US3747843A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Continuous flow zonal rotor
Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp
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Filing: 1971-04-09
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Granted: 1973-07-24
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Expires: 1991-04-09
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for continuous flow centrifugation wherein a sample is introduced through the top surface of a rotor core into a sample zone adjacent a gradient zone so that the sample passes substantially 360* and a sample gradient is formed in said gradient zone. The spent sample is removed through the bottom surface of said rotor core, and the sample gradient is removed after separation by introducing a liquid gradient through the top surface of the rotor core to the gradient zone to displace the sample gradient radially inward. The sample gradient is passed out of the core while the rotor is spinning through a passage at the core axis at a reduced pressure in the passage. Since only one liquid stream enters or exits at or near the core axis, the possibility of sample product contamination is eliminated.
Inventors
- 👤 J Joyce
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 04:13
CPC Classifications
B; B04; B04B; B04B5/00; B04B5/04; B04B5/0442; B04B2005/045; B04B2005/0464
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
A method for forming a sample gradient which comprises forming a gradient zone in a spinning centrifuge, flowing a sample through the top surface of a rotor core into a sample zone adjacent the gradient zone so that the sample passes substantially 360* and a sample gradient is formed in said gradient zone, removing spent sample through the bottom surface of said rotor core, and removing the sample gradient by introducing liquid gradient through the top surface of the rotor core to the gradient zone to displace said sample gradient radially inward and passing said sample gradient out of said core while the rotor is spinning through a passage at the axis of the core at a subatmospheric pressure in said passage.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
122 words
A method for forming a sample gradient which comprises forming a gradient zone in a spinning centrifuge, flowing a sample through the top surface of a rotor core into a sample zone adjacent the gradient zone so that the sample passes substantially 360* and a sample gradient is formed in said gradient zone, removing spent sample through the bottom surface of said rotor core, and removing the sample gradient by introducing liquid gradient through the top surface of the rotor core to the gradient zone to displace said sample gradient radially inward and passing said sample gradient out of said core while the rotor is spinning through a passage at the axis of the core at a subatmospheric pressure in said passage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
93 words
A continuous flow centrifuge rotor comprising a rotor core having means for introducing two separate streams of liquid through circular grooves in the top surface of the rotor so that one stream can be directed into a sample zone and the other stream can be directed into a gradient zone, a means for removing spent sample from said sample zone through an outlet on the bottom surface of said rotor and means for removing separated sample from said rotor through a passage at the axis of said rotor while the rotor is spinning.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
93 words
A continuous flow centrifuge rotor comprising a rotor core having means for introducing two separate streams of liquid through circular grooves in the top surface of the rotor so that one stream can be directed into a sample zone and the other stream can be directed into a gradient zone, a means for removing spent sample from said sample zone through an outlet on the bottom surface of said rotor and means for removing separated sample from said rotor through a passage at the axis of said rotor while the rotor is spinning.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The centrifuge of claim 2 having means for flowing a sample stream through said sample zone substantially 360* around said rotor core.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
185 words
A continuous flow centrifuge comprising a rotor housing a rotor core within said housing and spaced from said housing to define a gradient zone adjacent said housing and a sample zone between said rotor and said gradient zone, said rotor core having a top surface, a bottom surface and a peripheral surface, said top surface having a first circular groove and a second circular groove radially spaced from said first circular groove each groove adapted to receive means for delivering a liquid, at least one passage connecting said first groove with said gradient zone and at least one passage connecting said second groove with said sample zone at least one drain passage in said core connecting said sample zone and said bottom surface, said drain passage having an outlet radially intermediate the radially outermost groove and the peripheral surface, at least one sample recovery passage in said core connecting the sample zone and an axial passage at the axis of said core and said axial passage having means to recover separated sample at subatmospheric pressure in said axial passage pressure while said rotor is spinning.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
185 words
A continuous flow centrifuge comprising a rotor housing a rotor core within said housing and spaced from said housing to define a gradient zone adjacent said housing and a sample zone between said rotor and said gradient zone, said rotor core having a top surface, a bottom surface and a peripheral surface, said top surface having a first circular groove and a second circular groove radially spaced from said first circular groove each groove adapted to receive means for delivering a liquid, at least one passage connecting said first groove with said gradient zone and at least one passage connecting said second groove with said sample zone at least one drain passage in said core connecting said sample zone and said bottom surface, said drain passage having an outlet radially intermediate the radially outermost groove and the peripheral surface, at least one sample recovery passage in said core connecting the sample zone and an axial passage at the axis of said core and said axial passage having means to recover separated sample at subatmospheric pressure in said axial passage pressure while said rotor is spinning.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The centrifuge of claim 4 having means for flowing a sample stream through said sample zone substantially 360* around said rotor core.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The centrifuge of claim 5, four passages; equally radially spaced for delivery gradient liquid to said gradient zone and four sample recovery passages equally radially spaced.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
109 words
The centrifuge of claim 5 wherein a plurality of first fins extend from said rotor core into the gradient zone adjacent said housing, each of said first fins having an opening to permit the sample zone to pass therethrough and a solid second fin extending from said rotor core into the gradient zone adjacent the housing a sample stream inlet and a sample stream outlet being positioned adjacent opposing vertical surfaces of said second fin and plate means adhered to the bottom and top surfaces of the second fin extending from the gradient zone to the rotor core to prevent by-pass of said sample zone around said second fin.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
109 words
The centrifuge of claim 6 wherein a plurality of first fins extend from said rotor core into the gradient zone adjacent said housing, each of said first fins having an opening to permit the sample zone to pass therethrough and a solid second fin extending from said rotor core into the gradient zone adjacent the housing, a sample stream inlet and a sample stream outlet being positioned adjacent opposing vertical surfaces of said secOnd fin and plate means adhered to the bottom and top surfaces of the second fin extending from the gradient zone to the rotor core to prevent by-pass of said sample zone around said second fin.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The centrifuge of claim 7 wherein the passages connecting the first groove with the gradient zone extend through the second fin and through each opening in the first fins.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The centrifuge of claim 8 wherein the passages connecting the first groove with the gradient zone extend through the second fin and through each opening in the first fins.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
116 words
A method for forming a sample gradient which comprises forming a gradient zone in a spinning centrifuge, flowing a sample through the top surface of a rotor core into a sample zone adjacent to the gradient zone so that the sample passes substantially 360* and a sample gradient is formed in said gradient zone, removing spent sample through the bottom surface of said rotor core, and removing the sample gradient by introducing liquid gradient through the top surface of the rotor core to the gradient zone to displace said sample gradient radially inward and passing said sample gradient out of said core while the rotor is spinning through a passage at the axis of the core.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
116 words
A method for forming a sample gradient which comprises forming a gradient zone in a spinning centrifuge, flowing a sample through the top surface of a rotor core into a sample zone adjacent to the gradient zone so that the sample passes substantially 360* and a sample gradient is formed in said gradient zone, removing spent sample through the bottom surface of said rotor core, and removing the sample gradient by introducing liquid gradient through the top surface of the rotor core to the gradient zone to displace said sample gradient radially inward and passing said sample gradient out of said core while the rotor is spinning through a passage at the axis of the core.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-23 | 1977-01-22 | 1977-07-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-23 | 1981-01-22 | 1981-07-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-23 | 1985-01-22 | 1985-07-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |