Centrifuge tube and adaptor
AssigneeApplied Imaging Corporation
InventorsAlexander M. Saunders, Patricia J. Baldwin, Michael A. M. Zarowitz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A centrifuge tube and adaptor apparatus is provided which facilitates separation of biological materials and permits easy extraction of a fraction after centrifugation. The tube is a deformable tube with a wide upper chamber and a narrowed lower portion. The tube is supported within the centrifuge rotor or within another container within the centrifuge by a liquid support medium, which surrounds and supports the narrow portion of the tube, and thus prevents the tube from collapsing during high speed centrifugations.
Claims13
A tube and adapter apparatus for the centrifugation of a sample, the apparatus comprising:
- a) a centrifuge tube having an upper chamber disposed on and integrally connected to a channel by an annular connecting segment, wherein the diameter of the channel is smaller than the diameter of the upper chamber;
- and
- b) an outer vessel having a top and a bottom, the top having an aperture, the aperture being capable of receiving the centrifuge tube therein, and wherein the outer vessel contains a liquid support medium sufficient to surround the channel and the annular connecting segment of the centrifuge tube.
A method of separating components of a sample of biological material, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) placing the sample within a centrifuge tube, wherein the centrifuge tube has an upper chamber disposed on and integrally connected to a channel by an annular connecting segment, and wherein the diameter of the channel is smaller than the diameter of the upper chamber;
- b) placing the centrifuge tube within an outer vessel, wherein the outer vessel contains a liquid support medium sufficient to surround the annular connecting segment of the centrifuge tube;
- and
- c) centrifuging the sample to separate a component of a sample of the biological material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.