Buoy suspension fractionation system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for separating a material with a buoy fractionation system, comprising:
- placing the material in a container having;
a first buoy portion defining a first height and having a first side in physical contact with the wall of the container and defining a first apex above which the material is initially received,a second buoy portion defining a second height and having a second side and defining a second apex, wherein the second apex of the second buoy portion is spaced a fixed distance apart from the first apex of the first buoy portion, anda third buoy portion extending from the second apex of the second buoy portion to the first buoy portion interconnecting the first buoy portion and the second buoy portion and maintaining the spacing of the first buoy portion and the second buoy portion at the distance; and
applying a centrifugal force to the material to fractionate the material and push a selected fraction of the material toward the first buoy portion such that the selected fraction of the material is received within a volume between the first buoy portion and the second buoy portion,wherein the first height of the first buoy portion is substantially smaller than the second height of the second buoy portion.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
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.
-
Citations
15 Claims
-
1. A method for separating a material with a buoy fractionation system, comprising:
-
placing the material in a container having; a first buoy portion defining a first height and having a first side in physical contact with the wall of the container and defining a first apex above which the material is initially received, a second buoy portion defining a second height and having a second side and defining a second apex, wherein the second apex of the second buoy portion is spaced a fixed distance apart from the first apex of the first buoy portion, and a third buoy portion extending from the second apex of the second buoy portion to the first buoy portion interconnecting the first buoy portion and the second buoy portion and maintaining the spacing of the first buoy portion and the second buoy portion at the distance; and applying a centrifugal force to the material to fractionate the material and push a selected fraction of the material toward the first buoy portion such that the selected fraction of the material is received within a volume between the first buoy portion and the second buoy portion, wherein the first height of the first buoy portion is substantially smaller than the second height of the second buoy portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
Specification