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.
