# US 8,540,614 B2 · Multi-unit blood processor with rotating valves > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,540,614 B2 - Document ID: US8540614B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/682,316 - Filed: 2012-11-20 - Published: 2013-04-04 - Granted: 2013-09-24 - Earliest claimed: 2009-12-08 - Assignees: Terumo BCT, Inc. - Applicants: Terumo BCT, Inc. - Inventors: Bruce Ellingboe; Hong Duc Nguyen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8540614B2 ## CPC - B04B 15/06: for cleaning bowls, filters, sieves, inserts, or the like - A61M 1/0209: {Multiple bag systems for separating or storing blood components} - A61M 1/3692: {Washing or rinsing blood or blood constituents} - A61M 1/3693: {using separation based on different densities of components, e.g. centrifuging} - A61M 1/3696: {with means for adding or withdrawing liquid substances during the centrifugation, e.g. continuous centrifugation} - A61M 1/3698: {Expressing processed fluid out from the turning rotor using another fluid compressing the treatment chamber; Variable volume rotors} - B04B 5/0428: {with flexible receptacles} - B04B 13/00: Control arrangements specially designed for centrifuges; Program control of centrifuges (control arrangements for feed, charge or discharge B04B11/00) - A61M 1/0218: {with filters} - B04B: CENTRIFUGES (high-speed drum mills B02C19/11; domestic spin driers D06F; analysing, measuring or monitoring physical or chemical properties of samples during centrifuging, see the relevant subclasses for these procedures, e.g. G01N) - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} ## Abstract An apparatus for separating at least two discrete volumes of a composite liquid into at least a first component and a second component, comprising a valve design that facilitates loading and unloading of blood bags and associated tubing and bag sets. The valves comprise a rotating head, mounted on a shaft, which assumes a “load” position. The head pivots to an “open” position, which secures the tube in its designated location, but which maintains an open lumen through the tube. When the head is in a “closed” position, blood components cannot flow through the tube. The valve apparatus comprises means for maintaining a constant pressure on the tube and contact with the tube as the tube is melted and sealed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for separating at least two discrete volumes of a composite liquid into at least a first component and a second component, the apparatus comprising: a centrifuge rotor adapted to rotate about a rotation axis, a plurality of separation cells, each of the plurality of separation cells adapted to receive a separation bag of a set of fluidly interconnected bags, the set comprising at least the separation bag containing a volume of composite liquid, and at least one component bag; a plurality of cavities, each of the plurality of cavities adapted to receive at least one component bag; a plurality of valves, each of the plurality of valves being adapted to control fluid flow between parts of the set of interconnected bags, each of the plurality of valves comprising a jaw mounted on a shaft, the jaw being adapted to apply radio frequency energy to an adjacent tube to seal the tube, wherein each of the plurality of valves further comprises a cam mounted on the shaft, the cam guiding the jaw in a translating and rotating motion from a load position to an open position and in a translating motion from the load position to a closed position; a plurality of springs, wherein each of the plurality of springs is coupled to a shaft of one of the plurality of valves and being adapted to maintain a jaw of the plurality of valves in contact with a tube as the tube is sealed; and a controller electrically connected to the plurality of valves, the controller controlling a status of the plurality of valves. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of valves are placed to receive an asymmetrical manifold in a unique orientation. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the rotor further comprises a recess shaped to receive an asymmetrical manifold in a unique orientation. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the recess is adapted to receive at least three tubes which are coupled to the asymmetrical manifold. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the recess has an “E” shape. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the recess has an “F” shape. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plurality of valves comprise pinch valves. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plurality of valves comprise at least two sets of valves. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8 wherein each of the at least two sets of valves is associated with one of the plurality of separation cells. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the rotor further comprises a rotor shaft. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a slip ring array mounted around a lower portion of the rotor shaft, wherein the slip ring array supplies electric power to the plurality of valves. ### Claim 12 An apparatus for separating at least two discrete volumes of a composite liquid into at least a first component and a second component, the apparatus comprising: a centrifuge rotor adapted to rotate about a rotation axis; a plurality of separation cells, each of the plurality of separation cells adapted to receive a separation bag of a set of fluidly interconnected bags, the set comprising at least the separation bag containing a volume of composite liquid, and at least one component bag; a plurality of cavities, each of the plurality of cavities adapted to receive at least one component bag; a plurality of valves, each of the plurality of valves being adapted to control fluid flow between parts of the set of interconnected bags, each of the plurality of valves comprising a jaw mounted on a shaft wherein each of the plurality of valves further comprises a cam mounted on the shaft, the cam guiding the jaw in a translating and rotating motion from a load position to an open position and in a translating motion from the load position to a closed position; a plurality of sensors that detect characteristics of at least one separated component; and a controller electrically connected to the plurality of valves, the controller controlling the status of the plurality of valves. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the plurality of valves are placed to receive an asymmetrical manifold in a unique orientation. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the rotor further comprises a recess shaped to receive an asymmetrical manifold in a unique orientation. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the recess is adapted to receive at least three tubes which are coupled to the asymmetrical manifold. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the plurality of valves comprise pinch valves. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the plurality of valves comprise at least two sets of valves. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17, wherein each of the at least two sets of valves is associated with one of the plurality of separation cells.