Christopher T Patton

US Patent:

20030106969, Jun 12, 2003

Filed:

Jan 13, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/332822

Inventors:

Jagmohanbir Dillon - Oxley, AU
Christopher Patton - Olney MD, US
William Mobbs - Farrar, AU

International Classification:

F16M011/00
A47K001/04

US Classification:

248/157000, 248/129000

Abstract:

Apparatus for suspending full blood packs to assist filtration or leucodepletion is disclosed. In one embodiment (FIG. ) it takes the form of a trolley or cart () having a rectangular rack () fitted with hooks () for suspending blood packs (not shown), and a tray-like platform () adapted to receive and support the receiving bags of the packs. Actuator means in the form of an air-ram (with piston ) is employed to raise and lower the rack () and actuator means in the form of a pistonless air-ram () is used to independently raise and lower the platform (). The actuator means are powered by a gas reservoir in a central casing () and suitable controls. In use, the platform () is raised to a convenient height for an operator to load blood-receiving bags thereon and the rack () is lowered to a convenient height for the operator to hook the full blood bags onto the hooks (). The platform () is then lowered and the rack () is raised until the vertical distance between them is that recommended by the filter manufacturer. After, drainage of the blood bags, the rack () is lowered and the platform () is raised to permit the operator to seal the receiving bags, separate them from the blood bags and filters and unload the cart ().