Abstract: A stress-bearing umbilicus for conveying fluid between a stationary body and a rotating body comprises an umbilicus body made from an extruded first polyester elastomer material having flexibility. A support block, made from a second polyester elastomer material, is over-molded about at least one region of the umbilicus body. The second polyester elastomer material has flexibility that is greater than the flexibility of the first polyester elastomer material. Surface energy of the region between the support block and the umbilicus body is increased before over-molding to prevent delamination and peeling.

Abstract: An umbilicus conveys fluid between a stationary body and a rotating body in a small, compact operating environment. The umbilicus comprises an elongated body including a proximal end, a distal end, and a middle region between the proximal and distal ends. A first support block is attached to the proximal end. A second support block is attached to the distal end. The first support block includes a strain relief sleeve. The umbilicus is otherwise free of any other strain relief sleeve. A thrust bearing member in the middle region spaced apart from the strain relief sleeve and the distal end. The umbilicus is otherwise free of any other thrust bearing member. The thrust bearing member has an inner annular body, an outer annular body about the inner annular body, and an array of ball bearings between the inner and outer annular bodies. The ball bearings support the inner annular body for rotation relative to the outer annular body.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved apparatus and method for collecting, freezing and removing a liquid such as blood or blood components, and particularly blood plasma. In accordance with the present invention, a container (16) for blood plasma is defined by a pair of substantially flat, flexible opposing sidewalls (40, 42) which are substantially adjacent when the container is empty. The sidewalls are peripherally sealed together to define an interior compartment, and the side seals (44, 46) converge toward one end (48) of the container. After a selected quantity of plasma is collected in the container, the filled container is formed and frozen in a wedge-shaped configuration, with the opposed sidewalls (40,42) converging toward the end of the container. An air space (82) may be provided in the top of the container so that a knife (86) may be easily inserted into the frozen container without contacting the frozen liquid (88) therein.