Centrifuge apparatus for processing blood

• US 7,060,018 B2
• Filed: 09/11/2003
• Issued: 06/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nuo Therapeutics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Cobe Cardiovascular Incorporated (LivaNova Plc)
• Inventors: Skinkle, David W., Berch, Stephen W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cooley, Charles E.
• Application Number:
  US10/659,855
• Publication Number:
  US 20050059540A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,006 Days
• Field of Search: 494/18, 494 23- 30, 494/38, 494/41, 494/43, 494/45, 494/47, 494/48, 494/50, 494/56, 210/781, 210/782
• US Class Current: 494/45
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/05 for collecting, storing or administering blood, plasma or medical fluids multiple bags systems for separating or storing blood components A61M1/0209; Infusion or perfusion containers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/0209 Multiple bag systems for separating or storing blood components
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/36224 with sensing means or components thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/36225 with blood pumping means or components thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/36226 Constructional details of cassettes, e.g. specific details on material or shape
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/362265 Details of valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3693 using separation based on different densities of components, e.g. centrifuging
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3696 with means for adding or withdrawing liquid substances during the centrifugation, e.g. continuous centrifugation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3698 Expressing processed fluid out from the turning rotor using another fluid compressing the treatment chamber; Variable volume rotors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/12 with interchangeable cassettes forming partially or totally the fluid circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/223 Multiway valves
• CPC Class Codes: B04B 5/0428 with flexible receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: B04B 5/0442 with means for adding or withdrawing liquid substances during the centrifugation, e.g. continuous centrifugation

Abstract

A centrifuge apparatus for processing blood comprising a bottom spring-loaded support plate; a top support plate; an axial inlet/outlet for blood to be processed and processed components of the blood, the axial inlet/outlet being attached to the top support plate by a rotating seal assembly; a variable volume separation chamber mounted between the bottom support plate and the top support plate, the variable volume separation chamber being fluidly connected to the axial inlet/outlet; a pump fluidly connected to the axial inlet/outlet; and a rotary drive unit attached to the bottom support plate. The top support plate is fixed vertically and the bottom spring-loaded support plate is mounted on springs that maintain pressure on the variable volume separation chamber and allow the bottom support plate to move vertically.

Claims

1. A centrifuge apparatus for processing blood comprising:

a bottom support plate;

a top support plate;

an axial inlet/outlet for blood to be processed and processed components of the blood, the axial inlet/outlet being attached to the top support plate by a rotating seal assembly;

a variable volume separation chamber mounted between the bottom support plate and the top support plate, the variable volume separation chamber being fluidly connected to the axial inlet/outlet;

a pump fluidly connected to the axial inlet/outlet; and

a rotary drive unit attached to the bottom support plate,

wherein the top holder is fixed vertically and the bottom support plate is mounted on a mechanical actuator that maintains pressure on the variable volume separation chamber and allows the bottom support plate to move vertically, and

wherein the mechanical actuator is a ball-screw actuator.

2. An apparatus of claim 1, wherein mechanical actuator is controlled automatically by a processing unit.

3. A centrifuge apparatus for processing blood comprising:

a bottom spring-loaded support plate;

a top support plate;

an axial inlet/outlet for blood to be processed and processed components of the blood, the axial inlet/outlet being attached to the top support plate by a rotating seal assembly;

a variable volume separation chamber mounted between the bottom support plate and the top support plate, the variable volume separation chamber being fluidly connected to the axial inlet/outlet;

a pump fluidly connected to the axial inlet/outlet; and

a rotary drive unit attached to the bottom support plate,

wherein the top support plate is fixed vertically and the bottom spring-loaded support plate is mounted on springs that maintain pressure on the variable volume separation chamber and allow the bottom support plate to move vertically, and

wherein a disposable cartridge has been mounted on the apparatus, the disposable cartridge comprising a plurality of ports for receiving or dispensing blood or blood components and a fluid sensor pathway for displaying blood or blood components for analysis, the cartridge being adapted to be mounted on a multi-position valve for directing flow between the ports and the fluid scnsor pathway being adapted to be mounted adjacent to one or more sensors for analyzing blood.

4. An apparatus of claim 3, wherein the disposable cartridge snaps on to the apparatus.