Apparatus and method for separating and concentrating fluids containing multiple components

• US 9,239,276 B2
• Filed: 10/28/2013
• Issued: 01/19/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2011
• 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:
  US14/064,859
• Publication Number:
  US 20140051061A1
• Time in Patent Office: 813 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 method for separating at least one component of a multiple component material with a centrifugal force, the method comprising:

placing a first volume of a whole material into a container with a buoy separation system including a first buoy member spaced apart from a second buoy member and at least one of the first buoy member or the second buoy member fixed to a connection member;

applying a force to the container including the buoy separation system and the first volume of the whole material, wherein applying the force to the container further operates to;

cause a valve to open to allow moving at least a portion of the first volume of the whole material through a passage defined within at least one of the first buoy member or the second buoy member;

move at least a portion of a moveable sealing portion of the valve away from at least one of the first buoy member or the second buoy member during application of the force, wherein the moveable sealing portion moves towards a valve body that extends along the connection member and away from at least one of the first buoy member and the second buoy member to an unsealed position, wherein the sealing portion is angled relative to at least one of the first buoy member and the second buoy member in the unsealed position; and

separate at least a portion of one component of the multiple component material into a volume defined by the buoy separation system and the container after moving at least the portion of the first volume of the whole material through the passage;

ceasing applying the force to allow the valve to close the passage defined within at least one of the first buoy member and the second buoy member; and

withdrawing at least the portion through the connection member.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the valve has a specific gravity greater than a densest component of the multiple component material such that the moveable sealing portion of the valve moves away from at least one of the first buoy member or the second buoy member during application of the force.

3. The method of claim 2 the sealing portion moves away from at least one of the first buoy member and the second buoy member by overcoming a spring biasing force.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the sealing portion moves axially relative to the buoy separation system and along the connection member between the first buoy member and the second buoy member.

5. The method of claim 1,

wherein the valve includes a first valve and a second valve;

wherein applying the force to the container further operates to cause the valve to open includes to cause the first valve to open and to cause the second valve to open;

wherein the first valve is caused to open relative to the first buoy member and the second valve is caused to open relative to the second buoy member.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein opening the first valve and the second valve includes moving a first valve sealing portion of the first valve and the second valve sealing portion of the second valve substantially axially relative to the buoy separation system.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein placing the first volume of the whole material into the container includes placing a volume of bone marrow into the container.

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

placing a first volume of a whole material into a container with a buoy separation system including a first buoy member spaced apart from a second buoy member and at least one of the first buoy member or the second buoy member fixed to a connection member;

applying a force to the container including the buoy separation system and the first volume of the whole material, wherein applying the force to the container further operates to;

cause a valve to open to allow moving at least a portion of the first volume of the whole material through a passage defined within at least one of the first buoy member or the second buoy member; and

separate at least a portion of one component of the multiple component material into a volume defined by the buoy separation system and the container after moving at least the portion of the first volume of the whole material through the passage;

ceasing applying the force to allow the valve to close the passage defined within at least one of the first buoy member and the second buoy member; and

withdrawing at least the portion through the connection member;

wherein the sealing portion moves away from at least one of the first buoy member and the second buoy member by overcoming a spring biasing force;

wherein overcoming the spring biasing force includes pushing against a substantially planar surface that extends transverse to an axis of a coil spring that provides the spring biasing force.

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

placing a first volume of a whole material into a container with a buoy separation system including a first buoy member spaced apart from a second buoy member and at least one of the first buoy member or the second buoy member fixed to a connection member;

applying a force to the container including the buoy separation system and the first volume of the whole material, wherein applying the force to the container further operates to;

cause a valve to open to allow moving at least a portion of the first volume of the whole material through a passage defined within at least one of the first buoy member or the second buoy member; and

separate at least a portion of one component of the multiple component material into a volume defined by the buoy separation system and the container after moving at least the portion of the first volume of the whole material through the passage;

ceasing applying the force to allow the valve to close the passage defined within at least one of the first buoy member and the second buoy member; and

withdrawing at least the portion through the connection member;

wherein the sealing portion moves away from at least one of the first buoy member and the second buoy member by overcoming a spring biasing force;

wherein overcoming the spring biasing force includes pushing against a plug that pushes against a coil spring that provides the spring biasing force.

10. A method for separating at least one component of a multiple component material with a centrifugal force, the method comprising:

placing a first volume of a whole material into a container with a buoy separation system including a first buoy member spaced apart from a second buoy member and at least one of the first buoy member or the second buoy member fixed to a connection member;

applying a force to the container including the buoy separation system and the first volume of the whole material, wherein applying the force to the container further operates to cause a valve to open by moving a sealing portion away from one of the first buoy member or the second buoy member by overcoming a spring biasing force of a spring member biased against the other of the first buoy member or the second buoy member, wherein overcoming the spring biasing force occurs with moving at least a portion of the first volume of the whole material through a passage defined within at least one of the first buoy member or the second buoy member;

ceasing applying the force to allow the valve to close the passage defined within at least one of the first buoy member and the second buoy member; and

withdrawing at least the portion of one component of the multiple component material through the connection member.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein applying the force separates at least a portion of one component of the multiple component material into a volume defined at least in part by the buoy separation system after moving at least the portion of the first volume of the whole material through the passage.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the at least a portion of one component of the multiple component material applies pressure to the sealing portion to overcome the spring biasing force.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein to cause the valve to open includes moving the sealing portion that extends transverse to an axis of the spring member.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein to cause the valve to open includes moving the sealing portion that includes a plug against the spring member.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein to cause the valve to open further includes moving the sealing portion that includes a plug against the spring member.

16. A method to assist in separating at least one component of a multiple component material with a centrifugal force, the method comprising:

positioning a buoy separation system including a volume between a first buoy member spaced apart from a second buoy member and at least one of the first buoy member or the second buoy member fixed to a connection member;

positioning a first valve relative to the second buoy member to open by moving a sealing plug member away from the second buoy member by overcoming a spring biasing force of a spring member biased against a support member extending from the second buoy member away from the first buoy member, wherein overcoming the spring biasing force occurs with moving at least a portion of a first volume of the multiple component material through a first passage defined within the second buoy member;

configuring the first valve to close and seal the first passage defined within the second buoy member when a force is removed from the first valve from at least a portion of a first volume of the multiple component material; and

configuring the connection member to allow for withdrawal of the first volume of the multiple component material from the volume between the first buoy member spaced apart from the second buoy member through the connection member.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein moving the sealing plug includes moving the whole sealing plug away from the second buoy member.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

positioning a second valve relative to the first buoy member to open by moving a sealing member away from the second buoy member by overcoming a spring biasing force of a spring member biased against the second buoy member, wherein the sealing member extends transverse to an axis of the spring member and overcoming the spring biasing force occurs with moving at least a portion of a first volume of the multiple component material through a second passage defined within the first buoy member and

configuring the second valve to close and seal the second passage defined within the first buoy member when a force is removed from the second valve.