US 10980934

Summary of U.S. Patent 10,980,934

A concise summary of U.S. Patent 10,980,934 is provided below, based on a review of the patent document. As of April 26, 2026, a search of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) 2026 dockets did not yield any public records of litigation involving this specific patent.

Title: System and method for collecting plasma

Assignee: Haemonetics Corporation

Inventor: Michael Ragusa

Filing Date: July 16, 2020

Issue Date: April 20, 2021

Abstract:
A method for collecting plasma includes determining the weight, height, and hematocrit of a donor, and calculating a donor plasma volume and a target plasma collection volume. The target plasma collection volume is based on the donor plasma volume and a target percentage of plasma. The method then withdraws blood from the donor through a line connected to a blood component separation device, and introduces anticoagulant into the withdrawn blood. The blood component separation device separates the blood into a plasma component and a second blood component, and the plasma component is collected from the blood component separation device and into a plasma collection container. The method may then calculate the volume of pure plasma collected within the plasma collection container, and continue processing/collecting until the calculated volume of pure plasma equals the target plasma collection volume.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims

U.S. Patent 10,980,934 contains three independent claims: Claim 1, Claim 9, and Claim 17. A plain-language explanation of each is provided below.

Claim 1: This claim describes a method for collecting a specific, customized amount of plasma from a donor. The process begins by measuring the donor's weight, height, and hematocrit (the proportion of red blood cells in their blood). Using this information, the system calculates the donor's total plasma volume and then determines a target amount of plasma to collect, which is a specific percentage of their total plasma. Blood is then drawn, mixed with an anticoagulant, and separated into plasma and other components. The system calculates the volume of "pure plasma" (without the anticoagulant) that has been collected. This process continues until the calculated volume of pure plasma matches the predetermined target volume. The claim also mentions that after collection, the remaining blood components can be returned to the donor, and a volume of saline can be administered to manage the donor's fluid levels, aiming for a specific "intravascular deficit."

Claim 9: This claim focuses on the physical system used for collecting plasma. It outlines a system that includes a venous-access device (like a needle), a blood separation device (like a centrifuge), and various lines for transporting blood and anticoagulant. The core of this claim is a controller that is programmed to perform the method described in Claim 1. Specifically, the controller calculates the donor's total plasma volume based on their weight, height, and hematocrit. It then calculates a target collection volume based on a set percentage. The controller manages the collection process and stops it once the calculated volume of pure plasma in the collection container reaches this personalized target. The claim also notes that the controller can manage the return of other blood components and saline to the donor to achieve a targeted fluid balance.

Claim 17: This claim also describes a method for plasma collection, but with a slightly different emphasis. Like Claim 1, it starts by determining the donor's weight, height, and hematocrit to calculate their total plasma volume and a target collection volume. The method then involves drawing and separating blood, collecting the plasma, and calculating the amount of pure plasma collected. A key aspect of this claim is the step-by-step process of continuing to withdraw, separate, and collect plasma until the calculated volume of pure plasma reaches the specific target volume. It further details the process of returning the remaining blood components and a volume of saline to the donor to achieve a specific, predetermined "target intravascular deficit," which could range from a negative value (more fluid returned than taken) to a positive one. This claim highlights the system's ability to precisely manage the donor's fluid balance post-donation.