Buoy suspension fractionation system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A buoy fractionation system, comprising:
- a first buoy portion having a first apex on a first guide surface of the first buoy portion;
a second buoy portion having a second apex on a second guide surface of the second buoy portion;
a third buoy portion interconnecting the first buoy portion and the second buoy portion;
a collection surface defined by the second guide surface of the second buoy portion proximal to a center of rotation;
an inlet port defined through the collection surface and in communication with a buoy withdrawal passage operable to allow withdrawal of a material from near the second guide surface;
a withdrawal port; and
a withdrawal passage formed through the third buoy portion and connected to the withdrawal port;
wherein the first buoy portion is positioned a distance apart from the second buoy portion.
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Accused Products
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.
507 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A buoy fractionation system, comprising:
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a first buoy portion having a first apex on a first guide surface of the first buoy portion; a second buoy portion having a second apex on a second guide surface of the second buoy portion; a third buoy portion interconnecting the first buoy portion and the second buoy portion; a collection surface defined by the second guide surface of the second buoy portion proximal to a center of rotation; an inlet port defined through the collection surface and in communication with a buoy withdrawal passage operable to allow withdrawal of a material from near the second guide surface; a withdrawal port; and a withdrawal passage formed through the third buoy portion and connected to the withdrawal port; wherein the first buoy portion is positioned a distance apart from the second buoy portion. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6)
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2. A buoy fractionation system, comprising:
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a first buoy portion having a first apex on a first guide surface of the first buoy portion; a second buoy portion having a second apex on a second guide surface of the second buoy portion; a third buoy portion interconnecting the first buoy portion and the second buoy portion; a withdrawal port; a withdrawal passage formed through the third buoy portion and connected to the withdrawal port; a buoy withdrawal passage defined through at least a portion of the second buoy portion and in communication with the withdrawal port through the withdrawal passage; a collection surface defined by the second guide surface of the second buoy portion proximal to a center of rotation; and an inlet port defined through the collection surface and in communication with the buoy withdrawal passage; wherein the first buoy portion is positioned a distance apart from the second buoy portion.
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7. A buoy fractionation system, comprising:
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a first buoy portion having a first apex on a first surface of the first buoy portion, wherein the first surface substantially defines a first cone having a slanted base; and a second buoy portion having a second apex on a second surface of the second buoy portion, wherein the second surface substantially defines a second cone having a slanted base; a withdrawal port; a withdrawal passage formed through the third buoy portion and connected to the withdrawal port; a buoy withdrawal passage defined through at least a portion of the second buoy portion and in communication with the withdrawal port through the withdrawal passage; a collection surface defined by the second surface of the second buoy portion proximal to a center of rotation of the buoy fractionation system; and an inlet port defined through the collection surface and in communication with the buoy withdrawal passage; wherein the first buoy portion is spaced a distance apart from the second buoy portion. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for separating a material with a buoy fractionation system, comprising:
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placing a material in a container having a buoy assembly including, a first buoy portion having a first apex on a first surface of the first buoy portion, wherein the first surface substantially defines a first cone having a slanted base, a second buoy portion having a second apex on a second surface of the second buoy portion, wherein the second surface substantially defines a second cone having a slanted base, wherein the second buoy portion is spaced a distance apart from the first buoy portion, a third buoy portion interconnecting the first buoy portion and the second buoy portion, a withdrawal port, a withdrawal passage formed through the third buoy portion and connected to the withdrawal port, a buoy withdrawal passage defined through at least a portion of the second buoy portion and in communication with the withdrawal port through the withdrawal passage, a collection surface defined by the second surface of the second buoy portion proximal to a center of rotation, and an inlet port defined through the collection surface and in communication with the buoy withdrawal passage; and applying a centrifugal force to the material relative to the first buoy portion wherein at least a selected portion of material travels a minimal distance relative to the first buoy portion and the second buoy portion due to a first height of the first buoy portion being substantially smaller than a second height of the second buoy portion, wherein at least the selected portion travels the minimal distance to a volume between the first buoy portion and the second buoy portion. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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Specification