Abstract: The vibration attenuation support assembly is utilized in a centrifugal liquid processing apparatus for supporting a rotor assembly, a non-rotatable arm fixed to and forming part of the support assembly and a prime mover and for attenuating vibrations created by an unbalanced mass in the rotating parts of the apparatus. The apparatus comprises a cabinet having sidewalls and a floor and a rotor assembly mounted on the support assembly mounted on the floor. Tubings are coupled directly between a source of the liquid outside of the rotor to receptacles within the rotor without the use of fluid seals and are supported from the stationary arm. The rotor assembly includes structure for guiding the tubings from the stationary arm to the rotor and a drive train mechanism and prime mover for rotating the tubings at a first speed and for rotating the rotor at a second speed twice the first speed.

Abstract: An improved peristaltic pump includes a pivotably mounted pressure plate which, together with the pump roller elements, defines the pump chamber. The pivotal mounting of the pressure plate facilitates accessibility to the pump chamber in order to simplify the pump tube loading and unloading procedures. The mounting system for the pressure plate includes a mechanically-advantaged four-bar linkage arrangement which automatically retains the pressure plate in either its fully open or fully closed position as a result of an over-center type locking construction. The pump also includes a mechanism for adjusting the volume flow rate characteristic of a pump tube. This is particularly adaptable for a dual-tube system wherein a predetermined volume flow rate ratio is to be achieved.

Abstract: The optical detector is particularly adapted for use with an apparatus for separating blood into its components and is of the type including a centrifuge for centrifuging whole blood to separate same into the components thereof and of the type wherein plasma is withdrawn from the centrifuge through a flexible, light transmitting tubing and the spillover of red blood cells into the plasma withdrawn is monitored by the optical detector. The optical detector comprises a block having a slot across the top face thereof, the inner portion of the slot having a width less than the outer diameter of the tubing which is received in the slot such that when the tubing is pressed into the slot, it is squeezed from a circular cross section to an oval cross section to present two flat portions of the tubing adjacent opposite sidewalls of the slot. A first cavity is situated in the block behing a first sidewall of the slot and a second cavity is situated in the block behind a second sidewall of the slot.

Abstract: The pressure monitoring assembly monitors changes in pressure of a fluid passing through the assembly. This is accomplished by passing a liquid through a pressure transfer device having first and second chambers therein separated by a flexible diaphragm. The first chamber has air therein and pressure changes are transmitted across the diaphragm from the second chamber through which the liquid flows. The assembly further includes a pressure transducer and a pressure coupling mechanism for coupling the pressure transfer device to the pressure transducer. The pressure coupling mechanism includes a body having a cylindrical chamber and a piston positioned for movement therein with a piston shaft protruding from a coupling end of the body. The shaft is biased outward from the coupling end of the body by a spring.

Abstract: A device, which may be used in a dialysis system, is disclosed for separating low density material such as gas bubbles from a liquid by swirling the liquid, to cause the bubbles to migrate toward the center of the swirling liquid. A liquid storage chamber having side walls of generally circular cross-section of the longitudinal axis is provided. A port is provided for removing the bubbles or the like, positioned adjacent the longitudinal axis of the chamber. A liqud inlet passes into the chamber in such a position as to pass liquid into the chamber circumferentially about the side walls, to provide swirling of liquid passing into the chamber. In accordance with this invention, outlet means and pump means are provided for removing bubble-free liquid from the chamber at a point spaced from the inlet but adjacent the side wall.

Abstract: A detector of blood in dialyzing solution, which operates by measuring the optical density of the dialyzing solution, is prevented from improper indication arising from the presence of bubbles in the dialyzing solution, by shaping the fluid passages to channel the bubbles away from the optical sensing path.