Apparatus and method for separating and concentrating fluids containing multiple components

A system for separating a multi-component fluid with centrifugation, the system comprising:

• a container, having a bottom and a side wall extending from said bottom, defining a sample holding area;
• and
• a first piston disposed in said sample holding area;
• and
• a member to selectively close a top of said container;
• wherein said first piston is movable when acted upon by forces created during the centrifugation;
• wherein said first piston defines a collection surface sump for collecting a selected component of the multi-component fluid.

A system for separating a multi-component fluid with a centrifuge, comprising:

• a container including a bottom and a side wall extending from said bottom;
• a first piston moveable within said sample holding area defining a collection area with a depression defined by the first piston;
• a second piston operably connected to a piston rod, said second piston defining a collection face projection;
• wherein said collection area and said collection face are substantially mateable;
• wherein said container generally defines a sample holding area;
• wherein said second piston is disposable and moveable within said sample holding area.

A system for separating a multi-component fluid for use in a device able to increase gravity, the system comprising:

• a container including:
• a bottom;
• a side wall extending from said bottom generally along an axis, defining an interior of said container;
• a first piston movable in said interior defining a cone having an apex within a volume defined by the first piston;
• wherein said side wall is substantially rigid under ambient gravitational forces to substantially hold said first piston at a selected position in said interior;
• wherein said side wall is able to compress axially along said axis and expand radially relative to said axis when under the increased gravitational forces such that said first piston is able to move axially in said interior.

A system to separate components of a multi-component fluid with a centrifuge, comprising:

• a container defining a sample separation area;
• a first piston selectively moveable between a first position and a second position in said sample holding area;
• a piston rod able to move said first piston between said first position and said second position;
• and
• a substantially automatic valve operably connected to said first piston;
• a second piston independent of, but operable with said first piston to define a separation volume and including a surface operable to mate with the first piston;
• wherein said substantially automatic valve allows a portion of the multi-component fluid to flow past said first piston as said first piston is moved within said sample separation area.

A kit for the separation and concentration of a selected component of a multi-component fluid with a centrifuge, comprising:

• a first separation system and a second separation system, each separation system including:
• a container substantially defining a sample containment area;
• a first piston moveable within said container during a centrifugation of a sample positioned in said sample containment area;
• a second piston movable within said sample containment area under an external manual force while the first piston remains substantially immobile;
• a piston rod operably connected to said second piston to allow for said manual force to said second piston;
• said second piston and said piston rods substantially defining a conduit;
• said first piston and said second piston are able to substantially define a sample collection volume from which a volume of fluid may be withdrawn through said sample collection conduit;
• a first syringe for operably connecting to said conduit to remove said volume of the multi-component fluid.