Thermo Fisher Sorvall BP 8, Sorvall BP 16 APPLICATION NOTE

APPLICATION NOTE

Blood banking applications using
the Thermo Scientific Sorvall
BP 8 and 16 and Cryofuge 8
and 16 Centrifuges

Author: Romana Hinz, Thermo Fisher
Scientific, Osterode am Harz, Germany

Key words: Blood processing, Blood bank protocols,
ACE integrator function, Centrifuge loading

Introduction

Blood banks collect, process, store and distribute blood
and blood products [1]. 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 [2]. 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 [3].

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 [4].

Platelets from whole blood (buffy-coat method)

In European countries, platelets preparation is done by the
buffy-coat (BC) method [5].

Platelets from platelet-rich plasma (PRP) method

Mainly in the United States, platelets are prepared from
whole blood with the PRP method [6].

Centrifugation

First spin

WB

Separation

RBC

Centrifugation
Second spin

Separation

PRP

Centrifugation

First spin

WB

PLTs Waste BC pool

Figure 1. Whole blood processing with the BC method.

Separation

Separation

Plasma RBC BC

Pooling of
4–6 units

Centrifugation

Second spin

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.

PLTsPPP

Figure 2. Whole blood processing with the PRP method.

PLTs

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.

Centrifugation

First spin

WB

Separation

Plasma RBC

The second centrifugation step (soft step) is used
to produce PLTs which are then extracted with or
without leukofiltration.

Figure 3. Blood processing with RBC/plasma separation.

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.

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 [6], [7],
[8], [9]. 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

Since there is a relationship between the physical
properties of blood components and the physical principles

done. The protocol must be adjusted until the desired yield
of products is obtained.

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.

Table 1. Centrifuge conditions for whole blood processing with the buffy-coat method using the Sorvall BP 8 and 16 and Cryofuge 8 and 16
centrifuges and 500 mL blood bag systems.

Thermo Scientific

Method

Platelets
from WBC
(Buffy-coat
method)

Note: The given values are only a guideline; user should test different values to find optimized centrifuge conditions.

* At star t.

rotor Spin Speed (rpm)

HAEMAFlex™ 6

HAEMAFlex 8

HAEMAFlex 12

HAEMAFlex 16

1st spin: 3744 10:00 22 9 4

2nd spin: 1382 9:30 22 3 2

1st spin: 3393 10:00 22 9 4

2nd spin: 1294 9:30 22 3 2

1st spin: 3347 10:00 22 9 4

2nd spin: 1282 9:30 22 3 2

1st spin: 3201 10:00 22 9 4

2nd spin: 1242 9:30 22 3 2

Time*
(min:sec)

Temperature
(°C)

Acceleration
profile

Deceleration
profile

Table 2: Centrifuge conditions for whole blood processing with the PRP method using the Sorvall BP 8 and 16 and Cr yofuge 8 and 16
centrifuges and 500 mL blood bag systems.

Thermo Scientific

Method

Platelets
from PRP

Note: The given values are only a guideline; user should test different values to find optimized centrifuge conditions.

rotor Spin Speed (rpm) ACE

HAEMAFlex 6

HAEMAFlex 8

HAEMAFlex 12

HAEMAFlex 16

1st spin: 3025 1.70E+07 22 9 7

2nd spin: 3832 5.5 E+07 22 9 7

1st spin: 2742 1.70E+07 22 9 7

2nd spin: 3474 5.5 E+07 22 9 7

1st spin: 2704 1.70E+07 22 9 7

2nd spin: 3427 5.5 E+07 22 9 7

1st spin: 2587 1.70E+07 22 9 7

2nd spin: 3278 5.5 E+07 22 9 7

Temperature
(°C)

Acceleration
profile

Deceleration
profile