Abstract: This invention relates to an improved particulate receiving chamber within a centrifugal separation device and more particularly within a decanter centrifuge. The improved receiving chamber reduces particle disintegration of the particulates which is particularly advantageous if the particulates are subjected to a further centrifugal separation step because particle disintegration compromises the clarification achievable by successive centrifugal separators. The preferred embodiment of the particulate receiving chamber includes a plurality of spray nozzles for spraying fluid in the chamber whereby the fluid absorbs the impact forces of the particulates which impact against surfaces within the chamber.

Abstract: A centrifuge for separating liquids, e.g., oil from water. The centrifuge basically comprises a housing having first and second cavities, and a liquid conveying wall disposed over a bowl arranged to be rotated about a central axis. The bowl includes an annular top wall having an annular separator plate including a central hub mounted below the top wall. The separator plate is spaced from the bowl to enable the second liquid to flow therebetween and into the space between it and the top wall. The hub has plural radial passageways in communication with the space between the separator plate and the top wall and also with the space between the top wall and the liquid conveying wall. The hub also has plural axial passageways communicating with the interior of the bowl and located at the interface of the two liquids formed when the bowl is rotated. Each axial passageways has an outlet in communication with the liquid conveying wall.

Abstract: Machine for cytapheresis such as platelet apheresis, and for plasma exchange treatment having control means (13, 27) for admixture of a liquid to flow of blood passing through a connection (29) between a pump (10) and a separating means (14) for separation of blood by centrifugation into various components. The invention also relates to a method in operating such a machine, and a method for cytapheresis such as platelet apheresis, wherein said liquid is admixed to blood being drawn from a donor/patient and/or being returned from the separation process to the donor/patient.

Abstract: Red blood cells being salvaged are centrifuged into a liquid layer, mixed with a wash solution, and thereafter separated therefrom.

Abstract: Thawed glycerolized red blood cells are washed in a system (1) of closed collapsible containers of flexible material which are positioned concentrically in a centrifuge rotor. The blood cells are held in an annular primary container (2) into which wash liquid is centrifugally fed from a c entral container (3) and from which supernatant is expressed into a central waste container (4) while the primary container is being compressed as a result of centrifugal action on an elastic body (24) in the rotor. A container assembly (1) for use in carrying out the washing comprises an annular collapsible primary container (2), a collapsible circular closed wash liquid container (3), a collapsible circular, closed waste container (4), and valve controlled conduits for passing liquid from the wash liquid container into the primary container and from the primary container into the waste container.

Abstract: The internal cleaning of a centrifuge rotor is performed by a cleaning liquid is which pumped from a tank via an inlet channel to a central inlet chamber of the rotor during rotation thereof. A separation chamber is connected to the inlet chamber and, at different radial levels, to two outlet chambers via separate outlet passages. Cleaning liquid is discharged from the outlet chambers through a stationary discharge device having separate outlet channels. Part of the cleaning liquid discharged through the outlet channels is returned to the tank via a return conduit. The rest of the cleaning liquid is conducted directly to the inlet channel by means of an overpressure generated in the stationary discharge device. Thereby, it is possible to clean the rotor internally even very close to its rotational axis.

Abstract: A centrifugal processing system and method introduces fluid to be processed into a centrifugation chamber, while directing the fluid away from the region of the chamber where the largest centrifugal (or "G") forces exist. The fluid is also conveyed into the force field as a generally uniform stream having reduced turbulence or being essentially free of turbulence. The system and method thereby establish, upon the entry of a high velocity fluid stream into the centrifugal field, non-turbulent and uniform flow conditions conducive to effective separation. The system and method also direct the fluid in a way the maximizes the effective surface area of the centrifugation chamber for separation. Effective separation can thereby be achieved at high inlet flow rates.

Abstract: Liquid dispensing method is provided, and comprises the steps of periodically rotating a liquid dispenser package to supply a liquid from a liquid supply chamber to a liquid reservoir by flowing the liquid under the influence of centrifugal force through a connecting liquid supply channel, and inhibiting foaming of the liquid while it flows through the liquid supply channel.

Abstract: A decanter centrifuge typically includes a bowl which is rotatable about its longitudinal axis and an independently rotatable screw conveyor mounted coaxially therein. A drive motor is provided to rotate the conveyor at a differential speed from that of the bowl, which has a separate drive motor. An engagement element, in the form of an indexing clutch, an over-running clutch or a selectively controllable clutching element, is provided between the conveyor drive motor and the bowl to simultaneously rotate the bowl and the conveyor during a cleaning in place operation of the centrifuge.

Abstract: To separate minerals, they are made up into a slurry A applied to a hollow tapered cylinder 301 spinning on its axis to generate 10 g centrifugal force.The cylinder 301 is also subjected to axial vibration at 5 to 10 Hz. The cylinder widens at a half-angle of 1.degree., and its axis is inclined at 2.degree. upwardly in the direction of widening.A film of slurry is held centrifugally to the internal surface of the cylinder and kept in suspension by the vibration. The denser (i.e. higher specific gravity) particles in the slurry tend to move preferentially radially outwardly (centrifugally) and to move downwardly in the boundary layer (under Earth's gravity). The action of the washing water B is to displace waste accidentally entrained with the higher-specific-gravity-particles.The valuable higher-specific-gravity particles overflow downwardly continuously at C and are collected.

Abstract: In a centrifugal rotor an annular slide (5) exposes its one side towards a separation chamber (7) and its opposite side towards an annular chamber (9). The slide (5) can be moved axially by radial displacement of the free liquid surface of liquid bodies in said chambers (7, 9).According to the invention a radial displacement of a free liquid surface in said annular chamber (9) is accomplished without liquid being discharged from the same. Instead an axial movable additional slide (6) is used, which has an axial directed surface exposed into the annular chamber (9). By means of the additional slide liquid can be displaced in the annular chamber (9) radially outwards and inwards.

Abstract: A multicomponent fluid separation and irradiation system is described containing a centrifuge drum and a source of radiant energy located within the drum. In a first embodiment a disposable rigid separation/irradiation chamber is provided with a cylindrical outer compartment located within the drum and opposing the radiant energy source. Whole blood is supplied to the chamber through a dynamic seal located at the center of the chamber. As the chamber is rotated, blood is separated so that energy from the source passes through the inner wall of the chamber and the separated plasma layer to irradiate the buffy coat layer. In a second embodiment, one or both of the walls of the outer compartment of the chamber are flexible so that the chamber will expand as blood is pumped in and will collapse as blood is pumped out.

Abstract: A centrifugal separator for gold or the like is of the type in which a bowl is rotated at high speed so that materials fed into the bowl pass over the peripheral wall of the bowl to an open mouth. On the inner surface of the bowl is provided a series of ribs defining peripheral recesses in which the heavy material is collected. An outer shell surrounds the bowl and defines with it a chamber into which water is injected to pass through openings at the base of the recesses to fluidize the material within the recesses. The outer shell has a peripheral wall of increasing diamter toward the open mouth with a plurality of openings being provided in the shell around to open mouth to allow the escape of silt collecting in the chamber. A wear resistant plastics material is attached to the bowl at the open mouth and to a casing surrounding the open mouth to redirect the exiting materials to an outlet duct.

Abstract: In a previously known centrifugal separator the separation chamber (4) of the centrifuge rotor has an inlet (9) for a mixture of two liquids and relatively heavy solids, a central outlet (23a) for separated light liquid and a periphery outlet (12) for separated solids. A third outlet (35) from the separation chamber (4), situated radially between the first said two outlets (23a, 12), communicates with a recirculation channel, which extends partly through a stationary structure and through which liquid may be conducted from the separation chamber (4) through a sensing device (38) and back to said inlet (9) for mixture. The sensing device (38) is arranged to initiate opening of the periphery outlet (12), when a certain amount of heavy liquid has been separated in the separation chamber (4). A throttle is arranged for limiting of the flow through the recirculation channel.

Abstract: A centrifuge drum has a chamber that can accommodate fluid formed by a concentric component inserted into the drum. The concentric component has a sealing ring accommodated in an annular groove at its outer diameter. The base of the annular groove can be supplied with control medium through a channel and emptied again through an outlet device. When the channel is full, the sealing ring is forced against a cylindrical surface and seals off an annular gap. When the channel is empty, the pressure of the fluid in the chamber forces the sealing ring in, releasing the annular gap for the chamber to empty through. In addition to acting as a seal, the sealing ring also acts as a valve, and allows a very simple design for all types of centrifuge-drum chambers that must be filled and emptied again during operation.

Abstract: A centrifugal separator for use for example with the extraction of gold of the type comprising a bowl with a plurality of rings on the inner peripheral surface between which are provided openings for the injection of water between the rings into the interior of the bowl is modified by a number of further features. Thus firstly the rings and recesses between the rings are molded from a plastics inner which is cast in place within an outer rigid bowl. The openings are formed by punched depressions in the outer wall formed prior to the casting and then drilled subsequent to the casting to form a tangential opening. The shape of the recesses defines sides tapered outwardly toward a flat base at a shallow angle of the order of 15 degrees with the width of the base wider than the width of the injection openings.

Abstract: This invention relates to a chemical manipulator adapted to automate analysis of liquids of .mu.l unit such as DNA sample. Within the body frame are arranged a sample supply and discharging station, a mixing station, a separating station, and a drying station, each station being provided with a positioning device and a temperature control such as a thermostatic tank if necessary. Reaction containers are accommodated within a bucket which can accommodate a plurality of reaction containers. The bucket is automatically transported between the stations by means of a head element of a manipulator which may be moved in three directions of x, y and z.

Abstract: A centrifugal blood processing system is disclosed having a rotor drive assembly that is rotatably mounted to a stationary base for rotation along a predetermined axis. A rotor assembly, which includes a blood processing chamber, is rotatably mounted with respect to the base for rotation about the axis. A flexible umbilical cable segment is provided for establishing fluid communication with the blood processing chamber. One end of the cable segment is fixed with respect to the base along the axis at one side of the rotor assembly while the other end of the cable segment is attached on the axis in rotationally locked engagement to the rotor assembly. Guide means are provided for causing the umbilical cable to rotate about the axis with the motor drive assembly. Means are provided for rotating the rotor assembly and the rotor drive assembly in the same direction with a speed ratio of 2:1 to prevent the umbilical cable from becoming completely twisted during rotation of the rotor.

Abstract: A continuous-operation centrifuge bowl for concentrating suspended solids. The separated solids are conveyed through channels provided with nozzle-like orifices from the periphery of the bowl to a skimming chamber located in the diameter of an incomplete circle that is shorter than the outside diameter of the bowl. The concentrate is diverted out under pressure by means of a skimmer. Each channel communicates through a communicating channel with a distribution chamber, into which some of the diverted-out solids are returned. To create a centrifuge bowl in which the concentrate that is to be recirculated never leaves the vicinity of the bowl, there is another skimmer in the skimming chamber that returns some of the concentrate conveyed into the skimming chamber directly back into the distribution chamber.

Abstract: In a vertical centrifugal separator having a basket and a skimmer, laminar flow occurs at the bottom of an upper skimming disk and extends over the skimming-disk shaft into an annular catch chamber. Liquid-diversion channels leads from the catch chamber into an intake. Although the product is fed into the intake under higher-than-atmospheric pressure, the catch chamber, which is at atmospheric pressure, empties through the liquid-diversion channels because the high rate of flow in the intake produces an injector effect.

Abstract: In a centrifugal separator for instance for purifying oil from water and solids there is a central outlet for separated water, comprising an overflow outlet maintaining a free water surface at a certain level in the door. According to the present invention this central outlet may be closed by means of an axially movable slide (23), which is rotatable together with the rotor. The rotor also has a further overflow outlet (22a) situated radially inside said predetermined level (20) such that upon supply of a so called displacement liquid to the rotor--in connection with the opening of periphery outlets (21) from the separation chamber for discharge of separated solids--separated water cannot leave the rotor through its outlet (12, 15) for separated oil.

Abstract: A process for separating particles from mixtures containing the particles is disclosed. An adoptive transfer therapy process wherein mononuclear cells are separated from a mixture of blood cells by the process is also disclosed. The process comprises supporting the mixture in a centrifuge chamber; subjecting the chamber to a centrifugal force; and forcing a displacing fluid through the chamber, against the centrifugal force, thereby separating the preselected particles from the mixture. The process is further characterized in that the displacing fluid has a density greater than or equal to the density of the preselected particles.

Abstract: The centrifuge has a self-emptying drum. There are expulsion apertures in the bottom of the drum. The apertures lead from a solids space and can be closed off with a piston slide. A closure chamber that can be charged with closure liquid is associated with the piston slide. The closure chamber communicates with a chamber through a bleed channel in the form of an annular gap and through a valve gap. The annular gap has an extensive cross-section that promotes rapid flow and accordingly especially accelerates bleeding the closure liquid out of the closure chamber into the other chamber. This makes it possible to increase the stroke of the piston slide at a prescribed extraction volume when the drum empties.

Abstract: A method of cleaning red blood cells which have been separated from undesirable components of blood in a centrifugal separating chamber includes the steps of pulsating a washing solution through the red blood cells in an alternating high flow rate/low flow rate sequence so as to alternately agitate the red cells for optimal cleaning and stabilize the red cells to prevent a flushing of the cells from the separation chamber.

Abstract: A control valve for a self-emptying centrifuge drum for draining closure fluid out of a closure chamber positioned below an axially movable piston slide with a valve piston that closes the closure-fluid runoff bores by means of centrifugal force and opens them by supplying control fluid to an initial control chamber that has an inlet and an outlet. To improve the known control valve to the extent that it will close more rapidly, making the amount of solids extracted at each emptying more constant, another control chamber, also having an inlet and an outlet, but in which the active face of the piston is larger than that of the piston in the initial control chamber, is provided, with the volumes of the control chambers and the cross-sections of the inlets and outlet ensuring that the initial control chamber is filled first and the second control chamber only after a delay.

Abstract: A centrifugal separator has a rotating tub with annular dams to trap the heavier components of the slurry fed into the tub through a centrally located feed tube. The latter rotates at a speed slightly different from that of the tub and supports radially extending spokes that have depending tines provided with lower nozzle defining ends in the annular spaces between the dams. Water under pressure emanates from these nozzles. An alternative tub configuration has annular water manifolds inside these annular spaces to provide water under pressure to nozzles in the tub itself for supplementing the action of the nozzles in the depending tines.

Abstract: In order to subject a valve within the rotor of a centrifugal separator to a certain liquid pressure, the rotor being supported by a vertical drive shaft (13), a liquid surface is maintained during operation of the rotor very close to the axis of the rotor, this surface being formed within a central channel (12) through said drive shaft (13). The lower end of the drive shaft, in which the channel (12) opens axially through an orifice (31) having its surrounding edge at the desired radial level for the liquid surface, is rotated in a liquid body which is kept in a container (25) below the drive shaft (13).

Abstract: At a centrifugal separator the centrifuge rotor has an inlet (24) to a separating chamber (4) for a fluid mixture of components to be separated, and means for removing of one separated component from another during the operation of the rotor. Said means comprise an outlet member (15) which is arranged to be entrained in rotation by fluid having been supplied to the rotor but which--at least intermittently--may be caused to rotate at a lower speed than said fluid. A channel (16) extends through the outlet member (15) from a point in the rotor, where the separated component is situated, to a reception place therefor. The reception place may be arranged either within or outside the rotor.

Abstract: This invention relates to a chemical manipulator adapted to automate analysis of liquids of .mu.l unit such as DNA sample. Within the body frame are arranged a sample supply and discharging station, a mixing station, a separating station, and a drying station, each station being provided with a positioning device and a temperature control such as a thermostatic tank if necessary. Reaction containers are accommodated within a bucket which can accommodate a plurality of reaction containers. The bucket is automatically transported between the stations by means of a head element of a manipulator which may be moved in three directions of x, y and z.

Abstract: A centrifugal separator of the type comprising a bowl which is rotated about its axis and which has on the inner surface of the peripheral wall, a plurality of axially spaced radially extending rings and in between the rings, a plurality of openings through which water is injected from outside the bowl, has the openings arranged tangentially to the surface of the bowl and in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation to improve the fluidization of the material on the peripheral surface of the bowl. The openings are manufactured from a plurality of separate wall portions, each of which has projections stamped outwardly which are then drilled to provide tangentially extending holes. The wall portion is then rolled and assembled with a plurality of rings into a bowl where each wall portion is of greater diameter than the previous bowl portion closer to the base. An opening in the base lies under the lowermost ring and extends into a projection from the lowermost peripheral wall portion.

Abstract: A centrifuge cup insert having an outer container and an inner container disposed therein with a spacer means between the containers to afford a reservoir between the containers capable of holding a liquid, the reservoir communicating with the atmosphere; associated apparatus for weighing the cup insert and dispensing a metered amount of fluid into the reservoir; and a method of using the cup insert with or without the associated apparatus.

Abstract: A centrifuge with a self-emptying drum is provided with expulsion openings in its jacket that lead from the solids space and that can be closed off by a piston slide. The piston slide is associated with a closure chamber, which can be supplied with a closure fluid and which has outlet channels around it that can be closed off by a valve body and that open into a blocking chamber. The blocking chamber can accommodate part of the closure fluid taken in by the closure chamber. The valve body and the piston slide are moved into the opening position for partial emptying. The valve body remains in the open position during partial emptying. The outlet channels are blocked by closure fluid taken in by the blocking chamber. This blocking fluid initiates the closing motion of the piston slide while closure fluid continues to be supplied to the closure chamber.

Abstract: In an operating system for a centrifuge rotor having valve means being operable by means of so called operating liquid for opening and closing peripheral outlets in the rotor, an injector device for supplying operating liquid to the rotor is used which comprises a chamber divided by a movable wall into an air side and a liquid side. The liquid side of the injector device is maintained in hydraulic contact with an injection inlet to the centrifuge rotor before an opening procedure is to be started, which is effected by opening a time controlled air valve on the air side of the injector device. The air valve is further connected to a compressed air source through a buffer vessel so that a controlled air pressure is used for the injection of operating liquid to the rotor.

Abstract: A centrifuge with a self-emptying drum including drum jacket having ejection openings for the solids that collect in the solids space. The openings can be blocked off with a piston valve with which is associated a closure compartment that can be charged with closure liquid. The closure compartment has outlet channels around it that can be blocked off with a hydraulically controlled valve body. When the valve is open, the closure liquid flows into a compartment with choked run-off bores. The compartment has sufficient capacity for part of the closure liquid. The compartment has at least one run-off channel that has a valve with a piston that can be shifted hydraulically in it. When the solids space is to be completely emptied, the closure liquid flowing into the compartment moves the valve piston into the opening position so that the closure liquid can flow off through a channel.

Abstract: The screw centrifuge has a cylindrical clarifying part and a conical desiccating part which is provided with axial supply pipes for a washing liquid and with openings for the passage of the washing liquid into the chamber between the drum and the screw core. A substantial improvement in the washing effect is achieved in that the openings are connected to a liquid distributor which is positioned along a cylindrical helix and which charges the washing liquid regularly along the screw flank over at least one turn in the vicinity of the screw core. The liquid distributor either comprises an overflow channel which is positioned in or directly upstream of the screw flank, or it is formed from a compact series of nozzles which are directed at the screw flank. It is an essential feature of this arrangement that the solids which are pushed up by the screw flanks are covered and saturated regularly with the washing liquid.

Abstract: A device that regulates an outlet valve on a self-discharging centrifugal drum which diverts the closure fluid from a closure compartment that moves the piston valve from a closure position while the solids space is being partly or completely emptied, has, in addition to a supply line that supplies closure fluid to the closure compartment, an operating-fluid line in which a compressed air-controlled operating-fluid meter is positioned downstream of one shut-off and upstream of another shut-off. The meter consists of a housing divided by a tightly stretched and flexible diaphragm into two compartments, one that can be altered in capacity and that accepts operating fluid and a second that can be pressurized. This system ensures that a precise volume of operating fluid will be supplied to the outlet valve and determines the amount of solids to be removed.

Abstract: A cell washing method and apparatus which utilizes centrifugation to separate blood components in a flexible bag. The less dense separated components e.g., supernatant, is expressed from the bag by centrifugal force acting on a plate adjacent the bag and the more dense component e.g., RBC's, remains. The bag is oriented at a double angle in the centrifuge so that less dense component accumulates at one location and more dense at a second location diagonally opposite the first location, thus facilitating removal of the less dense and washing of the more dense component.

Abstract: A centrifuge with a self-emptying drum has ejection openings in its jacket that lead out of a solids space and can be blocked off with a piston valve. It has a closure compartment that can be charged with closure fluid and is associated with the piston valve. Part of the closure compartment is divided into an upper and a lower division by a disk. Outflow channels lead out of the drum from the lower division of the closure compartment. The disk can be displaced axially. When it is in its lower position, it hermetically seals off the lower division of the closure compartment from the rest of the compartment. When it is in its upper position, into which it can be displaced hydraulically, the disk allows the lower division to communicate with the rest of the closure compartment so that closure fluid flows out of the compartment through its lower division and through outflow channels.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement in two-port centrifuge bowls in which component yield is enhanced by utilizing the centrifuge bowl for eluttriation, as well as centrifugation. In a particular embodiment, platelet yield is improved by terminating flow of anticoagulated whole blood from the donor to the bowl and pumping low density fluid, preferably plasma, back into the bowl at a relatively high rate to elutriate centrifugally separated cells in the bowl.

Abstract: A plastic ring has a circumferential groove formed in its outer peripheral surface. The ring is fitted in a bowl-type centrifuge rotor such that the ring's outer surface contacts the inner wall of the rotor. The channel is defined by the groove and rotor wall. The rotor is filled with a compensating liquid to reduce centrifugal stress on the plastic and to reduce leakage from the channel.

Abstract: A deformable support for a pressure plate blood processing centrifuge apparatus is described. A plate 50 is disposed adjacent a deformable support 10 having a recess for a flexible bag 8 in which blood is processed. Under the influence of centrifugal force the plate 50, which is disposed inwardly nearer the center of rotation than the bag 8, exerts a force against the support 10 and bag 8 and expels a separated blood component from the bag into a receiver container 6.The support 10 absorbs forces in the bag 8 thereby enabling the bag to be made of thin walled inexpensive material which would otherwise rupture under the separation forces. Yet the support 10 is sufficiently yielding to enable the pressure plate 50 to move and create an expelling force.

Abstract: A free floating plastic channel for sedimentation field flow fractionation is suspended in a centrifuge rotor filled with a compensating liquid. The channel is constructed of a plastic central hub assembly fitted with a plastic outer ring preferably having a lower density than the hub. The outer ring contains a shallow channel on its radially inner surface and is interference-fitted to the inner ring to insure a liquid tight seal at zero force field. With the liquid totally surrounding the hub-outer ring assembly, stresses on the plastic parts are essentially equalized even under high force fields and leakage from the channel at the hub-ring interface is greatly reduced.

Abstract: A free floating plastic channel for sedimentation field flow fractionation is suspended in a centrifuge rotor filled with a compensating liquid. The channel is constructed of a plastic central hub assembly fitted with a plastic outer ring preferably of a lower density than the hub. The hub contains a shallow channel on its outer surface and is interference-fitted to the outer ring to insure a liquid tight seal at zero force field. With the liquid totally surrounding the hub-outer ring assembly, stresses on the plastic parts are essentially equalized even under high force fields and leakage from the channel at the hub-ring interface is greatly reduced.

Abstract: A pressure plate blood processing centrifuge apparatus is described. A plate is disposed adjacent a flexible bag in which blood is being processed. Under the influence of centrifugal force the plate, which is disposed inwardly nearer the center of rotation than the bag, expels a separated blood component from the bag into a receiver container. The container may be located (1) radially inward or (2) radially outward from the bag or (3) adjacent and equidistant from the center of rotation.In the embodiment in which the container is located radially outward from the bag, a valve is provided which is responsive to the specific density of separated components to stop the flow. In other embodiments, the mass of the plate is selected so as to expel only the desired component. A plurality of alternate embodiments are described which make the apparatus useful for a variety of apparatus, such as plasma pheresis, platelet pheresis and cell-washing.

Abstract: A timing and control mechanism for a centrifuge comprising a piston to which is attached a cam having cam surfaces which interact with flexible tubing to control the rate of flow through the tubing. The velocity of the piston in the centrifugal force field is determined by the resistance to flow of fluid which the piston displaces. The movement of the cam is therefore a measure of the speed and duration of the centrifugal force.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement in two-port centrifuge bowls in which component yield is enhanced by utilizing the centrifuge bowl for eluttriation, as well as centrifugation. In a particular embodiment, platelet yield is improved by terminating flow of anticoagulated whole blood from the donor to the bowl and pumping low density fluid, preferably plasma, back into the bowl at a relatively high rate to elutriate centrifugally separated cells in the bowl.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for centrifugally separating blood into one or more components, such as a plasma-rich component, and a plasma-poor component. This apparatus employs a centrifuge intended to be used immediately adjacent to a blood donor. A flexible displacement container having a displacer fluid operated diaphragm is positioned within a blood processing chamber of the centrifuge rotor. The blood processing chamber comprises a pair of contoured support shoes which structurally supports the displacement container and a flexible blood processing container. Separated first blood component is expressed from the flexible processing blood container by movement of the diaphragm and is collected in a receiver container as the centrifuge rotor spins.A reservoir for displacer fluid is mounted closer to the axis of rotation of the centrifuge than the flexible displacement container and in fluid communication therewith.

Abstract: Method and device for centrifugal separation of components of a liquid in which the liquid components are separated under the action of centrifugal force and then separately collected under the action of aspirator mechanism.