Bearing and umbilicus gimbal with bearing retainer in blood processing system

• US 6,344,020 B1
• Filed: 12/06/1999
• Issued: 02/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
• Inventors: Reitz, Douglas, Patno, Timothy, West, Richard, Belle, John Joseph, Lo, Ying-Cheng
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, John
• Application Number:
  US09/455,203
• Time in Patent Office: 792 Days
• Field of Search: 494/16, 494/17, 494/18, 494/20, 494/21, 494/19, 494/43, 494/45, 494/46, 494/83, 384/523, 384/527, 384/572, 384/576, 384/908, 384/911, 384/526, 464/106, 464/178
• US Class Current: 494/46
• CPC Class Codes: B04B 2005/045 having annular separation channels
• CPC Class Codes: B04B 2005/0492 with fluid conveying umbilicus between stationary and rotary centrifuge parts
• CPC Class Codes: B04B 5/0442 with means for adding or withdrawing liquid substances during the centrifugation, e.g. continuous centrifugation
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 23/084 sliding on a complementary spherical surface
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 33/41 comb-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 33/44 Selection of substances F16C33/40, F16C33/41 take precedence

Abstract

A bearing supports a rotating element. The bearing comprises an inner annular body and an outer annular body about the inner annular body. A bearing surface, which is located between the inner annular body and the outer annular body, supports the outer annular body for rotation about the inner annular body. A cage supports the bearing surface during rotation of the outer annular body about the inner annular body. The cage includes a material that imparts increased flexural modulus that resists deformation during rotation.

Claims

1. A fluid processing system including a fluid processing chamber that, in use, rotates about an axis, an umbilicus coupled to the fluid processing chamber, a bearing coupled to the umbilicus, a bearing support rotatable about the fluid processing chamber in engagement with the bearing to impart a twisting motion to the umbilicus to rotate the fluid processing chamber about the axis of rotation, the bearing support having a gimbal mounted on the bearing support to retain and support the bearing during rotation, the bearing comprising:

an inner annular body, an outer annular body extending about the inner annular body,

a bearing surface comprising an array of ball bearings between the inner annular body and the outer annular body, supporting the outer annular body for rotation about the inner annular body,

a cage supporting the bearing surface during rotation of the outer annular body about the inner annular body, the cage including a material that has a flexural modulus and an additive material that increases the flexural modulus to resist deformation during rotation.

2. A fluid processing system according to claim 1,

wherein the umbilicus body includes a proximal region and a distal region, and wherein the inner annular body of the bearing is secured to the umbilicus body between the proximal region of the umbilicus and the distal region of the umbilicus.

3. A fluid processing system according to claim 2,

wherein the inner annular body includes a collar, and wherein a clip fastens the collar to the umbilicus, thereby securing the bearing to the umbilicus.

4. A fluid processing system according to claim 1,

wherein adhesive fastens the inner annular body to the umbilicus body.

5. A fluid processing system according to claim 4,

wherein at least one of the umbilicus body and the inner annular body is roughened where adhesive fastens the inner annular body to the umbilicus body.

6. A fluid processing system according to claim 1,

wherein the cage material is reinforced polyester.

7. A fluid processing system according to claim 6,

wherein the reinforced polyester is thermoplastic crystalline polymer.

8. A fluid processing system according to claim 7,

wherein the thermoplastic crystalline polymer is polybutylene terephthalate.

9. A fluid processing system according to claim 1,

wherein the additive material includes a fiber additive.

10. A fluid processing system according to claim 9,

wherein the fiber additive is carbon.

11. A fluid processing system according to claim 9,

wherein the fiber additive is glass fiber or mineral fiber or glass and mineral fiber.

12. A fluid processing system according to claim 1,

wherein the cage supports the array of balls in a circumferentially spaced apart relationship.

13. A blood processing system including a blood processing chamber that, in use, rotates about an axis, an umbilicus coupled to the blood processing chamber, a bearing coupled to the umbilicus, a bearing support rotatable about the blood processing chamber in engagement with the bearing to impart a twisting motion to the umbilicus to rotate the blood processing chamber about the axis of rotation, the bearing support having a gimbal mounted on the bearing support to retain and support the bearing during rotation, the bearing comprising:

an inner annular body,

an outer annular body extending about the inner annular body,

a bearing surface comprising an array of ball bearings between the inner annular body and the outer annular body, supporting the outer annular body for rotation about the inner annular body,

a cage supporting the bearing surface during rotation of the outer annular body about the inner annular body, the cage including a material that has a flexural modulus and an additive that increases the flexural modulus to resist deformation during rotation.

14. A blood processing system according to claim 13,

wherein the umbilicus body includes a proximal region and a distal region, and wherein the inner annular body of the bearing is secured to the umbilicus body between the proximal region of the umbilicus and the distal region of the umbilicus.

15. A blood processing system according to claim 14,

wherein the inner annular body includes a collar, and wherein a clip fastens the collar to the umbilicus, thereby securing the bearing to the umbilicus.

16. A blood processing system according to claim 13,

wherein adhesive fastens the inner annular body to the umbilicus body.

17. A blood processing system according to claim 16,

wherein at least one of the umbilicus body and the inner annular body is roughened where adhesive fastens the inner annular body to the umbilicus body.

18. A blood processing system according to claim 13,

wherein the cage material is reinforced polyester.

19. A blood processing system according to claim 18,

wherein the reinforced polyester is thermoplastic crystalline polymer.

20. A blood processing system according to claim 19,

wherein the thermoplastic crystalline polymer is polybutylene terephthalate.

21. A blood processing system according to claim 13,

wherein the additive material includes a fiber additive.

22. A blood processing system according to claim 21,

wherein the fiber additive is carbon.

23. A blood processing system according to claim 21,

wherein the fiber additive is glass fiber or mineral fiber or glass and mineral fiber.

24. A blood processing system according to claim 13,

wherein the cage supports the array of balls in a circumferentially spaced apart relationship.