Rotatable Bowl Patents (Class 494/43)
  • Patent number: 11878312
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating cell suspension material into centrate and concentrate, includes a single use structure (178, 240, 250) releasably positioned in a cavity in a solid wall rotatable centrifuge bowl (172). The bowl and portions of single use structure rotate about an axis (174). A stationary inlet feed tube (184), a centrate discharge tube (212) and a concentrate discharge tube (230) extend along the axis of the rotating single use structure. A centrate centripetal pump (208) is in fluid connection with the centrate discharge tube. A concentrate centripetal pump (216) is in fluid connection with the concentrate discharge tube. A controller (274) operates responsive to sensors (264, 270) in respective centrate and concentrate discharge lines (262, 268), to control flow rates of a concentrate pump (272) and a centrate pump (266) to produce output flows of cell concentrate and generally cell free centrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: PNEUMATIC SCALE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stephen B. Kessler, T. David Marro
  • Patent number: 11878311
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating cell suspension material into centrate and concentrate, includes a single use structure (178, 240, 250) releasably positioned in a cavity in a solid wall rotatable centrifuge bowl (172). The bowl and portions of single use structure rotate about an axis (174). A stationary inlet feed tube (184), a centrate discharge tube (212) and a concentrate discharge tube (230) extend along the axis of the rotating single use structure. A centrate centripetal pump (208) is in fluid connection with the centrate discharge tube. A concentrate centripetal pump (216) is in fluid connection with the concentrate discharge tube. A controller (274) operates responsive to sensors (264, 270) in respective centrate and concentrate discharge lines (262, 268), to control flow rates of a concentrate pump (272) and a centrate pump (266) to produce output flows of cell concentrate and generally cell free centrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: PNEUMATIC SCALE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stephen B. Kessler, T. David Marro
  • Patent number: 11701669
    Abstract: An outlet nozzle for centrifugal drums has a nozzle body with at least one cylindrical portion and having an insert connected to the nozzle body. An inlet channel and an outlet channel, which is oriented at an angle with respect to the inlet channel, are formed in the nozzle body. The insert has a torque transmitting contour for arranging a tool with a complementary tool torque transmitting contour in position in order to rotatingly secure the nozzle body in an opening of a rotatable centrifugal drum and to release said nozzle body. The insert also has a polygonal cross-section, which is smaller than the cross-section of the cylindrical section. The insert starting from the polygonal, in particular, rectangular cross-section, merges with the cylindrical section of the nozzle body over rounded surfaces having a radius greater than 1.0 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: GEA MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT GMBH
    Inventor: Kristin Katja Ketterer
  • Patent number: 11660616
    Abstract: A separator includes a preassembled drive and rotation system unit having an outer ring flange portion and a drive frame having an inner ring flange. The outer ring flange portion of the preassembled drive and rotation system unit is vertically connected to the inner ring flange of the drive frame. A rotatable drum is placed onto the preassembled drive and rotation system unit, in the drum at least one paring disk is arranged in a paring chamber, and one or more stacks each having one or more stackable intermediate elements are arranged between the inner ring flange and the outer ring flange portion in order to set an axial relative position at least between the drive frame and the drive and rotation system unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: GEA MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT GMBH
    Inventors: Tim Hundertmark, Johannes Droste, Jürgen Mackel, Eduard Brak
  • Patent number: 11465159
    Abstract: A decanter centrifuge includes a centrifugal bowl rotatable around a preferably horizontal axis of rotation including at least one liquid phase discharge outlet at one end and at least one solids discharge opening at the other end, a scroll conveyor mounted substantially concentrically inside the bowl for rotation about the axis of rotation of the centrifugal bowl at a slightly different speed relative to the bowl for transporting the solid phase towards the solids discharge opening. The liquid phase discharge is enabled through port members. A set of bushings for solid discharge is provided to adjust the solid discharge diameter inside the bowl. With these bushings optimal cake discharge may be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Andritz S.A.S.
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Huyghe, Denis Lamy, Laurentiu Pasol
  • Patent number: 11213831
    Abstract: A centrifugal separator having a device for the transformation of kinetic energy of a liquid rotating in a discharge chamber around a rotational axis to pressure energy includes a discharge element for the discharge of liquid out of the discharge chamber, which discharge element has a radially outer part shaped as a body of revolution about the rotational axis and is arranged to be located in a rotating liquid body in the discharge chamber, and at least one outlet channel formed in the discharge element and having an inlet opening located in a surface of the body of revolution and elongated in the liquid flow direction, the inlet opening connecting to the interior of an outlet tube via the outlet channel. The outlet channel has a defined axial height and a defined width which vary along their extension from the inlet opening to the connection to the outlet tube in such a way that a defined aspect ratio h/w decreases along at least a part of the extension of the outlet channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventor: Leonard Borgström
  • Patent number: 11135599
    Abstract: A centrifugal separator recovers high specific gravity solids such as whole cells while at the same time enabling sedimentation of low specific gravity solids such as cell debris. The separator is provided with a dual zone separator liner with concentric separator shells or zones. Feed fluid is introduced into an inner shell. High specific gravity solids accumulate against the inner wall of the inner shell. Feed fluid flows into the coaxial outer shell where lower specific gravity solids accumulate on the inner wall of the outer shell under higher g-force relative to that within the inner shell for the same rotational speed. Feed fluid flows out an exit channel. Longitudinal, planar vanes are radially disposed between an outer shell inner wall and an inner shell outer wall. After centrifugation, feed fluid in the inner shell is drained, then accumulated solids are drained from the inner shell into an appropriate receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Inventor: Robert B. Carr
  • Patent number: 11065629
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating cell suspension material into centrate and concentrate, includes a single use structure (178, 240, 250) releasably positioned in a cavity in a solid wall rotatable centrifuge bowl (172). The bowl and portions of single use structure rotate about an axis (174). A stationary inlet feed tube (184), a centrate discharge tube (212) and a concentrate discharge tube (230) extend along the axis of the rotating single use structure. A centrate centripetal pump (208) is in fluid connection with the centrate discharge tube. A concentrate centripetal pump (216) is in fluid connection with the concentrate discharge tube. A controller (274) operates responsive to sensors (264, 270) in respective centrate and concentrate discharge lines (262, 268), to control flow rates of a concentrate pump (272) and a centrate pump (266) to produce output flows of cell concentrate and generally cell free centrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Pneumatic Scale Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen B. Kessler, T. David Marro
  • Patent number: 11033911
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating cell suspension into centrate and concentrate includes a solid wall rotatable centrifuge bowl (82). A single use rotatable core (88) is positioned in the bowl and bounds a cavity (90) which serves as a separation chamber. The bowl rotates about an axis (84). An inlet tube (92) and an outlet tube (102) extend along the axis in the bowl cavity. The centripetal pump (98) in the cavity is in connection with the outlet tube. The centrate discharge pump (120) is in connection with the outlet tube. A pressure damping reservoir (122) is fluidly connected between the outlet tube and the discharge pump. At least one control circuit (142) is operative to control the apparatus to maintain a positive pressure above atmospheric pressure within the cavity, so as to maintain the cell suspension away from at least one seal (106) that bounds the interior of the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: PNEUMATIC SCALE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stephen B Kessler, T David Marro
  • Patent number: 11020754
    Abstract: An outlet nozzle for centrifugal drums has a nozzle body with at least one cylindrical portion and having an insert connected to the nozzle body. An inlet channel and an outlet channel, which is oriented at an angle with respect to the inlet channel, are formed in the nozzle body. The insert has a torque transmitting contour for arranging a tool with a complementary tool torque transmitting contour in position in order to rotatingly secure the nozzle body in an opening of a rotatable centrifugal drum and to release said nozzle body. The insert also has a polygonal cross-section, which is smaller than the cross-section of the cylindrical section. The insert starting from the polygonal, in particular, rectangular cross-section, merges with the cylindrical section of the nozzle body over rounded surfaces having a radius greater than 1.0 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: GEA MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT GMBH
    Inventor: Kristin Katja Ketterer
  • Patent number: 10518015
    Abstract: A hemodialysis machine includes a main body and a door connected to the main body. The door and the main body cooperate to define a non-removable chamber. The door is openable relative to the main body of the hemodialysis machine to allow a salt to be placed into the non-removable chamber when the door is in an open position. The main body further includes a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a pumping mechanism. The fluid inlet and the fluid outlet are in fluid communication with the non-removable chamber. The pumping mechanism is configured to deliver a fluid from a fluid source to the non-removable chamber through the fluid inlet to mix with salt within the non-removable chamber to form a salt solution that exits the non-removable chamber through the fluid outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: James Concepcion, Robert E. Hassard, Christopher McCormick, Roland Levin
  • Patent number: 10376809
    Abstract: The insert (20) is adapted to be fitted into an atomizer wheel. Each insert (20) has a longitudinal axis and comprises an inner end face (21), an outer end face (22), an external surface (23) and an internal surface (24) defining a channel (35) having a center axis (c) and extending between an inlet (25) at the inner end face (21) and an outlet (26) at the outer end face (22). At least the inlet (25) is offset from the longitudinal axis such that the center axis of the channel (35) is offset from the longitudinal axis of the insert (20). The insert (20) is adapted to be utilized in an atomizer wheel for a spray dryer for atomizing slurries of abrasive material, for instance for spray drying absorption for flue gas cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: GEA Process Engineering A/S
    Inventor: Erling Skov Nielsen
  • Patent number: 10300410
    Abstract: Provided is an advanced liquid centrifuge using differentially rotating cylinders moveable rings at the ends thereof, as well as methods for the separation of fluids, preferably liquids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: THE TRUSTEES OF PRINCETON UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Hantao Ji, Adam Cohen, Phil Efthimion, Eric Edlund, Erik Gilson
  • Patent number: 9849466
    Abstract: Particles are separated from a source viscoplastic fluid by flowing streams of the viscoplastic fluid and a destination fluid in parallel streamed relationship inside a rotating cylindrical annulus by using baffles to introduce each fluid independently at an inlet lower end of the annulus and for separating the upper streams consisting of an un-yielded source and destination flow proximate the radially innermost side of the annulus, a bulk axial flow in a more central region and a yielded layer destination flow adjacent the radial outermost side of the annulus which contains the particles that have separated. Inlet and outlet baffles are provided at each end of the vertically oriented device to maintain the flows discrete on entry and to maintain the separated flows discrete on exit so as to facilitate removal of the component flows from the fractionator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
    Inventors: Dominic Mark Martinez, James Allen Olson, Ario Madani, Ian Alistair Frigaard, Davood Farajisarir, James Lockhart
  • Patent number: 9821322
    Abstract: A centrifugal separator for separating non-gaseous particles from a gas flow having a separator housing enclosing a rotor with a raw gas inlet, a clean gas outlet, and a particle outlet. A circumferential wall encloses the rotor. A raw gas flow is guided axially into the rotor. A clean gas flow is guided out of the rotor and then between the rotor and the circumferential wall to the clean gas outlet. The rotor comprises particle separation elements so that particles separated from the gas flow are centrifuged onto the circumferential wall. The circumferential wall particles are guided to the particle outlet via at least one particle guide trough running diagonal to the rotor axial direction on the interior of the circumferential wall. A radius of each trough as well as the distance between the rotor and the circumferential wall decreases in the direction of the clean gas flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Hengst SE & Co. KG
    Inventor: Dirk Hornung
  • Patent number: 9458485
    Abstract: An automated template bead preparation system is provided and includes a membrane-based emulsion generation subsystems, a thermal plate and subsystem, and a continuous centrifugation emulsion breaking and templated bead collection subsystem. The emulsion generation subsystem provides uniformity in the preparation of an inverse emulsion and may be used to create large or small volume inverse emulsions rapidly and reproducibly. An emulsion-generating device is provided that can supply a continuous stream of an inverse emulsion to a thermal subsystem, in automated fashion. The thermal subsystem can treat an inverse emulsion passed therethrough. The continuous centrifugation subsystem can continuously break a thermally cycled inverse emulsion and collect template beads formed in the aqueous microreactor droplets of the inverse emulsion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan Schultz, John Nobile, Brian Reed, Prasanna Krishnan Thwar, Todd Roswech, John Andrew Sheridan
  • Patent number: 9327296
    Abstract: Fluid separation chambers are provided for rotation about an axis in a fluid processing system. The fluid separation chamber may be provided with first and second stages, with the first and second stages being positioned at different axial locations. In another embodiment, at least one of the stages may be provided with a non-uniform outer diameter about the rotational axis, which may define a generally spiral-shaped profile or a different profile for fractionating a fluid or fluid component. One or more of the stages may also have a varying outer diameter along the axis. The profile of the chamber may be provided by the chamber itself (in the case of rigid chambers) or by an associated fixture or centrifuge apparatus (in the case of flexible chambers).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory G. Pieper, Salvatore Manzella, Jr., Brian C. Case, Steven R. Katz, Kyungyoon Min
  • Patent number: 9222067
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for cell harvest of production scale quantities of cell cultures using single use components comprising a flexible membrane mounted on a rigid frame and is supported within a multiple use rigid centrifuge bowl, such single use components including a core with an increased diameter and an internal truncated cone shape in order to permit the system to maintain a sufficiently high angular velocity to create a settling velocity suited to efficiently processing highly concentrated cell culture streams. Features which minimize feed turbidity, and others which permit the continuous or semi-continuous discharge of cell concentrate, increase the overall production rate over the rate which can be achieved using current intermittent processing methods for large cell culture volumes. Injection of a diluent during the cell concentrate removal process permits more complete removal of viscous cell concentrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: PNEUMATIC SCALE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stephen B Kessler, T. David Marro
  • Patent number: 9216422
    Abstract: A vertical separator has a bowl which is supported for rotation about a vertical axis and from beneath, providing an unobstructed inlet to the bowl. Conveyor flighting, located concentrically for independent co-rotation within the bowl, directs solids to the bottom of the bowl while the liquids flow along an annular clearance along the bowl wall to an upper end of the bowl. A feedstream, such as drilling mud shaker solids, which may otherwise require augers or the like to feed the feedstream through a conventional horizontal centrifuge, can be received at the inlet by gravity feed and residual liquids stripped therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: KAYDEN INDUSTRIES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
    Inventors: Russ Fisher, Darcy Smith
  • Patent number: 9114408
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Kensey Nash Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Nash, William T. Fisher
  • Publication number: 20150133283
    Abstract: A rotor assembly includes a rotor plate to rotate around a first axis; a bucket rotatably attached to the rotor plate and to rotate around a second axis; and a stop plate to rotate around the first axis relative to the rotor plate between an open position and a closed position, when in the closed position, the stop plate is to engage the bucket to fix an angular position of the bucket relative to a plane of rotation of the rotor assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Kristopher BARBEE, Rui ZHENG, Sean MCCUSKER
  • Publication number: 20150108067
    Abstract: A treatment process for municipal, commercial, industrial, and institutional fluids containing one or more substances at a first concentration includes a contactor, an aerator, and a separator. The fluid is mixed with a powdered natural lignocellulosic material (“PNLM”), a microbial growth inoculum, and at least a portion of the fluid in the contactor to provide a mixture that includes an established, acclimated microbial growth in the fluid. The mixture is introduced to an aerator where physical binding and chemical bonding of at least some of the one or more substances to the PNLM additionally physiological uptake by microbial growth in a biosludge reduces the concentration of at least some of the one or more substances in the fluid discharged from the aerator to a second concentration. The biosludge is separated to recover at least a portion of the PNLM that is recycled to the contactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventor: Jason Calhoun
  • Patent number: 8974362
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Kensey Nash Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Nash, William T. Fisher
  • Publication number: 20140364296
    Abstract: Centrifuge vessels suitable for live cell processing include a bowl with a cap, and a tube inside the bowl extending between the cap and a lower portion of the bowl. The bottom of the bowl can have a closed annular ring surrounding a center mound. The vessels can be particularly suitable for processing low volumes of live cells for vaccines or other therapies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Tamara Tatroe Monesmith, Arjun V. Caprihan, Christpher Thomas Ryan, Richard A. Grant, Ian S. Fitzpatrick, Christopher John Leigh-Lancaster
  • Publication number: 20140357466
    Abstract: A microfluidic apparatus that is mounted on a rotation driver and induces a flow of a fluid according to a centrifugal force includes a lower structure having a microfluidic structure including a recovery chamber for accommodating a target material separated from a sample and a channel for forming an inflow path of the target material to the recovery chamber; an upper plate forming an upper wall of the recovery chamber and the channel; and a lid formed integrally to the upper plate and removable from the upper plate to open at least a part of a top of the recovery chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hui-sung MOON, Min-Seok S. KIM, Jong-myeon PARK
  • Publication number: 20140349829
    Abstract: A rotor body (3) for a laboratory centrifuge includes a rotor hub (14) which is inserted in a central opening and on the outside of which, at least one helically curve continuous groove (27) runs so as to form a transport facility for cooling air. The cooling air is effective in the direction of the axis (2) of the rotor hub (14) between the upper side (23) and the underside (22) of the rotor (1). In this manner, a cooling airstream which runs axially through the rotor (1) and undergoes direct thermal exchange with the rotor (1) and the mixtures to be treated in the laboratory centrifuge can be realized. No additional installation volume is required for this measure and equalization of the temperature of the rotor and the housing accommodating the rotor can be achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: SIGMA LABORZENTRIFUGEN GMBH
    Inventors: Eckhard Todteberg, Matthias Bittner
  • Patent number: 8894559
    Abstract: The spinning disc centrifuge rotor includes a sample holder formed from a cylindrical disc body and a cover plate that are made from a transparent material, such as polycarbonate. The disc-shaped body has two concentric or coaxial recesses defined therein. The first recess forms a cylindrical well or sample chamber for receiving a generally cylindrical rock sample. The second recess has a larger diameter than the first recess, and is shallower, forming a fluid collection area above the sample well, the second recess forming an annular ring extending around the top edge or rim of the sample well. An O-ring snugly within the outer wall of the second recess and forms a seal between the cover plate and the floor of the second recess, preventing fluid leakage. A rotor shaft extends from the bottom face of the cylindrical disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Kuwait University
    Inventor: Osamah Ali Alomair
  • Patent number: 8870733
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Kensey Nash Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Nash, William T. Fisher, Douglas G. Evans
  • Publication number: 20140311988
    Abstract: Platelet rich plasma and/or platelet concentrate is prepared by placing whole blood in a first chamber of a sterile processing disposable having two chambers. The processing disposable is subjected to a first centrifugation to separate red blood cells, and the resulting platelet rich plasma supernatant is decanted to the second chamber. The processing disposable is subjected to a second centrifugation to concentrate platelets. A volume of the platelet poor plasma supernatant in the second chamber is removed, and the platelets are re-suspended in the remaining plasma. The second chamber may contain anticoagulant to preclude aggregation of the platelets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Lou BLASETTI, Sherwin V. KEVY
  • Patent number: 8865005
    Abstract: Devices for controlling fluid flow, in particular microfluidic devices, are described, which exploit gas/liquid interfaces to control liquid flow in accordance with application requirements. Devices for on/off flow switching, centrifugal separation, mixing, metering and aliquoting are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Biosurfit, S.A.
    Inventors: Joäo Garcia Da Fonseca, Nuno Alexandre Reis Esteves, Robert Burger
  • Publication number: 20140309096
    Abstract: A biological fluid separation system for a blood sample is disclosed. The biological fluid separation system includes a biological fluid collection device adapted to receive a blood sample and a centrifuge. The centrifuge is adapted to receive the biological fluid collection device such that with the biological fluid collection device received within the centrifuge and a rotational force applied to the biological fluid collection device, a plasma portion of the blood sample is separated from a cellular portion of the blood sample. The biological fluid collection device is only receivable within the centrifuge in one orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventors: Bradley M. Wilkinson, Craig A. Gelfand
  • Publication number: 20140302976
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventors: John E. Nash, William T. Fisher
  • Publication number: 20140296052
    Abstract: Particles are separated from a source viscoplastic fluid by flowing streams of the viscoplastic fluid and a destination fluid in parallel streamed relationship inside a rotating cylindrical annulus (FIG. 16 (106, 102b) by using baffles (112, 114) to introduce each fluid independently at an inlet lower end of the annulus and for separating the upper streams consisting of an un-yielded source and destination flow proximate the radially innermost side of the annulus, a bulk axial flow in a more central region and a yielded layer destination flow adjacent the radial outermost side of the annulus which contains the particles that have separated. Inlet and outlet baffles are provided at each end of the vertically oriented device to maintain the flows discrete on entry and to maintain the separated flows discrete on exit so as to facilitate removal of the component flows from the fractionator. The flow is maintained as laminar Poiseuille flow by adjusting the flow rates of the source and destination fluids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
    Inventors: Dominic Mark Martinez, James Allen Olson, Ario Madani, Ian Alistair Frigaard, Davood Farajisarir, James Lockhart
  • Patent number: 8840838
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Theranos, Inc.
    Inventors: Elizabeth Holmes, John Kent Frankovich
  • Publication number: 20140235423
    Abstract: A rotating machine has a bowl that is rotatable about an axis to generate a cylindrical pool of a feed slurry. The bowl has a heavy phase discharge port and a base plate at one longitudinal end of the bowl. There is at least one outlet opening in the base plate and a liquid phase discharge port member positioned over the outlet opening. The liquid phase discharge port member includes at least one open straight channel having a longitudinal axis that extends at an acute angle relative to the base plate. The channel has an extension in the direction of the longitudinal axis of open straight channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: ANDRITZ S.A.S.
    Inventors: Laurentiu Pasol, Jean-Marc Huyghe
  • Patent number: 8758211
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Kensey Nash Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Nash, William T. Fisher
  • Publication number: 20140171670
    Abstract: A method and system for bio-oil recovery from biomass are provided which includes adding at least one separation aid to stillage that contains oil to form a treated stillage prior to centrifuging the stillage, and centrifuging the treated stillage in at least one centrifuge to separate at least a portion of the oil from the treated stillage. The separation aid can contain at least one lecithin and at least one oil and optionally at least one surfactant having an HLB value of at least 6. Treated stillage products are also provided which can contain the indicated separation aid and recovered oil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Buckman Laboratories International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald G. Jenkins, William C. Ganus, Carlton E. Hagen
  • Patent number: 8747290
    Abstract: The invention relates to a centrifuge for separating a sample into at least two components, comprising a chamber for receiving a sample to be centrifuged. According to the invention, the centrifuge further comprises a means for controlling the progress of the sample separation is located at the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Miltenyi Biotec GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Miltenyi, Winfried Schimmelpfennig, Holger Lantow, Niklas Elmar Neuschäfer, Martin Biehl, Eiad Kabaha, Jürgen Schulz
  • Patent number: 8747291
    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) 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 while retaining the platelets and other facts. Highs 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Kensey Nash Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Nash, William T. Fisher
  • Patent number: 8727132
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system, comprising: a) a sample processing unit, comprising an input port and an output port coupled to a rotating container having at least one sample chamber, the sample processing unit configured provide a first processing step to a sample or to rotate the container so as to apply a centrifugal force to a sample deposited in the chamber and separate at least a first component and a second component of the deposited sample; and b) a sample separation unit coupled to the output port of the sample processing unit, the cell separation unit comprising separation column holder (42), a pump (64) and a plurality of valves (1-11) configured to at least partially control fluid flow through a fluid circuitry and a separation column (40) positioned in the holder, the separation column configured to separate labeled and unlabeled components of sample flowed through the column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Miltenyi Biotec GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Miltenyi, Winfried Schimmelpfennig, Holger Lantow, Elmar Niklas Neuschäfer, Martin Biehl, Eiad Kabaha, Jürgen Schulz
  • Publication number: 20140113796
    Abstract: A closable centrifuge cup, comprising a cup and a lid which can be placed on the cup edge, closes the cup opening and can be fastened under tension by means of at least one clamping element with its lid edge to the cup edge, characterized by at least one of the following properties: the cup edge or a gasket arranged in the region of the cup edge protrudes further in the direction towards the lid edge in a region remote from the at least one clamping element in the circumferential direction of the cup edge than in a region situated closer to the at least one clamping element; the lid edge or a gasket arranged in the region of the lid edge protrudes further in the direction towards the cup edge in a region remote from the at least one clamping element in the circumferential direction of the lid edge than in a region situated closer to the at least one clamping element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Thermo Electron LED GmbH
    Inventor: Norman Ballhause
  • Patent number: 8673159
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for separating a fluid, with the apparatus including a rotatable drum having an inner drum wall and an outer drum wall disposed around the inner drum wall to define a separation passage therebetween. The apparatus also includes radial separator blades that are curved in a circumferential direction and are disposed in the separation passage of the drum, the radial separator blades extending radially at least partially between the inner drum wall and the outer drum wall. The apparatus further includes a first circumferential separator blade that is curved in a radial direction and is disposed in the separation passage of the drum, the first circumferential separator blade extending at least partially around the inner drum wall. The apparatus also includes a housing disposed around the drum and configured to receive a higher-density component of the fluid separated in the separation passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventors: Jay Kumar, H. Allan Kidd, William Maier
  • Publication number: 20140073498
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rotor device of a centrifuge, in particular a laboratory centrifuge, implemented for rotation about an axis of rotation A in a fluid, having an inner region for accommodating a sample to be centrifuged, an outer wall having an outer surface around which fluid flows during rotation of the rotor device, wherein at least one surface section of the outer surface has a microchannel structure, the channels of which extend at a distance d of adjacent channels, where in particular d<2 mm. The invention also relates to a centrifuge bowl for accommodating a rotor device having microchannel structure, and a method for producing the rotor device and the centrifuge bowl.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Inventor: Werner LURZ
  • Patent number: 8663483
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for separating a fluid, with the apparatus including an inner drum wall disposed around and coupled to a shaft. The apparatus also includes an outer drum wall disposed around the inner drum wall, the outer drum wall being configured to rotate to separate a higher-density component of the fluid from a lower-density component of the fluid. The apparatus further includes a first radial vane disposed between the inner drum wall and the outer drum wall and having first contours configured to turn the fluid in at least one of a radially-inward direction and a radially-outward direction. The apparatus also includes a housing at least partially surrounding the outer drum wall and configured to receive the high-density component of the fluid therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventors: Pascal Lardy, H. Allan Kidd, William C. Maier
  • Publication number: 20140045671
    Abstract: Centrifugation systems and methods are provided for separating blood into its constituent parts. Inner and outer walls of a centrifuge each include a projection which extends toward the other wall. A separation chamber is received in the centrifuge between the walls, with the chamber including an inlet port for flowing blood into the chamber, a plasma outlet port for flowing plasma out of the chamber, and a red cell outlet port for flowing red blood cells out of the chamber. With the chamber received in the centrifuge between the walls, the first projection extends into the path of separated blood components flowing toward the plasma outlet port and prevents cellular blood components from flowing into the plasma outlet port. The second projection extends into the path of separated blood components flowing toward the red cell outlet port and prevents plasma from flowing into the red cell outlet port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyungyoon Min, Richard I. Brown, John T. Foley, Brian C. Case
  • Publication number: 20140018227
    Abstract: A device for cleaning a gas which is contaminated with particles, includes a centrifugal separator with a centrifugal rotor for separating the particles from the gas and a drive arrangement for rotating the centrifugal rotor about a rotational axis. The drive arrangement includes an impulse turbine drivingly connected to the centrifugal rotor and a nozzle for a pressurized fluid, the impulse turbine being arranged with buckets for receiving a jet of pressurized fluid from a nozzle directed against the buckets which are configured such that the fluid jet direction is reversed along a height of the bucket. The height of the bucket is 2-3 times the diameter of the nozzle opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventor: Thomas Andersson Aginger
  • Patent number: 8617042
    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) 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 while retaining the platelets and other factors. 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Kensey Nash Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Nash, William T. Fisher
  • Publication number: 20130324388
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and device for separating and transferring container (1) contents by dynamical use of centrifuge force, transferring a specific volume of liquid (A) from a recipient (1) to another (2) without contact with any external element other than the initial container (1) itself. Therefore, the present invention is useful for transferring for example part of a blood sample (A) from a tube (1) without touching the blood sample, also dispensing with a disposable needle as is currently usual. The invention is also advantageous as it allows keeping in the original container (1) a predetermined portion of the sample (B). By rotating the container, with a sufficiently high speed, over an axis (x) located at the boundary of the parts (A, B), the sample is split at a predetermined position. A preferred embodiment comprises the container at an angle (V) to the rotation axis (x).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: ISENS - ELECTRONICA, LDA.
    Inventor: Pedro Ernesto Goncalves Guedes
  • Publication number: 20130316889
    Abstract: A sample container includes a body part which can accommodate a sample and a cap part that can be mounted on the non-circular body part. On the cap part, a neck support member is set for filling a space between an outer lid and a holding hole of a rotor body. The neck support member is configured to be able to be attached to and removed from the outer lid and to be able to relatively rotate with respect to the outer lid. By mounting the outer lid on the body part, the neck support member can also be mounted at the same time. The neck support member is arranged so as to be interposed between the outer lid and shoulder parts of the body part in an axial direction. The neck support member has a lower surface formed so as to correspond to the shape of the shoulder parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: HITACHI KOKI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ken ASAKURA, Kenichi NEMOTO, Yoshimitsu KITAZAWA
  • Publication number: 20130309376
    Abstract: A separator includes a rotatable drum having a vertical rotational axis, a disk stack arranged in the drum, an inner gripper and an outer gripper that do not rotate with the drum are configured to discharge mutually-separated liquid phases. A discharge line is assigned to each gripper and is arranged in an associated gripper chamber of the drum. The inner gripper includes an inner gripper shaft and the outer gripper includes an outer gripper shaft both of which shafts protrude axially from the drum. Each associated gripper chamber, with its associated gripper, revolves on different radii with respect to the rotational axis such that a chamber is formed radially between an outer circumference of the inner gripper shaft and an inner circumference of the outer gripper shaft. A fluid is insertable into the chamber through a channel, which fluid is pressable from the chamber into the gripper chambers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: GEA MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT GMBH
    Inventors: Wolf-Dietrich Herberg, Carsten Waubke