Centrifuge system for separating cells in suspension

Apparatus comprising:

• a structure configured to be releasably housed in a rotatable centrifuge bowl, wherein the structure is positionable within the bowl and is operative to separate within an interior area of the structure, cells in a cell culture material into concentrate and centrate,
• wherein the structure in an operative position includes
• an upper disc shape portion,
• a lower portion,
• a cylindrical core vertically intermediate of the upper disc shape portion and the lower portion,
• a separation chamber disposed radially outward from and in surrounding relation of the core,
• an outer wall configured to be in operative engagement with the bowl, wherein the outer wall
• extends in fluid tight operative relation with the upper disc shape portion and bounds the separation chamber,
• extends in surrounding relation of the core and the separation chamber, and
• has an internal truncated cone shape with a smaller inside radius adjacent the lower portion than adjacent the upper disc shape portion,
• a vertically extending feed tube,
• a vertically extending centrate discharge tube,
• a vertically extending concentrate discharge tube,
• wherein the upper disc shape portion and the outer wall are rotatable in operative engagement with the bowl about a vertical axis,
• a centrate centripetal pump, wherein the centrate centripetal pump is axially aligned with the core, is disposed coaxially about the feed tube, and is in fluid communication with the centrate discharge tube,
• wherein the centrate centripetal pump is positioned in a centrate centripetal pump chamber within the upper disc shape portion,
• wherein the centrate centripetal pump chamber is in fluid communication with the separation chamber through at least one centrate channel that extends in the upper disc shape portion,
• wherein each centrate channel extends fluidly between a respective centrate channel inlet that is positioned radially outward of the core, and the centrate centripetal pump chamber,
• a concentrate centripetal pump, wherein the concentrate centripetal pump is axially aligned with the core, is disposed coaxially about the feed tube, is positioned vertically above the centrate centripetal pump and is in fluid communication with the concentrate discharge tube,
• wherein the concentrate centripetal pump is positioned in a concentrate centripetal pump chamber within the upper disc shape portion,
• wherein the concentrate centripetal pump chamber is in fluid communication with the separation chamber through at least one radially extending concentrate channel that extends in the upper disc shape portion,
• wherein each of the at least one radially extending concentrate channel extends radially between a respective concentrate channel inlet that is disposed radially outward of every centrate inlet,
• wherein during rotation of the bowl the upper disc shape portion and the outer wall rotate relative to each of the feed tube, the centrate discharge tube, the concentrate discharge tube, the centrate centripetal pump and the concentrate centripetal pump,
• wherein each concentrate channel includes a channel portion intermediate of the respective concentrate channel inlet and the concentrate centripetal pump chamber that gradually continuously increases in cross-sectional area perpendicular to a direction of concentrate flow within the respective concentrate channel portion area, with corresponding increased radial proximity to the axis.