Patent US5951877A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5951877A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Particle filter method
Assignee: Terumo BCT Inc
•
Filing: 1996-07-05
•
Granted: 1999-09-14
•
Expires: 2016-07-05
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method are disclosed for filtering or separating particles. The apparatus has a motor coupled to a centrifuge rotor rotatable about an axis of rotation. A fluid chamber rotates with the rotor. A substance is supplied to the inlet of the chamber. At least one of the motor and the substance supply are controlled to maintain a saturated fluidized bed of first particles within the fluid chamber while causing second particles to be retained in the chamber.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Langley
- 👤 Dennis Hlavinka
- 👤 Linda A. Taylor
- 👤 John C. Walker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 21:37
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M1/00; A61M1/36; A61M1/3693; A61M1/02; A61M1/0209; A61M1/0218; A61M1/0227; A61M1/0236; A61M1/3618; A61M1/362; A61M1/3621; A61M1/3627; A61M1/3633; A61M1/3696; B; B04; B04B; B04B5/00; B04B5/04; B04B5/0442; B04B2005/045; B04B2005/0471
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 68
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of separating first particles from second particles, the method comprising the steps of: rotating a centrifuge rotor about an axis of rotation, the rotor having a fluid chamber; passing second particles into an inlet of the fluid chamber; forming, with the second particles, a saturated fluidized bed within the fluid chamber; and flowing the liquid having at least first particles into the fluid chamber inlet while maintaining the bed within the fluid chamber, so that the bed substantially prevents flow of first particles from the fluid chamber inlet to a fluid chamber outlet while substantially permitting flow of the liquid to the outlet.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of separating first particles from second particles, the method comprising the steps of: rotating a centrifuge rotor about an axis of rotation, the rotor having a fluid chamber; passing second particles into an inlet of the fluid chamber; forming, with the second particles, a saturated fluidized bed within the fluid chamber; and flowing the liquid having at least first particles into the fluid chamber inlet while maintaining the bed within the fluid chamber, so that the bed substantially prevents flow of first particles from the fluid chamber inlet to a fluid chamber outlet while substantially permitting flow of the liquid to the outlet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of flowing includes flowing liquid and second particles.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1, wherein both the step of passing and the step of flowing includes conveying plasma into the fluid chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the first particles include white blood cells and the second particles include platelets.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the first particles include white blood cells and the second particles include red blood cells.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the first particles include stem cells and the second particles include tumor cells.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the first particles include tumor cells and the second particles include stem cells.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1, wherein a fluid flow rate during the flowing step is within a range of 1 ml/min to 15 ml/min.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising, after the step of flowing, the step of removing second particles retained in the fluid chamber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of removing first particles from the fluid chamber after the step of removing second particles.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of flowing includes the substeps of conveying blood components into a separation chamber, separating the blood components within the separation chamber, and directing at least a portion of the separated components into the fluid chamber inlet.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 11, wherein the portion of separated components includes at least plasma, platelets, and white blood cells.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 11, wherein the portion of separated components includes at least plasma, platelets, and red blood cells.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 11, wherein the portion of separated components includes at least plasma, red blood cells, and white blood cells.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of directing platelets retained in the separation chamber into the fluid chamber inlet while maintaining the bed within the fluid chamber.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of flowing the liquid from the fluid chamber outlet into an inlet of an auxiliary fluid chamber.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises controlling rotation of the rotor.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 17, wherein the step of controlling includes the substeps of sequentially lowering, and then increasing a rotational speed of the rotor, and the step of flowing includes the substep of increasing flow of liquid having first particles simultaneously with the substep of increasing rotational speed of the rotor.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
95 words
The method of claim 17, wherein the step of controlling includes the substeps of sequentially lowering the speed of the rotor to a first speed N i , and then increasing the rotor speed to a second speed, N, and wherein the step of flowing includes the substeps of sequentially maintaining flow of liquid having first particles at a first flow rate, Q i , and then, simultaneously with the substep of increasing the rotor speed, increasing the flow rate to a second flow rate, Q, wherein Q/N 2 =Q i /N i 2 .
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 17, wherein the step of controlling includes the substep of substantially maintaining rotational speed of the rotor, and the step of flowing includes the substep of rapidly increasing a flow rate of the liquid having first particles.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 17, wherein the step of controlling includes the substep of substantially maintaining rotational speed of the rotor, and the step of flowing includes the substep of gradually increasing a flow rate of the liquid having first particles.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method of claim 17, wherein the step of controlling includes the substep of substantially maintaining rotational speed of the rotor, and the substep of flowing includes the substeps of gradually increasing a flow rate of the liquid having first particles to a first flow rate, maintaining the first flow rate of the liquid, and gradually increasing the flow rate of the liquid.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 17, wherein the step of controlling includes the substep of regulating rotation of the rotor in a speed range to maintain a gravitational field in the fluid chamber ranging from approximately 500 G to 800 G.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
138 words
A method of separating white blood cells from a liquid, the method comprising the steps of: passing at least particles into an inlet of a fluid chamber; forming within the fluid chamber a substantial barrier to white blood cell flow through the fluid chamber, the barrier including a saturated fluidized bed of the particles; flowing into the fluid chamber a liquid having at least the particles and the white blood cells to be separated; obstructing with the fluidized bed, while permitting the liquid to pass through the fluid chamber, white blood cell movement through the fluid chamber, at least a portion of the obstructing step occurring during at least a portion of the flowing step; and releasing a portion of the particles from the fluidized bed while maintaining a saturated bed of the particles in the fluid chamber.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
138 words
A method of separating white blood cells from a liquid, the method comprising the steps of: passing at least particles into an inlet of a fluid chamber; forming within the fluid chamber a substantial barrier to white blood cell flow through the fluid chamber, the barrier including a saturated fluidized bed of the particles; flowing into the fluid chamber a liquid having at least the particles and the white blood cells to be separated; obstructing with the fluidized bed, while permitting the liquid to pass through the fluid chamber, white blood cell movement through the fluid chamber, at least a portion of the obstructing step occurring during at least a portion of the flowing step; and releasing a portion of the particles from the fluidized bed while maintaining a saturated bed of the particles in the fluid chamber.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 24, wherein the particles include platelets.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 25, further comprising the step of separating particle constituents from the white blood cells before the flowing step.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 24, wherein the particles include red blood cells.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 24, wherein the liquid includes components of blood removed from an umbilical cord.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 24, further including the step of priming the fluid chamber with a priming fluid having a density less than a density of the liquid.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 29, wherein said priming fluid comprises one of saline solution and air.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 24, further including the step of priming the fluid chamber with the liquid.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
128 words
A method of separating blood components, the method comprising the steps of: applying a centrifugal force to blood to separate the blood into components including at least plasma, platelets, and white blood cells, whereby at least a portion of the platelets become at least partially activated during the applying step; flowing the separated blood components into a fluid chamber; and rotating the fluid chamber about an axis of rotation; and filtering the components in the rotating fluid chamber with a barrier for obstructing white blood cells, to remove white blood cells, while a substantial number of platelets remain activated, wherein at least a portion of the filtering step occurs during at least a portion of the flowing step and during at least a portion of the applying step.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
128 words
A method of separating blood components, the method comprising the steps of: applying a centrifugal force to blood to separate the blood into components including at least plasma, platelets, and white blood cells, whereby at least a portion of the platelets become at least partially activated during the applying step; flowing the separated blood components into a fluid chamber; and rotating the fluid chamber about an axis of rotation; and filtering the components in the rotating fluid chamber with a barrier for obstructing white blood cells, to remove white blood cells, while a substantial number of platelets remain activated, wherein at least a portion of the filtering step occurs during at least a portion of the flowing step and during at least a portion of the applying step.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 32, further comprising, after the step of filtering, the step of recovering at least 95% of the platelets separated in the applying step.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 32, further comprising, after the step of filtering, the step of recovering at least 98% of the platelets separated in the applying step.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
122 words
A method of separating blood components, the method comprising the steps of: applying a centrifugal force to blood to separate the blood into components including at least plasma, platelets, and white blood cells. whereby at least a portion of the platelets become at least partially activated during the applying step; flowing the separated blood components into a fluid chamber; and filtering the components in the fluid chamber to remove white blood cells, while a substantial number of platelets remain activated, the filtering including flowing the components into a saturated fluidized bed of platelets, wherein at least a portion of the filtering step occurs during at least a portion of the flowing step and during at least a portion of the applying step.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
122 words
A method of separating blood components, the method comprising the steps of: applying a centrifugal force to blood to separate the blood into components including at least plasma, platelets, and white blood cells. whereby at least a portion of the platelets become at least partially activated during the applying step; flowing the separated blood components into a fluid chamber; and filtering the components in the fluid chamber to remove white blood cells, while a substantial number of platelets remain activated, the filtering including flowing the components into a saturated fluidized bed of platelets, wherein at least a portion of the filtering step occurs during at least a portion of the flowing step and during at least a portion of the applying step.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of separating particles in a liquid, the method comprising the steps of: initially separating particles in a liquid according to at least one of different densities and different sedimentation velocities; flowing at least a portion of the particles separated in the initial separating step into a fluid chamber; forming a saturated fluidized bed of particles in the fluid chamber, the particles forming the saturated fluidized bed including particles flowing in the fluid chamber during the flowing step; and further separating the particles within the fluid chamber according to different sedimentation velocities, the further separating step including filtering particles with the saturated fluidized bed of particles.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of separating particles in a liquid, the method comprising the steps of: initially separating particles in a liquid according to at least one of different densities and different sedimentation velocities; flowing at least a portion of the particles separated in the initial separating step into a fluid chamber; forming a saturated fluidized bed of particles in the fluid chamber, the particles forming the saturated fluidized bed including particles flowing in the fluid chamber during the flowing step; and further separating the particles within the fluid chamber according to different sedimentation velocities, the further separating step including filtering particles with the saturated fluidized bed of particles.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 36, wherein the particles comprise blood components.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
118 words
A method of separating blood components, the method comprising the steps of: rotating a centrifuge rotor about an axis of rotation, the rotor having a separation chamber and a fluid chamber; conveying blood components into the separation chamber; separating the blood components within the separation chamber into at least first blood components and second blood components; directing second blood components and at least a portion of the first blood components from the separation chamber into the fluid chamber; and filtering within the fluid chamber, while the fluid chamber is on the centrifuge rotor, the first blood components with a barrier for obstructing first particles, to remove at least a portion of first particles from the second blood components.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
118 words
A method of separating blood components, the method comprising the steps of: rotating a centrifuge rotor about an axis of rotation, the rotor having a separation chamber and a fluid chamber; conveying blood components into the separation chamber; separating the blood components within the separation chamber into at least first blood components and second blood components; directing second blood components and at least a portion of the first blood components from the separation chamber into the fluid chamber; and filtering within the fluid chamber, while the fluid chamber is on the centrifuge rotor, the first blood components with a barrier for obstructing first particles, to remove at least a portion of first particles from the second blood components.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of separating blood components, the method comprising the steps of: rotating a centrifuge rotor about an axis of rotation, the rotor having a separation chamber and a fluid chamber; conveying blood components into the separation chamber; separating the blood components within the separation chamber into at least first blood components and second blood components; directing second blood components and at least a portion of the first blood components from the separation chamber into the fluid chamber; and filtering within the fluid chamber, while the fluid chamber is on the centrifuge rotor, the first blood components to remove at least a portion of first particles from the second blood components, the filtering including obstructing passage of first particles using a saturated fluidized bed of second particles.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of separating blood components, the method comprising the steps of: rotating a centrifuge rotor about an axis of rotation, the rotor having a separation chamber and a fluid chamber; conveying blood components into the separation chamber; separating the blood components within the separation chamber into at least first blood components and second blood components; directing second blood components and at least a portion of the first blood components from the separation chamber into the fluid chamber; and filtering within the fluid chamber, while the fluid chamber is on the centrifuge rotor, the first blood components to remove at least a portion of first particles from the second blood components, the filtering including obstructing passage of first particles using a saturated fluidized bed of second particles.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 38, wherein the directing step includes the substep of flushing a substantial number of second components retained in the separation chamber into the fluid chamber.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
143 words
A method of separating first and second particles within a fluid chamber provided on a centrifuge rotor, the method comprising the steps of: rotating the centrifuge rotor about an axis of rotation; flowing liquid carrying at least first and second particles from a source into an inlet of the fluid chamber, the second particles entering the fluid chamber inlet at a first concentration; and forming a saturated fluidized bed including the second particles, the saturated fluidized bed preventing a substantial number of first particles from flowing from the fluid chamber inlet to a fluid chamber outlet while permitting liquid and a second concentration of second particles to flow to the outlet, the second concentration of second particles being substantially equal to the first concentration, wherein at least a portion of the flowing step occurs during at least a portion of the forming step.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
143 words
A method of separating first and second particles within a fluid chamber provided on a centrifuge rotor, the method comprising the steps of: rotating the centrifuge rotor about an axis of rotation; flowing liquid carrying at least first and second particles from a source into an inlet of the fluid chamber, the second particles entering the fluid chamber inlet at a first concentration; and forming a saturated fluidized bed including the second particles, the saturated fluidized bed preventing a substantial number of first particles from flowing from the fluid chamber inlet to a fluid chamber outlet while permitting liquid and a second concentration of second particles to flow to the outlet, the second concentration of second particles being substantially equal to the first concentration, wherein at least a portion of the flowing step occurs during at least a portion of the forming step.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 36, wherein at least a portion of the further separating step occurs during at least a portion of the initially separating step.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 38, wherein the method further comprises controlling rotation of the rotor.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 38, wherein at least a portion of the filtering step occurs during at least a portion of the separating step.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 38 wherein the filtering step occurs during at least a portion of the rotating step.
Claim 54
Independent Claim
144 words
A method of separating first particles from liquid and second particles, the method comprising: rotating a centrifuge rotor about an axis of rotation, the rotor having a separation chamber and a fluid chamber; conveying at least liquid, first particles, and second particles into the separation chamber; separating within the separation chamber a first portion of the first particles from the liquid, a second portion of the first particles, and the second particles; directing at least some of the liquid, the second portion of the first particles, and the second particles from the separation chamber into the fluid chamber; and filtering within the fluid chamber, while the fluid chamber is on the centrifuge rotor, the second portion of the first particles with a barrier for obstructing first particles, to remove at least some of the first particles from the liquid and from the second particles.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
144 words
A method of separating first particles from liquid and second particles, the method comprising: rotating a centrifuge rotor about an axis of rotation, the rotor having a separation chamber and a fluid chamber; conveying at least liquid, first particles, and second particles into the separation chamber; separating within the separation chamber a first portion of the first particles from the liquid, a second portion of the first particles, and the second particles; directing at least some of the liquid, the second portion of the first particles, and the second particles from the separation chamber into the fluid chamber; and filtering within the fluid chamber, while the fluid chamber is on the centrifuge rotor, the second portion of the first particles with a barrier for obstructing first particles, to remove at least some of the first particles from the liquid and from the second particles.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 46, wherein the liquid includes plasma, the first particles include white blood cells, and the second particles include platelets.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 46, wherein the liquid includes plasma and the second particles include red blood cells.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 46, wherein the barrier for obstructing first particles is a saturated fluidized bed including second particles.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the liquid having at least first particles includes components of blood removed from an umbilical cord.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 50, wherein the components of blood include at least red blood cells and white blood cells, wherein the first particles include the white blood cells, and wherein the method further comprises reducing the number of red blood cells prior to the flowing of the liquid into the fluid chamber.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 51, wherein the reducing of the number of red blood cells includes removing red blood cells from a separation channel on the centrifuge rotor.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 28, wherein the components of blood include red blood cells, and wherein the method further comprises reducing the number of red blood cells prior to the flowing of the liquid into the fluid chamber.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 53, wherein the reducing of the number of red blood cells includes applying centrifugal force to separate the components of blood and removing red blood cells during the application of the centrifugal force.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 41, wherein the liquid having the first and second particles includes components of blood removed from an umbilical cord.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 55, wherein the components of blood include at least red blood cells and white blood cells, wherein the first particles include the white blood cells, and wherein the method further comprises reducing the number of red blood cells prior to the flowing of the liquid into the fluid chamber.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 56, wherein the reducing of the number of red blood cells includes removing red blood cells from a separation channel on the centrifuge rotor.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 46, wherein the liquid, first particles, and second particles directed into the fluid chamber include components of blood removed from an umbilical cord.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 58, wherein the components of blood include at least red blood cells and white blood cells, wherein the first particles include the white blood cells, and wherein the method further comprises reducing the number of red blood cells prior to the filtering.
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| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-09-13 | 2003-03-15 | 2003-09-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
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