Plasma Center Trial Shows Faster Procedure Times With New Fenwal Software for Autopheresis-C Plasma Collection System

LAKE ZURICH, Ill., Nov. 29, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Fenwal, Inc., a global medical technology company focused on improving blood collection, separation, safety and availability, announced today that in a trial of its new Autopheresis-C® software, plasma-center professionals and donors reported faster plasma-collection times and an improved plasma-collection and donation experience.  More than 90 percent of donors surveyed reported a decrease in their donation wait time.  Donors who are more satisfied are more likely to donate regularly.  

The Autopheresis-C® system is used by plasma- and blood-collection centers worldwide to collect human plasma from donors.

The new software helps automate and streamline collection processes, which reduce the need for operator intervention and help to improve work flow and reduce procedure times.  New electronic prompts make it easier to assure accuracy in programming the Autopheresis-C® to achieve desired plasma volumes.

Fenwal also announced that it has received marketing clearance for the new software from the United States Food and Drug Administration for a future capability known as wireless data export.  Data export will also be available for wired connections.

When accompanied by the Fenwal data exchange system, scheduled for release in the first half of 2011, wireless data export will allow centers to easily access procedure and other data from the Autopheresis-C® system, enabling them to monitor plasma-center performance and improve efficiency.  Fenwal is unique in offering wireless data export capabilities designed for open-source compatibility with plasma and blood center information systems.

"This software release combines a wide range of features our customers have told us are important to them," said William H. Cork, chief technology officer for Fenwal.  "It is designed to improve the collection process for operators as well as donors by focusing on ease of use, efficiency, and accuracy."

Plasma is the liquid portion of blood that contains valuable proteins used to treat burn victims, bleeding disorders, human immune deficiencies, and other chronic or genetic disorders.  Plasma-derived proteins have also become integral to many novel medical therapies in late-stage development.

About Fenwal

Fenwal, Inc. is a global medical technology company focused on improving blood collection, filtration, separation, storage and transfusion to ensure the availability, safety and effectiveness of blood components.  Fenwal is unique in the depth of its experience and commitment to transfusion medicine.  The company offers the broadest range of products for the automated and manual collection of blood and blood components.  Fenwal became an independent company in 2007, but its roots go back to 1949 with the founding of Fenwal Laboratories.  Fenwal developed the first flexible, single-use container for blood collection, eliminating complications associated with glass containers and allowing blood to be separated into therapeutic components.  Today, the company's products and advanced collection and separation technologies are used to help treat patients on six continents.  Fenwal, Inc. is based in Lake Zurich, Illinois.  For more information, please visit www.fenwalinc.com.

SOURCE Fenwal, Inc.