Blood bag handling device, blood bag handling system, and blood bag handling method.

Description

1 / 16 Blood bag handling device, blood bag handling system and blood bag handling method. BLOOD BAG

[0001] The present invention relates to a blood bag handling device, a blood bag handling system and a blood bag handling method.

[0002] As of EP 1 591 136 A1, a method for collecting and processing whole blood is known in which a blood bag system with a variable number of component bags is formed before centrifugation in accordance with further processing of the blood components that are obtained after the centrifugation process. However, the component bags must be stored in a centrifuge inlet, which can complicate the archiving and handling of the centrifuge inlet.

[0003] Therefore, it is an objective of the present invention to achieve an advanced technique for handling blood bags. This objective is achieved by the materials according to the independent claims. The preferred embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0004] A blood bag handling device according to the present invention comprises: a blood bag transport unit configured to transport blood bags, which are filled with separate blood components and comprising a single blood bag tube that is sealed or connected to a blood donation needle, in a predetermined order; a blood component bag transport unit configured to transport single blood component bags connected to a single blood component bag main tube and / or multiple blood component bags connected via a Y-connector to the single blood component bag main tube according to the predetermined order of the blood bags; and a sterile coupling unit configured to sterilely couple the tubes. Petition 870260083757, dated 08 / 18 / 2026, page 9 / 10 2 / 16 simple blood bag tubes with corresponding simple blood component main tubes. Therefore, using the blood bag handling device, it is possible to create a blood bag system that is adapted for further processing of the blood components stored in the blood bag and to avoid unnecessary plastic waste.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, the blood bag handling device can be integrated into a table. Thus, the blood bag handling device can be easily placed next to a blood separation centrifuge, and the blood bags can be transported directly from the blood separation centrifuge to the sterile coupling unit by means of the blood bag transport unit. Preferably, the table is height-adjustable in order to create an ergonomic workspace for an operator of the blood bag handling device.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, the table can be mounted on casters. This allows an owner of the blood bag handling device to move the blood bag handling device next to a different blood separation centrifuge, which allows for increased throughput.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, the sterile coupling unit can be arranged between the blood bag transport unit and the blood component bag transport unit. Therefore, the simple blood bag tube and the simple blood component main tube can be easily connected using the sterile coupling unit.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, the blood bag transport unit can be configured to receive centrifuge inlets in which at least one blood bag is stored. Therefore, the centrifuge inlets can be moved directly from the centrifuge to the blood bag transport device and the blood bags... Petition 870250076218, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, p. 14 / 42 3 / 16 of the blood that is still stored at the centrifuge inlet is protected from damage.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, the blood bag transport unit can be a conveyor belt. Therefore, blood bags from the centrifuge inlet can be easily transported from the blood separation centrifuge towards the sterile coupling unit, even over a longer distance. The conveyor belt preferably has receiving sections configured to receive a centrifuge inlet or a group of centrifuge inlets. In this way, the centrifuge inlets do not fall off.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, the blood component bag transport unit can be configured to receive a container that stores at least one blood component bag. This avoids the knotting or twisting of tubing connected to multiple blood component bags. In particular, the container can be a foldable envelope-shaped box. Thus, flat component bags can be stored in a space-saving manner.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, the blood component bag transport unit may comprise slots or grooves configured to receive the container so that the container is transported in an upright position. Thus, an operator can easily monitor the transported containers or boxes.

[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, the containers or boxes can be marked according to the blood component bag stored. Thus, an operator can recognize the stored blood component bag at a first glance. For example, the container can be color-coded.

[0013] According to one aspect of the present invention, the blood component bag transport unit can be a compartment. The compartment can be configured to rotate so that a corresponding blood component bag configuration is transported in Petition 870250076218, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, p. 15 / 42 4 / 16 direction to the sterile coupling unit. Alternatively, the compartment can be tilted towards a top table surface so that the blood bag handling device operator can easily grasp blood component bags. The compartment can be configured to store and transport containers or boxes that store the blood component bags.

[0014] According to one aspect of the present invention, the blood component bag transport unit can be a conveyor belt. Therefore, the blood component bags can be easily transported towards the sterile coupling unit.

[0015] According to one aspect of the present invention, the blood bag transport unit and / or the blood component bag transport unit can be lowered relative to an upper table surface of the table. Thus, the blood bags or centrifuge inlets and / or the blood component bags or the container / box can be safely transported towards the sterile coupling unit.

[0016] According to one aspect of the present invention, the sterile coupling unit may comprise a blood bag support element configured to support the blood bag and / or a blood component bag support element configured to support at least one blood component bag. The support unit may be shelves, pins or hooks. Thus, the bags can be safely supported during the coupling process.

[0017] According to one aspect of the present invention, a coupling element of the sterile coupling unit can be disposed on the upper table surface of the table. Thus, the coupling element can be easily accessed in order to insert the tube that is to be connected. An operating element of the sterile coupling unit can be disposed below the upper table surface of the table. Thus, the operator has to move their hand below the upper table surface in order to perform the coupling process. Thus, the risk of injury from touching the element is reduced. Petition 870250076218, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, page 16 / 42 5 / 16 coupling during operation is reduced. Furthermore, the operating element is only accessible through an operating opening formed in a side surface of the table. Thus, the risk of injury is further reduced.

[0018] According to one aspect of the present invention, the operating element can be configured to be operated by touching it simultaneously with both hands. Furthermore, the operating element must be touched during the coupling process. For example, the operating element can be formed by two buttons that are spaced apart so that they can only be operated by two hands. If the operating element is positioned below the upper table surface, the risk of injury due to touching the coupling element during operation is almost completely reduced.

[0019] According to one aspect of the present invention, the sterile coupling unit can be configured to sterilely couple the single blood bag tube and the main single blood component bag tube using radiofrequency heating. Therefore, no residual material, such as wafers or wires, is required and the tubes can be reliably coupled.

[0020] According to one aspect of the present invention, the table is shaped on one side so that it can be placed in close proximity to a blood separation centrifuge. Thus, blood bags or centrifuge inlets can be moved directly from the blood separation centrifuge towards the sterile coupling unit.

[0021] According to one aspect of the present invention, the blood bag transport unit corresponds to the rotor of a blood separation centrifuge. Thus, the blood bags need only be moved from the rotor towards the sterile coupling unit.

[0022] According to one aspect of the present invention, the blood bag handling device may additionally comprise a blood bag identification retrieval unit configured to obtain respective identification information from the blood bags. Thus, the processed blood bags can be documented. Petition 870250076218, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, page 17 / 42 6 / 16

[0023] According to one aspect of the present invention, the blood bag handling device may further comprise a printing unit configured to print one or more labels showing identification information, which must be placed on at least one blood component bag. The printer prints the number of labels required for the blood component bags. Thus, the component bags can be marked with the identification information.

[0024] According to one aspect of the present invention, the blood component bag transport unit can be configured to transport the blood component bags according to the identification information obtained by the blood bag identification acquisition unit. Thus, it is ensured that the blood bags are connected to the correct configuration of the component bags, respectively.

[0025] According to one aspect of the present invention, the blood bag handling device may further comprise a monitor displaying identification information as well as the type of at least one corresponding blood component bag. Thus, the operator may further monitor the coupling process so that the correct use of the blood component bags is ensured.

[0026] A blood bag handling system according to the present invention comprises: a blood separation centrifuge configured to separate whole blood collected in blood bags into blood components; the blood bag handling device according to the above aspects; and a blood component expresser device configured to express the blood components stored in the blood bags after centrifugation into associated blood component bags. Thus, whole blood can be separated into the respective blood components. Subsequently, the blood bags can be connected to a respective blood component bag configuration. Finally, the blood components can be transferred to a blood component bag. Petition 870250076218, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, page 18 / 42 7 / 16 corresponding amounts. In this way, unnecessary plastic waste can be avoided if a whole blood donation is declared unusable.

[0027] A blood bag handling method according to the present invention comprises: transporting blood bags, which are filled with separate blood components and comprise a single blood bag tube that is sealed or connected to a blood donation needle, in a predetermined order; transporting single blood component bags connected to a single blood component bag main tube or multiple blood component bags connected via a Y-connector to the single blood component bag main tube according to the predetermined order of the blood bags; and sterile coupling of the single blood bag tubes with the corresponding single blood component bag main tubes. Therefore, using the blood bag handling method, it is possible to create a blood bag system that is adapted for further processing of the blood components stored in the blood bag and to avoid unnecessary plastic waste.

[0028] A centrifuge inlet according to the present invention comprises: a blood bag receiving portion formed in a cup shape and configured to receive a blood bag filled with whole blood or blood components; and a blood component bag receiving portion configured to receive and support blood component bags or a container including at least one blood component bag. Thus, the blood bag, as well as the blood component bags, can be transported using the centrifuge inlet.

[0029] According to one aspect of the present invention, the receiving portion of a blood bag container can be formed by a J-shaped portion extending into the bottom and outer contour of the blood bag receiving portion. Thus, the container can be formed as a foldable, envelope-shaped box that Petition 870250076218, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, page 19 / 42 8 / 16 allows for easy handling of component bags.

[0030] A centrifuge inlet group according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: two centrifuge inlets according to the preceding aspects which are mounted so that the receiving portions of the blood component bag container are arranged at opposite ends of the centrifuge inlet group. Thus, two blood bags and two sets of blood component bags can be transported at once.

[0031] The present invention is described below with reference to the figures. In the drawings:

[0032] Figs. 1 to 10 show a blood bag handling device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and

[0033] Figs. 11 to 16 show the steps of a blood bag handling method, as well as a second and a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figs. 1 to 10 show a blood bag handling device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The blood bag handling device 1 comprises a blood bag transport unit 2, a blood component bag transport unit 4 and a sterile coupling unit 6.

[0035] The blood bag transport unit 2 consists of a conveyor belt, which is configured to receive centrifuge inlets 8 in a separate receiving portion, which may be formed by flanges on the conveyor belt. Blood bags containing blood components are stored in the centrifuge inlets 8. Blood components are produced from whole blood by centrifugation. Blood components include, for example, plasma, leukocyte-platelet coating, and erythrocytes. In order to facilitate the handling of blood bags during donation or centrifugation, the blood bags comprise only a single blood bag line connected to a blood donation needle. In this embodiment, the blood donation needle can be removed and the single blood bag line can be separated. Petition 870250076218, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, p. 20 / 42 9 / 16 can be sealed to prevent stored blood components from flowing out of the single blood bag line. To further process the blood components stored in the blood bag after centrifugation, they must be transferred to separate blood component bags.

[0036] The blood component bag transport unit 4 is configured to transport boxes 10, which are foldable and shaped like an envelope. In particular, the boxes 10 are transported in an upright position. This is achieved in that the blood component bag transport unit 4 comprises slots or grooves in which the boxes 10 can be arranged. Different types of blood component bags are stored in the boxes 10. The following types of blood component bags can be stored in boxes 10: Single, Triple Top / Bottom, Triple Top / Bottom with filter, Triple Top / Top, Triple Top / Top with filter, Quadruple Top / Bottom, Quadruple Top / Bottom with filter, Quadruple Top / Top, Quadruple Top / Top with filter, Quintuple Top / Bottom, Quintuple Top / Bottom with filter, Quintuple Top / Top, Quintuple Top / Top with filter, Double Top / Bottom, Double Top / Top.All these blood component bags comprise a single main blood component bag tube, which must be connected to the single blood bag tube. Multiple blood component bags can be connected via a Y-connector and corresponding lines to the single main blood component bag tube.

[0037] In order to couple the main tube of a single blood component bag and the single blood bag tube, the sterile coupling unit 6 is used. In the state of the art, multiple sterile coupling units are known that use, for example, a heated wafer, a heating wire, radio frequency or inductive heating to couple blood bag tubes. In the present invention, a sterile coupling unit according to German Patent Application No. 10 2022 132 053 is used. The content herein is included in this document by reference and the applicant reserves the right to include features pertaining to a sterile coupling unit in the present application in order to further specify the Petition 870250076218, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, page 21 / 42 10 / 16 sterile coupling unit 6.

[0038] As shown in Figs. 1 to 10, the blood bag handling device 1 is integrated into a table 20, which is formed by an upper table surface 22 and a table base 24. The upper table surface 22 is used to arrange the different components of the blood bag handling device 1, and the table base 24 is formed so that a power supply and drive units for operating the blood bag handling device 1 can be stored. A data processing unit, such as a computer, can also be stored in the table base. The table 20 is preferably mounted on casters 26 so that it is mobile towards a location where blood bags containing blood components need to be connected to blood component bags. The upper table surface 24 can also form a protrusion surface 30, which projects outwards from the table base 24 so that a chair 32 can be placed next to the table 20.In this way, an operator of the blood bag handling device 1 can operate ergonomically. Preferably, the table 20 can be height adjustable.

[0039] Optionally, the blood bag transport unit 2 and / or the blood component bag transport unit 4 may be lowered relative to the upper table surface 22 so that unintentional tipping of the centrifuge inlets 8 and / or the boxes 10 is avoided.

[0040] As shown in more detail in Fig. 6, the sterile coupling unit 6 comprises a coupling element 12 and an operating element 14 formed by a first button 16 and a second button 18. Preferably, the coupling element 12 is disposed above the upper table surface 22 so that it aligns substantially with the upper table surface 22. The upper table surface 22 surrounds the coupling element 12 and the operating element 14 is only accessible from below the upper table surface 22. For this reason, an operating opening 28 (see Fig. 1) can be formed in a surface Petition 870250076218, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, page 22 / 42 11 / 16 side of table 20, in particular on a side surface of table base 24. In order to operate the sterile coupling unit 6, an operator has to press the first and second buttons 16 simultaneously with both hands. This prevents the operator from getting caught on the coupling element 12 during operation.

[0041] In close proximity to the sterile coupling unit 6, a blood component bag support unit 34 and / or a blood bag support unit (not shown) may be arranged, which are configured to support the blood component bags and the blood bag, respectively. The two support units may be formed by shelves, pins or hooks configured to support the bags. The support units may, for example, be mounted on the upper table surface 22.

[0042] The blood bag handling device 1 is controlled by means of a data processing unit, which is configured to operate drive units, which in turn drive the blood bag transport unit 2 and the blood component bag transport unit 4. As mentioned, the data processing unit may be a computer and may be housed in the table base 24. The data processing unit comprises a computer-readable storage medium and one or more processors. The storage medium stores instructions that cause the data processing unit to execute a blood bag handling method and operate the blood bag handling device 1; consequently, instructions are stored, and one or more processors are configured to execute the instructions and to read input signals or to generate output signals in order to operate the components of the blood bag handling device 1.

[0043] Preferably, the blood bag handling device 1 comprises a barcode scanner 36 as a blood bag identification information acquisition unit, in order to obtain blood bag identification information. The scanner of Petition 870250076218, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, page 23 / 42 The 12 / 16 barcode 36 can be connected to the data processing unit via cable or wireless data transmission. Instead of the barcode 36 scanner, an RFID scanner, an NFC scanner, or a Bluetooth device (registered trademark) can be used to obtain the identification information. The identification information may include a blood bag serial number, donor data, blood type, donation time, donation location, destination, and / or additional processing procedure for the simple components.

[0044] Optionally, the blood bag handling device 1 may also comprise a label printer 38, which is configured to print labels according to the identification information obtained previously. The label printer prints a number of labels that corresponds to the number of component bags to be used. Therefore, it is guaranteed that the component bags contain the identification information.

[0045] The blood bag handling device 1 may also comprise a monitor 40, on which identification information, as well as the component bag configuration required for a specific blood bag, is displayed. In this way, an operator can monitor the blood bag handling procedure.

[0046] Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 2, a shelf space 42 can be formed on the upper table surface 22 in order to store empty centrifuge inlets 44 after the blood bag has been connected to the respective blood component bags. The shelf space 42 can be formed behind the monitor 40, as well as behind the label printer 28 and next to the blood component bag transport unit 4.

[0047] In the event that a shipment of blood components has to be processed immediately, for example, due to an emergency or an imminent expiry date, the blood bag handling device 1 may comprise a side table 46 comprising an upper shelf 48 and a lower shelf 50. On the upper shelf 48, there may be Petition 870250076218, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, page 24 / 42 13 / 16 stored special centrifuge inlets 54, which are configured to store a blood bag comprising whole blood or blood components, as well as a box including component bags.

[0048] The centrifuge inlet 54 thus comprises a blood bag receiving portion formed in a cup shape and configured to receive a blood bag filled with whole blood or blood components and a blood component bag receiving portion configured to receive and support the container, in particular the box, including at least one blood component bag. For example, the blood bag receiving portion may be formed by a J-shaped portion extending into a bottom and an outer contour of the blood bag receiving portion. In this way, the blood component bag container can be stored in an upright position. Furthermore, multiple centrifuge inlets 54 may form a centrifuge inlet group.Forming the centrifuge inlet in this way is possible, since it is only necessary to store the full blood bag in the centrifuge inlet and not store any more blood component bags in the centrifuge inlet during centrifugation. In the present embodiment, two centrifuge inlets 54 are assembled so that the blood component bag receiving portions are arranged at opposite ends of the centrifuge inlet group.

[0049] After the blood bag and blood component bag from a centrifuge inlet 54 have been processed, the empty centrifuge inlets 56 can be placed on the lower shelf 50 of the side table 46.

[0050] A method for handling blood bags, as well as a second and third embodiment of the present invention, will be described below with reference to Figs. 11 to 16.

[0051] Fig. 11 shows a blood bag handling system 58 according to the present invention. The blood bag handling system Petition 870250076218, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, page 25 / 42 14 / 16 blood 58 comprises a blood separation centrifuge 60, a blood bag handling device 1 (shown by the blood bag transport unit 2) and a blood component expressing device (not shown).

[0052] The blood separation centrifuge has a rotor on which multiple centrifuge buckets are mounted, configured to receive centrifuge inlets or centrifuge inlet groups. The blood bags and then the centrifuge inlets are arranged in a predetermined order in the rotor. After centrifugation, i.e., when the whole blood initially stored in the blood bag is separated into its different components, the centrifuge inlets 8 are placed in the blood bag transport unit 2 in the predetermined order.

[0053] It should be noted that blood bags can be arranged according to different attributes, for example, donation time, blood type, shelf life. Since not all blood components for a specific blood donation need to be used, blood bags arranged in the predetermined order are processed differently, which, in turn, requires a different number and / or different types of component bags. In order to reduce the number of component bags, it is beneficial to connect blood bags with a certain configuration of component bags, respectively.

[0054] As shown in Figs. 12 and 13, the centrifuge inlets 8 that store the blood bags are transported from the blood separation centrifuge 60 towards the sterile coupling unit 6 by means of the blood bag transport unit 2 in a predetermined order. As shown, the blood bag transport unit 2 is formed by a conveyor belt. On the other side of the sterile coupling unit 6, the blood component bag transport unit 62 is arranged and configured to transport at least one blood component bag according to the predetermined order of the blood bags. This can be done by manually sorting the blood bags. Petition 870250076218, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, page 26 / 42 15 / 16 blood components or configuring the blood component bag transport unit so that it transmits a certain blood component bag configuration according to an input signal, which may correspond to previously obtained blood bag identification information.

[0055] According to a second embodiment shown in Figs. 13 and 14, the blood component bag transport device 62 comprises a compartment 64 in which the blood component bags are stored in the corresponding order. As shown by the arrows near the blood component bag transport unit 62, the blood component bags can be tilted towards the upper table surface by means of a spring, so that an operator of the blood bag handling device 1 can easily grasp the upper blood component bags. As in the previous embodiment, the blood component bags can also be transported using boxes so that the handling of the blood component bags is facilitated. Subsequently, as shown in Fig. 14, the single blood bag tube and the main single blood component bag tube are connected using the sterile coupling unit 6.

[0056] Figs. 15 and 16 show a blood bag handling device 1 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In the third embodiment, a blood component bag transport unit 64 is also formed as a conveyor belt. As shown in Fig. 16, the blood bag handling device according to the third embodiment may also include the barcode scanner 36 and the label printer 38. Obviously, the barcode scanner 36 and the label printer 38 may be used in combination with the blood bag handling device 1 according to the first embodiment. List of reference signs for blood bag handling device and blood bag transport unit. Petition 870250076218, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, p. 27 / 42 16 / 16 blood component bag transport unit sterile coupling unit centrifuge inlet box coupling element operating element first button second button table top table surface table base caster operating opening protrusion surface chair blood component bag support element barcode scanner label printer monitor shelf space empty centrifuge inlet side table top shelf bottom shelf caster centrifuge inlet empty centrifuge inlet blood bag handling system blood separation centrifuge blood component bag transport unit blood component bag transport unit Petition 870250076218, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, page 28 / 42

Claims

1 / 5 CLAIMS 1. Blood bag handling device (1), characterized in that it comprises: a blood bag transport unit (2) configured to transport blood bags, which are filled with separate blood components and comprise a single blood bag tube that is sealed or connected to a blood donation needle, in a predetermined order, a blood component bag transport unit (4, 62, 64) configured to transport single blood component bags connected to a single blood component bag main tube and / or multiple blood component bags connected by means of a Y connector to the single blood component bag main tube according to the predetermined order of the blood bags, and a sterile coupling unit (6) configured to sterilely couple the single blood bag tubes with the corresponding single blood component bag main tubes.

2. Blood bag handling device (1), according to claim 1, characterized in that the blood bag handling device (1) is integrated into a table (20), which is preferably height adjustable.

3. Blood bag handling device (1), according to claim 2, characterized in that the table (20) is mounted on casters (26).

4. Blood bag handling device (1), according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the sterile coupling unit (6) is disposed between the blood bag transport unit (2) and the blood component bag transport unit (4).

5. Blood bag handling device (1), according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the blood bag transport unit (2) is configured to receive Petition 870250076218, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, page 29 / 42 2 / 5 centrifuge inlets (8) in which at least one blood bag is stored.

6. Blood bag handling device (1), according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the blood bag transport unit (2) is a conveyor belt, preferably having receiving portions, configured to receive a centrifuge inlet (8).

7. Blood bag handling device (1), according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the blood component bag transport unit (4) is configured to receive a container, in particular a foldable envelope-shaped box (10), storing at least one blood component bag.

8. Blood bag handling device (1), according to claim 7, characterized in that the blood component bag transport unit (4) comprises slots or grooves configured to receive the container so that the container is transported in an upright position.

9. Blood bag handling device (1), according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the blood component bag transport unit (62) is a compartment.

10. Blood bag handling device (1), according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the blood component bag transport unit (64) is a conveyor belt.

11. Blood bag handling device (1), according to any one of claims 2 to 10, characterized in that the blood bag transport unit (2) and / or the blood component bag transport unit (4) is recessed relative to an upper table surface (22) of the table (20).

12. Blood bag handling device (1), according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that Petition 870250076218, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, page 30 / 42 3 / 5 the sterile coupling unit (6) comprises a blood bag support element configured to support the blood bag and / or a blood component bag support element (34) configured to support at least one blood component bag.

13. Blood bag handling device (1), according to any one of claims 2 to 12, characterized in that a coupling element (12) of the sterile coupling unit (6) is disposed on the upper table surface (22) of the table (20) and an operating element (14, 16, 18) of the sterile coupling unit (6) is disposed below the upper table surface (22) of the table (20) so that it is only accessible by means of an operating opening (28) formed in a side surface of the table (20).

14. Blood bag handling device (1), according to claim 13, characterized in that the operating element (14, 16, 18) is configured to be operated by touching simultaneously with both hands.

15. Blood bag handling device (1), according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the sterile coupling unit (6) is configured to sterilely couple the plain blood bag tube and the main tube of the plain blood component bag using radiofrequency heating.

16. Blood bag handling device (1), according to any one of claims 2 to 15, characterized in that the table (20) is shaped on one side so that it can be arranged in close proximity to a blood separation centrifuge (60).

17. Blood bag handling device (1), according to claims 2 and 16, characterized in that the blood bag transport unit (2) corresponds to the rotor of a blood separation centrifuge (60).

18. Blood bag handling device (1), according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that it further comprises a blood bag identification retrieval unit (36) configured to obtain a respective identification information from the blood bags.

19. Blood bag handling device (1), according to claim 18, characterized in that it further comprises a printing unit (38) configured to print one or more labels showing identification information and to be placed on at least one blood component bag.

20. Blood bag handling device (1), according to any one of claims 18 or 19, characterized in that the blood component bag transport unit (4) is configured to transport blood component bags according to the identification information obtained by the blood bag identification obtaining unit (36).

21. Blood bag handling device (1), according to any one of claims 18 to 20, characterized in that it further comprises a monitor (40) displaying identification information as well as the type of at least one corresponding blood component bag.

22. Blood bag handling system (58), characterized in that it comprises: a blood separation centrifuge (60) configured to separate whole blood collected in blood bags into blood components, the blood bag handling device (1), according to any of claims 1 to 21, and a blood component expressing device configured to express the blood components stored in the blood bags after centrifugation into associated blood component bags.

23. Blood bag handling method, characterized in that it comprises: transporting blood bags, which are filled with separate blood components and comprise a single blood bag tube that is sealed or connected to a blood donation needle, in a predetermined order; transporting single blood component bags connected to a single blood component bag master tube or multiple blood component bags connected by means of a Y-connector to the single blood component bag master tube according to the predetermined order of the blood bags; and sterile coupling of the single blood bag tubes with the corresponding single blood component bag master tubes.

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