Buoy suspension fractionation system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A buoy suspension fractionation system, comprising:
- a separation container and an access port through at least a portion of the separation container, the separation container is enclosed by a container wall, a container bottom, and a container top; and
,a buoy in the separation container, the buoy having a tuned density and configured to reach an equilibrium position in a suspension material, the buoy comprising a buoy upper surface and a buoy sidewall defining a height, a transverse dimension through a center portion of the buoy, and a perimeter, the buoy further comprising;
a guide surface on the buoy upper surface, the guide surface having a collection space above the buoy upper surface and the guide surface being inclined to an accumulation position near the buoy perimeter; and
a collection port extending from the guide surface nearer the buoy perimeter than the center portion of the buoy and communicating with the access port and communicating with the collection space above the buoy upper surface.
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Abstract
A separator that uses centrifugation to fractionate a suspension such as blood comprises a separation container and a buoy. The buoy is carried in the separation container and has a tuned density that is configured to reach an equilibrium position in a suspension. The guide surface is carried on the buoy upper surface and is inclined to an accumulation position near a buoy perimeter. The buoy suspension fractionation system can be used in a method of isolating a fraction from a suspension, and in a method for re-suspending particulates for withdrawal.
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Citations
53 Claims
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1. A buoy suspension fractionation system, comprising:
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a separation container and an access port through at least a portion of the separation container, the separation container is enclosed by a container wall, a container bottom, and a container top; and
,a buoy in the separation container, the buoy having a tuned density and configured to reach an equilibrium position in a suspension material, the buoy comprising a buoy upper surface and a buoy sidewall defining a height, a transverse dimension through a center portion of the buoy, and a perimeter, the buoy further comprising; a guide surface on the buoy upper surface, the guide surface having a collection space above the buoy upper surface and the guide surface being inclined to an accumulation position near the buoy perimeter; and a collection port extending from the guide surface nearer the buoy perimeter than the center portion of the buoy and communicating with the access port and communicating with the collection space above the buoy upper surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A buoy for a suspension fractionation system, comprising:
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a buoy having a tuned density and configured to reach an equilibrium point in a suspension, the buoy comprising a buoy upper surface, a buoy sidewall defining a height, a buoy transverse dimension, and a buoy perimeter, the buoy further comprising; a collection port communicating with a collection space above the buoy upper surface; a guide surface on the buoy upper surface, the guide surface being substantially planar and inclined from a first point at an edge of the buoy for a distance of more than two thirds the buoy transverse dimension towards a second point at the edge of the buoy; an isolator coupled to the buoy, the isolator comprising a spacer to position the isolator apart from the buoy to create a collection compartment in the collection space between the isolator and the buoy upper surface; and a withdraw port carried on the isolator communicating with the collection port. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 53)
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35. A buoy suspension fractionation system, comprising:
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a separation container and an access port through at least a portion of the separation container, the separation container is enclosed by a container wall, a container bottom, and a container top; and
,a buoy in the separation container, the buoy having a tuned density and configured to reach an equilibrium position in a suspension, the buoy comprising a buoy upper surface and a buoy sidewall defining a height, a transverse dimension, and a perimeter, the buoy further comprising; a guide surface on the buoy upper surface, the guide surface having a collection space above the buoy upper surface and the guide surface being inclined to an accumulation position near the buoy perimeter; an isolator coupled to the buoy, the isolator comprising a spacer to position the isolator apart from the buoy to create a collection area in a space between the buoy and the isolator; a collection vent passage through the isolator to equalize pressure when fluid is withdrawn from the collection area; and a collection valve communicating with the collection vent. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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45. A buoy suspension fractionation system, comprising:
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a separation container and an access port through at least a portion of the separation container, the separation container is enclosed by a container wall, a container bottom, and a container top; and
,a buoy in the separation container, the buoy having a tuned density and configured to reach an equilibrium position in a suspension, the buoy comprising a buoy upper surface and a buoy sidewall defining a height, a transverse dimension, and a perimeter, the buoy further comprising; a guide surface on the buoy upper surface, the guide surface having a collection space above the buoy upper surface and the guide surface being inclined to an accumulation position near the buoy perimeter; an isolator coupled to the buoy, the isolator comprising a spacer to position the isolator apart from the buoy to create a collection area in a space between the buoy and the isolator; a collection vent passage through the isolator to equalize pressure when fluid is withdrawn from the collection area; and a collection vent tube communicating with the collection vent and air above where a suspension would be located in a separation container. - View Dependent Claims (46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52)
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Specification