Abstract: A centrifuge (10) including a first rotatable mechanism (60) having a rotation axis with a fluid retentive housing (20) being coaxially mounted on the first rotatable mechanism for co-rotation therewith; a second rotatable mechanism (90) having a rotation axis with the first and second rotatable mechanisms being coaxially interconnected for co-rotation around a common axis; and fluid tubing (70) connected to the axis of the fluid retentive housing and having a distal length that extends axially outwardly from the fluid retentive housing. A support arm (50) is mounted to the second rotatable mechanism, a support tube (80) receives therethrough at least a part of the distal length of the fluid tubing, and a bearing member (82) rotatably supports the support tube in the support arm, whereby upon rotation of the first and second rotatable mechanisms, the fluid tubing is free to one of rotate with and rotate relative to the support tube.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved rotating seal apparatus including a plurality of concentrically spaced annular rotating seals. The invention also provides a rotating seal apparatus including a pressurized annular chamber surrounding an annular rotating seal.

Abstract: A multiple sample processing apparatus for a continuous flow centrifuge, including a plurality of axially aligned processing chambers and expressor chambers, each chamber comprising an axial opening, in a fixed arrangement, and a plurality of central hubs disposed in the axial openings, the central hubs constructed and arranged to define passages for fluid communication between the chambers and a fluid supply.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively expressing one ore more selected fluid materials out of a fluid container, including a centrifuge rotor having a round centrifuge chamber of selected volume, a round expandable enclosure disposed within the centrifuge chamber having a rotation axis coincident with the central rotation axis and a flexible wall, a pump for controllably pumping a selected volume of expressor fluid into and out of the expandable enclosure wherein the fluid container is receivable within the centrifuge chamber, and a retaining mechanism for holding the fluid container within the centrifuge chamber in a coaxial position. The flexible wall of the fluid container is in contact with the flexible wall of the expandable enclosure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively expressing one or more selected fluid materials out of a fluid container, including a centrifuge rotor having a round centrifuge chamber of selected volume, a round expandable enclosure disposed within the centrifuge chamber having a rotation axis coincident with the central rotation axis and a flexible wall, a pump for controllably pumping a selected volume of expressor fluid into and out of the expandable enclosure wherein the fluid container is receivable with the centrifuge chamber, and a retaining mechanism for holding the fluid container within the centrifuge chamber in a coaxial position. The flexible wall of the fluid container is in contact with the flexible wall of the expandable enclosure.

Abstract: An automated blood separation method and apparatus is described that allows for the separation of multiple units of blood simultaneously. The method and apparatus reliably and quickly separates blood into its components. An auto-balancing feature within the apparatus automatically preferably compensates for the changing state of imbalance, thereby eliminating the need for additional balancing steps during the separation process. The apparatus has a rotor into which a plurality of cassettes can be inserted. The cassettes have a number of sections for the containment of the whole blood and for the separated blood components, which are contained in disposable bags. The rotor is placed into a centrifuge assembly, and the blood components are then separated and transferred to the bags in the individual sections of the cassettes. Means for including secondary separation devices such as filters is included.

Abstract: A sealed centrifugal clarifier with a pre-sterilized and disposable container which lines the separation chamber is disclosed. More particularly, the centrifugal clarifier contains a feed port that allows a liquid-solid mixture to be continuously fed into the device wherein the solid is sedimented by rotation of the separation chamber and the clarified liquid is released into an outside receptacle through an effluent port. The throughput rate of the clarifier is adjustable and can be determined as a function of the fill radius of the separation chamber.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved rotating seal apparatus including a plurality of concentrically spaced annular rotating seals. The invention also provides a rotating seal apparatus including a pressurized annular chamber surrounding an annular rotating seal.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved rotating seal apparatus including a plurality of concentrically spaced annular rotating seals. The invention also provides a rotating seal apparatus including a pressurized annular chamber surrounding an annular rotating seal.

Abstract: A multiple sample processing apparatus for a continuous flow centrifuge, including a plurality of axially aligned processing chambers and expressor chambers, each chamber comprising an axial opening, in a fixed arrangement, and a plurality of central hubs disposed in the axial openings, the central hubs constructed and arranged to define passages for fluid communication between the chambers and a fluid supply.

Abstract: A device is provided for distributing a fluids from different sources to different destinations. The device receives fluids from a plurality of different sources and distributes the fluids out of a port to a destination. The device also receives fluid from the destination and transfers the fluid to another port out to another destination.

Abstract: An automated blood separation method and apparatus is described that allows for the separation of multiple units of blood simultaneously. The method and apparatus reliably and quickly separates blood into its components. An auto-balancing feature within the apparatus automatically preferably compensates for the changing state of imbalance, thereby eliminating the need for additional balancing steps during the separation process. The apparatus has a rotor into which a plurality of cassettes can be inserted. The cassettes have a number of sections for the containment of the whole blood and for the separated blood components, which are contained in disposable bags. The rotor is placed into a centrifuge assembly, and the blood components are then separated and transferred to the bags in the individual sections of the cassettes. Means for including secondary separation devices such as filters is included.

Abstract: An automated blood separation method and apparatus is described that allows for the separation of multiple units of blood simultaneously. The method and apparatus reliably and quickly separates blood into its components. An auto-balancing feature within the apparatus automatically preferably compensates for the changing state of imbalance, thereby eliminating the need for additional balancing steps during the separation process. The apparatus has a rotor into which a plurality of cassettes can be inserted. The cassettes have a number of sections for the containment of the whole blood and for the separated blood components, which are contained in disposable bags. The rotor is placed into a centrifuge assembly, and the blood components are then separated and transferred to the bags in the individual sections of the cassettes. Means for including secondary separation devices such as filters is included.

Abstract: A sealed centrifugal clarifier with a pre-sterilized and disposable container which lines the separation chamber is disclosed. More particularly, the centrifugal clarifier contains a feed port that allows a liquid-solid mixture to be continuously fed into the device wherein the solid is sedimented by rotation of the separation chamber and the clarified liquid is released into an outside receptacle through an effluent port. The throughput rate of the clarifier is adjustable and can be determined as a function of the fill radius of the separation chamber.

Abstract: A device is provided for distributing a fluids from different sources to different destinations. The device receives fluids from a plurality of different sources and distributes the fluids out of a port to a destination. The device also receives fluid from the destination and transfers the fluid to another port out to another destination.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved rotating seal apparatus including a plurality of concentrically spaced annular rotating seals. The invention also provides a rotating seal apparatus including a pressurized annular chamber surrounding an annular rotating seal.

Abstract: An optical sensor is disclosed for use in an interactive cell processing system that includes a plurality of sensors arranged for monitoring and providing sensor data to a control module that directs processing of biological cells. The sensors including an optical sensor for characterizing a fluid transferred in a sterile manner during the processing. The optical sensor includes a light source, a light detector, a cuvette and a control circuit. The light source is connected to a control circuit and is constructed and arranged to emit light of at least one selected wavelength directed toward the fluid. The cuvette is constructed as a part of a fluid distribution manifold that includes several conduits for transferring the sterile fluid during the processing, wherein the cuvette is constructed and arranged to convey the fluid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a programmable control module that may be connected to existing instrumentation in order to automate manual operations and/or perform new sequences of functions. As one specific example, the present invention provides for a programmable control module that may be connected to a commercial cell washing machine, and which directs the automatic performance of steps required to enzymatically deantigenize erythrocytes. There are a number of advantages associated with the present invention. Valuable non-automated or semi-automated instruments may be rendered programmable by an add-on control module, thereby increasing the reproduciblity of function while reducing manpower requirements and avoiding the consequences of human error. Furthermore, the control module may be additionally connected to auxiliary devices which improve the function of the host instrument, including, for example, pumps, valves, or sensors (including safety monitoring devices).

Abstract: A centrifuge for rotating a fluid retentive housing having fluid input and output tubing fixedly connected to a rotation axis of the fluid retentive housing, the centrifuge comprising: a frame; a first rotatable mechanism having a rotation axis, the fluid retentive housing being coaxially mounted thereon for co-rotation therewith; a second rotatable mechanism having a rotation axis, the first and second rotation mechanism being coaxially mounted on the frame; the second rotatable mechanism having an outer circumferential surface engaged with a drive mechanism, the drive mechanism driving the outer circumferential surface such that the second rotatable mechanism rotates at a selected rotational speed X; the first rotatable mechanism being interconnected to the second rotatable mechanism such that the first rotatable mechanism rotates simultaneously with the second rotatable mechanism at a rotational speed of 2X.

Abstract: A rotary filtration apparatus for separating a selected material suspended in a fluid, the apparatus comprising a housing having a selected axis of rotation, the housing being rotatably mounted on a rotation device which rotates the housing about the selected axis of rotation of the housing; the housing sealably enclosing and defining a fluid sealed cavity extending radially outwardly from the axis of the housing; a filter mounted within the cavity of the housing such that the cavity is divided into at least a first fluid retentive input chamber and a second fluid retentive output chamber, the input and output chambers being disposed on opposite sides of the filter; a fluid input line sealably communicating with the fluid input chamber for feeding the material suspended in the fluid into the input chamber under a selected pressure; the filter being selectively permeable to the fluid under the selected pressure and selectively impermeable to the selected material under the selected pressure, the fluid being fe