Abstract: A centrifugal separator system is provided for extracting lighter matter from a liquid suspension. The separator includes a housing having an axis, an inlet port, a lighter matter outlet port and a heavier matter outlet port spaced from the inlet port. A rotatable interior double shell rotor is disposed within the housing. The rotor includes outer and inner shells and defines a centrifugation gap therebetween. The rotor is spaced from the housing by a flow gap. The outer shell includes means providing communication between the centrifugation gap, the inlet port and the heavier outlet port. Means are provided in the double shell rotor for conducting lighter matter from the centrifugation gap to the lighter matter outlet port.

Abstract: A disposable diagnostic plasma filter dispenser includes a low cost disposable container and a rotor drive for rotationally energizing a rotor within the container. The disposable container is particularly suitable for drawing and dispensing blood samples for clinical analysis and includes a tube shaped outer wall having a frangible dispenser outlet cover, a close fitting inner tube supporting a filter membrane and a unitary rotor disposed for axel free rotation and axial translation within the inner tube in response to energization from the rotor driver. The rotor produces vortex enhanced filtration while maintaining a flow of filter fluid through the filtration gap and creating a transmembrane pressure.

Abstract: A hemapheresis system and method in accordance with the invention comprises a stationary closed housing concentric about a central axis and a feed system that moves blood upwardly from the housing lower end toward an outlet port adjacent a substantially closed upper end. Within the stationary housing is a double walled rotor concentric with the housing and rotatable by magnetic means within the housing on sealed end bearings. The space between the rotor walls defines a centrifugation gap into which whole blood is passed and within which centrifugal separation takes place as the rotor is spun at a relatively low rate. Whole blood also seeks to flow upwardly in the space between the rotor and housing, but this path is arranged to have a substantially higher flow impedance, so that the preferential path is within the centrifugation gap.

Abstract: A disposable diagnostic plasma filter dispenser includes a low cost disposable container and a rotor drive for rotationally energizing a rotor within the container. The disposable container is particularly suitable for drawing and dispensing blood samples for clinical analysis and includes a tube shaped outer wall having a frangible dispenser outlet cover, a close fitting inner tube supporting a filter membrane and a unitary rotor disposed for axel free rotation and axial translation within the inner tube in response to energization from the rotor driver. The rotor produces vortex enhanced filtration while maintaining a flow of filter fluid through the filtration gap and creating a transmembrane pressure.

Abstract: A disposable diagnostic plasma filter dispenser includes a low cost disposable container and a rotor drive for rotationally energizing a rotor within the container. The disposable container is particularly suitable for drawing and dispensing blood samples for clinical analysis and includes a tube shaped outer wall having a frangible dispenser outlet cover, a close fitting inner tube supporting a filter membrane and a unitary rotor disposed for axel free rotation and axial translation within the inner tube in response to energization from the rotor driver. The rotor produces vortex enhanced filtration while maintaining a flow of filter fluid through the filtration gap and creating a transmembrane pressure.

Abstract: The following specification discloses an encatheter adapted for biaxial flow for receipt of a syringe at one end with a main axial passage interconnecting a plastic or teflon insertion conduit at the other end adapted for placement in a blood vessel with a needle. The hub in its main axial passage, has a flapper or one way control valve, that can be made of an elastomeric material. The valve is adapted for receiving the needle therethrough for simultaneous insertion of the insertion conduit and the needle within the interior of a blood vessel. The insertion conduit remains within the blood vessel after the needle is removed, at which time a second interior tube is implaced within the insertion conduit through the main axial passage and valve to provide coaxial orientation between the two. Th conduit and tube each respectively connect to a biaxial flow device for branched flow through the device to two rubber tubes.