Abstract: Some embodiments include a valve positioned within a test tube to maintain a separation between components of liquid with different densities after centrifugation. The valve preferably includes a cylindrically shaped housing with a conical plug configured to nest within the housing. The plug is not in contact with the housing during centrifugation, but comes into position post-centrifugation.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a valve positioned within a test tube to maintain a separation between components of liquid with different densities after centrifugation. The valve preferably includes a cylindrically shaped housing with a conical plug configured to nest within the housing. The plug is not in contact with the housing during centrifugation, but comes into position post-centrifugation.

Abstract: A system for separating fluid components comprising a sealless rotating drum, a rotatable disposable centrifuge cartridge within the drum, a multi-lumen tube fluidly connectable to the cartridge and to an external fluid source, and a control system capable of independently controlling the flow rate within each lumen of the multi-lumen tube. This system may also be used in apheresis procedures for separating blood components from whole blood. The multi-lumen tube may have a ribbon section that unidirectionally fits within a peristaltic block of rollers, wherein each lumen's flow rate may be individually controlled. The system may further include a camera unit operable to observe a separation boundary within the centrifuge cartridge and accordingly adjust the rotation speed to increase or decrease the amount of separation.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a valve positioned within a test tube to maintain a separation between components of liquid with different densities after centrifugation. The valve preferably includes a cylindrically shaped housing with a conical plug configured to nest within the housing. The plug is not in contact with the housing during centrifugation, but comes into position post-centrifugation.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a valve positioned within a test tube to maintain a separation between components of liquid with different densities after centrifugation. The valve preferably includes a cylindrically shaped housing with a spherical plug configured to nest within the housing. The valve permits varying amounts of fluid flow depending upon the angular velocity of centrifugation applied to the test tube.

Abstract: The disclosed inventions relate to systems and methods for separating fluids into constituent fluid components. For example, apheresis is a process by which blood is drawn from a patient, the blood is separated and/or modified, and at least a portion of the blood is returned to the patient. In some embodiments, fluid separation can be accomplished in a continuous, in-line flow. For example, the fluid can separate in a direction transverse to the general direction of flow through the system. Baffles or spiral-shaped separation chambers can be used in a rotating fluid separation device.