and kits for making such compounds, and methodsfor using such compounds labeled with technetium-99m via a covalently linked radiolabel-bindingmoiety to image thrombi in a mammalian body.

PII: S0955-3886(99)00046-6

5833866

BLOOD COLLECTION SYSTEMS ANDMETHODS WHICH DERIVEINSTANTANEOUS BLOOD

COMPONENT YIELD INFORMATIONDURING BLOOD PROCESSING

Brown Richard I Northbrook, IL,UNITED STATESAssigned to Baxter International Inc

Systems and methods for separating plateletsfrom blood derive the yield of platelets in real timeas processing is accomplished. The systems andmethod determine an incremental blood volumeprocessed during a succession of incremental timeperiods during the separation step. The systemsand methods also estimate a separation e�ciencyfor the separation device during each incrementaltime period, while also estimating a current countof platelets available from the donor during eachincremental time period. The systems and methodsmultiply the determined incremental blood volumefor each incremental time period by the estimatedcurrent count of platelets for each incrementaltime period by the estimated separation e�ciencyfor each incremental time period, to derive an in-cremental platelet yield for each incremental timeperiod. The systems and methods sum the incre-mental platelet yields over the succession of in-cremental time periods to obtain the derived yieldof platelets. In this way, the systems and methodstake into account the dynamic systemic andphysiological changes that occur virtually contin-uously throughout the blood collection and sepa-ration process.

PII: S0955-3886(99)00047-8

5834418

PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OFPLATELET GROWTH FACTORS

EXTRACT

Brazeau Paul; Abribat Thierry; Ibea Michel;Boushira Michgra ele Montreal, CANADAAssigned to Theratechnologies Inc

The present invention relates to a process forthe preparation of porcine platelet-extract con-taining matured growth factors, which comprisesthe steps of: (a) centrifuging whole porcine bloodat about 1000 g to about 5000 g to isolate theplatelets from the platelet-rich-plasma; (b) re-suspending the isolated platelets of step (a) inPlasma-Lyte A and centrifuging to concentrate theplatelets; (c) washing the concentrated platelets ofstep (b); (d) lyophilizing the washed platelets ofstep (c); whereby causing lysis of the platelets andproducing the platelet extract in optimal amount.

PII: S0955-3886(99)00048-X

5837150

EXTRACORPOREAL BLOODPROCESSING METHODS

Langley Robert W; Holmes Brian, BainbridgeMarlene Adele Westminster, CO,UNITED STATESAssigned to COBE Laboratories Inc

A method for processing blood in an apheresissystem is disclosed. The present invention includesselecting a packing factor for separated bloodcomponent types in the separation stage(s) of ablood processing vessel. A packing factor is anumber that re¯ects the degree with which theblood component types are packed together in theseparation stage(s) and is dependent at least uponthe rotational speed and the ¯ow rate into theblood processing vessel. The method further in-cludes providing an apheresis system and operat-

IV New Patents 20 (1999) III±VIII

ing it under conditions to separate the blood into aplurality of blood component types and achievethe selected packing factor.

PII: S0955-3886(99)00049-1

5837488

CLONING AND PRODUCTION OFHUMAN VON WILLEBRAND FACTOR

GP1B BINDING DOMAINPOLYPEPTIDES AND METHODS OF

USING SAME

Gar®nkel Leonard; Richter Tamar Rehovot,ISRAELAssigned to Bio-Technology General Corporation

The subject invention provides non-glycosy-lated, biologically active polypeptides which com-prise the vWF (van Willebrand Factor) GP1bbinding domain. These polypeptides may be usedto inhibit platelet adhesion and aggregation in thetreatment of subjects with conditions such as cer-ebrovascular disorders and cardiovascular dis-orders. This invention also provides expressionplasmids encoding these polypeptides as well asmethods of producing by transforming a bacterialcell and recovering such polypeptides. In addition,the subject invention provides methods of treatingand preventing cerebrovascular, cardiovascularand other disorders using these polypeptides toinhibit platelet aggregation.

PII: S0955-3886(99)00050-8

5856444

THROMBOCYTOPOIESISSTIMULATING FACTOR

Kawakita Makoto; Matsuzaki Hiromitsu;Takatsuki Kiyoshi; Shibuya Kazushi; HiguchiMasato Kumamoto, JAPANAssigned to Chugai Seiyaku Kabushiki Kaisha

PCT No. PCT/JP95/04226 Sec. 371 Date Jul.18, 1997 Sec. 102(e) Date Jul. 18, 1997 PCT FiledNov. 30, 1995 PCT Pub. No. WO96/16987 PCTPub. Date Jun. 6, 1997. An object of the presentinvention is to provide a physiologically activesubstance having activity in acting on the meg-akaryocyte-platelet system, in promoting the dif-ferentiation and maturation of megakaryocytes,and in promoting the formation of platelets. Thepresent invention relates to a thrombocytopoiesisstimulating factor, characterized by having thefollowing amino acid sequence in its molecule, andto a medicinal composition for treating thrombo-cytopenia, characterized by containingthrombocytopoiesis stimulating factor as an activecomponent: Xaa Gly Asn Asn Asp Glu Ser Asn IleSer Phe Lys Glu Lys Asp Ile (where Xaa indicatesthat the amino acid is unspeci®ed). The physio-logically active substance is useful as an activecomponent or the like in therapeutics and pre-ventives for thrombocytopenia and thrombocyto-penic purpura associated with chemotherapy andmarrow grafts, and for various other diseaseswhich are prone to bleeding attributed to throm-bocytopenia.

PII: S0955-3886(99)00051-X

5858238

SALVAGE OF AUTOLOGOUS BLOODVIA SELECTIVE MEMBRANE/SORPTION TECHNOLOGIES

McRea James; Poulsen Stephanie; Xia Yong Nian;Fowers Kirk Salt Lake City, UT, UNITEDSTATESAssigned to Baxter Research Medical Inc

Methods and apparatuses for salvaging bloodfrom a patient are disclosed. A blood salvagingand/or blood processing circuit coupled to a car-diopulmonary bypass circuit, cardiotomy circuit,or directly to the patient comprises a hemocen-trator for removing water, ¯uids, and low mole-cular weight solutes by ultra®ltration and a

New Patents 20 (1999) III±VIII V