pools of 4–6 ABO-matched BCs are made and either a plasma unit or a platelet additive solution is added. The second centrifugation step (soft step) is used to produce PLTs which are then extracted with or without leukofiltration.
Platelets from platelet-rich plasma (PRP) method
Mainly in the United States, platelets are prepared from whole blood with the PRP method. The first centrifugation step (soft spin) results in RBCs and PRP. PRP is extracted with or without leukofiltration into a so-called “satellite blood bag” and the RBCs are left in the primary bag. The PRP contains platelets, plasma and WBCs. The secondary hard-spin centrifugation produces platelet-poor plasma (PPP) and a platelet pellet. The PPP is extracted into a satellite bag and the platelet pellet is re-suspended in plasma.
Red blood cells/plasma separation
After a hard spin leukoreduced whole blood is separated into its two main components: RBCs and plasma. Plasma is extracted into a satellite bag while RBC is left in the primary bag.
Guidelines for blood component production
Blood separation is the partial separation of particles from a liquid by gravity through sedimentation. The rate of sedimentation is a function of liquid viscosity, particle density and particle size, concentration of the solution and the force of gravity. To speed up sedimentation, a centrifuge is used. Since there is a relationship between the physical properties of blood components and the physical principles of centrifugation that impact separation, the optimal centrifugation for blood component production is achieved by determination of the appropriate centrifuge parameters such as time or ACE with a Thermo Scientific centrifuge, speed and acceleration and deceleration profiles.
Centrifugation conditions for blood component preparation are shown in Tables 1, 2 and 3. These guidelines are based on technical manuals and were validated in the Thermo Scientific™ Sorvall™ BP 8 and 16 and Thermo Scientific™ Cryofuge™ 8 and 16 blood banking centrifuges. Table 4 shows a troubleshooting guide to improve blood component production. An adjustment in speed by 200 rpm increments or time by 30 seconds should be done. The protocol must be adjusted until the desired yield of products is obtained.
ACE Integrator function
Obtaining a consistent product requires understanding and controlling process variables. Variations in rotor load, fluctuations in voltage or slight mechanical differences can affect how quickly centrifuges reach set speed. The ACE integrator function calculates the effect of speed in relation to time and adjusts run duration to account for differences in acceleration, thereby improving separation consistency and run reproducibility—run after run, from centrifuge to centrifuge.
The ACE value is not a calculation as it depends on the acceleration conditions and the deceleration rate. It can be determined by using a stopwatch:
Determine the optimal time and speed for your application.
Choose a high ACE value.
Set your speed at the optimal speed.
Set your acceleration/deceleration setting.
Start the centrifuge. 6.As the stopwatch reaches the optimal run time, write down the ACE value.
Guidelines for centrifuge loading
Blood bags that are not properly loaded could possibly result in leakage or breakage of blood bag systems. Leakage and/or breakage can cause contamination. The following are instructions for properly preparing blood collection systems for centrifugation:
Attach all buckets to the rotor and ensure all buckets move freely. All buckets must be in place before run. Choose a centrifugation setting that will achieve the optimal yield for your procedure; See Tables 1–4.
When possible, use the ACE integrator function to standardize centrifugation from run to run for better reproducibility and consistency; See section IV.
Gently mix the blood bag by inversion.
Blood bag systems should be packed following the blood bag manufacturer´s instructions.
Blood bag systems must be placed into liners. Thermo Scientific liners and liner stands are used for simplifying the liner loading and unloading process. It enables easier transportation and stabilization of blood bags to improve the quality of the blood separation. Spacers should be used to compensate for low volume blood bags.
Counterbalance all liners and use weights as necessary.
Place liners into buckets.
Make sure all tubing is secured inside the centrifuge bucket. During loading, the tubing must be put between the bags with the bag tabs remaining upright to prevent them from becoming tangled around the rotor body during centrifugation.
Summary
Rigorous blood banking centrifugation process requires optimization of various factor to ensure consistency of result. Thermo Scientific for many years takes pride in helping our blood banking customers with the high-capacity Sorvall™ BP series centrifuge coupled with ACE integrator function to ensure end user blood banking process that much easier and consistent.
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Blood banks collect, process, store and distribute blood and blood products. After collection, whole blood (WB) is separated into its main components. Red blood cells, plasma and platelets are used effectively for patient purposes, while white blood cells are depleted. Red blood cells transport oxygen to body tissues, plasma has specific proteins that allow proper regulation of coagulation and healing, and platelets help the blood clot. A key instrument in the blood banking workflow is a centrifuge. Centrifuges separate whole blood into red blood cells, plasma and platelets. This note presents possible methods for the preparation of blood components and illustrates general guidelines for the different protocols in blood component production. In addition, it provides a troubleshooting guide for the improvement of blood product yields as well as gives guidance on the correct use of centrifuge accessories and explains the Thermo Scientific™ Accumulated Centrifugal Effect (ACE™) integrator function.
Blood Banking and Large Capacity Centrifugation
Introduction
Blood banks collect, process, store and distribute blood and blood products. After collection, whole blood (WB) is separated into its main components. Red blood cells, plasma and platelets are used effectively for patient purposes, while white blood cells are depleted. Red blood cells transport oxygen to body tissues, plasma has specific proteins that allow proper regulation of coagulation and healing, and platelets help the blood clot. A key instrument in the blood banking workflow is a centrifuge. Centrifuges separate whole blood into red blood cells, plasma and platelets. This note presents possible methods for the preparation of blood components and illustrates general guidelines for the different protocols in blood component production. In addition, it provides a troubleshooting guide for the improvement of blood product yields as well as gives guidance on the correct use of centrifuge accessories and explains the Thermo Scientific™ Accumulated Centrifugal Effect (ACE™) integrator function.
Blood Processing
Blood component preparation is performed to separate blood components from whole blood. Red blood cells (RBCs) and plasma are produced by a single-step hard spin centrifugation. Platelet concentrates (PLTs), RBCs and plasma are prepared by a two-step centrifugation. The two main procedures for preparing PLTs are the platelet-rich plasma (PRP) method and the buffy-coat method.
Platelets from whole blood (buffy-coat method)
In European countries, platelets preparation is done by the buffy-coat (BC) method. The first centrifugation step (hard-spin) is used initially to separate whole blood into three components: RBCs, plasma and a BC layer. The components are extracted into a “top-and-bottom” or a “top-top” blood bag collection set, in which plasma and RBCs are transferred to storage bags and the BC layer is left in the primary collection bag. This BC contains PLTs, white blood cells (WBCs), plasma, and some RBCs. Subsequently, pools of 4–6 ABO-matched BCs are made and either a plasma unit or a platelet additive solution is added. The second centrifugation step (soft step) is used to produce PLTs which are then extracted with or without leukofiltration.
Platelets from platelet-rich plasma (PRP) method
Mainly in the United States, platelets are prepared from whole blood with the PRP method. The first centrifugation step (soft spin) results in RBCs and PRP. PRP is extracted with or without leukofiltration into a so-called “satellite blood bag” and the RBCs are left in the primary bag. The PRP contains platelets, plasma and WBCs. The secondary hard-spin centrifugation produces platelet-poor plasma (PPP) and a platelet pellet. The PPP is extracted into a satellite bag and the platelet pellet is re-suspended in plasma.
Red blood cells/plasma separation
After a hard spin leukoreduced whole blood is separated into its two main components: RBCs and plasma. Plasma is extracted into a satellite bag while RBC is left in the primary bag.
Guidelines for blood component production
Blood separation is the partial separation of particles from a liquid by gravity through sedimentation. The rate of sedimentation is a function of liquid viscosity, particle density and particle size, concentration of the solution and the force of gravity. To speed up sedimentation, a centrifuge is used. Since there is a relationship between the physical properties of blood components and the physical principles of centrifugation that impact separation, the optimal centrifugation for blood component production is achieved by determination of the appropriate centrifuge parameters such as time or ACE with a Thermo Scientific centrifuge, speed and acceleration and deceleration profiles.
Centrifugation conditions for blood component preparation are shown in Tables 1, 2 and 3. These guidelines are based on technical manuals and were validated in the Thermo Scientific™ Sorvall™ BP 8 and 16 and Thermo Scientific™ Cryofuge™ 8 and 16 blood banking centrifuges. Table 4 shows a troubleshooting guide to improve blood component production. An adjustment in speed by 200 rpm increments or time by 30 seconds should be done. The protocol must be adjusted until the desired yield of products is obtained.
ACE Integrator function
Obtaining a consistent product requires understanding and controlling process variables. Variations in rotor load, fluctuations in voltage or slight mechanical differences can affect how quickly centrifuges reach set speed. The ACE integrator function calculates the effect of speed in relation to time and adjusts run duration to account for differences in acceleration, thereby improving separation consistency and run reproducibility—run after run, from centrifuge to centrifuge.
The ACE value is not a calculation as it depends on the acceleration conditions and the deceleration rate. It can be determined by using a stopwatch:
Guidelines for centrifuge loading
Blood bags that are not properly loaded could possibly result in leakage or breakage of blood bag systems. Leakage and/or breakage can cause contamination. The following are instructions for properly preparing blood collection systems for centrifugation:
Summary
Rigorous blood banking centrifugation process requires optimization of various factor to ensure consistency of result. Thermo Scientific for many years takes pride in helping our blood banking customers with the high-capacity Sorvall™ BP series centrifuge coupled with ACE integrator function to ensure end user blood banking process that much easier and consistent.
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