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US4430072A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Centrifuge assembly

Assignee: Terumo BCT Inc
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Filing: 1977-06-03
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Granted: 1984-02-07
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Expires: 1997-06-03
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Abstract

Abstract An improved centrifuge assembly comprising a channeled rotor assembly and a ring-like fluid container disposed in the channel, whereby the centrifugal separation effects in the fluid container are determined by the geometry of the channel in the rotor. The fluid container is preferably formed from semirigid plastic material in the form of a tube having a rectangular cross section and is considered a disposable item to be discarded after a single use. The rotor assembly preferably includes a removable filler piece or center piece formed from a single piece of material, such as rigid plastic, as by molding, dimensioned to form, with the wall of the centrifuge bowl, a circular channel having dimensions appropriate to receive the semirigid container, which is suitably bent and placed in the channel. Fluid connections are provided from each end of the container to an axially located multichannel rotating seal. The connections lie in a plurality of radial slots in the filler piece. Alternatively the entire assembly may be molded as a single entity, with a suitable channel and fluid line grooves being cast therein.

Inventors

  • 👤 Robert M. Kellogg
  • 👤 Victor R. Kruger
  • 👤 Alfred P. Mulzet

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-24 16:04
CPC Classifications
B; B04; B04B; B04B5/00; B04B5/04; B04B5/0442; B04B2005/045

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim 92 words
A centrifuge assembly comprising a rotor bowl, a circular filler piece received in said bowl and providing a space between the circumference of said filler piece and the inner wall of said bowl, the space between said filler piece and the wall of the bowl defining a circular channel in said assembly, a disposable ring-like container of semirigid material having a substantially rectangular cross section contained in and conforming to said channel and having two ends, fluid connections to each end of said elongated container, and guide means for said fluid connections.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 92 words
A centrifuge assembly comprising a rotor bowl, a circular filler piece received in said bowl and providing a space between the circumference of said filler piece and the inner wall of said bowl, the space between said filler piece and the wall of the bowl defining a circular channel in said assembly, a disposable ring-like container of semirigid material having a substantially rectangular cross section contained in and conforming to said channel and having two ends, fluid connections to each end of said elongated container, and guide means for said fluid connections.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 36 words
A centrifuge assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which said fluid connections comprise an inlet connection to one end of said container, and at least two output connections to the other end of said container.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 19 words
A centrifuge assembly as claimed in claim 1 in which said container is formed from medical grade polyvinyl chloride.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 28 words
A centrifuge assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said guide means comprise a plurality of radial slots in said filler piece spaced to receive said fluid conections.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 108 words
A centrifuge assembly comprising a rotor bowl, a circular filler piece received in said bowl and providing a space between the circumference of said filler piece and the inner wall of said bowl, the space between said filler piece and the wall of said bowl defining a circular channel in said assembly, said channel having a rectangular cross section, a disposable ring-like container of semirigid material contained in and conforming to said channel, said container having two ends and having a substantially rectangular cross section corresponding to the cross section of said channel, fluid connections to each end of said container, and guide means for said fluid connections.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 108 words
A centrifuge assembly comprising a rotor bowl, a circular filler piece received in said bowl and providing a space between the circumference of said filler piece and the inner wall of said bowl, the space between said filler piece and the wall of said bowl defining a circular channel in said assembly, said channel having a rectangular cross section, a disposable ring-like container of semirigid material contained in and conforming to said channel, said container having two ends and having a substantially rectangular cross section corresponding to the cross section of said channel, fluid connections to each end of said container, and guide means for said fluid connections.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 21 words
A centrifuge assembly as claimed in claim 5, in which the ends of said container are joined by a connector piece.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 27 words
A centrifuge assembly as claimed in claim 6, in which said connector piece includes a barrier to isolate one end of said container from the other end.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 37 words
A centrifuge assembly as claimed in claim 7, in which an input fluid connection is provided at one end of said container, and a plurality of output connections are provided at the other end of said container.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 117 words
For use in a centrifuge device having an axis of rotation and including a bowl rotatable about said axis and containing a channel at least a portion of which is substantially arcuate with respect to said axis, a blood component separating receptacle comprising an elongated disposable container corresponding to the cross-section of said channel adapted to be contained in and to conform to said channel during centrifuging, an inlet post positioned near a first end of said container for admission of blood to be separated, and an outlet port positioned near a second end of said container for removal of blood components, fluid connections for said inlet and outlet ports and, guide means for said fluid connections.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 117 words
For use in a centrifuge device having an axis of rotation and including a bowl rotatable about said axis and containing a channel at least a portion of which is substantially arcuate with respect to said axis, a blood component separating receptacle comprising an elongated disposable container corresponding to the cross-section of said channel adapted to be contained in and to conform to said channel during centrifuging, an inlet post positioned near a first end of said container for admission of blood to be separated, and an outlet port positioned near a second end of said container for removal of blood components, fluid connections for said inlet and outlet ports and, guide means for said fluid connections.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 100 words
For use in a centrifuge device having an axis of rotation and including a bowl having walls defining a substantially arcuate-shaped slot, a blood component separating receptacle comprising: an elongated sealed container having a length dimension which is larger than any dimension of its cross-section by at least a factor of ten and said container being adapted to interfit in said arcuate slot, an inlet port positioned near a first end of said container, an outlet port positioned near the other end of said container, fluid connections for said inlet and outlet ports, and guide means for said fluid connections.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 100 words
For use in a centrifuge device having an axis of rotation and including a bowl having walls defining a substantially arcuate-shaped slot, a blood component separating receptacle comprising: an elongated sealed container having a length dimension which is larger than any dimension of its cross-section by at least a factor of ten and said container being adapted to interfit in said arcuate slot, an inlet port positioned near a first end of said container, an outlet port positioned near the other end of said container, fluid connections for said inlet and outlet ports, and guide means for said fluid connections.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 102 words
For use in a centrifuge device having an axis of rotation and including a bowl having walls defining a substantially arcuate-shaped slot, a blood component separating receptacle comprising: an elongated sealed container having a length dimension which is larger than any dimension of its cross-section by at least a factor of about 30 and said container being adapted to interfit in said arcuate slot, an inlet port positioned near a first end of said container, and an outlet port positioned near the other end of said container, fluid connections for said inlet and outlet ports, and guide means for said fluid connections.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 102 words
For use in a centrifuge device having an axis of rotation and including a bowl having walls defining a substantially arcuate-shaped slot, a blood component separating receptacle comprising: an elongated sealed container having a length dimension which is larger than any dimension of its cross-section by at least a factor of about 30 and said container being adapted to interfit in said arcuate slot, an inlet port positioned near a first end of said container, and an outlet port positioned near the other end of said container, fluid connections for said inlet and outlet ports, and guide means for said fluid connections.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 124 words
For use in a centrifuge device having an axis of rotation and including a bowl rotatably about said axis and containing a channel of substantially rectangular cross-section at least a portion of which is substantially arcuate wih respect to said axis, a blood component separating receptacle comprising: an elongated disposable container of substantially rectangular cross-section corresponding to the cross-section of said channel adapted to be contained in and conform to said channel during centrifuging, an inlet port positioned near a first end of said container for admission of blood to be separated, and an outlet port positioned near a second end of said container for removal of blood component, fluid connections for said inlet and outlet ports, and guide means for said fluid connections.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 124 words
For use in a centrifuge device having an axis of rotation and including a bowl rotatably about said axis and containing a channel of substantially rectangular cross-section at least a portion of which is substantially arcuate wih respect to said axis, a blood component separating receptacle comprising: an elongated disposable container of substantially rectangular cross-section corresponding to the cross-section of said channel adapted to be contained in and conform to said channel during centrifuging, an inlet port positioned near a first end of said container for admission of blood to be separated, and an outlet port positioned near a second end of said container for removal of blood component, fluid connections for said inlet and outlet ports, and guide means for said fluid connections.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 69 words
A centrifuge assembly comprising a rotor, means providing a two portion channel in said rotor, a first portion of said channel being circular-like and having a constant radius extending from the true center of said rotor, and a second portion of said channel being spiral-like a disposable elongated container of semi-rigid material contained in and conforming to said channel, and fluid connections to each end of said elongated container.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 69 words
A centrifuge assembly comprising a rotor, means providing a two portion channel in said rotor, a first portion of said channel being circular-like and having a constant radius extending from the true center of said rotor, and a second portion of said channel being spiral-like a disposable elongated container of semi-rigid material contained in and conforming to said channel, and fluid connections to each end of said elongated container.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 63 words
A centrifuge assembly comprising a rotor, means providing a two portion channel in said rotor, a first portion of said channel being circular-like and having a constant radius extending from the true center of said rotor, and a second portion of said channel being spiral-like a disposable elongated container contained in said channel, and fluid connections to each end of said elongated container.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 63 words
A centrifuge assembly comprising a rotor, means providing a two portion channel in said rotor, a first portion of said channel being circular-like and having a constant radius extending from the true center of said rotor, and a second portion of said channel being spiral-like a disposable elongated container contained in said channel, and fluid connections to each end of said elongated container.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 83 words
A centrifuge assembly comprising a rotor bowl, a circular member located in said bowl and providing a space between the circumference of said member and the inner wall of said bowl, the space between said member and the wall of the bowl defining a circular channel in said assembly, and a removable ring-like container of semirigid material having a substantially rectangular cross section container in and conforming to said channel and having two ends, and fluid connections to each end of said container.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 83 words
A centrifuge assembly comprising a rotor bowl, a circular member located in said bowl and providing a space between the circumference of said member and the inner wall of said bowl, the space between said member and the wall of the bowl defining a circular channel in said assembly, and a removable ring-like container of semirigid material having a substantially rectangular cross section container in and conforming to said channel and having two ends, and fluid connections to each end of said container.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 88 words
A centrifuge assembly comprising a rotor bowl, a circular member located in said bowl and providing a space between the circumference of said member and the inner wall of said bowl, the space between said member and the wall of the bowl defining a circular channel in said assembly, and a removable ring-like container of semirigid material having a substantially rectangular cross-section contained in and conforming to said channel and having two ends, fluid connections to each end of said container, and guide means for said fluid connections.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 88 words
A centrifuge assembly comprising a rotor bowl, a circular member located in said bowl and providing a space between the circumference of said member and the inner wall of said bowl, the space between said member and the wall of the bowl defining a circular channel in said assembly, and a removable ring-like container of semirigid material having a substantially rectangular cross-section contained in and conforming to said channel and having two ends, fluid connections to each end of said container, and guide means for said fluid connections.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 63 words
A centrifuge assembly comprising a rotor bowl, a circular channel defined in said bowl between the outer circumference and an inner wall thereof, a disposable ring-like container of semi-rigid material having a substantially rectangular cross section contained in and conforming to said channel and having two ends, fluid connections to each end of said elongated container, and guide means for said fluid connections.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 63 words
A centrifuge assembly comprising a rotor bowl, a circular channel defined in said bowl between the outer circumference and an inner wall thereof, a disposable ring-like container of semi-rigid material having a substantially rectangular cross section contained in and conforming to said channel and having two ends, fluid connections to each end of said elongated container, and guide means for said fluid connections.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 67 words
A centrifuge assembly comprising a rotor bowl, said bowl having therein a circular channel defined between the outer circumference of said bowl and an inner wall thereof, and a removable ring-like container of semirigid material having a substantially rectangular cross section contained in and conforming to said channel and having two ends, fluid connections to each end of said container, and guide means for said fluid connections.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 67 words
A centrifuge assembly comprising a rotor bowl, said bowl having therein a circular channel defined between the outer circumference of said bowl and an inner wall thereof, and a removable ring-like container of semirigid material having a substantially rectangular cross section contained in and conforming to said channel and having two ends, fluid connections to each end of said container, and guide means for said fluid connections.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 87 words
A centrifuge assembly comprising a rotor bowl, said rotor bowl having a circular channel therein, said channel defined between the outer circumference of said bowl and an inner wall thereof, said circular channel having a rectangular cross section, a disposable ring-like container of semirigid material contained in and conforming to said channel, said container having two ends and having a substantially rectangular cross section corresponding to the cross section of said channel, fluid connections to each end of said container, and guide means for said fluid connections.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 87 words
A centrifuge assembly comprising a rotor bowl, said rotor bowl having a circular channel therein, said channel defined between the outer circumference of said bowl and an inner wall thereof, said circular channel having a rectangular cross section, a disposable ring-like container of semirigid material contained in and conforming to said channel, said container having two ends and having a substantially rectangular cross section corresponding to the cross section of said channel, fluid connections to each end of said container, and guide means for said fluid connections.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3244363A Cited
US3858796A Cited
US3864089A Cited
US3987961A Cited
US4007871A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1987-02-06 1987-08-08 1988-02-07 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1991-02-06 1991-08-08 1992-02-07 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1995-02-06 1995-08-08 1996-02-07 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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