Abstract: There is provided a centrifugal separator for solid-liquid separations. The centrifugal separator comprises (a) an accelerator rotatable at an angular velocity,&ohgr; about an axis, and having an inside surface with a point on the axis, and (b) a nozzle for introducing a feed stream at a volumetric flow rate (Q) into the accelerator via an orifice.

Abstract: Vaporization of volatile materials while avoiding combustion and denaturation of such material provide an alternative to combustion as means of volatilizing bioactive and flavor compounds to make such compounds available for inhalation without generating toxic or carcinogenic substances that are by-products of combustion and pyrolysis.

Abstract: Improved devices for blood separations are provided based on the use of hollow fiber membrane arrays in extra-lumenal crossflow filtration. Blood is processed extra-lumenally across an ordered array of microporous hollow fibers to separate cells from plasma. By use of extra-lumenal crossflow filtration with suitably oriented fibers, the separation device is more efficient than existing devices which benefits a patient or donor by reducing extracorporeal volume.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for carrying out affinity purification of a ligate. The method comprising, (a) providing a ligate containing liquid to a first side of at least one porous hollow fiber membrane with a ligand immobilized thereto that binds and separates the ligate from the liquid, (b) withdrawing a first portion of the liquid from the first side of the porous hollow fiber membrane, (c) recirculating the first portion of liquid to the first side of the porous hollow fiber membrane, (d) repeating steps (a) to (c) until a majority of the liquid has flowed through the porous hollow fiber membrane, and (e) providing an elution solution to one side of the porous hollow fiber membrane under a pressure sufficient to cause the elution solution to flow into and through the membrane to effect disassociation of any ligate-ligand bonds wherein any ligate bound to the ligand is eluted with the elution solution.

Abstract: An apparatus for wrapping a balloon catheter such as an intra-aortic balloon catheter is disclosed. The wrapping apparatus comprises a housing having a channel which receives the balloon membrane of the intra-aortic balloon. The wrapping apparatus also includes a clutching means located in the channel for exerting a predetermined pressure on the balloon membrane to enable the balloon membrane to be wrapped as the wrapping apparatus is rotated relative to the balloon catheter. The clutching means also permits relatively free rotation of the balloon membrane within the wrapping apparatus after the balloon membrane has been wrapped.The clutching means can include a shoe and a biasing means for biasing the shoe towards the balloon membrane with a predetermined pressure while the balloon membrane is being wrapped, yet enable the balloon membrane to rotate relatively freely within the wrapping apparatus after the balloon membrane has been wrapped to a predetermined degree.

Abstract: Apparatus for oxygenating blood or for separating whole blood into a plasma fraction and an enriched plasma-depleted blood fraction comprising at least two contiguous membrane units, each unit consisting of a first membrane layer, a second membrane layer, a first spacer layer and a second spacer layer. The membrane layers and the spacer layers are configured so that only plasma or oxygen passes through the membrane layers from or into whole blood. Plasma and plasma-deplected blood or oxygen-depleted gas and oxygenated blood are separately collected while preventing admixture thereof with whole blood.

Abstract: The disclosure is of an improved assembly, compositions and method for the separation of blood into its light, liquid and heavy, substantially cellular phases with insertion of a non-Newtonian fluid between the phases as a barrier. The improvement comprises using as the non-Newtonian fluid, one which has substantially time independent rheological properties and a controlled yield stress value. The improved assemblies of the invention have enhanced shelf-lives and improved reliability of operation. The preferred assemblies may be sterilized by irradiation and the disclosure is also of a method for their manufacture.

Abstract: An improved assembly for use in the centrifugal separation of serum or plasma from blood is disclosed. A tubular glass container has therein a body of gel-like material having a yield stress value such as to permit it to flow and form a transverse barrier between the separated phases of blood upon centrifugation. This container is provided with an hydrophobic inner surface portion adjacent to said barrier to enhance the adhesion of the barrier material to the container wall and inhibit leakage across the barrier of the separated blood components.

Abstract: The disclosure is of a method of maintaining the blood clot-activating properties of a siliceous surface in a blood collecting assembly. The method comprises coating the siliceous surface with a water soluble, inert, film forming barrier material. The advantage of the method of the invention is a retention of speedy clotting time. The disclosure is also of improved blood collecting assemblies wherein the clot-activating components are coated with a film barrier of a water soluble, inert, polymeric material.

Abstract: Disclosure is made of an improved assembly for the collection, separation and isolation of serum or plasma from blood without subjecting the desired serum or plasma to contamination by exposure to the atmosphere and which utilizes a thixotropic barrier material to effect the isolation. A representative embodiment of the improved assembly comprises an air-evacuated collection chamber, a self-sealing airtight elastomeric closure for the container which is penetrable by a blood bearing cannula and a thixotrope having a specific gravity of from about 1.03 to about 1.09, held in a specially constructed reservoir positioned within the closure member and in communication with the air-evacuated chamber.