US4154690A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for use in the centrifugal separation of components of a liquid
Assignee: BPS SEPARETTE AG
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Filing: 1978-03-15
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Granted: 1979-05-15
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Expires: 1998-03-15
Abstract
Abstract A device for use in blood centrifugation processes, said device comprising a centrifuge tube containing a substantially rigid separator element and said tube having walls of predetermined thickness and material of construction to enable flexing of only that portion of the tube wall coincident with said separator element, sufficient to enable passage of liquid by said separator element, in response to centrifugal force.
Inventors
- 👤 Uwe Ballies
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 01:13
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01L; B01L3/00; B01L3/50; B01L3/502; B01L3/5021; B01L3/50215
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
194 words
For use in centrifugal separation of a liquid having at least two components having different specific weights, a device comprising: wall means of a predetermined thickness of synthetic plastic material defining a separator tube having an inner face of generally round transverse cross-sectional figure; a generally cylindrical, piston-like, substantially rigid, separator element having a specific weight which lies between the respective specific weights of said two components; said separator element having an outer peripheral surface with a generally round transverse cross-sectional figure; said separator element outer peripheral surface having at least an axially intermediate portion thereof which is of substantially the same diameter as said inner face of said separator tube wall means; said separator element being frictionally, axially slidably received in said separator tube; said separator element being comparatively rigid relative to said separator tube wall means and said separator tube wall means being sufficiently flexible relative to said separator element, to enable substantially only that portion of said tube wall means conincident to said separator element to flex and thereby increase in diameter sufficient to enable passage of liquid between said that portion and said separator element, in response to centrifugal force.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
194 words
For use in centrifugal separation of a liquid having at least two components having different specific weights, a device comprising: wall means of a predetermined thickness of synthetic plastic material defining a separator tube having an inner face of generally round transverse cross-sectional figure; a generally cylindrical, piston-like, substantially rigid, separator element having a specific weight which lies between the respective specific weights of said two components; said separator element having an outer peripheral surface with a generally round transverse cross-sectional figure; said separator element outer peripheral surface having at least an axially intermediate portion thereof which is of substantially the same diameter as said inner face of said separator tube wall means; said separator element being frictionally, axially slidably received in said separator tube; said separator element being comparatively rigid relative to said separator tube wall means and said separator tube wall means being sufficiently flexible relative to said separator element, to enable substantially only that portion of said tube wall means conincident to said separator element to flex and thereby increase in diameter sufficient to enable passage of liquid between said that portion and said separator element, in response to centrifugal force.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A separator device according to claim 1, in which the separator element is releasably connected to a piston or rod arranged to slide within the tube, and is equipped with a connector for a hypodermic needle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A separator device according to any of claims 1 or 2, in which the connector for the hypodermic needle is releasably arranged on the separator tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A separator device according to any of claims 1, 2 or 3, in which the separator tube or a space in communication with a connector for a hypodermic needle is connected to a reduced-pressure chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A separator device according to claim 1, in which the separator element is connected to a piston rod in the separator tube through a fracture section, and acts as a suction piston.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
A separator device according to claim 5, in which the separator element is of conical form at the side remote from the hypodermic needle connector, and merges into the piston rod in the area of the apex of the cone.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A separator device according to claims 5 or 6, in which the piston rod has lateral guiding fins.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A separator device according to claim 1, in which the separator tube is provided with a connector for a hypodermic needle, and a cover for said connector.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
A separator device according to claim 8, in which the cover is of approximately hemispherical form, and a rim of the hemispherical cover is in snap-in engagement with the lower rim portion of the separator tube.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
A separator device according to claim 8 or claim 9, in which a sealing cap is provided to close off the connector, the cap being joined through a trunk portion of the hemispherical cover.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
A separator device according to claim 10, in which the sealing cap for the connector has a sealing finger arranged to extend into the bore of the connector.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
A separator device according to claim 8, in which the bore of the connector extends through a tubular extension into the interior of the separator tube.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
A separator device according to claim 12, in which a finger-like projection on the base surface of the separator element is arranged to close the bore of said connector.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
A separator device according to claim 12 or claim 13, in which the bores of the connector and of the tubular extension are arranged coaxially.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 1, in which: said separator element has an axially intermediate region of greatest outer diameter, lead and trailed by respective regions of decreasing diameter.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 15, wherein: said respective regions of decreasing diameter are generally conically curved coaxially of said separator element.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 1, further including: means defining a plurality of axially extending lateral guiding fins on said separator element.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
40 words
The device of claim 1, wherein: the wall means of said separator tube is of progressively increasing thickness and thus of decreasing flexibility along the length thereof in the axial direction of movement of the separator element therealong during centrifuging.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
The device of claim 1, wherein: the wall means of said separator tube is of progressively decreasing internal diameter along the length thereof in the axial direction of movement of the separator element therealong during centrifuging.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
56 words
The device of claim 1, wherein: said separator tube wall means inner face is provided with a plurality of axially extending grooves distributed about the circumference thereof at least in the vicinity of said separator element during initiation of centrifuging, for preventing deposition of thrombocytes when the device is being used to separate components of blood.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 20, wherein: said grooves proceed spirally of said inner face as they proceed axially thereof.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 20, wherein: said grooves are initially coated with a sealant which is subject to flow under centrifugal force during centrifuging in order to pass a thrombocyte layer.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-05-14 | 1982-11-13 | 1983-05-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-05-14 | 1986-11-13 | 1987-05-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-05-14 | 1990-11-13 | 1991-05-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |