An extracorporeal blood processing system is disclosed which includes a variety
of novel components and which may be operated in accordance with a variety of novel
methodologies. For instance, the system includes a graphical operator interface
which directs the operator through various aspects of the apheresis procedure.
Moreover, the system also includes a variety of features relating to loading a
blood processing vessel into a blood processing channel and removing the same after
completion of the procedure. Furthermore, the system also includes a variety of
features relating to utilizing a blood priming of at least portions of the apheresis
system in preparation for the procedure. In addition, the system includes a variety
of features enhancing the performance of the apheresis system, including the interrelationship
between the blood processing vessel and the blood processing vessel and the utilization
of high packing factors for the procedure.
