Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for separating components of a fluid or particles. A separation vessel having a barrier dam is provided to initially separate an intermediate density components of a fluid, and a fluid chamber is provided to further separate these the intermediate density component by forming an elutriative field or saturated fluidized particle bed. The separation vessel is placed in a retainer on a centrifuge rotor and ridges in the retainer form various dams in the separation vessel. Also discloses are tubing sets and various separation vessels for use with the apparatus.

Abstract: A centrifuge separation device is disclosed and includes a rotor configured to be connected to a centrifuge motor for rotation about an axis of rotation. A retainer is associated with the rotor and defines a passageway for a separation channel. A protrusion formed in one of the passageway walls extends towards and is spaced from the other of the passageway walls. The protrusion is sized to substantially block passage of materials in a predetermined density range and to substantially permit passage of materials outside of the predetermined density range. An indentation formed adjacent the protrusion in a wall of the passageway opposite the protrusion is configured to trap fluid during rotation of the rotor and to cooperate with the trapped fluid to maintain a substantially Coriolis-free pathway in a region of the passageway adjacent the protrusion.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved gas/fluid detector for use in contained fluid systems, and is particularly apt for medical applications wherein fluids are transfused to a patient. The invention includes directing energy pulses into a fluid containment region of interest, detecting energy at the region of interest during each of a plurality of intervals associated with the energy pulse, generating a multi-component detection output utilizing the detected energy for each of the time intervals and separately employing each of the components of the multi-component detection output to determine whether a predetermined condition exists within the contained region of interest. Such predetermined condition may be one of the absence/presence of fluid/gas. Preferably, a multi-component detection signature is provided in the form of a digital serial output and compared with a reference signature that is provided in a corresponding digital serial output.

Abstract: An exchanger includes an outer casing having an inlet port and an outlet port for a first fluid, and an inlet port and an outlet port for a second fluid, and a bundle of hollow fibers located within the outer casing and being in flow communication with the inlet and outlet port for the second fluid. A central core is located in the outer casing and the bundle of fibers is arranged around the central core. The central core includes an inlet manifold connected to the first fluid inlet port, and an outlet manifold connected to the first fluid outlet port.

Abstract: A plasma sequestration system having a volume control system is provided. When a calculated volume of whole blood has been processed, the system switches from a fill to an empty cycle. The termination point is calculated in advance, based on the desired composition of the collected plasma, thus improving process control and product uniformity. The system is automated or partially automated using an optical sensor or marker to monitor the volume of packed red blood cells. When the red cells reach the marker or sensor, a signal is sent to the control system which then calculates the required fill volume. Processing continues until the calculated fill volume is reached, at which time the system automatically stops the collection cycle. The system also provides for two speed operation of the centrifuge as a safeguard against foaming which may result in aerosol formation and blood trauma.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the separation of a predetermined type of microscopic unit (e.g., islets of Langerhans) from a given medium (e.g., pancreatic digest) by centrifuging in a substantially continuous density gradient. In one embodiment, a substantially continuous density gradient solution is provided to a flexible processing bag appropriately positioned within an upper chamber of a rotating variable volume centrifuge. The solution having a plurality of the desired microscopic units therein is loaded onto the gradient and such units migrate to a particular radial position within the gradient based upon the density of such units. Once appropriately separated by the formation of regions, a fluid is provided to a lower chamber of the centrifuge bowl during continued rotation thereof to sequentially remove fractions from the processing bag from an inward location to an outward location, at least one of which fractions includes the band of the desired microscopic units.

Abstract: A heat exchanger useful for example in medical applications has a plurality of parallel abutting channels separated by a sheet through which heat is exchanged, with the channel-defining walls preferably in line contact with the sheet and with sharp changes in direction rendering a generally serpentine flow pattern in each channel.