US5722926A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for separating particles
Assignee: Terumo BCT Inc
•
Filing: 1996-06-27
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Granted: 1998-03-03
•
Expires: 2016-06-27
Abstract
Abstract A fluid chamber and method are disclosed for filtering or separating particles. The fluid chamber includes a wall extending between an inlet and outlet to form a fluid chamber interior. The interior converges from a position of maximum cross-sectional area toward the inlet. A groove or a step may be formed on an inner surface of the fluid chamber wall to improve particle separation within the fluid chamber.
Inventors
- 👤 Dennis Hlavinka
- 👤 Robert Langley
- 👤 Linda Taylor
- 👤 John C. Walker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 23:04
CPC Classifications
B; B04; B04B; B04B5/00; B04B5/04; B04B5/0442; A; A61; A61M; A61M1/00; A61M1/02; A61M1/0209; A61M1/0218; A61M1/0227; A61M1/0236; A61M1/36; A61M1/3618; A61M1/362; A61M1/3621; A61M1/3627; A61M1/3633; A61M1/3693; A61M1/3696; B04B2005/0471
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
191 words
A method of separating particles having different sedimentation velocities within a fluid chamber provided on a centrifuge rotor, the fluid chamber having a wall forming a hollow interior including a separation area for separating the particles, the method comprising the steps of: providing at least one flow directing member extending from the wall in the hollow interior of the fluid chamber, the flow directing member being shaped to reduce Coriolis jetting caused by a centrifugal field and liquid flow within the fluid chamber; rotating the centrifuge rotor about an axis of rotation to generate a centrifugal field in the hollow interior of the fluid chamber; flowing liquid carrying the particles into the fluid chamber, such that the flow directing member directs the liquid to limit flow of the liquid between the wall of the fluid chamber and the separation area within the chamber; and separating the particles within the fluid chamber at the separation area according to differences in sedimentation velocity, the separating step including settling particles having a larger sedimentation velocity in response to the centrifugal field and carrying particles having a smaller sedimentation velocity in flow of the liquid.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
191 words
A method of separating particles having different sedimentation velocities within a fluid chamber provided on a centrifuge rotor, the fluid chamber having a wall forming a hollow interior including a separation area for separating the particles, the method comprising the steps of: providing at least one flow directing member extending from the wall in the hollow interior of the fluid chamber, the flow directing member being shaped to reduce Coriolis jetting caused by a centrifugal field and liquid flow within the fluid chamber; rotating the centrifuge rotor about an axis of rotation to generate a centrifugal field in the hollow interior of the fluid chamber; flowing liquid carrying the particles into the fluid chamber, such that the flow directing member directs the liquid to limit flow of the liquid between the wall of the fluid chamber and the separation area within the chamber; and separating the particles within the fluid chamber at the separation area according to differences in sedimentation velocity, the separating step including settling particles having a larger sedimentation velocity in response to the centrifugal field and carrying particles having a smaller sedimentation velocity in flow of the liquid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of forming one of a fluidized particle bed and an elutriation field at the separation area, the liquid providing an elutriation fluid for the elutriative field.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the flow directing member is a groove formed on the wall of the fluid chamber, and the method further comprises the step of flowing the liquid in the groove.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the flow directing member is a step formed on the wall of the fluid chamber, and wherein the method further comprises the step of directing flow of the liquid with the step.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid chamber includes a longitudinal axis and the method further comprises the step of directing, with the flow directing member, flow of the liquid in a circumferential direction at least partially around the longitudinal axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
66 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid chamber includes a longitudinal axis and the flow directing member is a groove having first and second entrances, and wherein the method further comprises the steps of passing the liquid into the groove via the first entrance, channeling the liquid, with the groove, at least partially around the longitudinal axis, and passing the liquid through the second entrance.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
107 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid chamber includes an inlet and an outlet, the fluid chamber being mounted on the centrifuge rotor so that the outlet of the fluid chamber is located closer than the inlet of the fluid chamber to the axis of rotation, the method further comprising the steps of passing the liquid carrying particles in the fluid chamber via the inlet and providing flow of the liquid and the particles having a smaller sedimentation velocity from the fluid chamber via the outlet, and wherein the centrifugal field generated in the rotating step is greater adjacent to the inlet than adjacent to outlet.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid chamber includes a longitudinal axis, the fluid chamber being mounted on the centrifuge rotor so that the longitudinal axis is in a plane transverse to the axis of rotation, and wherein the flowing step includes flowing the liquid carrying particles along the longitudinal axis.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
143 words
A method of separating particle constituents from a liquid in a fluid chamber provided on a centrifuge rotor, the fluid chamber having an inlet, an outlet, a longitudinal axis, an interior, and at least one flow directing member extending in the interior, the method comprising the steps of: rotating the centrifuge rotor about an axis of rotation to generate a centrifugal field in the fluid chamber; flowing the liquid and the particle constituents into the interior of the fluid chamber via the inlet; directing, with the flow directing member, flow of the liquid at least partially around the longitudinal axis; separating the particles from the liquid in the interior of the fluid chamber, the separating step including allowing the particles to settle in the fluid chamber in response to the centrifugal field; and passing the liquid from the fluid chamber via the outlet.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
143 words
A method of separating particle constituents from a liquid in a fluid chamber provided on a centrifuge rotor, the fluid chamber having an inlet, an outlet, a longitudinal axis, an interior, and at least one flow directing member extending in the interior, the method comprising the steps of: rotating the centrifuge rotor about an axis of rotation to generate a centrifugal field in the fluid chamber; flowing the liquid and the particle constituents into the interior of the fluid chamber via the inlet; directing, with the flow directing member, flow of the liquid at least partially around the longitudinal axis; separating the particles from the liquid in the interior of the fluid chamber, the separating step including allowing the particles to settle in the fluid chamber in response to the centrifugal field; and passing the liquid from the fluid chamber via the outlet.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 9, wherein the separating step includes the substep of forming a fluidized particle bed.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 9, wherein the separating step includes the substep of forming an elutriative field, the liquid providing an elutriation fluid.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 9, wherein fluid chamber includes a wall defining the interior and the flow directing member is a groove formed on the wall, the method further comprising the step of flowing the liquid in the groove.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 9, wherein fluid chamber includes a wall forming the interior and the flow directing member is a step formed on the wall, and the method further comprises the step of directing flow of the liquid with the step.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 9, wherein the flow directing member is a groove having first and second entrances, and wherein the method further comprises the steps of passing the liquid into the groove via the first entrance, channeling the liquid, with the groove, at least partially around the longitudinal axis, and passing the liquid through the second entrance.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of claim 9, wherein the fluid chamber is mounted on the centrifuge rotor so that the outlet of the fluid chamber is located closer than the inlet of the fluid chamber to the axis of rotation, and wherein the centrifugal field generated in the rotating step is greater adjacent to the inlet than adjacent to the outlet.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 9, wherein the fluid chamber is mounted on the centrifuge rotor so that the longitudinal axis is in a plane transverse to the axis of rotation, and wherein the method further comprises flowing the liquid and particle constituents along the longitudinal axis.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 9, wherein the directing includes directing the flow of the liquid in a circumferential direction at least partially around the longitudinal axis of the fluid chamber.
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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) | 2001-03-02 | 2001-09-01 | 2002-03-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-03-02 | 2005-09-01 | 2006-03-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-03-02 | 2009-09-01 | 2010-03-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |