Abstract: An apparatus adaptable for use in a centrifuge apparatus to rotate a fluid tube about its longitudinal axis while the centrifuge apparatus is rotating the fluid tube in a rotational direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the tube. The apparatus comprises an engaging member configured to engage a gear which is mechanically coupled to the fluid tube, and a driver configured to apply a driving force to the engaging member to cause the engaging member to engage and rotate the gear, which rotates the fluid tube about its longitudinal axis. The centrifuge apparatus can therefore obtain readings of the centrifuged sample from different locations about the circumference of the fluid tube at different orientations of the fluid tube.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for use in a centrifuge apparatus to rotate a fluid tube about its longitudinal axis while the rotor of the centrifuge apparatus is rotating the fluid tube in a rotational direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the tube. The apparatus comprises a cam which is mechanically coupled to the fluid tube, and a cam follower configured to apply a driving force to the cam to cause the cam to rotate, which in turn rotates the fluid tube about its longitudinal axis. The cam follower applies the driving force to the cam in response to changes in the magnitude of centrifugal force applied to the cam follower caused by increases and decreases in the speed of rotation of the rotor. The centrifuge apparatus can therefore obtain optical readings of the centrifuged sample from different locations about the circumference of the fluid tube.

Abstract: A method for rotating a fluid tube about its longitudinal axis while a centrifuge apparatus is rotating the fluid tube in a rotational direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the tube by utilizing an apparatus comprising an engaging member configured to engage a gear which is mechanically coupled to the fluid tube, and a driver configured to apply a driving force to the engaging member to cause the engaging member to engage and rotate the gear, which rotates the fluid tube about its longitudinal axis. This method can therefore obtain readings of the centrifuged sample from different locations about the circumference of the fluid tube at different orientations of the fluid tube.

Abstract: A carrier tube system and method for using the same includes a carrier tube that is configured to receive a capillary blood tube, and a cap which seals the carrier tube to isolate the blood in the capillary tube from the surrounding atmosphere. The carrier tube system can be placed in a centrifuge which separates the blood with its component parts and optically reads the resulting layer thicknesses. The cap of the carrier tube can include a gear portion which is adapted for engagement with an indexing mechanism of the centrifuge, so that the indexing mechanism can rotate the carrier tube system about its longitudinal axis during centrifugation, thus allowing the optical reader of the centrifuge to take layer thickness readings at various positions about the circumference of the capillary tube. The cap can also include a float holder which holds a float that is inserted automatically into the capillary tube when the cap is placed.

Abstract: A carrier tube system and method for using the same includes a carrier tube that is configured to receive a capillary blood tube, and a cap which seals the carrier tube to isolate the blood in the capillary tube from the surrounding atmosphere. The carrier tube system can be placed in a centrifuge which separates the blood with its component parts and optically reads the resulting layer thicknesses. The cap of the carrier tube can include a gear portion which is adapted for engagement with an indexing mechanism of the centrifuge, so that the indexing mechanism can rotate the carrier tube system about its longitudinal axis during centrifugation, thus allowing the optical reader of the centrifuge to take layer thickness readings at various positions about the circumference of the capillary tube.

Abstract: A centrifuge device that is used to centrifuge a fluid sample, such as a blood sample, to separate the fluid sample into its various component layers, and which is capable of measuring the length of the component layers to calculate cell counts for each layer. The centrifuge device includes a rotor assembly for rotating and thus centrifuging the fluid sample, and a movable optical reader device for reading the cell layers in the centrifuged sample. The centrifuge device is capable of accurately controlling the reading of the centrifuged sample based on the orientation of the rotor, so that the rotor can continue to rotate the centrifuged sample while the readings are being taken.