A
plasma concentrator for producing
plasma concentrate from a
plasma from which erythrocytes have been substantially removed. The device comprises a concentrating chamber having an inlet port and an concentrate outlet, the concentrating chamber containing hydrogel beads and at least one
inert agitator; and a concentrate chamber having an inlet communicating with the
concentrator outlet through a filter, and having an plasma concentrate outlet port. A process for producing plasma concentrate from plasma from which erythrocytes have been substantially removed, comprising the steps of a) moving the plasma into a concentrating chamber containing hydrogel beads and an
agitator to form a hydrogel bead-plasma mixture; b) causing the
agitator to stir the hydrogel bead-plasma mixture, facilitating
absorption of water by the beads from the plasma, until a hydrogel bead-plasma concentrate is formed; and c) separating the plasma concentrate from the hydrogel beads by passing the plasma concentrate through a filter. The
concentrator can be one or more
syringe devices coupled for multiple concentrations.