Centrifugation syringe, system and method
AssigneeActivated Cell Therapy, Inc.
InventorPeter Van Vlasselaer
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A centrifuge syringe for separating components of a fluid sample having different sedimentation densities is disclosed. The centrifuge syringe allows for the withdrawal of a sample through a sterile needle into the syringe. The syringe contains a movable plunger containing a restriction and which may contain a density gradient separation solution. The plunger is connected to a handle which is detachable to allow centrifugation. After centrifugation, the handle is reattached to the plunger, and the specimen is removed from the syringe.
Claims35
A centrifuge syringe, comprising:
- a container with a first end and a second end, said first end comprising a central orifice adapted with a fitting to provide a sterile connection for fluid flow therethrough and said second end defining a central orifice;
- a plunger slideably positioned within said container, said plunger defining within said plunger a liquid-material receiving chamber having a single opening region defined by an upper constriction member, wherein said constriction member is positioned and constructed to receive liquid and to retain liquid in said liquid-material receiving chamber, when the plunger is inverted;
- and
- an elongated member secured to the lower portion of said plunger and passing through the central orifice of the second end of said container to move the plunger within said container for drawing a fluid sample through said sterile connection.
A closed system for centrifugation analysis of fluid, comprising:
- a fluid sample container;
- tubing connected to and communicating with said container for flow of fluid therethrough;
- a centrifugation syringe connected to and communicating with said tubing for drawing a fluid sample from said container, said syringe comprising
- an outer housing having a first end and a second end, said first end defining an opening with a fitting removably connected to said tubing, said second end defining an opening,
- a plunger slideably positioned within the outer housing, said plunger defining within said plunger a liquid-material receiving chamber having a single opening region defined by an upper constriction member, wherein said constriction member is positioned and constructed to receive liquid and to retain liquid in said liquid-material receiving chamber, when the plunger is inverted, and
- an elongated member secured to the lower portion of said plunger and passing through the outer housing second end opening, said elongated member adapted to be pulled out of said housing to pull back the plunger and draw a fluid sample through the tubing from the fluid container.
A centrifugation kit, comprising:
- at least one centrifuge syringe including an outer housing having a first end and a second end, said first end defining an opening adapted to provide a sterile connection for fluid flow therethrough, said second end defining an opening, and
- a plunger slideably positioned within the outer housing, said plunger defining within said plunger a liquid material receiving chamber having a single opening region defined by an upper constriction member, wherein said constriction member is positioned and constructed to receive liquid and to retain liquid in said liquid-material receiving chamber, when the plunger is inverted;
- a handle adapted to be secured to the lower portion of said plunger and pass through the outer housing second end opening to be pulled out of said housing to pull back the plunger and draw a fluid sample through said sterile connection;
- and
- a quantity of density gradient material sufficient to fill the liquid-material receiving chamber in the plunger and extend to a level in the outer housing above said constriction member.
A method of extracting and centrifuging a fluid specimen utilizing a syringe including an outer container with an inner plunger, said plunger defining within said plunger a liquid-material receiving chamber having a single opening region defined by an upper constriction member, wherein said constriction member is positioned and constructed to receive liquid and to retain liquid in said liquid-material receiving chamber, when the plunger is inverted, and where the lower portion of the plunger is connected to a handle, comprising the steps of:
- filling said liquid-material chamber and syringe with a density gradient material to a level above said constriction member;
- drawing a sample into the container and on top of the density gradient material by pulling said handle;
- removing the handle from the plunger;
- placing the syringe in a centrifuge;
- applying centrifugal force to said syringe;
- and
- removing at least a part of said sample remaining above the annular member after applying centrifugal force.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.