Apparatus and method for separating and concentrating fluids containing multiple components

• US 8,567,609 B2
• Filed: 04/19/2011
• Issued: 10/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC (Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Biomet Biologics LLC (Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Landrigan, Matthew D., Leach, Michael D., Higgins, Joel C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mellon, David C
• Application Number:
  US13/089,591
• Publication Number:
  US 20110192804A1
• Time in Patent Office: 924 Days
• Field of Search: 210/380.1, 210/360.1, 210/782, 210/789, 494/2, 494/5, 422/559, 422/550, 422/548, 422/533
• US Class Current: 210/380.1
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 17/0217 by centrifugal force
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 21/003 Sedimentation tanks provided with a plurality of compartments separated by a partition wall B01D21/0039 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 21/262 by using a centrifuge
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 21/307 Passive control mechanisms without external energy, e.g. using a float
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2221/10 Separation devices for use in medical, pharmaceutical or laboratory applications, e.g. separating amalgam from dental treatment residues
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 1/52 Transportable laboratories; Field kits
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/026 Fluid interfacing between devices or objects, e.g. connectors, inlet details
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0409 centrifugal forces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0478 pistons
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/50215 using a float to separate phases
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 9/54 Supports specially adapted for pipettes and burettes automated pipetting stations G01N35/10
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/4077 by other techniques involving separation of suspended solids
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/491 by separating the blood components G01N15/05 takes precedence

Abstract

An apparatus that allows for separating and collecting a fraction of a sample. The apparatus, when used with a centrifuge, allows for the creation of at various fractions in the apparatus. 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. Also selected fractions from the sample can be applied to a patient, either alone or as part of a mixture.

Claims

1. A separation system for separating at least one component of a multiple component material with a centrifugal force, the separation system comprising:

a first buoy member having an exterior perimeter defined by an exterior wall, the first buoy member including a passage through the first buoy member and within the exterior perimeter, where the first buoy member further includes a first surface that is positioned a distance from a top edge defined by a side of the first buoy member, where the passage is formed at least in part through the first surface, and a second surface inclined towards the first surface;

a connection member operably connected to the first buoy member;

a second buoy member operably connected to the connection member, wherein a distance between the second buoy member and the first buoy member is operable to be formed so that at least a first surface of the second buoy member is operable to be spaced a distance from the first buoy member;

a valve assembly including a gate member biased towards the first buoy member to contact the first buoy member and close the passage through the first buoy member;

a hinge portion positioned between the gate member and the connection member to hingedly bias the gate member towards the first buoy member; and

a valve support portion extending from the gate member and surrounding at least a portion of the connection member;

wherein the hinge portion is formed between the gate member and the valve support portion.

2. The separation system of claim 1, wherein the hinge portion includes a reduced thickness area of the gate member operable to allow the gate member to flex relative to the valve support portion.

3. The separation system of claim 1, further comprising:

a separation container operable to contain the first buoy member, the connection member, the second buoy member, and the valve assembly;

wherein the hinge portion is operable to allow the gate member to hinge relative to the connection member to allow a portion of a whole material to pass through the passage included in the first buoy member.

4. A separation system for separating at least one component of a multiple component material with a centrifugal force, the separation system comprising:

a first buoy member having an exterior perimeter defined by an exterior wall, the first buoy member including a passage through the first buoy member and within the exterior perimeter;

a connection member operably connected to the first buoy member;

a second buoy member operably connected to the connection member, wherein a distance between the second buoy member and the first buoy member is operable to be formed so that at least a first surface of the second buoy member is operable to be spaced a distance from the first buoy member; and

a valve assembly including a gate member biased towards the first buoy member to contact the first buoy member and close the passage through the first buoy member;

wherein the first buoy member further includes;

a first surface that is positioned a distance from a top edge defined by a side of the first buoy member, wherein the passage is formed at least in part through the first surface, and

a second surface inclined towards the first surface;

wherein the gate member includes a specific density greater than at least one of the densest component of the multiple component material or an aggregate density of the multiple component material.

5. A separation system for separating at least one component of a multiple component material with a centrifugal force, the separation system comprising:

a first buoy member having an exterior perimeter defined by an exterior wall, the first buoy member including a passage through the first buoy member and within the exterior perimeter, where the first buoy member further includes a first surface that is positioned a distance from a top edge defined by a side of the first buoy member, where the passage is formed at least in part through the first surface and a second surface inclined towards the first surface;

a connection member operably connected to the first buoy member;

a second buoy member operably connected to the connection member, wherein a distance between the second buoy member and the first buoy member is operable to be formed so that at least a first surface of the second buoy member is operable to be spaced a distance from the first buoy member;

a valve assembly including a gate member biased towards the first buoy member to contact the first buoy member and close the passage through the first buoy member; and

a spring member operably contacting the gate member to springedly bias the gate member towards the first buoy member;

wherein the spring member physically and directly contacts the gate member to bias the gate member against the first buoy member and directly contacts at least one of the connection member and the second buoy member.

6. The separation system of claim 5, wherein the spring member is coiled around the connection member between the first buoy member and the second buoy member.

7. The separation system of claim 5, further comprising:

a separation container operable to contain the first buoy member, the connection member, the second buoy member, the valve assembly, and the spring member;

wherein a multi-component material is operable to be separated within the separation container with the use of the first buoy member, the second buoy member, the valve assembly, and the spring member.

8. A separation system for separating at least one component of a multiple component material with a centrifugal force, the separation system comprising:

a first buoy member having an exterior perimeter defined by an exterior wall, the first buoy member including a passage through the first buoy member and within the exterior perimeter, where the first buoy member further includes a first surface that is positioned a distance from a top edge defined by a side of the first buoy member, wherein the passage is formed at least in part through the first surface and a second surface inclined towards the first surface;

a connection member operably connected to the first buoy member;

a second buoy member operably connected to the connection member, wherein a distance between the second buoy member and the first buoy member is operable to be formed so that at least a first surface of the second buoy member is operable to be spaced a distance from the first buoy member; and

a valve assembly including a gate member biased towards the first buoy member to contact the first buoy member and close the passage through the first buoy member;

a spring member operably contacting the gate member to springedly bias the gate member towards the first buoy member;

wherein the gate member includes a specific gravity greater than the specific gravity of the densest component of the multi-component material and the spring member includes a spring force less than a force formed by the densest component on the gate member during the application of the centrifugal force.

9. A separation system for separating at least one component of a multiple component material with a centrifugal force, the separation system comprising:

a first buoy member having an exterior perimeter defined by an exterior wall, the first buoy member including a passage through the first buoy member and within the exterior perimeter;

a connection member operably connected to the first buoy member;

a second buoy member operably connected to the connection member, wherein a distance between the second buoy member and the first buoy member is operable to be formed so that at least a first surface of the second buoy member is operable to be spaced a distance from the first buoy member; and

a valve assembly including a gate member biased towards the first buoy member to contact the first buoy member and close the passage through the first buoy member;

wherein the valve assembly includes a biasing member to bias the gate member towards the first buoy member;

wherein the second buoy member includes second passages;

wherein the gate member is operable to be biased by the biasing member against the second buoy member.

10. The separation system of claim 9, wherein the gate member is substantially thin.

11. The separation system of claim 9, further comprising:

a container having a top and a bottom;

wherein the first buoy member is between the second buoy member and the top of the container.

12. A separation system for separating at least one component of a multiple component material with a centrifugal force, the separation system comprising:

a first buoy member having a first side and a second side;

a second buoy member having a first and second side, wherein the second buoy member defines a passage that extends through the first side and the second side and within an external perimeter of the second buoy member;

a connection member fixedly connected to the second side of the first buoy member and the first side of the second buoy member so that the second side of the first buoy member is spaced a distance from the first side of the second buoy member;

a plug member;

a spring biasing the plug member towards the second side of the second buoy member;

a base member positioned a distance from the second side of the second buoy member;

wherein the spring is positioned between the base member and the plug member;

wherein the base member includes a substantially cruciform member with a support peg extending towards the second buoy member from an intersection of a first portion and a second portion of the cruciform member;

wherein the spring member is positioned over the support peg;

further wherein the plug member includes a depression operable to allow the plug member to move from a closed position to an open position relative to the second buoy member while riding over the support peg.

13. The separation system of claim 12, wherein the base member includes passages operable to allow at least a portion of a multi-component material to pass through the passages of the base member.

14. The separation system of claim 12, wherein the base member is fixed to the second buoy member to hold the spring member and the plug member in a moveable position relative to the second buoy member;

wherein the plug member is operable to move from an open position to a closed position relative to the second buoy member while engaging the base member.

15. The separation system of claim 12, further comprising:

a separation container operable to contain the first buoy member, the second buoy member, the connection member, the plug member, the biasing spring, and the base member;

wherein the base member is operable to engage an internal end surface of the container and hold the second buoy member a distance from the internal end of the surface.

16. A separation system for separating at least one component of a multiple component material with a centrifugal force, the separation system comprising:

a first buoy member having a first side and a second side;

a second buoy member having a first and second side, wherein the second buoy member defines a passage that extends through the first side and the second side and within an external perimeter of the second buoy member;

a connection member fixedly connected to the second side of the first buoy member and the first side of the second buoy member so that the second side of the first buoy member is spaced a distance from the first side of the second buoy member;

a plug member; and

a spring biasing the plug member towards the second side of the second buoy member;

wherein the plug member includes a specific gravity substantially equal to or greater than a specific gravity of the densest component of the multiple component material;

wherein the spring includes a spring force operable to be overcome during the application of a centrifugal force to the densest component causing the plug member to overcome the spring force of the spring and move away from the second buoy member.

17. A separation system for separating at least one component of a multiple component material with a centrifugal force, the separation system comprising:

a first buoy member having a first exterior perimeter defined by an exterior wall, the first buoy member including a first passage through the first buoy member and within the first exterior perimeter;

a connection member fixedly connected to the first buoy member near a first end of the connection member;

a second buoy member fixedly connected near a second end of the connection member a distance from the first buoy member so that at least a first surface of the second buoy member is spaced a distance from the first buoy member, the second buoy member including a second passage through the second buoy member and within the exterior perimeter;

a first valve assembly including a gate member biased towards the first buoy member to contact the first buoy member to close the first passage through the first buoy member; and

a second valve assembly including a plug member biased towards the second buoy member to close the second passage through the second buoy member;

wherein the first valve assembly includes a spring member;

wherein the spring member surrounds at least a portion of the connection member and springedly biases the gate member towards the first buoy member.

18. The separation system of claim 17, wherein the first valve assembly includes a hinge portion interconnecting a valve support portion and the gate member;

wherein the hinge portion hingedly biases the gate member towards the first buoy member.

19. The separation system of claim 18, wherein the second valve includes a spring member that biases the plug member towards the second buoy member.

20. The separation system of claim 19, further comprising:

a base member extending from the second buoy member including a support portion;

wherein the spring surrounds at least a portion of the support portion and the plug member is operable to move, while engaging at least a portion of the support portion, between an open position and a closed position relative to the second member.

21. The separation system of claim 18, wherein the first valve assembly includes at least one of a first spring member and a hinge portion to bias the gate member towards the first buoy member;

wherein the second valve assembly further includes a base member fixedly connected to the second buoy member, wherein the base member defines a support post and around at least a portion of the support post is a second spring that biases the plug member towards the second buoy member.

22. The separation system of claim 18, further comprising:

a separation container operable to contain the first buoy member, the connection member, the second buoy member, the first valve assembly and the second valve assembly;

wherein the first valve assembly and the second valve assembly are operable to open during the application of the centrifugal force to separate a selected component of the multiple component material within the separation container.