Abstract

A separator system operable to use centrifugation to fractionate a multiple component material, such as a suspension including blood, comprises a buoy. The buoy can be carried in a separation container and has a tuned density that is configured to reach an equilibrium position in the multiple component material. A guide surface is carried on a buoy upper surface and is inclined to an accumulation position near a buoy perimeter. The buoy suspension fractionation system can be used in a method of isolating a fraction from a suspension, and in a method for re-suspending particulates for withdrawal.

IPC Classes  ?

• B01D 21/26 - Separation of sediment aided by centrifugal force

Abstract

A process for separating platelet rich plasma from a blood sample using a platelet rich plasma separator system is disclosed. The system includes an inner wall having a top edge and a central axis that is surrounded by a depth filter having a capacity to receive all of the erythrocytes in the blood sample, where an inner surface of the inner wall has an angle of about 0.2° from the central axis of the inner wall. The process includes spinning the inner cylinder at its central axis at a speed that separates the erythrocytes from plasma and platelets and causes the erythrocytes to collect against an inner surface of the depth filter. The cylinder is continually spun for a sufficient time to allow substantially all of the erythrocytes to flow up the inner surface and over the top edge into the depth filter, leaving platelet enriched plasma (PRP) in the inner cylinder, such that upon discontinuing the spinning, permits the platelet enriched plasma to flow to the bottom of the inner cylinder.

IPC Classes  ?

• B01D 21/26 - Separation of sediment aided by centrifugal force
• B01D 15/00 - Separating processes involving the treatment of liquids with solid sorbentsApparatus therefor
• B01D 33/00 - Filters with filtering elements which move during the filtering operation
• B01D 35/00 - Filtering devices having features not specifically covered by groups , or for applications not specifically covered by groups Auxiliary devices for filtrationFilter housing constructions
• B01D 37/00 - Processes of filtration
• B04B 3/00 - Centrifuges with rotary bowls in which solid particles or bodies become separated by centrifugal force and simultaneously sifting or filtering
• B04B 1/04 - Centrifuges with rotary bowls provided with solid jackets for separating predominantly liquid mixtures with or without solid particles with inserted separating walls

Abstract

Disclosed is a separator-concentrator, such as for separating and concentrating platelet-rich-plasma (PRP) from whole blood that is suitable for office use or emergency use for trauma victims. The PRP separator comprises a motorized centrifugal separation assembly and a concentrator assembly. The centrifugal separation assembly comprises a centrifugal drum separator and a motor having a drive axis connected to the centrifugal drum separator. The concentrator assembly comprises a water-removal module for preparing PRP concentrate.

IPC Classes  ?

• B01D 33/067 - Construction of the filtering drums, e.g. mounting or sealing arrangements
• B01D 35/00 - Filtering devices having features not specifically covered by groups , or for applications not specifically covered by groups Auxiliary devices for filtrationFilter housing constructions
• B01D 24/32 - Rotation
• B04B 3/00 - Centrifuges with rotary bowls in which solid particles or bodies become separated by centrifugal force and simultaneously sifting or filtering

Abstract

A separator that uses centrifugation to fractionate a suspension such as blood comprises a separation container and a buoy. The buoy is carried in the separation container and has a tuned density that is configured to reach an equilibrium position in a suspension. The guide surface is carried on the buoy upper surface and is inclined to an accumulation position near a buoy perimeter. The buoy suspension fractionation system can be used in a method of isolating a fraction from a suspension, and in a method for re-suspending particulates for withdrawal.

IPC Classes  ?

• B01D 21/26 - Separation of sediment aided by centrifugal force

Abstract

The PRP separator-concentrator of this invention is suitable for office use or emergency use for trauma victims. The PRP separator comprises a motorized centrifugal separation assembly, and a concentrator assembly. The centrifugal separator assembly comprises a centrifugal drum separator that includes an erythrocyte capture module and a motor having a drive axis connected to the centrifugal drum separator. The concentrator assembly comprises a water-removal module for preparing PRP concentrate. The centrifugal drum separator has an erythrocyte trap. The water removal module can be a syringe device with water absorbing beads or it can be a pump-hollow fiber cartridge assembly. The hollow fibers are membranes with pores that allow the flow of water through the fiber membrane while excluding flow of clotting factors useful for sealing and adhering tissue and growth factors helpful for healing while avoiding activation of platelets and disruption of any trace erythrocytes present in the PRP.

IPC Classes  ?

• B01D 15/02 - Separating processes involving the treatment of liquids with solid sorbentsApparatus therefor with moving adsorbents
• B01D 21/26 - Separation of sediment aided by centrifugal force
• B01D 33/00 - Filters with filtering elements which move during the filtering operation
• B04B 3/00 - Centrifuges with rotary bowls in which solid particles or bodies become separated by centrifugal force and simultaneously sifting or filtering
• B04B 7/08 - Rotary bowls

Abstract

A plasma concentrator having a concentrator chamber, concentrator gel beads, a filter, and an agitator. The agitator end is positioned in the concentrator chamber and supported for rotation about its central axis and for reciprocal movement along its central axis. A filter is selected to block effective flow of plasma therethrough under ambient gravity conditions and permit plasma and plasma concentrate flow therethrough under centrifugal forces of the separation gravity. A method concentrates plasma by removing water without significantly denaturing the fibrinogen in the plasma. Then centrifugal force can be applied to the concentrated plasma in an amount sufficient to separate a substantial portion of the plasma concentrate from the beads.

IPC Classes  ?

• B01D 15/02 - Separating processes involving the treatment of liquids with solid sorbentsApparatus therefor with moving adsorbents
• B01D 33/27 - Filters with filtering elements which move during the filtering operation with rotary filtering surfaces, which are neither cylindrical nor planar, e.g. helical surfaces
• B01D 37/00 - Processes of filtration

Abstract

A separator that uses centrifugation to fractionate a suspension such as blood comprises a separation container and a buoy. The buoy is carried in the separation container and has a tuned density that is configured to reach an equilibrium position in a suspension. The guide surface is carried on the buoy upper surface and is inclined to an accumulation position near a buoy perimeter. The buoy suspension fractionation system can be used in a method of isolating a fraction from a suspension, and in a method for re-suspending particulates for withdrawal.

IPC Classes  ?

• B01D 21/26 - Separation of sediment aided by centrifugal force
• B01D 17/02 - Separation of non-miscible liquids
• B01D 17/038 - Separation of non-miscible liquids by centrifugal force
• C02F 1/38 - Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by centrifugal separation

Abstract

A separator (10) that uses centrifugation to fractionate a suspension such as blood comprises a separation container (12) and a buoy (30). The buoy (30) is carried in the separation container (12) and has a tuned density that is configured to reach an equilibrium position in a suspension. The guide surface (42) is carried on the buoy upper surface and is inclined to an accumulation position near a buoy perimeter. The buoy suspension fractionation system (10) can be used in a method of isolating a fraction from a suspension, and in a method for re-suspending particulates for withdrawal.

IPC Classes  ?

• B01D 21/26 - Separation of sediment aided by centrifugal force
• G01N 33/49 - Physical analysis of biological material of liquid biological material blood
• B01L 3/14 - Test tubes

Abstract

A Platelet Rich Plasma separator assembly is disclosed. The assembly can include a cylindrical outer wall closed at the top by an upper plate and closed at the bottom. A bottom plate having an upper surface sloped down to a central opening. The top edge of the inner wall terminates at a distance from the upper plate to define an annular erythrocyte passageway therebetween. The inner wall has an outer surface and an inner surface that slopes radially inward from its top edge to its bottom at an angle of from 0.2 to 5 degrees with a central axis of the inner wall. A cylindrical depth filter is positioned between the inner surface of the outer wall and the outer surface of the inner wall in communication with the inner wall through the erythrocyte passageway.

IPC Classes  ?

• B01D 35/00 - Filtering devices having features not specifically covered by groups , or for applications not specifically covered by groups Auxiliary devices for filtrationFilter housing constructions
• B01D 24/32 - Rotation
• B01D 33/067 - Construction of the filtering drums, e.g. mounting or sealing arrangements

Abstract

A Platelet Rich Plasma separator assembly is disclosed. The assembly can include a cylindrical outer wall closed at the top by an upper plate and closed at the bottom. A bottom plate having an upper surface sloped down to a central opening. The top edge of the inner wall terminates at a distance from the upper plate to define an annular erythrocyte passageway therebetween. The inner wall has an outer surface and an inner surface that slopes radially inward from its top edge to its bottom at an angle of from 0.2 to 5 degrees with a central axis of the inner wall. A cylindrical depth filter is positioned between the inner surface of the outer wall and the outer surface of the inner wall in communication with the inner wall through the erythrocyte passageway.

IPC Classes  ?

• B01D 33/067 - Construction of the filtering drums, e.g. mounting or sealing arrangements
• B01D 35/00 - Filtering devices having features not specifically covered by groups , or for applications not specifically covered by groups Auxiliary devices for filtrationFilter housing constructions
• B01D 24/32 - Rotation
• B04B 3/00 - Centrifuges with rotary bowls in which solid particles or bodies become separated by centrifugal force and simultaneously sifting or filtering

Abstract

A PRP separator-concentrator comprising a housing, a separation assembly, and a concentration assembly. The concentration assembly has a concentration sump. An axially concentric rigid stationary outlet tube is secured to the housing and extends through the separation assembly to the sump. The separation assembly is attached to and positioned above the concentration assembly to form a combined separator-concentrator assemblage that is rotatable about the outlet tube. The separation assembly includes a separation chamber lined with a depth filter having pores and passageways that are sized to receive and entrap erythrocytes during centrifuging. The concentration chamber has a floor for supporting desiccated beads and a wall with at least one opening closed with a screen. The concentrator can have a distribution of upright screen supports, the upright screen supports having an inner surface and an outer surface, the cylindrical screen being supported on the outer surface of the upright screen supports. A stationary bead rake can be secured to the stationary tube and extend outward therefrom, the rake having distal ends that are spaced at a distance from the upright screen supports. The rake can comprise a longitudinal body, the center of which is secured to the rigid outlet tube. The separator-concentrator includes a valve assembly connecting the separation chamber and the concentration chamber. PRP concentrate is produced by contacting PRP with desiccated beads while the beads are stirred with a stationary rake, and rotating the concentration chamber at centrifugal speeds to separate PRP concentrate from the beads.

IPC Classes  ?

• B01D 21/26 - Separation of sediment aided by centrifugal force
• B01D 33/00 - Filters with filtering elements which move during the filtering operation
• B01D 35/00 - Filtering devices having features not specifically covered by groups , or for applications not specifically covered by groups Auxiliary devices for filtrationFilter housing constructions
• B01D 37/00 - Processes of filtration
• B04B 1/04 - Centrifuges with rotary bowls provided with solid jackets for separating predominantly liquid mixtures with or without solid particles with inserted separating walls
• B04B 3/00 - Centrifuges with rotary bowls in which solid particles or bodies become separated by centrifugal force and simultaneously sifting or filtering

Abstract

The PRP separator-concentrator of this invention is suitable for office use or emergency use for trauma victims. The PRP separator comprises a motorized centrifugal separation assembly, and a concentrator assembly. The centrifugal separator assembly comprises a centrifugal drum separator that includes an erythrocyte capture module and a motor having a drive axis connected to the centrifugal drum separator. The concentrator assembly comprises a water-removal module for preparing PRP concentrate. The centrifugal drum separator has an erythrocyte trap. The water removal module can be a syringe device with water absorbing beads or it can be a pump-hollow fiber cartridge assembly. The hollow fibers are membranes with pores that allow the flow of water through the fiber membrane while excluding flow of clotting factors useful for sealing and adhering tissue and growth factors helpful for healing while avoiding activation of platelets and disruption of any trace erythrocytes present in the PRP.

IPC Classes  ?

• B01D 21/26 - Separation of sediment aided by centrifugal force
• B04B 7/08 - Rotary bowls

Abstract

A plasma concentrator of this invention having a concentrator chamber, concentrator gel beads, a filter, and an agitator. The agitator has agitator blades extending outwardly from the lower end. The agitator end is positioned in the concentrator chamber and supported for rotation about its central axis and for reciprocal movement along its central axis. The concentrator has a top with an upper opening through which the upper end of the actuator stem extends, and a lower opening in which the filter is positioned. The concentrator chamber can have a cylindrical inner wall, and the agitator blades can have an outer edge in close proximity to the inner wall with the space between the outer edge and the inner wall being less than the diameter of the gel beads. The filter is selected to block effective flow of plasma therethrough under ambient gravity conditions and permit plasma and plasma concentrate flow therethrough under centrifugal forces of the separation gravity. The method concentrates plasma by removing water without significantly denaturing the fibrinogen in the plasma. The plasma is introduced into a concentration chamber containing a plurality of dehydrated concentrator gel beads and an agitator. Then water is removed from the plasma while stirring the beads to reduce plasma polarization and breaking up clumps of beads that form during the agitation. Then centrifugal force can be applied to the concentrated plasma in an amount sufficient to separate a substantial portion of the plasma concentrate from the beads.

IPC Classes  ?

• B01D 15/02 - Separating processes involving the treatment of liquids with solid sorbentsApparatus therefor with moving adsorbents
• B01D 24/00 - Filters comprising loose filtering material, i.e. filtering material without any binder between the individual particles or fibres thereof
• B01D 29/00 - Filters with filtering elements stationary during filtration, e.g. pressure or suction filters, not covered by groups Filtering elements therefor