Blood separation media include a non-woven web of fibrillated and
non-fibrillated synthetic staple fibers. The fibrillated synthetic staple
fibers will most preferably have a Canadian Standard Freeness (CSF) of
less than about 300 mL, whereas the non-fibrillated synthetic staple
fibers have a CSF of greater than about 700 mL. Preferably, the
fibrillated synthetic staple fibers are present in an amount between
about 20 to 90 wt. %, and the non-fibrillated synthetic staple fibers are
present in an amount between about 10 to about 80 wt. %. The fibrillated
and non-fibrillated synthetic staple fibers may be formed of the same, or
different, polymeric material, such as polyesters, polypropylenes,
polyethylenes, poyacrylonitriles, and polyamides. Especially preferred
blood separation media will comprise a blend of fibrillated acrylic
fibers, and a mixture of non-fibrillated nylon and polyester fibers,
wherein the ratio of nylon and polyester fibers in the mixture thereof is
between about 1:4 to about 1:2. The blood separation media of this
invention can be formed by conventional "wet-laid" processes. In use, a
quantity of whole blood may be brought into contact with the blood
separation media for a time sufficient to separate the erythrocytes
therein.
