Abstract: A blood processing system includes a centrifuge and an optical monitoring system mounted at a stationary radial position with respect to the centrifuge. A flow circuit may be mounted within the centrifuge, with an umbilicus of the flow circuit extending outside of the centrifuge. A midsection of the umbilicus is orbited around a rotational axis of the centrifuge at a uniform first speed, which causes the centrifuge to rotate at a non-uniform second speed that is approximately double the first speed. The monitoring system is configured to view the flow circuit through a radial window of the centrifuge to determine a characteristic of the flow circuit. The yoke and/or umbilicus may occasionally move into position between the monitoring system and the window, so a controller of the monitoring system is configured to determine when unobstructed light reflected through the window by the centrifuge is received by the monitoring system.

Abstract: A blood processing system includes a centrifuge and an optical monitoring system mounted at a stationary radial position with respect to the centrifuge. A flow circuit may be mounted within the centrifuge, with an umbilicus of the flow circuit extending outside of the centrifuge. A midsection of the umbilicus is orbited around a rotational axis of the centrifuge at a uniform first speed, which causes the centrifuge to rotate at a non-uniform second speed that is approximately double the first speed. The monitoring system is configured to view the flow circuit through a radial window of the centrifuge to determine a characteristic of the flow circuit. The yoke and/or umbilicus may occasionally move into position between the monitoring system and the window, so a controller of the monitoring system is configured to determine when unobstructed light reflected through the window by the centrifuge is received by the monitoring system.

Abstract: Blood separation systems and methods are provided for controlling the interface between separated blood components. The system includes a blood separation chamber configured to separate blood into first and second blood components and an outlet line for removing at least a portion of the first blood component from the blood separation chamber. A primary optical sensor assembly is associated with the blood separation chamber to directly monitor the interior of the blood separation chamber. A secondary optical sensor assembly is associated with the outlet line to monitor the first blood component in the outlet line. The system also includes a controller programmed to select between the primary optical sensor assembly and the secondary optical sensor assembly for monitoring contamination of the first blood component. The system is particularly advantageous for preventing contamination of separated plasma which is lipemic or hemolytic.

Abstract: Blood separation systems and methods are provided for controlling the interface between separated blood components. The system includes a blood separation chamber configured to separate blood into first and second blood components and an outlet line for removing at least a portion of the first blood component from the blood separation chamber. A primary optical sensor assembly is associated with the blood separation chamber to directly monitor the interior of the blood separation chamber. A secondary optical sensor assembly is associated with the outlet line to monitor the first blood component in the outlet line. The system also includes a controller programmed to select between the primary optical sensor assembly and the secondary optical sensor assembly for monitoring contamination of the first blood component. The system is particularly advantageous for preventing contamination of separated plasma which is lipemic or hemolytic.

Abstract: Blood separation systems and methods are provided for controlling the interface between separated blood components. The system includes a blood separation chamber configured to separate blood into first and second blood components and an outlet line for removing at least a portion of the first blood component from the blood separation chamber. A primary optical sensor assembly is associated with the blood separation chamber to directly monitor the interior of the blood separation chamber. A secondary optical sensor assembly is associated with the outlet line to monitor the first blood component in the outlet line. The system also includes a controller programmed to select between the primary optical sensor assembly and the secondary optical sensor assembly for monitoring contamination of the first blood component. The system is particularly advantageous for preventing contamination of separated plasma which is lipemic or hemolytic.

Abstract: Blood separation systems and methods are provided for controlling the interface between separated blood components. The system includes a blood separation chamber configured to separate blood into first and second blood components and an outlet line for removing at least a portion of the first blood component from the blood separation chamber. A primary optical sensor assembly is associated with the blood separation chamber to directly monitor the interior of the blood separation chamber. A secondary optical sensor assembly is associated with the outlet line to monitor the first blood component in the outlet line. The system also includes a controller programmed to select between the primary optical sensor assembly and the secondary optical sensor assembly for monitoring contamination of the first blood component. The system is particularly advantageous for preventing contamination of separated plasma which is lipemic or hemolytic.

Abstract: A brake (10) having application for a linear or rotational motion device includes a housing (120) in which a first piston (140), a wedge (142) and a second piston (144) cooperate to engage a friction facing (136) through a plurality of rollers (152, 154, 156, 158). The three part piston assembly (148) allows a braking action and prevents torsional forces that are non-axial to the axis of the first piston (140) and second piston (144). The pistons (140, 144) are biased by compression springs (176) and may be actuated by a fluid.