Abstract: A centrifugal protection apparatus including: a rotor having markers connected to a motor responsive to drive signals; first and second detectors for detecting the marker upon rotation of the rotor and generating first and second detection signals respectively; a drive circuit responsive to a command for generating the drive signals from the supply power via input terminal in response to the first or second detection signal; first and second switch circuits, arranged in series between the input terminal and the motor, for controlling the supply of the drive signals to the motor; a current detector for detecting a current of one of the drive signals and generating a current detection signal; and first and second judging portions for detecting whether the first and second detection signals are within a predetermined value and for operating the first and second switch circuits to cut off the drive signals when the first and second detection signals are not within the predetermined value respectively and when a m

Abstract: A scale modelling centrifuge has a relatively massive rotary circular base wall, which may form part of a drum, possibly with a detachable peripheral wall either carrying an annular sample-receiving trough or constituted by such trough, or which may have mounted therearound a plurality of sample-receiving containers.

Abstract: An apheresis apparatus for increasing the purity and yield of platelets separated from donated whole blood by centrifugation incorporates a centrifuge for separating whole blood into lower, intermediate, and higher density components. The centrifuge has inlet and outlet ports in selective fluid communication with a container for receiving lower density blood component from the outlet port. A pump is coupled to the container and the inlet port for recirculating lower density blood component from the first container through the inlet port into the centrifuge at a first, substantially constant, rate so as to widen the region of the centrifuge occupied by the intermediate density component without causing the intermediate density component to exit the centrifuge, and subsequently at a second rate, so as to displace intermediate density component from the centrifuge.

Abstract: A method of controlling the rotation of a centrifuge including an outer bowl shell and a scroll supported in the outer bowl shell for rotation relative to the outer bowl shell. The method includes the steps of obtaining control signals representing forces acting on the scroll and controlling the rotation of the centrifuge as a function of the control signals. The method comprises the steps of measuring an axial force imparted on the scroll parallel to an axis of rotation of the scroll; generating feedback signals from values obtained from the measuring step; and controlling the rotation of the centrifuge as a function of the feedback signals.

Abstract: A blood processing assembly includes a centrifuge contained within a heated housing or chamber. A fail safe spill or splash detector is located within the inner wall of the housing. The detector includes a pair of parallel electrodes separated from each other from a small gap. The circuit detects a splash or droplet of liquid which conducts current between the electrodes.

Abstract: A centrifuge system and method includes generating a radio frequency excitation field within a housing containing a rotor of interest. The excitation field may be generated by an exciter coil fixed to the cover of the housing. The rotor includes a locking knob that encloses a receiver coil inductively coupled to the exciter coil. The excitation field causes current flow through the receiver coil. The current is rectified and used to power encoding circuitry. The encoding circuitry produces a modulated signal unique to the rotor or to a model in which the rotor is classified. The encoded signal is transmitted from within the locking knob to a reader coil connected to the housing of the centrifuge. The reader coil receives the encoded signal, whereafter the signal is decoded and used to identify the rotor or rotor model.

Abstract: A method and system of identifying a rotor of a centrifuge employ an approach that uses two tiers of model selection. Firstly, the moment of inertia of a rotor is calculated for a first measured acceleration. The indication of moment of inertia is utilized to disqualify a number of rotor models and to select a subset of models. In a second tier, windage power of the rotor is calculated in a manner that isolates windage from inertial drag. In one embodiment, drive torque is measured with the rotor operated at a high constant speed. Alternatively, windage is calculated using data obtained during a second measured acceleration. The accuracy of the computation is enhanced by taking into account the moment of inertia as one form of resistance to the second acceleration. Based upon the indication of windage power, at least one rotor model within the subset is disqualified. Upon identification of the rotor, the centrifugal process can be maintained at a maximum safe speed.

Abstract: A plasma sequestration system having a volume control system is provided. When a calculated volume of whole blood has been processed, the system switches from a fill to an empty cycle. The termination point is calculated in advance, based on the desired composition of the collected plasma, thus improving process control and product uniformity. The system is automated or partially automated using an optical sensor or marker to monitor the volume of packed red blood cells. When the red cells reach the marker or sensor, a signal is sent to the control system which then calculates the required fill volume. Processing continues until the calculated fill volume is reached, at which time the system automatically stops the collection cycle. The system also provides for two speed operation of the centrifuge as a safeguard against foaming which may result in aerosol formation and blood trauma.

Abstract: A lab centrifuge with a rotor carrying vessel supports and a motor with a vertical shaft driving said rotor into rotation, the stator associated with said rotor being supported by elastic supports on a centrifuge base. A shutoff device controls the motor which it shuts off in response to a signal generated by a component affixed to the stator and a component affixed to the base when the stator deviation taking place is found to exceed or match the maximum admissible threshold imbalance. One of the two components is a field generator generating a constant field and the other component is a field intensity detector connected to an analyzer which, upon limit changes in field intensity caused by the deviation, implements shutoff.

Abstract: A method for removing insoluble materials from a liquid mixture, including spinning at least one centrifuge separator at a predetermined speed and pumping the mixture to the spinning centrifuge separator at a predetermined rate. The rate in which the mixture is pumped to the separator is varied in response to a variable angular moment of force in the centrifuge separator caused by density variations in the mixture. The method is carried out by an apparatus including at least one centrifuge separator coupled in fluid communication to at least one pump. A closed-loop feedback system is operably coupled to the devices driving both the separator and the pump to control the rate in which the mixture is supplied to the separator. The rate is determined by the angular moment of force in the separator which then allows the system to increase, maintain, or decrease the output of the pump.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for enhancing the efficiency of the centrifugal separator automatically adjusts in accordance with operator input for varying amounts of solids in contaminated fluid being passed through the separator. A load sensing circuit monitors the load on the drive motor of the centrifuge bowl and a second load sensing circuit monitors the load on the drive motor of the scraper vane. The apparatus further includes a variable speed motor designed to vary the gravitational force with which the centrifuge operates in response to a variety of factors regarding particle size and specific gravity. The load sensing circuits optimize cleaning cycle frequency and reduce failure due to mechanical stress. The load sensing circuits taken in combination with the variable speed drive provide the ability to efficiently and variably monitor the cleansing intervals to provide predetermined levels of cleansing and prevent the overloading of the scraper and scraper mechanics.

Abstract: A plasma sequestration system having a volume control system is provided. When a calculated volume of whole blood has been processed, the system switches from a fill to an empty cycle. The termination point is calculated in advance, based on the desired composition of the collected plasma, thus improving process control and product uniformity. The system is automated or partially automated using an optical sensor or marker to monitor the volume of packed red blood cells. When the red cells reach the marker or sensor, a signal is sent to the control system which then calculates the required fill volume. Processing continues until the calculated fill volume is reached, at which time the system automatically stops the collection cycle. The system also provides for two speed operation of the centrifuge as a safeguard against foaming which may result in aerosol formation and blood trauma.

Abstract: A method and system of determining an operation parameter for a centrifuge includes measuring one or more physical characteristics of a rotor interchangeably supported by a rotor drive. In the preferred embodiment, windage is measured at a first rotational speed and a speed-dependent signal is generated to adjust a vacuum system based upon changes in rotational speed of the rotor. Changes in windage may also be used as a basis for adjusting a refrigeration circuit. Either as an alternative or in addition to monitoring windage, the moment of inertia can be measured and used to adjust adaptive circuitry. For example, the drive circuitry may be adjusted based upon a determination of inertia as the physical characteristic of interest. The method and system isolate inertia and windage as the main forms of resistance to acceleration of the rotor.

Abstract: A centrifuge (10) for spinning blood sample tubes (14) has a conical rotor head (17) rotated within a cavity defined by an upwardly open annular trough (39) and a domed lid (50). The tubes (14) are inserted into transparent plastic tube holders (48). The holder top ends (60) are funnel-shaped to capture spillage and enable manual gripping. The trough has oppositely sloping walls (40, 41) and holder bottom ends (59) are exposed for ready viewing below the head bottom edge. A reader station (15) includes a pointer (80) with a lens (86) that has hairlines (87) for aligning the pointer over the spin tube (14a) to enter data on the red cell/plasma interface. The lines (87) are spaced to match the diagonal appearance of the interface. An interlock assembly includes a solenoid operated shuttle arm (108) that blocks movement of a pin (95) out of a bore (94) in a lid tab (92), unless motor (23) is deenergized.

Abstract: The centrifugal separator for fluids comprises a housing (1a, 1b) in which is mounted a rotatable driving cup (3) of a conical shape widening upwardly, as well as a disposable centrifugal bowl (5) made of an elastomeric material and having a generally conical shape widening upwardly and press fitted in the operative position inside the driving cup. This centrifugal bowl (5) has two annular beads, respectively an upper bead (14) and a lower bead (6), through which extend vertical passages, and it is closed at its upper peripheral end by a metallic bowl cover (11). It further has a cover (16) cooperating with the housing for closing the same above the bowl, a resilient rotatable seal (17) integral with this separator cover and in contact with the bowl cover, and a fluid supply tube (21) extending through the removable cover and integral therewith.

Abstract: A centrifuge rotor overspeed protection system which can operate with rotors of at least two speed ranges. A set of coding elements are provided on the rotors coded to represent the actual maximum safe speed rating of the rotor. An additional set of coding elements coded to correspond to the maximum speed in the lower speed range are also provided such that the rotor can be operated at the maximum speed possible in a prior art centrifuge designed for operation in the lower speed range. The detection circuit for the coding elements automatically adjusts the detection threshold depending on the average values of the sensor output peaks corresponding to the codes.

Abstract: A method of controlled centrifugation including automatic determination (before or during a centrifugation run) of the time to reach "completion" (within specified limits, depending on the criteria adopted) of a centrifugal separation. By simulation, the sample solute concentration distributions are determined and examined periodically. Centrifugation completion is deemed to have been reached based on certain predetermined criteria relating to spatial changes in the sample solute concentration distributions between successive examinations. The positions of the end points of the concentration distributions or band edges of the sample solutes (transitions from regions of sample solutes to regions of no sample solutes) are determined to facilitate resolving spatial changes of the concentration distributions.

Abstract: A pusher centrifuge, in which the pusher plate is moved cyclicly relative to a perforated drum in the axial direction in an advanced and a retracted position in a forward or a reverse movement, can be operated with a higher throughput if the drum is supplied with the mixture after leaving the advanced position of the pusher plate and up to the start of the following forward movement of said pusher plate. The mixture throughput can also be increased in that a smaller mixture quantity is supplied to the drum before reaching the advanced pusher plate position than after leaving the advanced pusher plate position.

Abstract: A management system for use in a centrifuge equipped with a detachable rotor which is rotatable so as to separate density-different samples by a centrifugal force due to the rotation. The management system is for managing the lifetime of the rotor on the basis of the detection results of an operated-condition detector for detecting operated conditions such as the number of times of rotation, running time and rotational speed of the rotor. The management system includes a data storing device which is provided on the rotor to be rotatable therewith and is composed of a magnetic recording medium to allow keeping data relating to the operated conditions of the rotor. Also included in the management system is a data processing unit coupled through a data reading and writing device such as a magnetic head to the data keeping device and also coupled to the operated-condition detector to be responsive to the operated conditions.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a rotor identification system operable to identify each of a plurality of 2.sup.N rotors. Each rotor has at least two synchronizing detectable elements thereon and up to N additional identifying detectable elements. The identification system comprises a first and a second detector, each detector being operative to generate a synchronizing signal upon the passage of a synchronizing detectable element in proximity thereto; and means responsive to the substantially simultaneous generation of a synchronizing signal from each of the first and second detectors for generating an identification enabling signal. Rotor identification signal generating means responsive to the identification enabling signal is provided for generating a rotor identification signal in accordance with the number of identifying detectable elements provided on the rotor.

Abstract: A bucket for use in a swinging bucket centrifuge. A core holder is located between two end chambers, with the annular space between the core holder and the bucket sidewall maintaining the chambers in fluid communication. Windows at each end of the bucket allow fluid collections to be monitored. This enables more accurate data to be obtained regarding the effect of fluids of different specific gravity on a fluid saturating a sample. For example, to obtain data allowing a more accurate modeling of reservoir conditions in an oil field impacted by both gas and water displacement, the amount of oil expelled from a rock sample by gas under pressure and temperature conditions simulating those in the reservoir is measured and, after replacing the gas with water, the amount of oil expelled by water under simulated conditions is measured.

Abstract: A system and method of separation of therapeutic components from blood. The system includes a dual member centrifuge and a disposable single use fluid transfer set. The set includes an elongated flexible separation chamber having an input port, a separated component output port and a residual fluid output port. The input port and the separated component output ports are located at opposite ends of the elongated separation chamber. The centrifuge includes a receiving chamber with a selectively formed annular slot therein. The separation chamber is positioned in the annularly shaped slot and rotated at a predetermined rotational velocity. Fluids such as whole blood flows through the separation chamber and are separated into various therapeutic components such as platelet rich plasma and residual concentrated red blood cells. Platelet rich plasma can be drawn off as the separated therapeutic component. An alternate two part transfer set provides for highly efficient platelet pheresis.

Abstract: Systems transmit a control signal between a rotating element and a stationary element of a blood separation centrifuge. The systems employ a sensor mechanism carried by one of the rotating and stationary elements. The sensor mechanism senses an operating condition that is subject to change. The sensor mechanism generates a first output signal that varies according to changes in the sensed operating condition. A first data transfer component on the one element that carries the sensor mechanism emits energy to the other element without mechanical contact with the other element. The first data transfer mechanism modulates the emitted energy according to variations occurring in the intensity of the first output signal. A second data transfer component on the other element receives the modulated energy emitted by the first data transfer component.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the interface region between cellular constituents and plasma in a blood separation chamber employs a sensor mechanism for emitting upon the interface region energy that is absorbed by the cellular constituents. The sensor mechanism also detects the intensity of the energy that is not absorbed by the interface region to generate an unabsorbed intensity output signal. The system moves the interface region relative to the sensor mechanism during a prescribed time period. A first circuit measures variations in the unabsorbed intensity output signal over the prescribed time period and generates a time based output. A second circuit can derive the physical size of the interface region based upon the time based output.

Abstract: A fluid flow apparatus includes a peristaltic pump rotor mounted to a deck module assembly. A disposable software set is provided which includes a cassette which has a primary flexible tube and a pump platen adjacent to which the primary flexible tube resides. Tubing with blood processing bags are coupled to the manifold along with the input port of the rotor of a disposable blood processing centrifuge bowl. The software set also includes a three-to-one manifold which connects the primary tube to a plurality of secondary flexible tubes. Fluid flow through the secondary flexible tubes is controlled by a plurality of pinch valves which pinch the secondary tubes closed against closing surfaces on the cassette. A deck module assembly allows a user to properly secure the cassette relative to the pump rotor and the pinch valves. A flat surface is provided on the manifold to couple sonic radiation into the manifold and sense the presence of fluids therein.

Abstract: Apparatus for collecting, containing and separating a sample of blood. Disclosed is an apparatus for separating a pre-selected phase of a sample contained in an enclosed chamber, wherein said apparatus can be used with a separating means which rotates the chamber about a longitudinal axis of the chamber. In addition, separating means in which such an enclosed chamber is rotated about a longitudinal axis is described.

Abstract: A method of processing a highly viscous material comprises the steps of spinning the material in a homogenizer to reduce it to a creamy fluent consistency, flowing the creamy material wholly by gravity down into an upper centrifuge stage, centrifuging the creamy material in the upper centrifuge stage into a solids fraction and a liquid fraction, flowing the solids fraction wholly by gravity down into a lower centrifuge stage, and centrifuging the solids fraction in the lower centrifuge stage. These steps can all take continuously with the material being fed in at one end and the solid and liquid fractions obtained at the opposite lower end. Prior to spinning the material a liquid is added to it to reduce its viscosity and increase its homogeneity. This liquid can be the recirculated liquid fraction obtained in the first centrifuge stage. In accordance with this invention the recirculated liquid fraction is heated to 40.degree. C. to 70.degree. C. before introducing it into the homogenizer.

Abstract: A tube for use in a fixed angle centrifuge rotor having a rotor cavity inclined at a predetermined angle .THETA. with respect to the axis of rotation is characterized by one or more marking(s) thereon that indicates the level to which the tube may be filled with liquid without risk of spillage due to meniscus re-orientation. The markings may be graduated in terms of angles at which the rotor cavity may be inclined or in terms of the identity of each rotor into which the tube may be inserted.

Abstract: An interface method for inputting operator-selectable values for speed, temperature and time control parameter are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating solids and liquid mixtures such as to form concentrated sludge including a solid bowl worm centrifuge which has a slurry admission inlet and outlets for a liquid fraction and for concentrated sludge. A detector for detecting the consistency of the sludge leaving the centrifuge, a conduit for bypassing slurry being supplied from a source to the centrifuge and a control valve for controlling the amount bypassed as a function of the consistency of the sludge fraction and in some instances also a conduit for feeding a dilution liquid to the sludge leaving the centrifuge.

Abstract: A measurement device is provided for determining relative proportions of at least two materials forming a liquid and having different densities and different responses to light. A transparent capillary size cuvette tube confines the sample liquid, and is attached radially on a rotor wheel, preferably by a holder which seals an outer end of the tube and provides a package for manipulation of the tube without exposure to the sample. A motor controlled by a processor turns the rotor wheel, separating the materials by their densities. A linear light source illuminates the tube, and a linear array of photosensors defining pixels produces a signal which varies where the different materials abut. The pixels are counted, to locate the stratum between materials and the result is displayed as a percentage of total volume, suitable for hematocrit measurements. The cuvette tube has a fin for assisting in manipulation, is shaped as an elongated lens, and is cut to a spherical end surface to assist in sample collection.

Abstract: In a process and apparatus for measuring the distribution of the concentrations of constituents of a centrifuged medium containing at least one fluid, during centrifuging, a mechanical signal, preferably a sound wave, is emitted from at least one emission point (19-22) in contact with or in the immediate vicinity of the medium (16). The emitted signal is received by at least one reception point (20-22) in contact with or in the immediate vicinity of the medium. For each emission-reception point pair, at least one propagation characteristic of the signal between the emission and reception points thereof is measured and, by an appropriate processor (15), the distribution of the concentrations of the constituents present in the medium is determined. A proposed application is the calculation of the relative permeability and capillary pressure curves of fluids in a porous medium in order to improve the working and operation of oil fields.

Abstract: A method for operating and improving the throughput and efficiency of a worm centrifuge by introducing, at a controlled frequency, successive pressure surges into the concentrated sludge fraction within the bowl separator preceding the solids discharge opening whereby the pulse frequency and the level of pressure are controllable and can be controlled as a function of the sludge fraction throughput through the separator.

Abstract: A shaft for centrifugally separating a sample includes a first shaft element having a first end taper portion and a middle straight portion, and a second shaft element having a second end taper portion. The first shaft element and the second shaft element are coupled and rotate in opposite directions. An adapter having a ring is mounted on the rotating first taper portion of the shaft by the ring. The adapter receives a sample tube and the adapter and the sample tube are transported forward on the first end taper portion of the shaft. The adapter and the sample tube are sent to the middle straight portion of the shaft and the sample is centrifugally separated in the middle straight portion of the shaft. The adapter and the sample tube are sent to the second taper portion of the shaft and disengaged from the second end taper portion of the shaft.

Abstract: A rotor identification system uses the windage of a rotor to produce a signal representative of rotor identity. For a low windage rotor the actual velocity at a predetermined measurement time is used to generate the rotor identity signal. For a high windage rotor the time needed to reach a predetermined measurement velocity is used to generate the rotor identity signal. A selector determines initially whether the rotor is within the low windage or the high windage regime.

Abstract: A centrifuge rotor overspeed protection system which can operate with rotors of at least two speed ranges. A set of coding elements are provided on the rotors coded to represent the actual maximum safe speed rating of the rotor. An additional set of coding elements coded to correspond to the maximum speed in the lower speed range are also provided such that the rotor can be operated at the maximum speed possible in a prior art centrifuge designed for operation in the lower speed range. The detection circuit for the coding elements automatically adjusts the detection threshold depending on the average values of the sensor output peaks corresponding to the codes.

Abstract: A self-balancing apparatus for a centrifuge is disclosed which employs two arcuately movable counterweights. The centrifuge has a plurality of receptacles for receiving one or more assay cartridges. Control apparatus in the centrifuge determines the location and number of received cartridges. Desired counterweight positions are then calculated which will substantially balance the centrifuge. The counterweights are moved into these positions prior to the centrifuge being operated at high speeds.

Abstract: A centrifuge drum for concentrating suspended solids, which are conveyed through channels out of an outer solids space in the drum and into a radially inner peeling chamber, whence they are diverted by a peeler and by an associated concentrate line. A separated clear phase is continuously extracted from the interior of the drum by another peeler and by an associated clear-phase line. The object is to prevent the concentrated solids from heating up undesirably even when their volume is small. There is an opening-and-closing communicating line between the concentrate line and the clear-phase line and an opening-and-closing recirculation line extending into the first peeling chamber from the clear-phase line. The communicating line and the recirculation line are closed to divert the solids and opened to discontinue the diversion.

Abstract: An apparatus for degassing a continuously flowing liquid stream comprising an air-tight housing, in which is mounted for rotation a centrifuge bowl of circular cross-section and having an inner surface for spreading centrifugally impelled liquid to be degassed and an annular peripheral trough for retaining centrifugally impelled degassed liquid. The liquid stream is fed into the bowl and the degassed liquid is withdrawn through a tube extending from an exit line outside the housing to an open end of elongate cross-section which is positioned within the trough of the bowl and is immersible in the degassed liquid. The apparatus further provides for measuring the pressure of the exiting degassed liquid, the pressure measurement being used to regulate the flow of liquid into the bowl so as to maintain a substantially constant level of liquid therein.

Abstract: A solid-bowl centrifuge with an intake pipe and a peeling disk that conveys the peeled-off material out through its hub and comprises a stationary eccentric and a rotating lid that allows the disk to rotate on a carrier positioned in a radial slot. The hub comprises two concentric components, wherein the inner component is secured to the stationary eccentric and the outer component is secured to the rotating peeling-disk lid.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling the angular velocity of a centrifuge tube containing a solute and a solvent to obtain desirable sedimentation behavior and/or diffusion behavior of the solute within the tube during centrifuge operations. In one embodiment, the angular velocity is maintained at a near-maximum value until just before precipitation of a solute component is reached within the tube. The tube angular velocity is then reduced as a function of time so that critical precipitation is approached but never occurs in the tube as the centrifuge process continues. In other embodiments, the net flux of solute particles into a given volume element of the centrifuge tube, or the ratio of net fluxes of two or more solutes into a predetermined volume elements, is caused to be a prescribed function of time. One application of this method is minimization of the time required to obtain a desired density gradient separation by a centrifuge process.

Abstract: An instrument (50) automatically determines the concentrations of HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol and triglycerides for a sample (80) of whole, anticoagulated blood placed in a doughnut shaped container (10). The sample (80) is first separated into its blood cell and plasma (84) constituents using high speed centrifugation (54) and a thixotropic gel (82). Part of the plasma (84) is then deposited in an HDL separation chamber (14) where LDL cholesterol and VLDL cholesterol are precipitated by a reagent and the precipitant is sedimented by high speed centrifugation (54) against V-shaped grooves (40) in the outermost wall (38) of the HDL separation chamber (14). Part of the plasma (84) is diluted ten-fold. The supernatant in the HDL separation chamber is then placed in a cuvette reaction chamber (b 18) where it reacts with a cholesterol reagent. The diluted plasma is placed in two other cuvette reaction chambers (18) where it reacts with chloesterol and triglycerides reagents, respectively.

Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention can be used to measure sedimentation rate of samples. The samples are placed in a sample rotor and are rotatable about a sample rotor axis. The sample rotor axis can be moved into two positions. In one position the sample rotor axis is substantially horizontal and in the other position the sample rotor axis is substantially vertical. Rotation of the sample rotor about the sample rotor axis causes stirring of the samples when the sample rotor axis is horizontal. When the sample rotor axis is substantially vertical settling of the samples occur. Step rotation of the sample rotor brings the samples to a reading means in order to analyze the samples. An optical signal sensor moves along the sides of the test tubes for measuring the sedimentation rate.

Abstract: A centrifugal rotor comprising a plurality of peripheral cuvettes and a collection chamber spaced radially inward from the cuvettes is disclosed. The rotor includes a means for introducing fluid into the collection chamber and plurality of generally radial inlet channels connecting each cuvette to the chamber. Each inlet channel has a discrete flow path for fluid to enter the cuvette and another discrete flow path for gas to exit the cuvette as the cuvette is filled. Positioned radially inward from each cuvette is a reflective surface capable of deflecting a light beam from a generally vertical direction to a generally horizontal direction or vice versa. As the rotor is spun, fluid enters the cuvettes from collection chamber through the inlet channels, which also allow gas in the cuvettes to escape, thus avoiding the creation of bubbles in the cuvette after the cuvettes are filled. The contents are then optically analyzed by passing a light beam horizontally through the cuvette.

Abstract: A method of operating a drum centrifuge having a foraminous drum rotatable about an axis it is centered on comprises first filling a charge of a suspension into the drum while rotating it about its axis so that the charge forms an annular stratified body having an inner surface and the liquid phase of the body passes radially outward and leaves behind the solid phase as a filter cake and then refilling at least one additional charge of a suspension into the drum onto the filter cake while rotating the drum as in the preceding filling step to add the solid phase of the additional charge to the cake already in the drum. Then at least periodically the radial position of the inner surface of the body in the drum is detected and the dry point when the liquid phase has substantially passed radially out of the drum is ascertained to generate outputs corresponding to the detected radial positions and the times same are detected.

Abstract: A system and method of separation of therapeutic components from blood. The system includes a dual member centrifuge and a disposable single use fluid transfer set. The set includes an elongated flexible separation chamber having an input port, a separated component output port and a residual fluid output port. The input port and the separated component output ports are located at opposite ends of the elongated separation chamber. The centrifuge includes a receiving chamber with a selectively formed annular slot therein. The separation chamber is positioned in the annularly shaped slot and rotated at a predetermined rotational velocity. Fluids such as whole blood flows through the separation chamber and are separated into various therapeutic components such as platelet rich plasma and residual concentrated red blood cells. Platelet rich plasma can be drawn off as the separated therapeutic component. An alternate two part transfer set provides for highly efficient platelet pheresis.

Abstract: In a centrifugal separator which has in the top panel of its case an opening communicating with a rotor chamber and a control panel disposed behind the opening, a lid for covering the opening has a cutaway made in its lower portion for receiving the control panel and the pivot of the lid is extended laterally to the rear of the control panel. The lid is spring biased toward its open position and is opened by depression of a foot pedal that is connected to a lid lock mechanism. The control panel includes an indicator of rotor rotational frequency and rotor chamber temperature, the indicator being supplied with electrical signals produced by sensors within the case of the centrifugal separator.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning dirt/oil/water mixtures that utilizes a rotating drum wherein the inner cylindrical wall of the drum includes a plurality of V-shaped troughs secured in continuous circumferential array with each vee or apex directed radially outward and secured to the inner drum wall. Canted baffle plates of triangular shape are then secured within each trough with triangle base secured at the vee open top and the triangle apex secured at the vee apex. Input dirty oil having water and dirt suspended is input at one end of the drum proximate the base ends of the baffle plates while lighter weight oil products are separated inward along the axis of the drum and heavy dirt and water materials are driven to the baffle apex points from which they may be extracted.

Abstract: A transmitter and associated receiver interrogate the surface of a rotor at one or more radial positions from the center of rotation using emitted pulses of energy. Signature signals representative of the distance traveled by the pulses collectively form a signature signal pattern which is compared to a reference library of such signature signal patterns. Each pattern in the library represents one of a predetermined plurality of rotors. The comparison of the detected pattern with the patterns in the library representative of the identity of the interrogated rotor.

Abstract: Apparatus for collecting a sample of liquid, such as blood, having a plurality of phases of differing densities. Disclosed is an apparatus for collecting a sample in an enclosed chamber, wherein said apparatus can be used with a separating means which rotates the chamber about either a longitudinal axis of the chamber, or about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the chamber and not passing through the chamber. In addition, said apparatus facilitates automated manipulation of the sample by providing formed features for: decreasing the gas permeability of said apparatus; clot activation of a blood sample contained within said apparatus; interconnection of a multiplicity of said apparatus; automated manipulation of said apparatus; protecting markings upon said apparatus; layering the construction of said apparatus; and, encoding of information upon said apparatus in both a tactile and visual manner. Also disclosed is an apparatus for dispensing fluid from said enclosed chamber.