Evaluation of flatbed reciprocal motion agitators for resuspension of stored platelet concentrates

We studied the storage characteristics of platelet concentrates prepared in polyolefin (PL-732) and thin-film polyvinyl chloride (CLX) plastic bags and stored on a newly designed flatbed reciprocal motion agitator with a 1.5 inch (3.8 cm) lateral movement and an oscillation frequency of 70 cycles/min. We also studied the ability of this device to resuspend the platelet button formed after preparative centrifugation. Results showed that platelet concentrates stored on the 1.5-inch shaker had storage characteristics equivalent to those reported for the conventional 70 cycles/min, 1-inch (2.5-cm) lateral movement flatbed shaker. Due to a more rapid acceleration and deceleration rate, however, the 1.5-inch shaker resuspended the platelet button formed after preparative centrifugation much more efficiently than did the less dynamic 1-inch shaker. Furthermore, with either agitator, platelet aggregates in the CLX bag were more readily resuspended than were aggregates in the PL-732 bag due in part to differences in plastic bag wall elasticity.