Patent · US Expired

Variable inclination centrifugation assembly for rapid separation of blood

US5584790A · kind A · utility

9Cited by
9References
27Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 8, 1995
Grant dateDec 17, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 8, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB04B5/0421
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A variable inclination centrifugation or rotor assembly and a method for rapid separations. The samples, such as whole blood, are centrifuged within pivoting tube holders while in a first position wherein the longitudinal axes of the tube holders are substantially parallel to a central axis of rotation. As rotation continues, the tube holders are inclined in a radial direction by controlled adjustment of the tube holders toward a second position wherein the axes of the tube holders and the rotation axis are substantially perpendicular. The first embodiment of the assembly employs a worm gear to incline the samples and allows for inclination and rotation of the samples to be controlled independently. The second and third embodiments employ a spring-loaded linkage system and a governor mass and three-arm linkage system, respectively, for inclination. These are activated by the rotational speed of the samples. The assemblies of the present invention may be utilized within standard centrifuges, and may be removed from the centrifuge, as for sterilization.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.