Abstract: An apparatus for separating fluids is formed essentially of three pieces which may be nested together to form a stacked array. The three pieces are a cap, an extraction cartridge housing a separating column, and a primary recovery cup. A secondary recovery cup may also be nested onto the lower end of the waste cup. The primary recovery cup has interior flanges for positioning and protecting the bottom end of the column against damage. Each of the elements has an enlarged upper portion forming an exterior step which facilitates mounting in the swinging bucket of a centrifuge. The column itself may comprise particles of a suitable separatory material with the top and the bottom of the particles retained by porous supports.

Abstract: Samples to be analyzed, such as physiological fluids (blood, urine, etc.) may be processed using centrifugal techniques. The sample is centrifugally passed through a separation column to extract the desired component from the aqueous phase. Next, the extracted component is washed free of extraneous materials and then eluted from the separating column by centrifugally passing a suitable solvent therethrough. The aqueous phase and extracted components are collected in separate containers.To facilitate this method, an apparatus is provided that accommodates switching between fluid flow paths in a centrifuge. The centrifuge utilizes a swinging bucket rotor which contains a separating column, the top end of which employs a fluid reservoir for holding the sample to be extracted. Fluids are passed through the separating column (a first flow path) from a central distributor in the centrifuge rotor while in operation.