Abstract: A concentration apparatus that includes a liquid tank storing a liquid containing a filtration object, a tubular member having first and second end portions disposed in the liquid tank and forming a first circulation flow path therebetween, a circulation pump for supplying the liquid stored in the liquid tank to flow from the first end portion to the second end portion, a filtration filter disposed in a sidewall of the tubular member, a bypass pipe having first and second ends thereof connected to sidewalls of the tubular member so as to form a second circulation flow path between the first and second end portions of the tubular member, a switching valve constructed to cause the liquid to flow in one of the first or second circulation flow paths, and a control unit controlling driving of the circulation pump and a switching operation of the switching valve.

Abstract: An outlet device (24) of a separator (10) has an outlet channel (38) for discharging a liquid phase from a rotating drum of the separator (10). The outlet channel (38) extends along a rotational axis (16) in a fixed tube device (42) of the separator (10). A cap (74) is connected fixedly to the tube device (42), surrounds the tube device (42), and covers the drum in the radial direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spindle device (100), comprising: a tool holder (14) for holding a tool or a tool interface; a spindle drive comprising a spindle rotor (130) for rotationally driving the tool holder (14); an electrical load (160), which is arranged on the side of the spindle rotor (130) facing the tool holder (14); and a coil unit (140) for supplying electrical energy to the electrical load (160); wherein the coil unit (140) is arranged on the side of the spindle rotor (130) facing away from the tool holder (14).

Abstract: Embodiments are described that include systems and methods for separating components of a composite fluid, e.g., whole blood. Some embodiments provide for processing a composite fluid by subjecting a volume of the fluid to a first centripetal acceleration for an initial separation, followed by a second centripetal acceleration for a second separation.

Abstract: A centrifugal separator for separation of at least two components of a fluid mixture which are of different densities. The centrifugal separator includes a rotor rotatable about an axis of rotation and including a rotor wall which surrounds an inner space with a separating chamber within the rotor. The rotor wall is divided into an upper bowl hood, with an end portion, and a lower bowl body which are dismountably attached to each other. The centrifugal separator further includes an inlet for feeding the fluid mixture into the rotor's separating chamber, at least one outlet for discharging out from the rotor component separated from the fluid mixture, and a rotor shaft attached to the rotor and drivably connected to a motor for rotation of the rotor about the axis of rotation. The bowl hood and the bowl body are dismountably attached to each other by an annular flange portion of the bowl hood resting on a stop flange of the bowl body.

Abstract: Accurate measurement of acceleration caused by imbalance in the balance of a rotor is realized even in high-speed rotation with an acceleration sensor which has a processing speed required in low-speed rotation and a control unit. A centrifuge according to the present invention includes a rotor, a drive source for rotating the rotor, a rotating shaft for coupling the rotor and the drive source, an acceleration sensor, and a control unit. The acceleration sensor outputs values indicating acceleration in two different directions which are perpendicular to an axial direction of the rotating shaft. The control unit obtains an acceleration corresponding value, which is a value corresponding to acceleration in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotating shaft, based on values indicating acceleration in the two different directions and stops rotation of the rotor in a case where the acceleration corresponding value satisfies a determination criteria.

Abstract: A system for monitoring phase separation is disclosed. The system includes a temperature control housing having an inlet and an outlet connection for a circulator; a bottle holder positioned inside the housing, the bottle holder having a body with a plurality of recesses for receiving test bottles, each recess having a back surface, a front opening, and a first light scanning component mounted on the back surface of the recess; a sleeve having a plurality of second light scanning components mounted thereon, the sleeve being disposed between the housing and the bottle holder, and each second light scanning component being aligned with one of the first light scanning components; and a lid latched onto the housing to hold the test bottles in place during testing.

Abstract: In described embodiments, a system of processing poultry plant dissolved air floatation (DAF) float includes a horizontal decanter centrifuge having a weir ring. In conjunction with operating the centrifuge with a laminar flow, adjusted feed rate and polymer dosing, the system allows for production of low moisture solids (<50%) from the poultry plant DAF float and discharge of a clear liquid phase.

Abstract: A centrifuge (10) having a safety vessel (30) with a vessel wall (32), a rotor (17), which is arranged in the safety vessel (30) and is connected via a drive shaft (20) to a drive device (22), wherein at least the drive shaft (20) extends through the safety vessel (30), a cooling system for cooling an interior space (31) of the safety vessel (30), which comprises a heat transfer medium (19) for taking up heat from the safety vessel (30), a refrigerating unit (12) and conducting pipelines (18) for the heat transfer medium (19). The invention is distinguished by the fact that the refrigerating unit (12) is based on the magnetocaloric effect, and the interior space (31) of the safety vessel (30) is cooled by a first cooling circuit (111), the magnetocaloric effect of the refrigerating unit (12) extracts heat from the heat transfer medium (19) of the first cooling circuit (111) and feeds the heat to a second cooling circuit (113).

Abstract: The present invention provides systems, devices, and methods for point-of-care and/or distributed testing services. The methods and devices of the invention are directed toward automatic detection of analytes in a bodily fluid. The components of the device can be modified to allow for more flexible and robust use with the disclosed methods for a variety of medical, laboratory, and other applications. The systems, devices, and methods of the present invention can allow for effective use of samples by improved sample preparation and analysis.

Abstract: A centrifugal separator includes a centrifuge rotor mounted to a spindle and includes a rotor casing enclosing a separation space. Peripheral ports extend from the separation space through the rotor casing. A valve slide is movable between a closed position closing the peripheral ports and an open position opening the peripheral ports. A closing chamber is provided between the valve slide and the rotor casing. An inlet channel supplies hydraulic medium to the closing chamber to hold the valve slide in the closed position. An outlet passage permits an outlet flow of the hydraulic medium for moving the valve slide to the open position. The outlet passage includes outlet channels extending though the rotor casing. A valve body is provided in each outlet channel and is axially movable from a closing position to an opening position against the direction of the outlet flow.

Abstract: A system includes a hermetic centrifugal separator, a recirculation system, a first monitoring system, a first control system, a pressure monitoring system, and a pressure control system. The separator includes a rotor, a separation chamber, an inlet channel for separating components, a first outlet channel for receiving separated light components, and a second outlet channel for receiving separated heavy components. The recirculation system recirculates the separated heavy components from the second outlet channel to the separation chamber. The first monitoring system monitors density and/or flow rate of the heavy components in the second outlet channel. The first control system controls flow rate in response to a control signal from the first monitoring system. The pressure monitoring system monitors pressure in the second outlet channel. The pressure control system controls a back pressure valve in the second outlet channel in response to a control signal from the pressure monitoring means.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for sample processing. A device may be provided, capable of receiving the sample, and performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing multiple assays. The device may comprise one or more modules that may be capable of performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing the steps using a small volume of sample.

Abstract: A gripper unit for handling a vessel for receiving biological material is proposed, inter alia. The vessel has a lid which can assume an open position and a closed position. The gripper unit comprises a gripper for gripping and releasing the vessel, and a lid holder, for holding a lid in a defined position in relation to the vessel. The defined position is an open position of the lid.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for centrifugal blood component separation including temperature sensing in each of a plurality of separation cells. The temperature of unit of bloods over time is recorded. If the temperature of any of the units exceeds a pre-determined maximum, portions of the blood separation device may be cooled. A controller may determine which of the units to process first, generally proceeding from the warmest unit to the coolest. The order of unit processing may be changed during processing. The detected temperature may be used to calibrate a pressure sensor used to predict the volume of a component separated from a composite fluid by predicting the volume of the composite fluid from sensed pressure and predicting the volume of other separated components from sensed movement of the other components to collection bags.

Abstract: Centrifuges are useful to, among other things, remove red blood cells from whole blood and retain platelets and other factors in a reduced volume of plasma. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) and or platelet poor plasma (PPP) can be obtained rapidly and is ready for immediate injection into the host. Embodiments may include valves, operated manually or automatically, to open ports that discharge the excess red blood cells and the excess plasma into separate receivers while retaining the platelets and other factors in the centrifuge chamber. High speeds used allow simple and small embodiments to be used at the patient's side during surgical procedures. The embodiments can also be used for the separation of liquids or slurries in other fields such as, for example, the separation of pigments or lubricants.

Abstract: A centrifuge including: a rotary chamber; a rotor installed in the rotary chamber; a driving unit configured to rotate the rotor; a chamber accommodating the rotary chamber, having a door, and configured to house gas therein; and a vacuum pump apparatus configured to exhaust the gas inside the chamber to an outside of the chamber, wherein the chamber is provided with a plurality of gas inlets and a plurality of valves configured to respectively open and close the gas inlets, and wherein all of the plurality of valves are configured to be opened when bringing an internal pressure of the chamber to atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A centrifuge includes a vacuum pump machine configured of an auxiliary vacuum pump and an oil diffusion pump for exhausting gas inside a rotary chamber to outside, in which a rotor rotates at high speed. In the centrifuge, a thermistor for detecting a temperature of oil and an oil surface inside a boiler of the oil diffusion pump is provided inside the boiler, and power of a heater is adjusted with the temperature detected by the thermistor, so that a degree of vacuum inside the rotary chamber is stably reduced from atmospheric pressure to a high vacuum state. Besides, when the heater does not heat, a current is carried through the thermistor for self-heating, and it is determined from variation in a resistance value whether the oil exists or not at a position at which the thermistor 8 is placed.

Abstract: A continuous flow centrifuge bowl includes a rotatable outer body, and a top and bottom core that are rotatable with the outer body. The bottom core has a wall extending proximally from a bottom wall. The proximally extending wall is radially outward from at least a portion of the top core and, together with the top core, defines a primary separation region in which initial separation of the whole blood occurs. The bowl may also have a secondary separation region located between the top core and the outer body, and a rotary seal that couples an inlet port and two outlet ports to the outer body. The inlet port may be connected to an inlet tube that extends distally into a whole blood introduction region. Additionally, one of the outlet ports may be connected to an extraction tube that extends into a region below the bottom core.

Abstract: Device for monitoring and adjusting, in particular for fixing and securing, the radial position of an interface layer in a nozzle centrifuge for separating a light phase having a relatively low density and a heavy phase having a relatively high density from a mixture containing these two liquids and a solid, the nozzle centrifuge including a rotor 1-3 which is rotatable around a rotational axis R and which forms an inlet 9 for said mixture, a separating chamber 7 communicating with said inlet 9 and having a radially inner part 7a and a radially outer part 7b, nozzles 12 at the separating chamber distributed around the rotational axis R for throwing out the heavy phase and the solid, an outlet 13a, 13b, 14 for discharging the light phase, an overflow outlet 19 being radially delimited by a cover or level ring 20 for discharging the heavy phase, and an inlet 9; 25, 26 for supplying additional heavy phase to the centrifuge, characterized in that a sensor 24 is arranged in the flow path of the heavy phase 23 leav

Abstract: An optical monitoring system is provided for use with a blood processing system. The system includes a light source configured to illuminate a disposable flow circuit received in a centrifuge and a light detector configured to receive an image of the disposable flow circuit. A controller combines two or more of the images received by the light detector to generate a two-dimensional output. The output is used to control the separation of blood within the disposable flow circuit. The monitoring system may also be used to verify that the disposable flow circuit is suitable for use with the centrifuge or that the disposable flow circuit is properly aligned within the centrifuge. The monitoring system may be positioned outside of the centrifuge bucket which receives the centrifuge.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating whole blood includes an access device for drawing whole blood from a source, a blood component separation device, a draw line, a draw pump, and a controller. The blood component separation device separates the drawn whole blood into a first blood component and a second blood component. The draw line fluidly connects the access device and the blood component separation device, and the draw pump draws whole blood from the source through the access device and draw line and into the blood component separation device. The controller controls fluid flow through the apparatus and operation of the draw pump. The controller also monitors the total volume of whole blood drawn from the source and the total volume of first blood component collected. The controller stops the draw pump when the first of a target whole blood volume is withdrawn or a target volume of first blood component is collected.

Abstract: A centrifuge including a temperature sensor measuring ambient temperature is provided. Centrifugation operation is available or not is determined in accordance with a type of a rotor, the ambient temperature, or operation conditions set by a user. When it is inoperable, a display device displays that it is inoperable so as to invite the user to select necessity of modification of the operation conditions. Upon the display, modified operation conditions which are candidates of operable operation conditions are displayed to let the user select a candidate. To operate under the selected setting operation conditions, the display device displays that the operation is working under modified conditions.

Abstract: A method of washing blood mixed with undesirable elements not normally found in healthy whole blood to remove the undesirable elements, the method comprising: separating the blood into components according to relative densities of the components with a rotating centrifuge bowl; providing a port through which fluid exits the bowl, the exiting fluid having a concentration of undesirable elements; flowing washing solution into the centrifuge bowl at an initial flow rate; monitoring the fluid exiting the bowl with an optical sensor having an output signal indicative of the composition of the exiting fluid; and increasing and decreasing the flow rate of the wash solution as a function of the output signal.

Abstract: A determination mechanism which obtains information about the weight of the specimen housed in the specimen container is arranged on a conveyor line for connecting between a loading module and an automatic centrifugal unit, the specimens are held without being installed at an adaptor until the number of the specimens which can be subjected to a centrifugal processing at once by the automatic centrifugal unit arrives, and the specimens are installed after the arrival in an order from a heavier specimen at the adaptors to be paired, which are installed at the symmetric positions to each other across the rotation central axis. Also, the specimen is installed at the gravity-center position of the adaptor first, and the subsequent specimens are installed from the inner side at the point-symmetric positions to each other across the gravity-center position.

Abstract: A method and device for treating cholesterol disorders includes administering at least one treatment regime including two or more rounds of plasmapheresis to a patient having abnormal total cholesterol, abnormal LDL levels and/or abnormal HDL levels prior to treatment. Treatment according to the method results in decreased LDL levels in patients having abnormal LDL levels and increased HDL levels in patients having abnormal HDL levels. Each subsequent round of plasmapheresis is conducted weekly, but no more than twice per week.

Abstract: A method of washing blood mixed with undesirable elements not normally found in healthy whole blood to remove the undesirable elements, the method comprising: separating the blood into components according to relative densities of the components with a rotating centrifuge bowl; providing a port through which fluid exits the bowl, the exiting fluid having a concentration of undesirable elements; flowing washing solution into the centrifuge bowl at an initial flow rate; monitoring the fluid exiting the bowl with an optical sensor having an output signal indicative of the composition of the exiting fluid; and increasing and decreasing the flow rate of the wash solution as a function of the output signal.

Abstract: A centrifuge for separating blood having a camera observing fluid flow, and a controller controlling the flow. The location of an interface is detected by image processing steps, which may comprise the steps of “spoiling” the image, “diffusing” the image, “edge detection”, “edge linking”, “region-based confirmation”, and “interface calculation”. “Spoiling” reduces the number of pixels to be examined preferentially on orthogonal axis oriented with respect to the expected location of the interface or phase boundary. “Diffusing” smoothes out small oscillations in the interface boundary, making the location of the interface more distinct. “Edge detection” computes the rate of change in pixel intensity. “Edge linking” connects adjacent maxima. “Region-based confirmation” creates a pseudo image of the regions that qualify as distinct. “Final edge calculation” uses the points where the shade changes in the pseudo image, averages the radial displacement of these points for the interface position.

Abstract: A centrifuge includes a vacuum pump machine configured of an auxiliary vacuum pump and an oil diffusion pump for exhausting gas inside a rotary chamber to outside, in which a rotor rotates at high speed. In the centrifuge, a thermistor for detecting a temperature of oil and an oil surface inside a boiler of the oil diffusion pump is provided inside the boiler, and power of a heater is adjusted with the temperature detected by the thermistor, so that a degree of vacuum inside the rotary chamber is stably reduced from atmospheric pressure to a high vacuum state. Besides, when the heater does not heat, a current is carried through the thermistor for self-heating, and it is determined from variation in a resistance value whether the oil exists or not at a position at which the thermistor 8 is placed.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for polluted scrubber fluid from an exhaust gas scrubber fluid loop includes means for bleeding off part of the polluted scrubber fluid from the scrubber fluid loop, a disc stack centrifugal separator for separating a pollutant phase and a cleaned scrubber fluid from said part. The separator includes a rotor enclosing a separation space with a stack of separating discs, a separator inlet extends into the separating space, a first separator outlet for cleaned scrubber fluid extending from said separating space, and a second separator outlet for the pollutant phase extending from the separating space. The cleaning apparatus includes means for conducting the part to the separator inlet, and means for discharging the cleaned scrubber fluid from the first separator outlet, and means for collecting the pollutant phase from the second separator outlet.

Abstract: A centrifuge for separating blood having a camera observing fluid flow, and a controller controlling the flow. The location of an interface is detected by image processing steps, which may comprise the steps of “spoiling” the image, “diffusing” the image, “edge detection”, “edge linking”, “region-based confirmation”, and “interface calculation”. “Spoiling” reduces the number of pixels to be examined preferentially on orthogonal axis oriented with respect to the expected location of the interface or phase boundary. “Diffusing” smoothes out small oscillations in the interface boundary, making to the location of the interface more distinct. “Edge detection” computes the rate of change in pixel intensity. “Edge linking” connects adjacent maxima. “Region-based confirmation” creates a pseudo image of the regions that qualify as distinct. “Final edge calculation” uses the points where the shade changes in the pseudo image, averages the radial displacement of these points for the interface position.

Abstract: A centrifuge comprises a rotor for holding a sample, a rotation chamber for housing the rotor, a motor for rotating the rotor, an oil diffusion pump for reducing a pressure within the rotation chamber, and a control unit for controlling the heater temperature of the oil diffusion pump for a target set temperature. The control unit changes the target set temperature from a first given temperature to a second given temperature that is lower than the first given temperature after a given period of time elapses since the start of control of the heater temperature.

Abstract: A centrifuge for separating blood having a camera observing fluid flow, and a controller controlling the flow. The location of an interface is detected by image processing steps, which may comprise the steps of “spoiling” the image, “diffusing” the image, “edge detection”, “edge linking”, “region-based confirmation”, and “interface calculation”. “Spoiling” reduces the number of pixels to be examined preferentially on orthogonal axis oriented with respect to the expected location of the interface or phase boundary. “Diffusing” smoothes out small oscillations in the interface boundary, making the location of the interface more distinct. “Edge detection” computes the rate of change in pixel intensity, or. “Edge linking” connects adjacent maxima. “Region-based confirmation” creates a pseudo image of the regions that qualify as distinct. “Final edge calculation” uses the points where the shade changes in the pseudo image, averages the radial displacement of these points for the interface position.

Abstract: A method related to using a squeezing or transfer fluid to transfer fluid or components between bags in a centrifuge wherein the squeezing fluid can be reversed to reduce squeezing and such fluid an also be used to build up a over-pressure for rapid movement.

Abstract: A separator having a conical separator drum mounted rotatably at only one of its axial ends and having a vertical axis of rotation. The drum includes a rotary spindle for driving the separator drum. The separator includes an inflow pipe for a product to be processed and at least two liquid outlets. The first liquid outlet is for a lighter phase and the second liquid outlet is for a heavier phase. The first liquid outlet includes a stripping disk. Further included is a solids discharge port and a separation plate stack in the separator drum. The second liquid outlet is followed outside the drum by a settable throttle device having an annular disk for displacing a liquid radius of the heavier phase by a throttling in an outflow cross section for the heavier phase.

Abstract: The weight difference is limited between buckets (17) mounted at respective symmetrical positions with respect to a centrifugal separation rotational center and examination of samples is continuously performed in the order in which they are received. In particular, when a sample (21) is carried in a centrifugal buffer line (11), its weight is measured by weight measuring means (31). It is assumed that the names of two adaptors (22) placed at respective symmetrical positions with respect to the centrifugal separation rotational center are defined as an adaptor A and an adaptor B. A first sample is put on the adaptor A and a second sample is put on the adaptor B. Then, a third sample and subsequent ones are each put on the adaptor (22) lighter than the other adaptor after the total weights of samples put on the adaptors are computation-compared with each other.

Abstract: A separator for separating a multiphase mixture comprising a pressure vessel supported for rotation within a casing containing a gas which may be held at an elevated temperature or pressure. A plurality of vanes is disposed within the pressure vessel. The pressure vessel has an inlet, a first phase outlet and a plurality of second phase outlets disposed radially outwardly of the first phase outlet with respect to a separator axis. A regulator is provided in the form of pressure-activated nozzles to regulate flow through the second phase outlets. In use, a mixture of solids and liquid is fed into the pressure vessel and the pressure vessel is spun within the gas causing solids to accumulate in the vicinity of the second phase outlets. The pressure-activated nozzles are repeatedly opened and closed to expel the accumulated solids.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuous removal of submicron sized artificial oxygen carriers (rAOC) and other materials such as cancer cells and bacteria from blood and other liquids. A centrifuge rotor having a curved shape is offset on a spinning rotor base and creates contiguous areas of low to high centrifugal force depending on the distances from the axis of the rotor base. This creates a density gradient field that separates materials of different densities input to the centrifuge that exit via different outputs. A monitor detects any red blood cells (RBC) with the rAOC before they exit the centrifuge. If there are any RBC detected logic circuitry changes the speed of rotation of the rotor, and the flow rate of pumps inputting and removing separated blood and rAOC to and from the centrifuge until there are no RBC in the rAOC exiting the centrifuge.

Abstract: A device for separating components of a composition according to density. The device includes a rotatable chamber and a plurality of buoys. The rotatable chamber has an axis of rotation. The plurality of buoys are positioned within the rotatable chamber and about the axis of rotation. The buoys are radially movable between an expanded position in which the buoys are at a first location relative to the axis of rotation and a contracted position in which the buoys are at a second location relative to the axis of rotation. The first location is further from the axis of rotation than the second location is. The buoys are movable in response to force generated during rotation of the rotatable chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating at least two discrete volumes of a composite liquid into components, comprising a valve design that facilitates loading and unloading of sets of blood bags. The valves comprise a jaw mounted on a shaft, the jaw being adapted to apply radio frequency energy to seal a tube, a stepper motor section, and at least two position sensors. The valve sections are mounted on an upper plate, and the stepper motor sections are mounted on a lower plate. A main radio frequency coil is selectively electrically coupled to each of the valves through a multiplexing switch.

Abstract: A screw type centrifugal liquid separation machine having a continuous decanter and using pressurized air to promote solids transport is provided. The machine has an outer bowl and a conveyor, which are coaxial. A back drive assembly is provided to maintain a difference in speed between the bowl and conveyor so that the conveyor has a mechanical sweeping action within a separation region of the machine. Air is introduced into the machine through the back drive assembly, and is injected into the heavy phase discharge path. In one location, the air acts as a turbulence inducer that at least partially re-suspends grits within the heavy phase material. The air is also injected through lift injectors radially spaced about the solids baffle to provide a uniform solid phase driving force. A flow control is also provided for controlling the discharge rate of the heavy phase material through a discharge port.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for centrifugal blood component separation including temperature sensing in each of a plurality of separation cells. The temperature of unit of bloods over time is recorded. If the temperature of any of the units exceeds a pre-determined maximum, portions of the blood separation device may be cooled. A controller may determine which of the units to process first, generally proceeding from the warmest unit to the coolest. The order of unit processing may be changed during processing. The detected temperature may be used to calibrate a pressure sensor used to predict the volume of a component separated from a composite fluid by predicting the volume of the composite fluid from sensed pressure and predicting the volume of other separated components from sensed movement of the other components to collection bags.

Abstract: A centrifuge includes a rotational mechanism, a housing, a rotating feed pipe and a basket. The housing includes at least one side and defines an interior volume. The basket is positioned in the interior volume of the housing and is operatively coupled to the rotational mechanism such that rotation of the rotational mechanism is imparted to the basket. The rotating feed pipe extends into the basket through a pipe support positioned over the basket. The rotating feed pipe includes a nozzle operable to direct a flow of liquids, solids or combinations thereof onto a sidewall of the basket. The rotating feed pipe is operable to rotate from a first position towards a second position thereby increasing the distance between the nozzle and the sidewall and varying an angular orientation of the nozzle with respect to a normal to the sidewall.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for separating a multiphase mixture into discrete density phases, comprising a circular bowl rotatable about a central axis and having an opening through which the mixture is introduced into the bowl, whereby the rotation of the bowl separates the mixture to form annular columns of the discrete density phases; a delivery conduit inserted into the bowl through the opening for introducing the mixture into the bowl; and a collection assembly for removing the separated discrete density phases, comprising a collection conduit for collecting the annular columns, a waste collecting conduit, and a cleaning conduit. The collection assembly is movable as a single unit with respect to the bowl such that it can be positioned within the bowl to sequentially, selectively and individually remove the annular columns from the bowl while the bowl is rotating substantially without disturbing the remaining annular columns within the bowl.

Abstract: A density centrifuge blood processing system with automatic two-dimensional optical control of fluid separation by observing fluid characteristics in observation regions. The location of the regions is determined by monitoring an optical reference. Points representing edges of an optical reference are measured and lines are computed through the points. An error measurement is calculated for each line. If the error is too large, the image is abandoned. One of the lines is selected as a referent line. A new line is calculated orthogonal to the referent line. The error function is again computed for the dependant line. If the error exceeds a selected maximum, the frame is discarded. A transformation function translates data points from an (r, s) domain derived from measurements of the edges into an (x, y) domain used to identify pixels in the observation areas.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to methods of monitoring and controlling the processing of blood and blood samples, particularly the separation of blood and blood samples into its components. In one aspect, the invention relates to optical methods for measuring two-dimensional distributions of transmitted light intensities, scattered light intensities or both from a separation chamber of a density centrifuge. The method may include performing first and second measurements of an operating condition; analyzing the first and second measurements using a predictive data analysis algorithm; comparing the predicted operating condition to a desired operating condition; and adjusting at least one setting.

Abstract: The invention concerns a separator, wherein the mixture, after passing through the inlet channels of the container body (1), penetrates into the admission chamber (30) of the rotor (2), where blades (35) arranged in star formation and perpendicular to the axis of rotation produce a centrifugal propulsion and, further, compact the components with greater density, thus facilitating extraction thereof. The thus modified mixture passes into the separating chamber (31), where blades (36) arranged in star formation and parallel to the axis of rotation, through their centrifugal force, push the components with greater density outwards; the latter having penetrated into the collecting cells (41) of the grid (34) which is coated on the outside of the separating chamber, through holes (42) exit from the rotor upon reaching the accumulation chamber (13). The fluid medium which, countered by a suitable pressure, cannot penetrate into the accumulation chamber, exit through evacuation channels.

Abstract: A centrifuge comprises a rotor for holding a sample, a rotation chamber for housing the rotor, a motor for rotating the rotor, an oil diffusion pump for reducing a pressure within the rotation chamber, and a control unit for controlling the heater temperature of the oil diffusion pump for a target set temperature. The control unit changes the target set temperature from a first given temperature to a second given temperature that is lower than the first given temperature after a given period of time elapses since the start of control of the heater temperature.

Abstract: A method of operating a separator to disinfect raw milk or whey by operating the separator within a range of an optimal clarifying effect by recirculating a portion of a disinfected milk phase with an entraining liquid.

Abstract: The invention concerns a separator, wherein the mixture, after passing through the inlet channels of the container body (1), penetrates into the admission chamber (30) of the rotor (2), where blades (35) arranged in star formation and perpendicular to the axis of rotation produce a centrifugal propulsion and, further, compact the components with greater density, thus facilitating extraction thereof. The thus modified mixture passes into the separating chamber (31), where blades (36) arranged in star formation and parallel to the axis of rotation, through their centrifugal force, push the components with greater density outwards; the latter having penetrated into the collecting cells (41) of the grid (34) which is coated on the outside of the separating chamber, through holes (42) exit from the rotor upon reaching the accumulation chamber (13). The fluid medium which, countered by a suitable pressure, cannot penetrate into the accumulation chamber, exit through evacuation channels.