Abstract: A rotor hub assembly for a centrifuge rotor includes a rotor hub including a head portion, an elongated shaft portion extending axially away from the head portion and a central bore extending through the head portion and the shaft portion. The head portion includes a plurality of balancing bores each configured to selectively receive at least one balancing weight for balancing the centrifuge rotor. A method for balancing a centrifuge rotor is also provided.

Abstract: A rotor (10) for use in a centrifuge includes a rotor body (12), a drive hub (20), and a balance ring (16, 160). The rotor body (12) includes an elongated bore (32) extending along its axis of rotation (24), and an upper surface (26) having an annular groove (42). The drive hub (20) is mounted within the elongated bore (32), and includes a drive portion (138) having a cross-sectional shape that is complementary to the cross-sectional shape of the elongated bore (32). The drive hub (20) applies torque to the rotor body (12) via engagement of the drive portion (138) with the lower bore opening (36) of the rotor body (12). The balance ring (16, 160) is positioned in the annular groove (42), and includes a plurality of apertures (78, 163) formed in an upper surface (90, 170) thereof. Each of the apertures (78, 163) is configured to receive a weight (80, 164) so that the rotor (10) can be balanced by selectively adding weights (80, 164) to one or more of the apertures (78, 163).

Abstract: A rotor assembly that includes a rotor body having a plurality of rotor wells. The rotor body includes an upstanding annular lip that defines an annular containment groove configured to capture and retain material leaked from a sample container received a rotor well during rotation of the rotor assembly. The rotor body also includes an annular containment lip that forms a continuous extension of the annular containment groove. The rotor assembly includes a lid selectively attachable to the open end of the rotor body that includes a first undercut channel configured to receive a portion of a first sealing gasket formed as an annular disk. The lid is supported above the upper surface of the rotor body by the annular containment lip such that the first sealing gasket is positioned between the lid and the annular containment lip to form a seal between the lid and the rotor body.

Abstract: A rotor assembly (10, 150, 270, 310) and method of using the rotor assembly (10, 150, 270, 310). The rotor assembly (10, 150, 270, 310) includes a bio-process bag (48), a drum (46) that receives a lower portion of the bag (48), and a pressure ring (50). A holder (54, 182) couples an upper portion of the bag (48) to the pressure ring (50). The pressure ring (50) is coupled to the drum (46) to define an interior space that contains the bag (48). A liquid transport assembly (35, 178, 272) passes through an opening in the holder (54, 182) so that liquids can be added to, and removed from, the bag (48) without removing the rotor (16, 154) from the centrifuge. A bearing assembly (190) in the holder (54, 182) couples the liquid transport assembly (35, 178, 272) to the rotor (16, 154), and enables the liquid transport assembly (35, 178, 272) to remain stationary while the rotor (16, 154) rotates around it.

Abstract: A rotor for use in a centrifuge, and adapters for coupling one or more processing containers to the rotor. The rotor includes a rotor body having a plurality of receptacles each configured to receive an adapter. Each adapter includes an outer surface configured to interface with one of the receptacles, and one or more cavities each configured to accept a processing container. The rotor may also include a rotor liner positioned between the adapters and the rotor body. The rotor liner engages the receptacles of the rotor body, and provides a plurality of receptacles that receive the adapters, thereby providing an interface between the adapters and the receptacles of the rotor body.

Abstract: A rotor assembly that includes a fixed-angle rotor with a plurality of rotor wells that each have a central axis in a fixed angular relationship relative to a rotational axis of the rotor to define a rotor well angle for each rotor well, and further includes an adapter for use with one of the rotor wells. The adapter includes a body with a circular cross-sectional shape that extends between a first end and a second end, and a sample tube cavity formed in the body. The cavity extends from an opening at the first end of the body to a closed base at the second end of the body and includes a longitudinal axis. When the adapter is positioned within the rotor well, the longitudinal axis of the cavity has an angular relationship relative to the rotational axis of the rotor that is different compared to the rotor well angle.

Abstract: A rotor for use in a centrifuge, and a method for balancing the rotor. The rotor includes a plurality of apertures arranged circumferentially around the rotor's axis of rotation, each configured to selectively receive a weight. A critical speed is determined for the rotor, and an imbalance determined for the rotor at a test speed below the critical speed. A trial weight is installed in a reference aperture, and another imbalance determined at the test speed. The trial weight is repeatedly moved to another aperture angularly displaced from the previous aperture, and the imbalance measured at the test speed until a predetermined number of imbalance measurements have been obtained. A target mass and location for balancing the rotor is determined from the imbalance measurements, and balancing weights installed in apertures based on the target mass and location. The balancing process may be repeated for multiple critical frequencies.

Abstract: A rotor hub assembly for a centrifuge rotor includes a rotor hub including a head portion, an elongated shaft portion extending axially away from the head portion and a central bore extending through the head portion and the shaft portion. The head portion includes a plurality of balancing bores each configured to selectively receive at least one balancing weight for balancing the centrifuge rotor. A method for balancing a centrifuge rotor is also provided.

Abstract: A tool for removing first and second centrifuge bottle closure members from a centrifuge bottle includes a tool head including an aperture sized and shaped to receive a protruding portion of the first centrifuge bottle closure member. The tool further includes an elongate shaft extending from the tool head to a distal end and including a tapered portion adjacent the distal end. The tapered portion is sized and shaped to be at least partially inserted in a recessed portion of the second centrifuge bottle closure member. The aperture is configured to transfer torque to the first centrifuge bottle closure member during a rotating operation of the tool and the tapered portion is configured to exert an output force on the second centrifuge bottle closure member during a prying operation of the tool.

Abstract: A fixed angle centrifuge rotor is provided including a rotor body having an upper surface and a plurality of tubular cavities extending from the upper surface to respective bottom walls. A pressure plate is operatively coupled to the bottom walls of the tubular cavities and is configured to transfer torque to the bottom walls. The pressure plate is configured to be directly coupled to a rotor hub and to receive torque directly from the rotor hub.

Abstract: A fixed angle centrifuge rotor includes a rotor body having a circumferential sidewall and a plurality of circumferentially spaced tubular cavities. Each tubular cavity has an open end and a closed end, and is configured to receive a sample container therein. The rotor further includes a pressure plate operatively coupled to the rotor body so that the pressure plate, in combination with the plurality of tubular cavities and the circumferential sidewall of the rotor body, define a hollow chamber within the rotor. The rotor further includes a plurality of elongated torque transfer members supported by the rotor body and an annular containment groove.

Abstract: A fixed angle centrifuge rotor includes a rotor body having a circumferential sidewall and a plurality of circumferentially spaced tubular cavities. Each tubular cavity has an open end and a closed end, and is configured to receive a sample container therein. The rotor further includes a pressure plate operatively coupled to the rotor body so that the pressure plate, in combination with the plurality of tubular cavities and the circumferential sidewall of the rotor body, define a hollow chamber within the rotor. The rotor further includes a plurality of elongated torque transfer members supported by the rotor body. Each of the plurality of torque transfer members has a first end located between a respective pair of adjacent tubular cavities, and extends radially inward in a direction toward a rotational axis of the rotor.

Abstract: A fixed angle centrifuge rotor includes a rotor body having a circumferential sidewall and a plurality of circumferentially spaced tubular cavities. Each tubular cavity has an open end and a closed end, and is configured to receive a sample container therein. The rotor further includes a pressure plate operatively coupled to the rotor body so that the pressure plate, in combination with the plurality of tubular cavities and the circumferential sidewall of the rotor body, define a hollow chamber within the rotor. The rotor further includes a plurality of elongated torque transfer members supported by the rotor body and an annular containment groove.

Abstract: A fixed angle centrifuge rotor includes a rotor body having a circumferential sidewall and a plurality of circumferentially spaced tubular cavities. Each tubular cavity has an open end and a closed end, and is configured to receive a sample container therein. The rotor further includes a pressure plate operatively coupled to the rotor body so that the pressure plate, in combination with the plurality of tubular cavities and the circumferential sidewall of the rotor body, define a hollow chamber within the rotor. The rotor further includes a plurality of elongated torque transfer members supported by the rotor body. Each of the plurality of torque transfer members has a first end located between a respective pair of adjacent tubular cavities, and extends radially inward in a direction toward a rotational axis of the rotor.

Abstract: A tool for removing first and second centrifuge bottle closure members from a centrifuge bottle includes a tool head including an aperture sized and shaped to receive a protruding portion of the first centrifuge bottle closure member. The tool further includes an elongate shaft extending from the tool head to a distal end and including a tapered portion adjacent the distal end. The tapered portion is sized and shaped to be at least partially inserted in a recessed portion of the second centrifuge bottle closure member. The aperture is configured to transfer torque to the first centrifuge bottle closure member during a rotating operation of the tool and the tapered portion is configured to exert an output force on the second centrifuge bottle closure member during a prying operation of the tool.

Abstract: A closure for attachment to a container body of a sample container for use in a centrifuge includes a top wall, an annular skirt wall depending from the top wall and defining a maximum outer diameter, and a handle extending from the top wall and including a central boss and at least two finger grips extending radially outward from the central boss. A respective free terminal end of each of the finger grips is located so as not to extend beyond the maximum outer diameter.

Abstract: A fixed angle centrifuge rotor includes a rotor body having a circumferential sidewall and a plurality of circumferentially spaced tubular cavities. An annular containment groove is disposed above and circumferentially surrounds the tubular cavities. Each tubular cavity has an open end and a closed end, and is configured to receive a sample container therein. The rotor further includes a pressure plate operatively coupled to the rotor body so that the pressure plate, in combination with the plurality of tubular cavities and the circumferential sidewall of the rotor body, define a hollow chamber within the rotor. The pressure plate includes circumferentially spaced upstanding tabs that are received in respective pockets located between adjacent tubular cavities. The rotor further includes a plurality of elongated torque transfer members supported by the rotor body.