US3848796A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
A centrifuge apparatus for sedimentation study
Assignee: Coulter Electronics Inc
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Filing: 1972-09-27
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Granted: 1974-11-19
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Expires: 1992-09-27
Abstract
Abstract Method and means for the study of the sedimentation characteristics of whole blood involving the application of greater than gravity force laterally to a thin, substantially vertically oriented column of whole blood in a predetermined cyclic series of intermittent applications, the column being physically rotated about 180* about its own axis between each application. A centrifuge apparatus is described for applying a G force in the range of 6.25 to 8 G laterally to the long axis of plural test sample columns arranged substantially vertically in holders provided on the centrifuge head. Means are described for causing rotation of the sample columns about their own vertical axes between each periodic spin cycle of said centrifuge head and only between applications of said G force. A preferred test operation using four 45 second duration applications of said G force is described with rotation of the columns being effected by reversal of the centrifuge head at the end of each 45 second force application. Other cycles are described which give results correlatable with the results obtained using recognized standardized sedimentation test procedures. The cycle of 45 second duration applications provides test results independent of the effect of the hematocrit of the particular sample.
Inventors
- 👤 B Bull
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 15:53
CPC Classifications
B; B04; B04B; B04B5/00; B04B5/04; B04B5/0407; B04B5/02; B04B5/0414
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
A sedimentation rate centrifuge comprising, a centrifuge head, a driven shaft mounting said head for rotation therewith and a drive motor coupled to said driven shaft for imparting rotative motion thereto about the axis of said head in intermittent periods of predetermined duration to generate centrifugal force applicable in a direction generally normal to its axis of rotation, said centrifuge head comprising a body, sample tube holder means carried by said body near the periphery thereof, said sample tube holder means each constructed and arranged to receive elongate sample tubes each containing a thin column of blood and each vertically arranged and oriented substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of said body so that the centrifugal force is applied laterally to the long axis of said sample tubes, means for causing periodic rotation of each of said sample tube holder means and associated sample tube about its own long axis between each application of centrifugal force and when said body is substantially at rest.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
165 words
A sedimentation rate centrifuge comprising, a centrifuge head, a driven shaft mounting said head for rotation therewith and a drive motor coupled to said driven shaft for imparting rotative motion thereto about the axis of said head in intermittent periods of predetermined duration to generate centrifugal force applicable in a direction generally normal to its axis of rotation, said centrifuge head comprising a body, sample tube holder means carried by said body near the periphery thereof, said sample tube holder means each constructed and arranged to receive elongate sample tubes each containing a thin column of blood and each vertically arranged and oriented substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of said body so that the centrifugal force is applied laterally to the long axis of said sample tubes, means for causing periodic rotation of each of said sample tube holder means and associated sample tube about its own long axis between each application of centrifugal force and when said body is substantially at rest.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
92 words
The centrifuge as claimed in claim 1 in which said body comprises a spool carrying said sample tube holder means, said means for periodically rotating said sample tube holder means and associated sample tubes comprise a spur gear mounted in association with the driven shaft and pinion gear means secured to each of said sample tube holder means and engaged with said spur gear and cooperating means on said spur gear and spool for limiting axial rotation of each one of said pinion gear means to 180* about its own long axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
67 words
The centrifuge as claimed in claim 2 in which said cooperating means comprise a pin on one of said spur gear and spool and an arcuate slot on the other of said spur gear and spool, the pin being received and movable within the slot and the length of the slot determining the maximum rotational movement of each of said pinion gear means about their own axes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The centrifuge as claimed in claim 2 wherein the spool is coupled to the driven shaft for rotation therewith and the spur gear is arranged coaxially relative to said spool but for free rotation about said shaft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
The centrifuge as claimed in claim 4 wherein said pinion gear means are arranged to engage said spur gear, rotation of said spool first effecting rotation of said pinion gear means, said cooperating means thereafter coupling said spool and spur gear for rotation together about their common axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The centrifuge as claimed in claim 5 and timing means for controlling the duration of centrifugation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The centrifuge as claimed in claim 6 and timing means for periodically causing reversal of the direction of rotation of said head.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The centrifuge as claimed in claim 2 and means for preventing relative movement of the spool and spur gear during application of said greater than gravity force.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
94 words
The centrifuge as claimed in claim 8 in which said last-mentioned means comprises interlock means including a lever pivotally secured to said spool, one end of said lever including a mass, rotation of the spur gear and spool simultaneously causing the mass to swing outward driving the opposition end of the lever to engage the spur gear, deceleration of the spur gear enabling the mass to return to its rest condition disengaging the lever from the spur gear and thereby restricting relative rotation of the spur gear and pinion gear means to selected periods.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
93 words
The centrifuge as claimed in claim 2 in which means are provided selectively to rotate each of the sample tube holder means along its own axis and include means selectively to couple and uncouple said spur gear and said pinion gear means, said means comprising a solenoid, a lever operated by said solenoid and cam and follower means operable by said lever to rotate the spur gear and means synchronizing the energization of the solenoid with the operation of the motor so that the solenoid is energized only when the motor is inoperative.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The centrifuge as claimed in claim 2 in which said spur gear is adapted to be rotated first in one direction and then in the opposite direction.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
53 words
The centrifuge as claimed in claim 2 in which said motor is of the reversible type, timer means for periodically changing the direction of rotation of the centrifuge head for each period, said spur gear being arranged to rotate said pinion gears each time the centrifuge head is rotated in a new direction.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The centrifuge as claimed in claim 1 and timing means for periodically controlling the duration of centrifugation.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The centrifuge as claimed in claim 1 and timing means for controlling the total duration of centrifugation and the respective cycle durations.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
The centrifuge as claimed in claim 1 and means for applying a gradual braking force to said body at the termination of each application of centrifugal force to bring the body gradually to rest.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The centrifuge as claimed in claim 15 wherein said means for applying a gradual braking force comprise friction means applied directly to said body.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
48 words
The centrifuge as claimed in claim 1 wherein said drive motor is reversible and timing means are provided coupled to said drive motor for controlling the operation thereof to define said intermittent periods of predetermined duration, each of said periods being initiated by reversal of said drive motor.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
116 words
The centrifuge as claimed in claim 17 wherein said timing means comprise a timing motor, a timing disc, first switch means coupled to said drive motor for deenergizing same, second switch means for reversing said motor, means for coupling said timing motor to said timing disc, means on said timing disc constructed and arranged to engage said first switch means after an elapse of time equal to the total cycle duration and second means on said timing disc constructed and arranged to engage said second switch means periodically to reverse the direction of said drive motor, said second means on said timing disc being adjustably positioned thereon whereby to determine the interval between drive motor reversals.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
64 words
The centrifuge as claimed in claim 17 and said means for causing periodic rotation of each of said sample tube holder means about its own long axis comprising said pinion gear means being coupled between the drive motor and said tube holder means for effecting said axial rotation immediately subsequent to periodic drive motor reversal but only while said body is substantially at rest.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
The centrifuge as claimed in claim 19 and a lost motion connection between said centrifuge head and said gear means to limit the degree of said rotation of said holder means about their own long axes.
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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) | 1977-11-18 | 1978-05-20 | 1978-11-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-18 | 1982-05-20 | 1982-11-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-18 | 1986-05-20 | 1986-11-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |