Semi-continuous, small volume centrifugal blood separator and method of using therefor

A centrifuge for separating a sample into at least two fractions, comprising:

• a frame;
• a centrifuge vessel which is mounted for rotation relative to said frame, said centrifuge vessel having a separation chamber therein which is substantially enclosed;
• at least one conduit which is mounted and arranged so as to allow liquids to be loaded into and removed from the separation chamber while the centrifuge vessel is rotating;
• a driver for rotating the centrifuge vessel;
• a bearing support mounted to the centrifuge vessel supporting the at least one conduit and allowing the at least one conduit to be supported in a position which does not rotate with the centrifuge vessel;
• and
• wherein said at least one conduit includes at least a product conduit and a vent conduit.

A centrifuge for separating a sample into at least two fractions, comprising:

• a frame;
• a centrifuge vessel which is mounted for rotation relative to said frame, said centrifuge vessel having a separation chamber therein which is substantially enclosed;
• at least one conduit which is mounted and arranged so as to allow liquids to be loaded into and removed from the separation chamber while the centrifuge vessel is rotating;
• a driver for rotating the centrifuge vessel;
• a bearing support mounted to the centrifuge vessel supporting the at least one conduit and allowing the at least one conduit to be supported in a position which does not rotate with the centrifuge vessel;
• and
• at least one vent which vents the separation chamber to facilitate inflow or outflow of fluids to and from the separation chamber.

A centrifuge for separating a sample into at least two fractions, comprising:

• a frame;
• a centrifuge vessel which is mounted for rotation relative to said frame, said centrifuge vessel having a separation chamber therein which is substantially enclosed;
• at least one conduit which is mounted and arranged so as to allow liquids to be loaded into and removed from the separation chamber while the centrifuge vessel is rotating;
• a driver for rotating the centrifuge vessel;
• a bearing support mounted to the centrifuge vessel supporting the at least one conduit and allowing the at least one conduit to be supported in a position which does not rotate with the centrifuge vessel;
• and
• wherein the centrifuge vessel has a first reservoir section and a second reservoir section, the first reservoir section being of a diameter greater than the second reservoir section.

A centrifuge for separating a sample into at least two fractions, comprising:

• a frame;
• a centrifuge vessel which is mounted for rotation relative to said frame, said centrifuge vessel having a separation chamber therein which is substantially enclosed;
• at least one conduit which is mounted and arranged so as to allow liquids to be loaded into and removed from the separation chamber while the centrifuge vessel is rotating;
• a driver for rotating the centrifuge vessel;
• a bearing support mounted to the centrifuge vessel supporting the at least one conduit and allowing the at least one conduit to be supported in a position which does not rotate with the centrifuge vessel;
• and
• wherein the centrifuge vessel has a transition slope which is between a first reservoir section and a second reservoir section, the first reservoir section being of a diameter greater than the second reservoir section.

A centrifuge for separating a sample into at least two fractions, comprising:

• a frame;
• a centrifuge vessel which is mounted for rotation relative to said frame, said centrifuge vessel having a separation chamber therein which is substantially enclosed;
• at least one conduit which is mounted and arranged so as to allow liquids to be loaded into and removed from the separation chamber while the centrifuge vessel is rotating;
• a driver for rotating the centrifuge vessel;
• a bearing support mounted to the centrifuge vessel supporting the at least one conduit and allowing the at least one conduit to be supported in a position which does not rotate with the centrifuge vessel;
• and
• wherein the centrifuge vessel has a bottom wall which is crowned inwardly to cause liquids to collect along outer portions of the bottom wall.

A centrifuge for separating a sample into at least two fractions, comprising:

• a frame;
• a centrifuge vessel which is mounted for rotation relative to s aid frame, said centrifuge vessel having a separation chamber therein which is substantially enclosed;
• at least one conduit which is mounted and arranged so as to allow liquids to be loaded into and removed from the separation chamber while the centrifuge vessel is rotating;
• a driver for rotating the centrifuge vessel;
• a bearing support mounted to the centrifuge vessel supporting the at least one conduit and allowing the at least one conduit to be supported in a position which does not rotate with the centrifuge vessel;
• and
• wherein the centrifuge vessel has a sidewall which includes:
• a first reservoir section having a first section diameter which is in the upper portions of the separation chamber;
• a second section diameter which is in the lower portions of the separation chamber;
• a transition section which is between the first reservoir section and the second reservoir section.

A centrifuge for separating a sample into at least two fractions, comprising:

• a frame;
• a centrifuge vessel which is mounted for rotation relative to said frame, said centrifuge vessel having a separation chamber therein which is substantially enclosed;
• at least one conduit which is mounted and arranged so as to allow liquids to be loaded into and removed from the separation chamber while the centrifuge vessel is rotating;
• a driver for rotating the centrifuge vessel;
• a bearing support mounted to the centrifuge vessel supporting the at least one conduit and allowing the at least one conduit to be supported in a position which does not rotate with the centrifuge vessel;
• and
• wherein the centrifuge vessel has a bottom wall which includes a trough portion and a central receptacle which segregates one fraction in the trough portion and another fraction in the central receptacle.

A centrifuge for separating a sample into at least two fractions, comprising:

• a frame;
• a centrifuge vessel which is mounted for rotation relative to said frame, said centrifuge vessel having a separation chamber therein which is substantially enclosed;
• at least one conduit which is mounted and arranged so as to allow liquids to be loaded into and removed from the separation chamber while the centrifuge vessel is rotating;
• a driver for rotating the centrifuge vessel;
• a bearing support mounted to the centrifuge vessel supporting the at least one conduit and allowing the at least one conduit to be supported in a position which does not rotate with the centrifuge vessel;
• and
• wherein the centrifuge vessel has a bottom wall which includes:
• a central receptacle;
• a trough portion outwardly of the central receptacle;
• at least one weir dividing the central receptacle and trough portion to segregate one fraction in the trough portion and another fraction in the central receptacle.

A centrifuge for separating a sample into at least two fractions, comprising:

• a frame;
• a centrifuge vessel which is mounted for rotation relative to said frame, said centrifuge vessel having a separation chamber therein which is substantially enclosed;
• said separation chamber having an upper first reservoir section and a lower second reservoir section, said first reservoir section being of larger diametral size than said second reservoir section;
• at least one conduit which is mounted in a non-rotating position from a central upper position and extends downwardly and outwardly within the separation chamber to a position within the lower second reservoir section;
• a driver for controllably rotating the centrifuge vessel;
• a bearing support mounted to the centrifuge vessel for allowing the at least one conduit to be supported in the non-rotating position relative to the centrifuge vessel.

A method for separating a fluid sample into at least two fractions, comprising:

• placing the fluid sample into a substantially enclosed separation chamber which forms part of a centrifuge vessel;
• rotating the centrifuge vessel and separation chamber, said rotating being performed at a rotational speed which causes separation of the at least two fractions;
• supporting at least one conduit in a non-rotating position relative to the centrifuge vessel using a bearing mounted upon the centrifuge vessel;
• withdrawing a first fraction of said at least two fractions through said at least one conduit supported by said bearing.

A method for separating a fluid sample into at least two fractions, comprising:

• placing the fluid sample into a substantially enclosed separation chamber which forms part of a centrifuge vessel;
• rotating the centrifuge vessel and separation chamber, said rotating being performed at a rotational speed which causes separation of the at least two fractions;
• supporting at least one conduit in a non-rotating position relative to the centrifuge vessel using a bearing;
• withdrawing a first fraction of said at least two fractions through said at least one conduit while said rotating is being performed;
• withdrawing a second fraction of said at least two fractions through said at least one conduit after said rotating has slowed or stopped to allow fluid within the separation chamber to redistribute.

A method for separating a fluid sample into at least two fractions, comprising:

• placing the fluid sample into a substantially enclosed separation chamber which forms part of a centrifuge vessel;
• said substantially enclosed separation chamber having a first reservoir section and a second reservoir section, said first reservoir section being of larger diametral size than said second reservoir section;
• rotating the centrifuge vessel and separation chamber, said rotating being performed at a rotational speed which causes separation of the at least two fractions;
• withdrawing a first fraction of said at least two fractions through said at least one conduit while said rotating is being performed;
• withdrawing a second fraction of said at least two fractions through said at least one conduit after said rotating has slowed or stopped to allow fluid within the separation chamber to redistribute;
• said at least one conduit is mounted in a non-rotating position and positioned to allow said withdrawing a first fraction and said withdrawing a second fraction to occur through the same conduit.

A method for separating a fluid sample into at least two fractions, comprising:

• placing the fluid sample into a substantially enclosed separation chamber which forms part of a centrifuge vessel;
• rotating the centrifuge vessel and separation chamber, said rotating being performed at a rotational speed which causes separation of the at least two fractions;
• withdrawing a first fraction of said at least two fractions through at least one conduit while said rotating is being performed;
• withdrawing a second fraction of said at least two fractions through said at least one conduit after said rotating has slowed or stopped to allow fluid within the separation chamber to redistribute;
• said at least one conduit being mounted in a non-rotating position and extending within the separation chamber to allow said withdrawing a first fraction and said withdrawing a second fraction to occur through the same at least one conduit.