Apparatus and method for separating and concentrating fluids containing multiple components
First Claim
1. A method of separating a multi-component fluid using a centrifuge process and buoy system, including a first and a second piston, in a container to hold the multi-component fluid during the centrifuge process, comprising:
- interconnecting the first piston and the second piston with a connection member;
forming a first fraction and a second fraction by centrifuging the multi-component fluid disposed in the container;
containing at least a portion of the second fraction in a collection area of the first piston;
disposing the first piston relative to the second piston; and
moving the second piston relative to the first piston to at least assist in withdrawing the second fraction.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus is disclosed that allows for separating and collecting a fraction of a sample. The apparatus, when used with a centrifuge, allows for the creation of at least three fractions in the apparatus. It also provides for a new method of extracting the buffy coat phase from a whole blood sample. A buoy system that may include a first buoy portion and a second buoy member operably interconnected may be used to form at least three fractions from a sample during a substantially single centrifugation process. Therefore, the separation of various fractions may be substantially quick and efficient.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A method of separating a multi-component fluid using a centrifuge process and buoy system, including a first and a second piston, in a container to hold the multi-component fluid during the centrifuge process, comprising:
interconnecting the first piston and the second piston with a connection member; forming a first fraction and a second fraction by centrifuging the multi-component fluid disposed in the container; containing at least a portion of the second fraction in a collection area of the first piston; disposing the first piston relative to the second piston; and moving the second piston relative to the first piston to at least assist in withdrawing the second fraction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of separating a multi-component fluid using a centrifuge process and buoy system, including a first and a second piston, in a container to hold the multi-component fluid during the centrifuge process, comprising:
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interconnecting the first piston and the second piston with a connection member; forming a first fraction and a second fraction by centrifuging the multi-component fluid disposed in the container; containing at least a portion of the second fraction in a collection area of the first piston; and disposing the first piston relative to the second piston; wherein interconnecting the first piston and the second piston with the connection member further includes; fixing the connection member to the first piston; and slidably connecting the second piston to the connection member; wherein the second piston is operable to move relative to the first piston along the connection member. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A system for separating and extracting selected fractions from a container, the system comprising:
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a piston system, including;
a first piston having a first density;a second piston having a second density; a connection member operably interconnecting said first piston and said second piston; a first piston collection face defined by said first piston; wherein a selected fraction is operable to be collected in said first piston collection face between said first piston and said second piston; wherein said second piston defines a second piston collection face; wherein said second piston collection face is substantially complementary to said first piston collection face, such that said second piston collection face may substantially mate with said first piston collection face to substantially eliminate any volume defined between said second piston collection face and said first piston collection face. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A system for separating and extracting selected fractions from a container, the system comprising:
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a piston system, including;
a first piston having a first density;a second piston having a second density; a connection member operably interconnecting said first piston and said second piston; a first piston collection face defined by said first piston; wherein a selected fraction is operable to be collected in said collection face between said first piston and said second piston; wherein said second piston is movable relative to said first piston along said connection member. - View Dependent Claims (28)
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29. A system for separating and extracting a selected fraction from a container, the system comprising:
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a container having a container central axis; a buoy system, including;
a first buoy, a second buoy, and a connection member operable to be positioned in the container;a first collection face defined by said first buoy which includes an upper surface defining an angle relative to a buoy central axis defined as extending through the first buoy of about 90°
to about 150°
; anda second collection face defined by the second buoy substantially complementary to the first collection face such that said second collection face may substantially mate with said first collection face to substantially eliminate any volume defined between said second collection face and said first collection face; wherein the first buoy has a first density; wherein the second buoy has a second density; wherein the connection member connects the first buoy and the second buoy; wherein the container central axis and the buoy central axis are operable to be aligned; wherein a selected fraction is operable to be collected in the first collection face between the first buoy and the second buoy; wherein the connection member defines a passage with a portal operable to gain access to the first collection face. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31)
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Specification