Blood collection systems including a flexible filter with a cushioned periphery

A blood collection system has a container for holding blood, and a filter communicating with the container, which are mutually arranged for handling as a unit. The filter contains a fibrous filter medium housed within two flexible sheets of plastic. A first seal joins the sheets directly to the filter medium inboard of the peripheral edge of the filter medium, and a second seal joins the sheets outboard of the peripheral edge of the filter medium. A region of the filter medium extends between the first and second seals to cushion contact with the filter housing during handling.