Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
Apparatus for processing fluids, comprising, in combination: a. a centrifuge having a rotor capable of rotating about an axis of rotation at speeds sufficient to effect the desired separation; b. a processing chamber mounted on said rotor comprising a pair of oppositely disposed supports contoured to support at least one flexible bag; c. a flexible processing bag held within said supports; d. a plate mounted adjacent said supports between the center of rotation of said rotor and the supports, said plate having a mass which during rotation of the rotor will create a radially outward force against the supports at least equal to the radially inward force exerted by fluid within said processing bag against the bag surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
Apparatus for processing fluids, comprising, in combination: a. a centrifuge having a rotor capable of rotating about an axis of rotation at speeds sufficient to effect the desired separation; b. a processing chamber mounted on said rotor comprising a pair of oppositely disposed supports contoured to support at least one flexible bag; c. a flexible processing bag held within said supports; d. a plate mounted adjacent said supports between the center of rotation of said rotor and the supports, said plate having a mass which during rotation of the rotor will create a radially outward force against the supports at least equal to the radially inward force exerted by fluid within said processing bag against the bag surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the supports consist of contoured foamed polyurethane shoes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the fluid is blood.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including a displacer fluid bag adjacent said flexible bag.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
110 words
The method of processing fluid into separate components comprising the steps of: a. placing a first flexible bag containing fluid to be processed within the contoured walls of a pair of oppositely disposed support members; b. mounting said members on a centrifuge rotor; c. mounting a pressure plate opposite said support members in contact therewith and intermediate the center of rotation of the rotor and an inner wall of said support members, the mass of said plate being at least equal to the mass required during rotation, to counterbalance the inwardly directed force created within the bag by the outwardly directed force of the mass; and d. rotating said rotor.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
110 words
The method of processing fluid into separate components comprising the steps of: a. placing a first flexible bag containing fluid to be processed within the contoured walls of a pair of oppositely disposed support members; b. mounting said members on a centrifuge rotor; c. mounting a pressure plate opposite said support members in contact therewith and intermediate the center of rotation of the rotor and an inner wall of said support members, the mass of said plate being at least equal to the mass required during rotation, to counterbalance the inwardly directed force created within the bag by the outwardly directed force of the mass; and d. rotating said rotor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
82 words
The method of claim 5 including the steps of: e. mounting a collection container at the center of rotation; f. coupling the processing bag to the collection bag with flexible tubing; g. disposing a second flexible bag adjacent said first flexible bag, said second flexible bag containing displacer fluid; h. increasing the amount of displacer fluid in said second flexible bag to cause said bag to expand to thereby express blood components from said first flexible bag while said rotor is rotating.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 5 in which the fluid is blood.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 7 in which the members are mounted on the periphery of the rotor and the blood is separated into components.