Flow-through microcentrifuge

• US 20020045525A1
• Filed: 03/26/2001
• Published: 04/18/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University (Stanford Management Co.)
• Original Assignee: Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University (Stanford Management Co.)
• Inventors: Marziali, Andrea
• Granted Patent: US 6,652,136 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 494/31
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/18 Apparatus therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 63/16 Rotary, reciprocated or vibrated modules
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 31/23 by pivoting the containers about an axis
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/30 Micromixers
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/32005 Type of drive
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0832 cylindrical, tube shaped
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0409 centrifugal forces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502 with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures centrifugal-type cuvettes G01N21/07; analysis by separation into components G01N30/00; automatic analysers G01N35/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5021 Test tubes specially adapted for centrifugation purposes centrifuges B04B5/04
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/50855 using modular assemblies of strips or of individual wells
• CPC Class Codes: B04B 1/02 without inserted separating walls
• CPC Class Codes: B04B 2005/0478 with filters in the separation chamber
• CPC Class Codes: B04B 5/0407 for liquids contained in receptacles B04B5/0442 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B04B 5/10 Centrifuges combined with other apparatus, e.g. electrostatic separators; Sets or systems of several centrifuges B04B5/12 takes precedence; magnetic or electrostatic separators B03C; amassing particles by electric fields, e.g. by agglomeration B03C3/0175
• CPC Class Codes: B04B 7/08 Rotary bowls centrifugal casting machines B22D
• CPC Class Codes: B04B 9/06 Fluid drive

Abstract

A flow-through microcentrifuge comprising a container in which a sample is placed, and a power source capable of rotating the container around an axis. High speed rotation causes the components of the sample to separate according to their respective densities. Pressurized gas, a flowing liquid, electromagnetism, or an engine can power rotation of the container. Due to the small size of the flow-through microcentrifuge, speeds can reach up to 600,000 rpm, with a corresponding increase in centrifugal acceleration up to 1,500,000 g. In addition to separation, the flow-through microcentrifuge can resuspend pelleted material in a liquid by rotating in one direction and then in the opposite direction, repeatedly. The flow-through microcentrifuge is also able to mix two or more reagents using this method. The flow-through microcentrifuge is modular in nature, meaning two or more can be placed together in any configuration and run by the same power source. In the preferred embodiment, several microcentrifuges are used simultaneously to centrifuge samples in multi-well plates.

Claims