Leukocyte removal filter and leukocyte removal system

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a leukocyte removal filter and a leukocyte removal system that can accommodate blood before the addition of a chemical solution and can remove leukocytes. [Solution] A leukocyte removal filter 30 that removes leukocytes from inflowing blood and comprises: a housing 31 that can accommodate a liquid therein; an inflow port 32 that is connected to the housing 31 and through which the liquid can flow into the housing 31; an outflow port 33 that is connected to the housing 31 and through which the liquid can flow out from inside the housing 31; a chemical solution addition port 34 that is connected to the housing 31 and through which a chemical solution can flow into the housing 31; and a filter medium 37 that is disposed so as to partition a flow path between the inflow port 32 and the outflow port 33 in the housing 31 and can remove leukocytes.

Description

Leukocyte Removal Filter and Leukocyte Removal System

[0001] The present invention relates to a leukocyte removal filter and a leukocyte removal system.

[0002] The importance of responding to emergency blood transfusion outside medical institutions is increasing. Blood transfusion is required in case of massive hemorrhage, but it is difficult to bring a large amount of blood products to the site outside medical institutions. For this reason, there is a demand for enabling easy implementation from blood collection to blood transfusion. In addition, in the case of massive hemorrhage, the time until blood transfusion is directly greatly related to life or death, so blood transfusion needs to be performed promptly. For this reason, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a blood transfusion system that enables blood transfusion after removing leukocytes, and enables transfusion of whole blood from which leukocytes have not been removed by switching the flow path in an emergency.

[0003] International Publication No. 2019 / 065823 Specification

[0004] However, the blood transfusion system described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 transfuses whole blood without removing leukocytes in an emergency, so there is a possibility of causing transfusion side effects such as viral infection and fever. In addition, since blood collected from a donor is once stored in a blood bag, and then leukocytes in the blood are removed before transfusion, there is a possibility that the processing time from blood collection to transfusion takes a long time.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a leukocyte removal filter and a leukocyte removal system that can store blood before adding a drug solution and remove leukocytes therefrom.

[0006] The above objectives are achieved by the inventions described in (1) and (8) below. (1) The leukocyte removal filter according to the present invention is a leukocyte removal filter that removes leukocytes from incoming blood, and is characterized by comprising: a housing capable of containing liquid inside; an inlet port connected to the housing and capable of allowing liquid to flow into the housing; an outlet port connected to the housing and capable of allowing liquid to flow out from the housing; a drug solution addition port connected to the housing and capable of allowing drug solution to flow into the housing; and a filter material arranged to separate the flow path between the inlet port and the outlet port within the housing and capable of removing leukocytes.

[0007] The leukocyte removal filter described in (1) above can receive blood into the housing from the inlet port before the drug solution is added, and while adding the drug solution supplied from the drug solution addition port to the blood within the housing, leukocytes can be removed by the filter material and discharged from the outlet port. Therefore, the leukocyte removal filter can receive blood before the drug solution is added and remove leukocytes.

[0008] (2) The leukocyte removal filter described in (1) above may have a diffusion section that extends from the drug solution injection port into the housing and is capable of discharging the drug solution flowing in from the drug solution injection port while diffusing it. This allows the leukocyte removal filter to effectively mix the drug solution flowing in from the drug solution injection port with the liquid inside the housing by diffusing it with the diffusion section.

[0009] (3) The leukocyte removal filter described in (1) or (2) above may have a needle portion that protrudes from the drug solution injection port to the outside of the housing, communicates with the drug solution injection port, and has a lumen that opens to the outside on the protruding side. This allows the leukocyte removal filter to easily supply the drug from the drug container to the drug solution injection port by inserting the needle portion into the drug container containing the drug.

[0010] (4) In the leukocyte removal filter described in any one of (1) to (3) above, the housing may have a support portion on the vertically downward side to maintain its orientation during use, and the inlet port may be positioned vertically above the outlet port. This allows the leukocyte removal filter to allow gravity to act on the liquid flowing into the housing from the inlet port, causing it to pass through the filter material and flow out from the outlet port.

[0011] (5) In the leukocyte removal filter described in any one of (1) to (4) above, the housing may have an outlet-side containment portion located on the lower vertical side in the orientation of use, on the outlet port side of the flow path within the housing relative to the filter material, and capable of containing the liquid that has passed through the filter material. This allows the leukocyte removal filter to contain and hold the liquid from which leukocytes have been removed after passing through the filter material in the outlet-side containment portion.

[0012] (6) In the leukocyte removal filter described in any one of (1) to (5) above, the housing has rigidity that allows it to maintain its shape independently, and the support portion may be a base positioned vertically below the housing in the position used. This allows the leukocyte removal filter to maintain the housing, which is erected by the base, in an appropriate position.

[0013] (7) In the leukocyte removal filter described in any one of (1) to (5) above, the housing is flexible, and the support portion may be a suspension portion positioned above the housing in the vertical direction when in use and capable of being suspended. This allows the leukocyte removal filter to be maintained in an appropriate position by suspending the housing with the suspension portion.

[0014] (8) The leukocyte removal system according to the present invention is a leukocyte removal system that removes leukocytes from incoming blood, comprising: a blood collection unit; a blood collection tube extending from the blood collection unit; and a leukocyte removal filter to which the blood collection tube can be connected, wherein the leukocyte removal filter comprises: a housing capable of containing liquid inside; an inlet port connected to the housing and capable of allowing liquid to flow into the housing; an outlet port connected to the housing and capable of allowing liquid to flow out from the housing; a drug solution addition port connected to the housing and capable of allowing drug solution to flow into the housing; and a filter material arranged to separate the flow path between the inlet port and the outlet port within the housing and capable of removing leukocytes. Thus, the leukocyte removal system can collect blood immediately after blood collection by the blood collection unit from the inlet port into the housing, supply drug solution from the drug solution addition port within the housing, remove leukocytes with the filter material and allow them to flow out from the outlet port.

[0015] This is a perspective view showing a leukocyte removal system according to the first embodiment. This is a schematic diagram showing a part of the leukocyte removal filter in cross-section and other parts in plan view of the leukocyte removal system according to the first embodiment. This is a diagram showing a drug solution container, where (A) is a diagram showing the ampoule, which is the drug solution container, in cross-section and the needle part and drug solution injection port in plan view, and (B) is a diagram showing the drug solution container, which is the drug solution storage bag and drug solution injection port in plan view. This is a perspective view showing a leukocyte removal system according to the second embodiment. This is a diagram showing a part of the leukocyte removal filter in cross-section and other parts in plan view of the leukocyte removal system according to the second embodiment. This is a plan view showing a leukocyte removal system according to the third embodiment. This is a diagram showing a part of the leukocyte removal filter in cross-section and other parts in plan view of the leukocyte removal system according to the third embodiment.

[0016] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional ratios in the drawings may be exaggerated for illustrative purposes and differ from actual ratios. Furthermore, in this specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same functional configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals to avoid redundant explanations.

[0017] <First Embodiment> As shown in Figures 1-2, the leukocyte removal system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is configured as a medical system capable of emergency blood collection and transfusion in emergency medical settings such as battlefields and disaster areas.

[0018] The leukocyte removal system 1 includes a blood collection device 10 used for collecting blood from a blood donor, an administration device 20 used for administering liquid (blood products that have been treated) to a patient, and a leukocyte removal filter 30 that receives blood from the blood collection device 10, removes leukocytes, and releases the liquid (blood product) from which leukocytes have been removed to the administration device 20.

[0019] The blood collection device 10 includes a blood collection needle 11 (blood collection section) that can be used to collect blood by puncturing a blood donor, a blood collection connector 12 that can be connected to a leukocyte removal filter 30, and a blood collection tube 13 that extends from the blood collection needle 11 to the blood collection connector 12. The blood collection tube 13 may be equipped with a known blood collection pump for aspirating the donor's blood. The blood collection tube 13 may also be equipped with a known structure (such as a clamp or stopcock) that allows the flow path to be opened and closed. In addition, another tube may be interposed between the blood collection connector 12 and the leukocyte removal filter 30.

[0020] The administration device 20 includes an administration connector 21 connectable to a leukocyte removal filter 30, a storage bag 22 capable of containing liquid, an administration needle 23 (administration part) that can be punctured into a patient to administer liquid, a first administration tube 24 extending from the administration connector 21 to the storage bag 22, and a second administration tube 25 extending from the storage bag 22 to the administration needle 23. The first administration tube 24 and the second administration tube 25 may be equipped with a known administration pump or a known structure for opening and closing the flow path (such as a clamp or stopcock). The administration device 20 may also be configured without a storage bag 22, with the second administration tube 25 directly connected to the leukocyte removal filter 30. Furthermore, the second administration tube 25 and the administration needle 23 do not need to be connected to the storage bag 22 that is connected to the leukocyte removal filter 30 via the first administration tube 24. In this case, the liquid that flows out of the leukocyte removal filter 30 is stored in the storage bag 22.

[0021] The leukocyte removal filter 30 includes a housing 31 capable of containing liquid, an inlet port 32 connectable to the blood collection connector 12, an outlet port 33 connectable to the administration connector 21, a drug solution injection port 34 into which drug solution can flow into the housing 31, a needle portion 35 connected to the drug solution injection port 34, a protective cover 36 protecting the needle portion 35, a filter material 37 placed inside the housing 31, and a diffusion portion 38 capable of discharging and diffusing the drug solution flowing in from the drug solution injection port 34.

[0022] The housing 31 is a dome-shaped member equipped with a liquid-containing section 39. The shape of the housing 31 is not particularly limited as long as it can contain liquid. The housing 31 has a base 40 (support section) that can be placed on a substantially flat surface (e.g., a table, floor, ground, etc.), and has a certain degree of rigidity so that it can independently maintain an upright position during use when placed on the surface by the base 40. The housing 31 has a flat surface at its apex, and various ports can be connected to this flat surface.

[0023] In its position during use, the base 40 has a smooth bottom surface 41 on its vertically downward side. The bottom surface 41 can be stably placed on a smooth mounting surface. The base 40 may have, for example, multiple legs instead of a bottom surface 41. The material constituting the housing 31 is not particularly limited, but it is preferably a resin material that is somewhat rigid. Examples include polycarbonate, acrylic resin, polyester, polyolefin, styrene resin, polyamide, polysulfone, polyarylate, polyetherimide, polyvinyl chloride, flexible polyvinyl chloride, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS resin), acrylonitrile-styrene copolymer (AS resin), glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate, and the like.

[0024] The inflow port 32 is connected to the upper side of the housing 31 in the orientation used for blood collection. The inflow port 32 can be connected to the blood collection connector 12 of the blood collection device 10, allowing blood to flow from the blood collection device 10 into the housing 39 of the housing 31. The inflow port 32 and the blood collection connector 12 are general-purpose connectors that conform to the standards for medical devices for blood transfusion, for example, one is a male locking connector and the other is a female locking connector. The blood collection tube 13 connected to the blood collection needle 11 is directly connected to the inflow port 32 of the leukocyte removal filter 30, and no blood collection bag is placed between the blood collection tube 13 and the inflow port 32. The inflow port 32 may be positioned at the apex of the housing 31 in parallel with the drug solution addition port 34 described later, or it may be connected to the upper wall of the housing 31.

[0025] The outflow port 33 is connected to the lower side of the housing 31 in the orientation used for administration. The outflow port 33 can be connected to the administration connector 21 of the administration device 20, allowing the liquid in the housing 39 of the housing 31 to flow out to the administration device 20. The outflow port 33 and the administration connector 21 are general-purpose connectors that conform to the standards for medical devices for blood transfusion, for example, one being a male locking connector and the other a female locking connector.

[0026] The filter material 37 is positioned to separate the housing portion 39 of the housing 31 from the inlet-side housing portion 42 on the side where the inlet port 32 is located and the outlet-side housing portion 43 on the side where the outlet port 33 is located. That is, the filter material 37 is positioned to separate the flow path between the inlet port 32 and the outlet port 33 within the housing 31. The inlet-side housing portion 42 contains blood before it is filtered by the filter material 37, and the outlet-side housing portion 43 contains the liquid that has been filtered by the filter material 37. The filter material 37 is formed in a bag shape so as to surround the inlet-side housing portion 42, and the opening of the bag is fixed to the wall surface of the housing 31. Preferably, the opening of the bag is fixed to the wall surface near the top of the housing 31, and the inlet port 32 and the drug solution addition port 34 are surrounded inside the opening of the bag. With this configuration, the inlet-side housing portion 42 can be partitioned in the upper part of the housing 31, and the outlet-side housing portion 43 can be partitioned in the lower part of the housing 31. The filter material 37 is formed by a mesh-like filter having multiple pores with a pore size smaller than that of white blood cells. Multiple mesh-like filters may be stacked together. The filter material 37 may also have the function of removing other minute substances contained in the blood.

[0027] The drug injection port 34 is connected to the upper side of the housing 31 in the orientation used for operation, so as to communicate with the inflow side containment section 42. The drug injection port 34 may also be connected to the apex of the housing 31. The needle portion 35 protrudes upward from the drug injection port 34. As shown in Figure 3(A), the needle portion 35 can be pierced into the rubber stopper 45 of a drug container 44 (e.g., an ampoule) that contains an anticoagulant to inhibit blood coagulation. By communicating with the inflow side containment section 42, the drug injection port 34 can quickly mix the anticoagulant with the blood contained in the housing 31. The drug container 44 may be pressed from the outside. The anticoagulant is, for example, ACD (acid-citrate-dextrose) or CPD (citrate-phosphorate-dextrose). The drug container 44 is separate from the leukocyte removal system 1, but it may be included with the leukocyte removal system 1.

[0028] The needle portion 35 is, for example, a bottle needle having a side hole that opens laterally. The needle portion 35 is inserted into the rubber stopper 45 of the drug container 44, and the anticoagulant in the drug container 44 can be supplied to the drug solution dispensing port 34 through the side hole. The protective cover 36 is detachably positioned to protect the needle portion 35.

[0029] The drug injection port 34 may be supplied by dripping an anticoagulant contained in a suspendable drug injection bag 46 through a drip chamber 47 and via a tube, as shown in the modified example in Figure 3(B). Alternatively, the drug injection port 34 may be arranged to communicate with the outflow side containment section 43.

[0030] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the diffusion section 38 is positioned close to or in contact with the surface of the filter material 37. The diffusion section 38 is, for example, a cylindrical member having one or more holes, and diffuses the anticoagulant supplied from the chemical solution addition port 34 from the inside of the cylinder through the holes to the outside, uniformly permeating the filter material 37. The holes of the diffusion section 38 are positioned facing the filter material 37. The shape of the diffusion section 38 is not particularly limited. The diffusion section 38 may not even be provided.

[0031] Next, a method for using the leukocyte removal system 1 according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0032] The leukocyte removal system 1 is used in emergency medical settings such as battlefields and disaster areas. Medical personnel connect the blood collection connector 12 of the blood collection device 10 to the inlet port 32 of the leukocyte removal filter 30, and connect the administration connector 21 of the administration device 20 to the outlet port 33 of the leukocyte removal filter 30. Furthermore, medical personnel pierce the rubber stopper 45 of a container that holds an anticoagulant with the needle portion 35 connected to the drug solution addition port 34.

[0033] Next, the medical professional inserts the blood collection needle 11 of the blood collection device 10 into the donor's blood vessel and leaves it in place, and inserts the administration needle 23 of the administration device 20 into the patient's blood vessel and leaves it in place.

[0034] Blood collected with the blood collection needle 11 flows into the inlet side containment section 42 of the leukocyte removal filter 30 via the inlet port 32. The blood contained in the inlet side containment section 42 is mixed with anticoagulant supplied from the drug solution addition port 34. Since the anticoagulant is infiltrated onto the surface of the filter material 37 from the drug solution addition port 34 which is in close proximity or in contact with it, the anticoagulant is reliably mixed into the blood passing through the filter material 37. This reliably suppresses blood coagulation. Therefore, the leukocyte removal filter 30 can directly contain the blood collected with the blood collection needle 11 in the inlet side containment section 42.

[0035] Since the inlet side containment section 42 is above the outlet side containment section 43, and the inlet port 32 is above the outlet port 33, the blood contained in the inlet side containment section 42 moves through the filter material 37 to the outlet side containment section 43 due to gravity generated by the difference in height. At this time, white blood cells cannot pass through the filter material 37, and the liquid containing other blood components (red blood cells, platelets, plasma) from which the white blood cells have been removed moves to the outlet side containment section 43.

[0036] The liquid from which white blood cells have been removed and contained in the outflow side containment section 43 flows out from the outflow port 33 to the administration device 20, is stored in the containment bag 22, and is then administered into the patient's blood vessels through the administration needle 23. If the containment bag 22 is not provided, the liquid that flows out from the outflow port 33 to the administration device 20 is administered into the patient's blood vessels through the administration needle 23 without being stored. Since white blood cells have been removed from the administered liquid, the occurrence of side effects such as viral infection and fever caused by white blood cells can be suppressed.

[0037] As described above, the leukocyte removal filter 30 of the first embodiment is a leukocyte removal filter 30 that removes leukocytes from incoming blood, and is characterized by comprising: a housing 31 capable of containing liquid inside; an inlet port 32 connected to the housing 31 and capable of allowing liquid to flow into the housing 31; an outlet port 33 connected to the housing 31 and capable of allowing liquid to flow out from inside the housing 31; a drug solution addition port 34 connected to the housing 31 and capable of allowing drug solution to flow into the housing 31; and a filter material 37 arranged to separate the flow path between the inlet port 32 and the outlet port 33 inside the housing 31 and capable of removing leukocytes. As a result, the leukocyte removal filter 30 can contain blood before drug solution (anticoagulant) is added from the inlet port 32 into the housing 31, add drug solution supplied from the drug solution addition port 34 to the blood inside the housing 31, and remove leukocytes with the filter material 37 and allow them to flow out from the outlet port 33.

[0038] Furthermore, the leukocyte removal filter 30 has a diffusion section 38 that extends from the drug solution injection port 34 into the housing 31 and is capable of discharging the drug solution flowing in from the drug solution injection port 34 while diffusing it. As a result, the leukocyte removal filter 30 can effectively mix the drug solution flowing in from the drug solution injection port 34 with the liquid inside the housing 31 by diffusing it with the diffusion section 38.

[0039] Furthermore, the leukocyte removal filter 30 has a needle portion 35 that protrudes from the drug solution injection port 34 to the outside of the housing 31, communicates with the drug solution injection port 34, and has a lumen that opens to the outside on the protruding side. This allows the leukocyte removal filter 30 to easily supply the drug from the drug container 44 to the drug solution injection port 34 by inserting the needle portion 35 into the drug container 44 that contains the drug.

[0040] Furthermore, the housing 31 may have a support portion on the lower vertical side to maintain its orientation during use, and the inlet port 32 may be positioned vertically above the outlet port 33. This allows the leukocyte removal filter 30 to exert gravity on the liquid flowing into the housing 31 from the inlet port 32, allowing it to pass through the filter material 37 and flow out from the outlet port 33.

[0041] Furthermore, the housing 31 may have an outlet-side storage section 43 located on the lower vertical side in the orientation of use, positioned on the outlet port 33 side of the filter material 37 in the flow path within the housing 31, and capable of containing the liquid that has passed through the filter material 37. This allows the leukocyte removal filter 30 to contain and hold the liquid from which leukocytes have been removed after passing through the filter material 37 in the outlet-side storage section 43.

[0042] Furthermore, the housing 31 has the rigidity to maintain its shape independently, and the support portion may be a base 40 positioned vertically below the housing 31 in the position used. This allows the leukocyte removal filter 30 to maintain the housing 31, which is erected by the base 40, in an appropriate position.

[0043] Furthermore, the leukocyte removal system 1 according to the present embodiment is a leukocyte removal system 1 that removes leukocytes from inflowing blood, and comprises a blood collection needle 11 (blood collection section), a blood collection tube 13 extending from the blood collection needle 11, and a leukocyte removal filter 30 to which the blood collection tube 13 can be connected. The leukocyte removal filter 30 comprises: a housing 31 capable of storing liquid therein; an inflow port 32 connected to the housing 31 and allowing liquid to flow into the housing 31; an outflow port 33 connected to the housing 31 and allowing liquid to flow out from the interior of the housing 31; a chemical solution addition port 34 connected to the housing 31 and allowing a chemical solution to flow into the housing 31; and a filter medium 37 disposed so as to partition a flow path between the inflow port 32 and the outflow port 33 in the housing 31 and capable of removing leukocytes. Accordingly, the leukocyte removal system 1 can store blood before addition of a chemical solution into the housing 31 through the inflow port 32, add the chemical solution supplied from the chemical solution addition port 34 to the blood in the housing 31, remove leukocytes by the filter medium 37, and cause the blood to flow out from the outflow port 33. Therefore, the leukocyte removal filter 30 can store blood before addition of a chemical solution and remove leukocytes therefrom.

[0044] <Second Embodiment> As shown in FIGS. 4 to 5, a leukocyte removal system 2 according to a second embodiment of the present invention differs from the first embodiment in that a leukocyte removal filter 30 has two filter media 37.

[0045] The housing 39 of the leukocyte removal filter 30 has an inlet-side housing 42 on the side where the inlet port 32 is located, an outlet-side housing 43 on the side where the outlet port 33 is located, and a filtration housing 50 located between the inlet-side housing 42 and the outlet-side housing 43. A first filter material 51 is located between the inlet-side housing 42 and the filtration housing 50, and a second filter material 52 is located between the filtration housing 50 and the outlet-side housing 43. The inlet-side housing 42 and the outlet-side housing 39 are adjacent to each other with the filtration housing 50 in between, but not directly adjacent. In the position used, the first filter material 51 and the second filter material 52 are formed in a sheet shape so as to spread in a substantially vertical direction and are arranged apart in the horizontal direction. The shapes of the first filter material 51 and the second filter material 52 are not particularly limited, and for example, they may be formed in a sheet shape so as to spread in a horizontal direction and arranged apart in the vertical direction. The first filter material 51 has a plurality of pores that are larger than those of the second filter material 52. The first filter material 51 partially inhibits the passage of white blood cells, while the second filter material 52 completely inhibits the passage of white blood cells.

[0046] The drug injection port 34 is connected to the housing 31 so as to communicate with the filtration housing 50. The drug injection port 34 may also be connected to the inlet side housing 42. The diffusion section 38 is located in the filtration housing 50. The diffusion section 38 has a first diffusion section 53 and a second diffusion section 54, which are formed in a sheet shape with a lumen so as to be adjacent to or in contact with the first filter material 51 and the second filter material 52.

[0047] Blood flowing from the inflow port 32 into the inflow side containment section 42 passes through the first filter material 51 and moves to the filtration containment section 50. At this time, some of the white blood cells cannot pass through the first filter material 51, and the liquid containing some of the white blood cells and other blood components (red blood cells, platelets, plasma) moves to the filtration containment section 50.

[0048] The liquid contained in the filtration containment section 50 is mixed with an anticoagulant that flows in from the drug solution addition port 34 through the diffusion section 38, thereby inhibiting coagulation. The liquid contained in the filtration containment section 50 passes through the second filter material 52 and moves to the filtration containment section 50. At this time, white blood cells cannot pass through the second filter material 52, and the liquid containing blood components other than white blood cells (red blood cells, platelets, plasma) moves to the filtration containment section 50.

[0049] <Third Embodiment> A leukocyte removal system 3 according to the third embodiment of the present invention differs from the first embodiment in that, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 7, a housing 31 is in the form of a flexible bag having flexibility and is used by being suspended.

[0050] The leukocyte removal filter 30 has a suspending portion 60 on the upper side of the housing 31 as a supporting portion for maintaining the posture during use. The suspending portion 60 is, for example, a hole on which a hook such as an intravenous drip stand can be hooked.

[0051] The housing 31 is formed by joining the edges of two sheet materials made of a flexible resin material. An accommodating portion 39 is formed between the unjoined portions of the two sheet materials. The material constituting the housing 31 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include polyolefins such as polyvinyl chloride, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyethylene, and polypropylene.

[0052] The outflow-side accommodating portion 43 of the housing 31 has a first outflow-side accommodating portion 61, a second outflow-side accommodating portion 62, and a weak seal portion 63. The weak seal portion 63 is a portion that communicably seals between the first outflow-side accommodating portion 61 and the second outflow-side accommodating portion 62. In the posture during use, that is, the posture suspended by the suspending portion 60, the first outflow-side accommodating portion 61 is disposed above the second outflow-side accommodating portion 62 via the weak seal portion 63 and is adjacent to the inflow-side accommodating portion 42 via the filter medium 37. The second outflow-side accommodating portion 62 is disposed below the first outflow-side accommodating portion 61 via the weak seal portion 63, and the outflow port 33 is connected thereto. The weak seal portion 63 is formed by weakly joining the two sheet materials so as to separate the first outflow-side accommodating portion 61 and the second outflow-side accommodating portion 62. Note that the joined portion of the weak seal portion 63 can be peeled off so as to allow communication between the first outflow-side accommodating portion 61 and the second outflow-side accommodating portion 62. When a medical worker presses or pulls the housing 31, the two sheet materials forming the weak seal portion 63 are peeled apart, and the first outflow-side accommodating portion 61 and the second outflow-side accommodating portion 62 communicate with each other.

[0053] As described above, in the leukocyte removal filter 30 according to the third embodiment, the housing 31 is flexible, and the support portion is a suspension portion 60 that is positioned above the housing 31 in the vertical direction when in use and can be suspended. As a result, the leukocyte removal filter 30 can be maintained in an appropriate position by suspending the housing 31 with the suspension portion 60.

[0054] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art within the technical framework of the present invention. For example, the leukocyte removal system 3 according to the third embodiment may not have a weak seal portion 63 provided in the housing 31.

[0055] 1, 2, 3 Leukocyte Removal System 10 Blood Collection Device 11 Blood Collection Needle (Blood Collection Section) 30 Leukocyte Removal Filter 31 Housing 32 Inlet Port 33 Outlet Port 34 Drug Addition Port 35 Needle Section 37 Filter Media 38 Diffusion Section 39 Containment Section 40 Base 42 Inlet Containment Section 43 Outlet Containment Section 50 Filtration Containment Section 51 First Filter Media (Filter Media) 52 Second Filter Media (Filter Media) 53 First Diffusion Section (Diffusion Section) 54 Second Diffusion Section (Diffusion Section) 60 Hanging Section 61 First Outlet Containment Section 62 Second Outlet Containment Section 63 Weak Seal Section

Claims

1. A leukocyte removal filter for removing leukocytes from incoming blood, comprising: a housing capable of containing liquid; an inlet port connected to the housing and capable of allowing liquid to flow into the housing; an outlet port connected to the housing and capable of allowing liquid to flow out from the housing; a drug solution addition port connected to the housing and capable of allowing drug solution to flow into the housing; and a filter material arranged to separate the flow path between the inlet port and the outlet port within the housing and capable of removing leukocytes.

2. The leukocyte removal filter according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a diffusion section that extends from the drug solution injection port into the interior of the housing and is capable of discharging the drug solution flowing in from the drug solution injection port while diffusing it.

3. The leukocyte removal filter according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a needle portion that protrudes from the drug solution injection port to the outside of the housing, communicates with the drug solution injection port, and has a lumen that opens to the outside on the protruding side.

4. The leukocyte removal filter according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing has a support portion on the vertically downward side for maintaining its orientation during use, and the inlet port is positioned vertically above the outlet port.

5. The leukocyte removal filter according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing has an outlet side containment portion located on the lower vertical side in the orientation when in use, positioned on the outlet port side of the flow path within the housing relative to the filter material, and capable of containing the liquid that has passed through the filter material.

6. The leukocyte removal filter according to claim 4, characterized in that the housing has rigidity that allows it to maintain its shape independently, and the support portion is a base positioned vertically below the housing in the orientation used.

7. The leukocyte removal filter according to claim 4, characterized in that the housing is flexible, and the support portion is a suspension portion that is positioned above the housing in the vertical direction in the orientation of use and can be suspended.

8. A leukocyte removal system for removing leukocytes from incoming blood, comprising: a blood collection unit; a blood collection tube extending from the blood collection unit; and a leukocyte removal filter to which the blood collection tube can be connected, wherein the leukocyte removal filter comprises: a housing capable of containing liquid inside; an inlet port connected to the housing and capable of allowing liquid to flow into the housing; an outlet port connected to the housing and capable of allowing liquid to flow out from the housing; a drug solution addition port connected to the housing and capable of allowing drug solution to flow into the housing; and a filter material arranged to separate the flow path between the inlet port and the outlet port within the housing and capable of removing leukocytes.

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