US20220031925A1 - Centrifuge - Google Patents

Abstract

Centrifuges are useful to, among other things, remove red blood cells from whole blood and retain platelets and other factors in a reduced volume of plasma. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) and or platelet poor plasma (PPP) can be obtained rapidly and is ready for immediate injection into the host. Embodiments may include valves, operated manually or automatically, to open ports that discharge the excess red blood cells and the excess plasma into separate receivers while retaining the platelets and other factors in the centrifuge chamber. High speeds used allow simple and small embodiments to be used at the patient's side during surgical procedures. The embodiments can also be used for the separation of liquids or slurries in other fields such as, for example, the separation of pigments or lubricants.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This application is a Continuation of
• currently pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/766,528, filed on Feb. 13, 2013, which is a Continuation-In-Part of
  U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/447,008, filed on Apr. 13, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,394,006, which is a Continuation-In-Part of
  U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/396,600, filed on Feb. 15, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,556,794, which is a Continuation-In-Part of
  U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/209,226, filed on Aug. 12, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,469,871, which is a Continuation-In-Part of
  U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/949,781, filed on Nov. 19, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,317,672.
  The above mentioned Ser. No. 13/396,600 application is also a Continuation-In-Part of
  now expired PCT International Patent Application S.N. PCT/US11/01922, filed on Nov. 19, 2011, and designating the U.S., which is a Continuation-In-Part of
  the above mentioned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/209,226, filed on Aug. 12, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,469,871, and the above mentioned Ser. No. 13/396,600 application is also a Continuation-In-Part of
  the above mentioned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/949,781.
  All of the above listed applications are assigned to the same assignee as this invention and whose disclosures are incorporated by reference herein.
TECHNICAL FIELD
• The present invention pertains to centrifuges.
BACKGROUND ART
• Fluids, such as whole blood or various other biological fluids are suspensions and can be separated into their constituent parts or fractions. For example, whole blood comprises four main fractions, red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and plasma, that can be separated based on their different specific gravities in a device such as a centrifuge. An anti-coagulated whole blood sample may be placed in a test tube, or other similar device, which is then spun in a centrifuge at a specified speed. The generated centrifugal force separates the blood into the different fractions based on their relative specific gravities. The red blood cells are on the bottom, plasma, is on the top with the intermediate specific gravity white blood cells and platelets (together referred to as the buffy coat (BC)) intermediate to the other two fractions. Various other biological fluids may be separated as well. For example, nucleated cells may be separated and extracted from bone marrow or adipose tissue derived samples.
• It is desirable to isolate the different fractions of whole blood for differing medicinal purposes. The platelets can be obtained in preparations of platelet rich plasma (PRP) or platelet concentrates (PC). Platelets contain growth factors (e.g. PDGF, TGF-β, and others), which may initiate, aid in or accelerate various bodily functions, including but not limited to angiogenesis, wound healing, and osteogenesis. Administering autologous platelets to an injury site may improve the healing response by using a patient's own platelets without the risk of infection by using blood products from another donor source. Alternatively, platelet poor plasma (PPP) may be desired for use in various procedures. PPP may be prepared by isolating the plasma fraction from platelet concentrates, and preserving the isolated plasma fraction.
• Various systems exist for the production of PRP/PC. Some use specialized test tubes, U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,179,391 and 7,520,402, that can include floats, tubing and/or gel materials of specific densities. Other systems use specialized double syringes, for example those found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,716,187 and 7,195,606. These test tubes and syringes must be centrifuged in a specialized large centrifuge for a specified time, typically 10-30 minutes, and then by delicate handling and extraction or decanting procedures produce the desired PRP/PC. The consistency of these preparations can vary depending on the operator's skill level. Other systems, for example U.S. Pat. No. 6,982,038, contain specialized centrifuge chambers and complicated control systems to produce the PRP/PC in about 30 minutes. All of these systems provide PRP/PC of differing platelet concentrations depending on the method used. A major drawback to these methods is the need for an expensive piece of capital equipment which limits the utility to facilities that have the funds and space available. These methods also require considerable operator skills to complete the procedures necessary to obtain the PRP/PC.
• The ability to produce PRP/PC from a patient's own blood at the point of care without the need for complex, expensive equipment and difficult procedures would facilitate the clinical utility of PRP/PC. Therefore the objects of this invention include among other things providing an apparatus and method for processing a patient's own blood at the point of care in a short period of time that is self-contained, battery operated, small and or portable, inexpensive, easy to use, reproducible, able to separate many cellular populations, and disposable without the need for additional centrifugation equipment.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
• In accordance with the invention, a single use, sterile, self-contained, compact, easy to use centrifugal separation unit provides for quick, reliable concentration of constituents of a liquid mixture, for example, a biologic liquid mixture, such as platelet concentration from whole blood, or alternatively concentrating cells from bone marrow aspirate. The resultant PRP/PC can be immediately used for application to the patient. The unit is suitable for office, operating room, emergency use, or military field hospital use.
• The disposable self-contained PRP separator features a motor with a drive axis, the drive axis being coaxial with the central or longitudinal axis of the blood separation chamber (BSC) assembly. The motor can have the capacity to rotate the BSC at speeds in the range 10,000 to 25,000 RPM for several minutes. Power can be supplied to the motor through a battery or other power pack. The power can be connected through a switch and even small dry cell batteries will have sufficient capacity to complete the separation process. The BSC and motor/battery are fully enclosed in an outer container that includes an access port to the BSC to which a standard syringe can be attached. Alternatively, the BSC can be rotated by non-electrical means such as an air driven turbine or spring drive. It could also include a magnetic or mechanical coupling to an external drive motor, or any source of energy that may be available at the surgical site for example in the surgical suite or on location during a trauma procedure, such as at a “MASH” compound.
• In a first embodiment the BSC assembly features a barrel that may be cylindrical or tapered, an end cap incorporating passageways and a tubular extension, and in some embodiments a piston or bladder, that between them define the BSC. A sleeve sliding over the outer diameter of the end cap acts as the moving part of two valve assemblies, each valve featuring a recess in the outer surface of the end cap and an O-ring in the recess. Passages within the end cap lead from the BSC to the recess centers, and two ports in the sleeve align with the recess centers in a 3 position sequence. The two ports in the sleeve are positioned so that they do not align with the two recess centers in the end cap at the same time. In sequence, the sleeve selects a first port open, then both ports closed, and then a second port open. The ports are opened in a stepwise motion, but could be opened proportionally. The sleeve is operated by a knob connected to a slidable collar through a bearing assembly so that the knob does not rotate during operation of the motor.
• Anti-coagulated blood is injected through the tubular extension in order to fill the BSC. The sleeve is in a first position where both ports on the sleeve do not align with either of the recesses in the end cap. The motor is actuated and the BSC rotates to create a centrifugal force on the blood thereby separating it into its components with the red blood cells closest to the inner wall of the BSC with the white blood cells lining the red blood cell layer toward the center, followed by the platelets and then plasma filling the center. In other words, the centrifugation yields concentric stratified constituent layers of the mixture, with adjacent concentric stratified constituent layers defining a mixture interface. After a centrifugation period of about 1 minute or less the sleeve is moved to a second position in which the first port in the sleeve aligns with the recess in the end cap. This port communicates with the layer of red blood cells against the inner wall. The red blood cells will exit the chamber through this port due to pressure generated by the centrifugal force. As red blood cells exit the separator, the volume is replaced by air entering through the tubular extension in the end cap. The air forms a column in the center of the chamber that grows larger as more volume is replaced. It is also conceived that without an air inlet vent, that continued rotation and evacuation of the red blood cells will result in a vacuum core being formed, as the blood is degassed and possibly drawing vapor from the liquid due to the reduced pressure at the center of rotation. After a substantial amount, preferably the majority, of the red blood cells are discharged from the blood separator volume, the sleeve is moved to a third position to close the first port and open the second port. This is done before the layer of platelets in the volume can exit the first port. The passage to the second recess in the end cap of the device is precisely positioned away from the center axis to remove a volume of plasma from the BSC without disturbing the platelet layer. As plasma leaves the chamber, air replaces the volume through the tubular extension and the column of air in the center of the BSC continues to grow in diameter. When the diameter of the air column encompasses the second passage entrance, no more plasma can exit the chamber and the concentration process is thereby automatically ended. In the case where there is a vacuum core created, the concentration process would automatically end in a similar manner, as the vacuum core encounters the second passage entrance. The device is turned off and the platelet concentrate is ready for use.
• Another embodiment uses a flexible bladder lining the interior of the BSC. The solid end of the BSC includes a hole for air to enter around the exterior of the flexible bladder. The end cap axis tubular extension includes an airtight valve. This embodiment operates in the same manner except that it does not deliberately introduce air into contact with the blood sample. During the centrifugation cycle while red blood cells and then plasma are exiting the chamber, air enters the opposite side of the chamber thus collapsing the flexible bladder. Due to the pressure generated in the liquid by centrifugal force, the sack collapses into a “W” shape with the open ends of the “W” facing toward the end of the chamber opposite the end with the air bleed hole. As more plasma exits the chamber the middle of the “W” reaches the second passage in the end cap and closes the passage off thus automatically ending the cycle.
• Another embodiment replaces the flexible bladder with a piston and spring: as red blood cells (RBCs) exit the valve ports, the piston moves towards the end cap encouraged by the spring.
• It is further disclosed that the system of the subject invention may incorporate an automatic shutoff mechanism to seal the port(s) based upon certain conditions. For example, one such mechanism can incorporate a flowable separation aid in the form of a gel of an intermediate specific gravity selected to be between an undesired element, e.g. red blood cells, and a desired therapeutic element, e.g. platelets. The separator gel viscosity is designed so that it will not pass through the small exit port at the centrifuge speed employed in the blood separation centrifuge. Upon activation of the centrifuge, the separator gel would create a distinct layer and barrier between the outer red blood cell layer, located near the periphery of the axis of rotation, and the platelet poor layer which would be located closer to the center axis of the centrifuge rotation. The separator gel automatically plugs the first port when all of the red blood cells have exited. As a further example, the automatic shut-off of the first port can be accomplished with a solid damper, or vent flap, also constructed of a material with a specifically targeted intermediate specific gravity. Upon initial operation, the damper would open and separate away from the vent hole based upon its density and attempt to position itself at a location between the red blood cells and the platelets. As in the previous example, once the red blood cells have fully exited the system, the damper would seal the vent hole and effectively prevent the platelet rich fluid from exited the system. As yet another example of a separation aid, plastic beads such as microspheres with the desired intermediate specific gravity could also be pre-located within the centrifuge chamber. The beads would be sized appropriately to plug the exit port after the undesirable element, e.g. red blood cells, exited the system.
• In another embodiment, the BSC, or at least a portion thereof, can be made of a clear (transparent) material so that the progress of the red blood cell removal can be observed through a clear window in the outer case. This can allow for precise timing for closing the first port to end the exiting of the red blood cells.
• Another embodiment accomplishes the concentration through precise timing of the valve opening/closing sequence and the starting and stopping of the motor.
• In another embodiment, the system may feature a reusable drive component with a motor that is arranged to be coupled to a disposable centrifuge component, wherein the blood products are centrifuged, separated, and contained entirely within the disposable unit, such that the drive component is not exposed to blood product and may be reused without fear of contamination.
• In another embodiment, the disposable unit may include blood absorbent materials or fluid receiving chambers to capture the evacuated blood products.
• In another embodiment, the rotation chamber is arranged to minimize the disruption to the interfaces between the separated blood products, while the red blood cells and plasma components are evacuated from the rotating chamber.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIGS. 1aand 1b: Principle of operation.
• FIG. 2: Centrifuge with spring loaded piston in tapered chamber, charge position, RBC valve open, Plasma valve closed (Longitudinal part section).
• FIGS. 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3dshow transverse sections of the centrifuge with spring loaded piston in tapered chamber, (transverse sections ofFIG. 2), and enlarged details of the RBC valve components used in all devices shown inFIGS. 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18.
• FIG. 4: Centrifuge with spring-loaded piston in tapered chamber, spin-down, RBCs separated from plasma, both valves closed (Longitudinal part section).
• FIG. 5: Centrifuge with spring-loaded piston in tapered chamber, mid position, RBC valve open and RBCs being dumped, plasma valve closed (Longitudinal part section).
• FIG. 6: Centrifuge with spring-loaded piston in tapered chamber, final position, RBC valve closed, plasma valve open and most of plasma dumped (Longitudinal part section).
• FIG. 7: Centrifuge with bladder chamber, charge position, RBC valve open, plasma valve closed (Longitudinal part section).
• FIG. 8: Centrifuge with bladder chamber, charge position, (transverse section ofFIG. 7).
• FIG. 9: Centrifuge with bladder chamber, spin-down, RBCs separated from plasma, both valves closed, (longitudinal part section).
• FIG. 10: Centrifuge with bladder chamber, RBCs dumping position, RBC valve open, plasma valve closed (Longitudinal part section).
• FIG. 11: Centrifuge with bladder chamber, Plasma valve open, RBC valve closed, plasma being dumped (Longitudinal part section).
• FIG. 12: Centrifuge with air core, initial charge position, both valves closed. (Longitudinal part section).
• FIG. 13: Centrifuge with air core, (transverse section ofFIG. 12).
• FIG. 14: Centrifuge with air core, spin and separate, RBCs being dumped, RBC valve open, plasma valve closed (Longitudinal part section).
• FIG. 15: Centrifuge with air core, RBC valve closed, plasma valve open, residual RBCs and residual plasma remaining (Longitudinal part section).
• FIG. 16: Centrifuge with air core, removal of PRP at finish, both valves closed (Longitudinal part section).
• FIG. 17: Centrifuge with a typical enclosure (Longitudinal part section, showing RBC and plasma capture means and aerosol prevention means).
• FIGS. 18aand 18b: Centrifuge with typical enclosure, (transverse section ofFIG. 17).
• FIG. 19. Simplified longitudinal cross section of centrifuge with disposable and reusable components shown separated. Shown with the red blood cell and plasma valves closed.
• FIG. 20a. Simplified schematic of centrifuge chamber having a plenum at the end of the red blood cell channel and separated fluids.
• FIG. 20b. Projection view of the plasma port ofFIG. 20awith plasma fluid flow pattern represented by arrows.
• FIG. 21. Assembled centrifuge in running position, RBC valve open and RBC dump complete.
• FIG. 22. Simplified transverse section ofFIG. 21 at AA.
• FIG. 23. Simplified transverse section ofFIG. 21 through plasma valve at BB showing valve construction.
• FIG. 24. Assembled centrifuge in running position, RBC valve shut, plasma valve open and plasma dump complete.
• FIG. 25. Centrifuge with means for gathering Platelet Poor Plasma (PPP) in a separate receiver, shown in plasma collection phase of operation.
• FIG. 26. Centrifuge with absorbent washers to capture blood products, shown at the end of the RBC dump phase.
• FIG. 27a. Simplified schematic of centrifuge chamber having plena at the end of the red blood cell channel and at the plasma outlet, and separated fluids.
• FIG. 27b. Projection view of the plasma port ofFIG. 27A, with fluid flow pattern represented by arrows.
• FIG. 28. Cross section views of alternate RBC-Plasma receiver with indexing valve, depicted in the closed position.
• FIG. 29. Cross section view of alternate RBC-Plasma receiver with indexing valve showing valve in open position.
• FIG. 30. Isometric cross section view of alternate RBC-Plasma receiver with indexing valve.
• FIG. 31. Isometric view of disassembled alternate RBC-Plasma receiver with indexing valve.
• FIG. 32. Centrifuge with scaffold material in a compartment and arranged for receipt of buffy coat component.
• FIG. 33. Simplified schematic of centrifuge chamber having a restriction feature in a portion of the circumferential channel and separated fluids.
• FIG. 33a. Transverse sectional view of section A-A ofFIG. 33, with the portion of the circumferential channel corresponding to angle d featuring a restriction feature.
• FIG. 34 Cross-sectional view of another alternative centrifuge with a disk-shaped rotating assembly.
• FIG. 35 Enlarged cross-sectional view the details of the valve arrangement of the disk-shaped rotating assembly of the centrifuge ofFIG. 34.
• FIG. 36 Enlarged, exploded isometric view of components of the force transfer mechanism of the centrifuge ofFIG. 34.
• FIG. 37 Enlarged projection view of the valve components of the rotating assembly of the centrifuge ofFIG. 34.
MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
• FIG. 1aprovides an illustration for description of the principle of operation of the devices covered in this invention. A chamber of essentially frusto-conical shape1, contains a mixture of several liquids of differing densities, and rotates about the longitudinal axis XX. Theliquids2,3, and4 separate into radially distinct layers as shown in section AA. The taper is beneficial in several ways, first it allows a small volume of liquid to offer a large radial depth (as shown at11) compared with the radial depth the same volume would have if distributed over the whole length of a right circular cylinder of similar dimensions, seeFIG. 1bat14. Second, the taper provides a component of radial acceleration force that helps to scour the outer liquid constituent towards a port9 placed at the larger cone diameter. Third, the taper also allows visualization of the constituent boundaries as axial locations such as5 and6 instead of radial locations such as7 and8 in some of the embodiments. It should be pointed out at this juncture that the term “taper” or “tapered” is used in its normal definitional sense, i.e., to become progressively smaller toward one end or to diminish gradually. Thus the taper of the chamber need not be linear, as shown in the exemplary embodiments contained herein, but may be arcuate or of other shapes as set forth herein. In several embodiments thewall12 ofFIG. 1 moves toward the larger diameter and the frusto-conical volume reduces as one or more constituents are ported from the ports, for example at9 and10, leaving thecenter constituent3 at its original volume. In other embodiments wall12 remains in place and air is introduced on the center line at13 to permit the porting ofconstituents2 and4 at9 and10 as the air core expands to replace the discharged constituents.
• FIG. 2 is a mainly longitudinal section of an essentially circular device, external housing not shown. InFIG. 2 a liquid tight variable volume, the chamber (BSC), is formed from a taperedbarrel206,piston210,piston seal211 andend cap215.Piston210 and seal211 are biased toward the larger end of the BSC byspring209. Larger end ofbarrel206 is closed byend cap215. The inner surface of theend cap215 forms the larger diameter end wall of the chamber, with the inner surface of thebarrel206 forming the chamber's tapering side wall. In the case where this device is used to enrich plasma from whole blood,end cap215 haspassages216 and217 bored within to permit the passage of red blood cells frompassage217 and plasma frompassage216.Passage217 is shown passing through the outside skirt of the end cap that is in line with the outside wall of taperedbarrel206. A passage bored 90° from that shown at217; through the inside face ofend cap215 at the maximum ID position would be functionally equivalent to the one shown at217 and would have a shape similar topassage216.Passages217 and216 connect with valves formed by O-rings218 compressed inrecesses226 operating in concert withports228 and227 respectively insleeve213. These valve components are shown enlarged inFIGS. 3band 3d.Sleeve213 fits slidably onend cap215 to permit the port holes228 and227 to connect with thepassages216 and217 at appropriate points in the operation.Sleeve213 is keyed to endcap215 to permit the transmission of rotary motion between these constituents (key not shown).Insert219 is fastened to endcap215 to provide an axle for theball bearing220 supporting the left hand end of the rotating assembly. Since thesleeve213 is rotating with the chamber, aball bearing221 is provided to connect the sleeve to anon-revolving knob223 viacollar225 androds222. The knob and sleeve can be placed in 3 positions: first position,port228 open andport227 closed: second position, bothports227 and228 closed: third position,port228 closed andport227 open.Barrel206 is fastened to theshaft205 ofelectric motor201 usingscrew207. No additional bearings are provided at the motor end, the motor bearings sufficing to support the barrel. The complete assembly is supported by aframe208, the insert bearing220 and themotor201 being located on this same frame. The rotating components all rotate about axis XX.
• To use the device for preparing PRP, asyringe233 withneedle234, filled with anti-coagulated whole blood is inserted into the device throughelastomeric seal214 to load the chamber withwhole blood229.Knob223 is placed in the first position to allow air to discharge fromport228 as the chamber is filled with blood.Whole blood229 fully charges the chamber pushing thepiston210 and seal211 to the far right, compressingspring209.
• FIG. 3a, a cross section at AA inFIG. 2, clarifies the construction of theknob223 androd components222.FIG. 3bis a cross section at BB inFIG. 2 showing details for the valve components, those being therecess226 inend cap215, O-ring218 andport228 in sleeve213 (the construction of the valve forport227 is the same).FIG. 3cshows the section at CC ofFIG. 2.
• Once the chamber has been charged with whole blood, the knob and sleeve are placed in the second position with both valves closed, thesyringe223 is removed and the motor started. The motor is then run for times between 15 and 90 seconds depending on the speed used. Speeds of 10,000 rpm to 25,000 rpm have been used, developing centrifugal accelerations at the outside of the spinning chamber from 1000 g to 6000 g.
• FIG. 4 shows the device ofFIG. 2 in operation rotating at speed. TheRBC port228 and theplasma port227 are both closed. The boundary between the RBC layer and the plasma layer is shown at237. Thepiston210 is still at the as-charged position and thespring209 is fully compressed. The spring has two functions, it moves the piston to the left as red blood cells are discharged from the chamber throughport228, and the spring creates a significant minimum pressure in the revolving liquid: this prevents the core of the spinning liquid from reaching the vapor pressure of the liquids and may suppress cell damage in some circumstances.
• Once the red blood cells and the plasma have separated, with the device still rotating, the knob and sleeve are placed in the first position and red blood cells are discharged fromport228 into the casing (casing not shown, but seeFIGS. 17 and 18) surrounding the device.FIG. 5 shows the situation at the mid-point of theRBC231 discharge when thepiston210 is in mid position. Once the majority of red blood cells have been discharged the valve is placed in the third position andplasma230 is eliminated fromport227.FIG. 6 shows the situation at the end of the enrichment process: theplasma port227 is still open and the piston is close to the far left position: platelets that have a specific gravity between that of plasma and RBCs are trapped at the RBC-plasma boundary layer237; the plasma port is about to be closed and the motor stopped.
• Typical volumes for the chamber are 20-100 mL, and the amount of enriched plasma removed at the termination of the procedure is approximately a quarter to an eighth of the original volume depending on the degree of enrichment desired.
• In order to retain all the platelets and other factors gathering at the RBC-plasma boundary, it is essential to closeport228 before all the RBCs have been removed; otherwise there is the danger of these constituents flowing out with the last RBCs. To ensure that this does not occur, the blood sample hematocrit value is used to judge the residual volume of the chamber when the RBC port must be closed. This volume is observable as a piston axial position, and the valve is moved from position one to position three as the piston reaches this predetermined position.
• The device described inFIGS. 2 through 6 uses a piston and seal traveling in a tapered tube, but a right circular cylinder may well function adequately for mixtures of liquids other than blood and where the residual volume of the first liquid discharged is not too critical. The tapered tube has the advantages mentioned in the discussion ofFIG. 1. The position of the piston can be judged visually by the operator relative to graduations on the barrel (not shown), or an optical detector and automatic valve operation system can be used (not shown).
• Since the residual enriched plasma is injected back into the patient the materials used for this device have to be medical grade materials, at least for those constituents contacting the blood. Polycarbonate or PTE are suitable for thebarrel206,end cap215,sleeve213,frame208,knob223 andcollar225.Insert219 is of a suitable grade of passivated stainless steel such as416 or420. The ball bearings have to do duty at high speed but operate for very short times so stainless steel bearings of grade ABMA 1-3 are adequate. O-rings218 and seal211 are of silicone rubber. Since the motor does not contact blood, industrial motors (for example those made by Mabucci) are adequate.
• FIG. 7 shows an embodiment with aflexible bladder312 that initially conforms to the bore of thebarrel306, the bladder providing a variable volume chamber through its ability to invert as shown inFIGS. 10 and 11. This embodiment may serve to reduce the effect of entrapped air bubbles.
• InFIG. 7 a liquid tight variable volume centrifuge chamber (the BSC) is formed from a taperedbarrel306 containing a moldedbladder312, andend cap315. The bladder is captured in areturn fold339 between abarrel projection338 and theend cap315. Larger end ofbarrel306 is closed byend cap315. In the case where this device is used to enrich plasma from whole blood,end cap315 haspassages316 and317 bored within to permit the passage of red blood cells frompassage317 and plasma frompassage316.Passages317 and316 connect with valves formed by O-rings318 compressed inrecesses326 operating in concert withports328 and327 respectively insleeve313.Sleeve313 fits slidably onend cap315 to permit theports328 and327 to connect with thepassages316 and317 at appropriate points in the operation. Theknob323 andsleeve313 can be placed in3 positions: first position,port328 open andport327 closed: second position, bothports327 and328 closed: third position,port328 closed andport327 open.Sleeve313 is keyed to endcap315 to permit the transmission of rotary motion between these constituents (key not shown).Insert319 is fastened to endcap315 to provide an axle for theball bearing320 supporting the left hand end of the rotating assembly. Since thesleeve313 is rotating with the chamber aball bearing321 is provide to connect the sleeve to anon-revolving knob323 viacollar325 androds322.Barrel306 is fastened to theshaft305 ofelectric motor301 usingscrew307. No additional bearings are provided at the motor end, the motor bearings sufficing to support the barrel. The complete assembly is supported by aframe308, the insert bearing320 and themotor301 being located on this frame. The revolving components all rotate about axis XX. In this illustration the sleeve is in the first position to keep theport328 open for porting of air as the chamber is charged with blood, and theplasma port327 is closed.Whole blood329 fully charges the chamber. Anelastomeric seal314 permits the introduction of aneedle334 for the passage of whole blood into the chamber before the start of rotation, and removal of enriched plasma at the cessation of action.
• FIG. 8 is a transverse cross section of the device shown inFIG. 7 at section AA.Whole blood329 fills the BSC andbladder312 which is fully in contact withbarrel306. Frame308 runs under the rotating assembly.
• FIG. 9 shows the device ofFIG. 7 in operation rotating at speed. Thesleeve313 is in position two with bothports327 and328 closed. The boundary betweenRBCs331 andplasma330 is shown at337. The bladder is still against the barrel now under the influence of the pressure developed by the spinning liquid mixture.
• FIG. 10 depicts the situation after spinning for 60 seconds or so. Thesleeve313 is placed in position one,port328 is open andRBCs331 are being discharged throughport328.Plasma port327 is closed. The bladder has moved to the left to compensate for the volume of RBCs that have been discharged. The shape adopted by the bladder is a balance between the forces developed by liquid pressure pushing the bladder to the right and atmospheric pressure (via vent332) pushing the bladder to the left. Since the pressure at the center of the spinning liquid is near absolute zero the atmospheric pressure exceeds the left hand pressure that has been developed up to a certain radius, hence the re-entrant shape of the bladder. The volume ofplasma330 has remained the same as when introduced. The boundary between RBCs and plasma is shown at337. In this view the RBC discharge is about to be stopped since theresidual RBC volume331 is low enough.
• FIG. 11 illustrates the final position for thebladder312 while the rotation continues but just prior to stopping.Sleeve313 is in position three,RBC port328 is closed andplasma port327 is still open. Plasma has been discharged throughport327 and is about to be cut off by the bladder rolling ontoend cap315 and cutting off thepassage316. This illustrates the minimum volume of enrichedplasma330. At this point thesleeve313 is moved to position two with both ports closed and the rotation is then stopped; the residual liquid is removed using a syringe in a similar manner to the charging described inFIG. 7.
• Materials for the device ofFIGS. 7 through 11 are similar to those for the device ofFIGS. 2 through 6: the bladder by example can be made of silicone rubber, polyurethane or polyvinylchloride.
• For theprevious device200 the piston position provided the signal for closure of theRBC port328. In the case of the bladder the inverted bladder rolls along the tapered barrel bore, the axial position of the reverse edge providing (labeled312 inFIG. 11) the volume and the signal for port closure. The cut-off of the plasma discharge is automatic as the bladder rolls over theport passage316.
• The device described inFIGS. 12 through 16 utilizes an air core and uses no bladder or piston.
• The device ofFIG. 12 is very similar in construction to the two previous embodiments, with a BSC formed from abarrel406 andend cap415. The inner surface of theend cap415 forms the larger diameter end wall of the chamber, with the inner surface of thebarrel406 forming the chamber's tapering side wall. In this illustrationwhole blood429 fromsyringe433 fills the centrifuge chamber throughneedle434 with bothports428 and427 closed. Air displaced by the blood leaks out through the clearance between theneedle434 and insert419 bore as the blood is injected.FIG. 13 shows the circular section nature ofFIG. 12. Once the charging syringe is removed, the motor is started and the chamber is rotated at 10,000 to 20,000 rpm for approximately one minute. At this point thesleeve413 is moved to the second position, and RBCs are discharged throughport428 until the point shown inFIG. 14 where theminimum RBCs431 remain. Meanwhile, the plasma adopts the region orlayer430, and aboundary440 forms at the plasma-air radial interface, theair core438 having entered through the bore of insert419 (via a filter in the housing not shown, but seeFIGS. 17 and 18). At this juncture the sleeve is moved to the third position,port428 closed andport427 opened. With this preferred device there is no bladder or piston to observe, so the operator observes theaxial interface436 between theRBCs431 and theplasma430 of the mixture through the transparent barrel to determine when to manually close theRBC port428 and open theplasma port427. With blood, this mixture interface is easy to see and can be automated with an optical detector. The difference in electrical resistivity between red blood cells and plasma can also be used to trigger an indicator or automated valve. An alternative way of determining the point at which to shut the RBC port is to use time. After one minute of running to separate the constituents of the blood, the RBC port is opened and a timer started. Since the pressure generated in the centrifuge is a predictable function of liquid specific gravity and running speed, and since the RBC port is a precisely calibrated orifice, the flow rate being discharged, and hence time can be computed for a given hematocrit value.
• With the motor still running, the plasma discharges throughport427 until it reaches the situation inFIG. 15 where the residual RBCs are atlayer431 and the residual plasma atlayer430. The sleeve is then moved to the second position to close both ports. In the case of plasma thepassage416 is placed at a precise radial location to give an accurate final volume since no further flow of plasma will occur once theair core438 has grown to that passage radial location. The motor is then stopped and the device placed on end, with the motor downward, so that the rotation axis is vertical as shown inFIG. 16. The remaining enriched plasma with some RBCs is removed by syringe and needle as illustrated.
• An enclosure suitable for various embodiments discussed in this application is described inFIGS. 17 and 18; however these two figures show the enclosure applied specifically to the air core embodiment ofFIGS. 12 through 16. Theframe508 is mounted to abattery power pack503 that acts as the base for the enclosure. Anouter casing500 surrounds the centrifuge and is fastened to thebattery pack503, the joint being liquid and air-tight. Avalve selector knob545, integral with eccentric546 andpin547, is mounted in the casing such that theselector knob545 can be turned by the operator to actuate theinternal knob523 via thepin547 in groove548 and hence thecollar525 andvalve sleeve513. InFIG. 17 themotor501 driving the chamber BSC is controlled manually byswitch504 connected tobattery pack503 bywires550. Abush543 mounted at the left hand end of theenclosure500 provides alignment for the entry of the syringe (433 ofFIG. 12) needle when charging the chamber with whole blood or when extracting the enriched plasma. Immediately adjacent tobush543 is a porous flexiblepierceable filter544. This filter has two functions: It filters the air entering the core of the centrifuge when it is running, and it prevents the egress of any aerosols into the atmosphere of blood fragments generated as the centrifuge discharges RBCs or plasma into the casing. A small slit in the filter allows the charging syringe needle to enter without damaging the effectiveness of the filter. Covering most of the interior walls of thecasing500 is a highlyabsorbent lining542 to absorb the RBCS and plasma discharged into the casing as theair core538 enlarges and the enrichment process proceeds. A lens andmask549 placed in the wall of thecasing500 permits the operator to view theaxial interface536 of the RBCs and plasma as the process of enrichment proceeds. The mask and lens are chosen to enhance the contrast of the image seen of theliquid separation interface536.
• A photo detector (not shown) can be placed in the location of the lens to provide an electrical signal of the progress of the liquid separation interfaces, and an electromagnet actuator can drive thevalve selector knob545. These electrical elements in conjunction with a manual switch can be used to control the entire process once the motor has started.
• From tests to date it would seem feasible in some applications to use a simple timer program to schedule the sleeve motions. For example, the following sequence can operate off a timer once the chamber is charged with blood, a) start motor, run for 60 seconds b) open RBC port and discharge RBCs for 30 seconds, c) close RBC port and open plasma port and run for 30 seconds, d) close both ports, and stop motor. Such a device might require the addition of a means of manually inserting the patient's hematocrit number to allow for varying proportions of RBCs to plasma.
• Table 1 gives typical data obtained for the air core device ofFIGS. 12 through 16 using porcine blood. The data was obtained with runs of one minute for the initial separation and approximately one more minute to discharge the RBCs and plasma.

• TABLE 1
  		Platelet		% Red
  	Platelet Count	Concentration	% Platelet	Blood Cells
  Sample	(× 103/microliter)	Factor	Recovery	Removed
  Baseline	229	NA	NA	NA
  Run 1	1656	7.2	100	93
  Run 2	1457	6.4	88	92
  Run 3	1446	6.3	87	93
  Run 4	1685	7.3	100	94

• For all three embodiments discussed, piston, bladder and air core, the size and position of the ports and passages are very important. As the centrifuge rotates, the pressure developed within the chamber varies as the square of the speed and the square of the radius of rotation. To gain manual control over the discharge of constituents the discharge needs to take place over a manageable time. The RBC port for example needs to be sized to allow passage of the RBCs over a period of about 30 seconds. Conditions must be selected to allow the RBC port to function without blockage as the RBCs try to clump, and flow has to be kept low enough to stop the platelets from being swirled into the exit vortex. For centrifuges using whole blood samples of approximately 30 mL, it has been found that RBC ports of the order 0.008 inch diameter work well if speeds are in the region 15,000 to 20,000 rpm and chamber barrels are about 1.0 to 1.25 inch in diameter at the largest point. Plasma ports can be larger since the risk of losing the platelets is less: values of about 0.010 inch diameter are adequate. Placement of the plasma ports relative to the center axis of rotation has a direct effect on the attainable concentration factor. The closer to the center, the less plasma is removed and less concentration is achievable. Additionally, in various embodiments of the invention discussed it will be noticed that asmall annulus241,341,441,541 is created at the large diameter end of the chamber. This annulus creates a localized area of increased radial depth, but of small volume, for the RBCs prior to their entry into theRBC passages217,317,417. This increase in depth reduces the tendency for the platelets and other desired factors from exiting with the RBCs being discharged through theRBC port228,328,428 under influence of the exit vortex created locally close to the same ports (not shown).
• In all the embodiments discussed the accuracy of the RBC port closure point can be improved by employing a separation aid, such as a flowable separator gel of an intermediate specific gravity between the red blood cells and the platelets. The separator gel spreads over the red blood cell layer moving the other layers further towards the center axis. The separator gel automatically caps the first port when all of the red blood cells have exited. The separator gel viscosity is designed so that it will not pass through the small exit port at the centrifuge speed employed in the BSC. The automatic shut off of the first port can also be accomplished with a separation aid in the form of a solid material of intermediate specific gravity that is designed to enter and close off the port when the red blood cells have fully exited. An example would be plastic beads such as microspheres with the desired intermediate specific gravity that are large enough to cap the port when agglomerated as they flow toward the port.
• For the bladder and air core embodiments the visualization of the RBC plasma axial boundaries can be improved by incorporating back lighting, such as in the form of an LED mounted inside the BSV adjacent to the motor centerline. Additional windings in the motor could provide the low power needed to power the lamp.
• With adjustments to size and locations of the port and passage dimensions, the subject invention also has the capability for separating and concentrating a wide variety of therapeutically beneficial cells and other biological constituents. Many of these biological constituents have the potential for regenerative therapy and can be characterized as regenerative agents. These regenerative agents can assist with the regeneration, restoration, or repair of a structure or assist with the function of an organ, tissue or physiologic unit or system to provide a therapeutic benefit to a living being. Examples of regenerative agents include for example: stem cells, fat cells, progenitor cells, bone marrow, synovial fluid, blood, endothelial cells, macrophages, fibroblasts, pericytes, smooth muscle cells, uni-potent and multi-potent progenitor and precursor cells, lymphocytes, etc. The invention also has the potential to process soft or liquid tissues or tissue components or tissue mixtures including but not limited to adipose tissue, skin, muscle, etc. to provide a therapeutic regenerative agent. The resulting separated or concentrated products from the various embodiments described herein may be used as is known in the art. Medical treatment procedures may call for the concentrated product to be applied directly to a treatment site, or incorporated into a treatment device (e.g., administered to an absorbent implant material prior to, concurrent with, or post-implantation), or even combined with another material as a method of treatment, for example, by combining with a particulate material to form a paste (e.g., combined with a extracellular matrix that has been formulated as a powder).
• The blood centrifuge container may also incorporate an adjustable port, e.g. a tube with an open end extending radially into the BSC and hinged at the outer periphery in such a manner that the tube can be swung in an arc for the open end to scan a range of radii (not shown). The location of the open end of the tube can be adjusted before or during operation such that it is located at a desired position with respect to the axis of rotation. For example, the entrance port could be located towards the periphery of the centrifuge container to initially vent undesired cells, and later adjusted towards the center of the container to vent platelet poor plasma. Alternatively, if the plasma fraction is what is desired to be removed, the port can be positioned so that essentially only plasma is tapped from the stratified mixture.
• The apparatus may also be configured to shut off, or at least to cease rotating, once a predetermined quantity of one or more constituents such as plasma has been tapped. Specifically, a port may be positioned such that, upon stratification, the plasma constituent is adjacent the port. When the valve for that port is opened, plasma is dispatched out through the port. The port may also be configured with a sensor that senses the presence or absence of plasma. As such, the apparatus can be configured such that the barrel continues to rotate as long as plasma is sensed at or in the port, but when plasma is no longer sensed, the sensor provides a signal to the motor to stop (thereby stopping the rotation of the barrel) or signaling the opening of a tap. As plasma continues to be removed from the barrel through the port, eventually the supply of plasma at the radius of the port is exhausted, thereby causing a signal to be sent from said sensor, and the barrel stops rotating. Of course, each of these signals may arise from the sensing of any stratified layer, not just plasma.
• It may be desirable to collect one or more of the discarded fractions of the liquid specimen in addition to the concentrated fraction. This can be accomplished by one of several methods. A collection bag or chamber can be connected to an exit port on the sleeve. This bag or chamber will rotate with the barrel so provisions must be taken to balance it around the axis of rotation. Another method would be to have a circumferential funnel opposite the desired exit port that would collect the fraction being discharged and guide the fluid to a collection point by gravity flow. This is further illustrated later in reference toFIG. 25.
• Further embodiments are shown inFIGS. 19 through 26. These figures describe a device using the air core principle covered inFIGS. 12 through 17 but incorporating improvements designed to maximize the enrichment obtainable when preparing PRP.FIG. 19 shows the two major components of a centrifuge designed to be used in two components, areusable drive unit601 and adisposable portion600. The separation of the centrifuge into two components allows the disposable component to be more cost effective.
• FIG. 20ais a schematic representing a half mirror section of a revolving chamber defined by the boundary letters ‘defg’. Significant dimensions are noted by length references L1 through L8, and the radii identified as D1 through D8. As can be seen inFIG. 20a, D1 corresponds to the length of the radius measured from the rotational axis XX to the outer end of thechannel640, as shown in this embodiment having an optional plenum at the end of the channel, where exitingRBCs641 enter into theRBC passage639. Similarly, D2 and D3 identify the inner diameters for the right and left sides, respectively, of the plenum at the end of thechannel640 farthest from axis XX. D4 and D7 mark the outer and inner diameters, respectively, of the flat located on the right hand end ofwedge609. D5 identifies the diameter at the interface between thered blood cells641 and thebuffy coat642. D6 identifies the diameter at the interface between thebuffy coat642 and theplasma643. D8 identifies the inner diameter ofplasma passage610, and corresponds to the interface of theplasma643 interface with theair core646. The length measurements L1 through L8 are based upon a distance measured from the reference line corresponding to the right side of theplasma passage610. L1 and L2 are measured to the left and right hand sides, respectively, of the plenum at the end of thechannel640. L3 identifies the length to the flat on the right hand side of a wedge609 (to be described later), measured from the reference line. L4 and L5 identify the location of left andright markers644. L6 corresponds to the length to the edge of the rotation chamber measured at the diameter corresponding to the buffy coat/plasma interface D6. L7 corresponds to the length to the edge of the rotation chamber measured at the diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of the flat located on the right hand edge ofwedge609. L8 corresponds to the length to the edge of the rotation chamber measured at the diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of the entry into theplasma passage610.
• The rotational axis XX passes through boundary ‘dg’. The major cross hatched area represents the tapered chamber with the outer wall having a half angle ‘a’. Inserted into the conical recess of the chamber is thewedge609 having an external frusto-conical portion of half angle ‘b’ that definesRBC channel640 and an internal reverse frusto-conical recess defining half angle ‘c’ that defines the boundary of theplasma643. It should be noted that half angle ‘b’ need not necessarily be the same as half angle ‘a’, in other words thechannel640 may be tapered, not parallel.
• As fluid exits the RBC outlet port, the fluid exiting through theRBC passage639 experiences high shear forces, and theRBC channel640 serves to ensure that theRBC passage639 entry port is at the end of thechannel640 and at a distance removed from the RBC-BC interface, with the channel dimensioned to allow for significantly slower local flow speeds at the RBC's entrance into thechannel640, relative to the high exit speed the RBC experiences as it exits through theRBC passage639.
• For example, in one embodiment, RBCs collect at the outer edge of the spinning chamber and discharge through one ormore RBC passages639 fed from a circumferential groove or plenum, which, in turn, is fed from a thincircumferential channel640, or alternatively, circumferential sections formingmultiple channels640, starting adjacent to the buffy-coat collection areas. Thecircumferential channel640 has a circumference many times larger than the radial depth of the channel. For a device providing a 60 Ml centrifuge, and having a channel with a 4.5 inch circumference by 0.020 radial depth the orifice diameter forRBC passage639 would be of the order 0.010 inch. This combination spinning at approximately 17000 RPM would result in velocities of 2000-3000 cm/sec from the orifice atRBC passage639, and only 1.5 cm/sec along thechannel640. Thus thechannel640 slows the flow adjacent the separation layer by a factor of over 1000 to 1. In another embodiment (not shown) not having a plenum, the RBC passages may be fed directly from the thin circumferential channel, starting adjacent to the buffy-coat collection area. Similar performance, in achieving a reduction of flow rate at the separation layer, when compared to the orifice exit, would be expected as that described with reference to the embodiment having a plenum.
• It has been observed that there may be a benefit in evacuating the RBCs under a reduced rotational speed of the spinning chamber. This reduction of rotational speed must be accomplished in a manner that does not disrupt the stratification of the separated constituents, further; the reduced rotational speed must not be reduced to the point of allowing significant degradation of the established stratification of the constituents. For example, upon achieving satisfactory stratification through the operation of the device at a first speed suitable for separation, a gradual ramping down of the rotation speed will maintain the stratification, and once arriving at a second rotational speed, the RBC cells may then be ejected through theRBC passage639, at a correspondingly reduced velocity as a consequence of the lower forces created through the reduced rotational speed of the spinning chamber. For the example previously described, having a rotational speed of approximately 17000 RPM for separation, the gradual reduction may occur in a controlled fashion over a determined period of time, until settling at a targeted lower rate of rotation, in this new example rotating at approximately 13000 RPM, in order to allow evacuation of the RBCs while still preserving the integrity of the RBC/BC interface. It is also recognized that minor adjustments to the timing of these steps may, for practical purposes, may achieve similar results, such as opening of the RBC valving while the speed is still ramping down, but close to the targeted evacuation rate.
• Modifications to the dimensions, or rotational speeds may be employed to ensure that a reduction in localized flow rates, when measured at theRBC passage639 and compared to the RBC entry into thechannel640, may be made to achieve different reduction rates, such as reduced beyond approximately 500:1, or 100:1, instead of the 1000:1 described above. As can be seen in the embodiment ofFIG. 20a, thechannel640 is arranged on a radially shallow angle a, and is shown having a plenum at the terminus of the channel, from which theRBC passage639 provides for the discharge of the RBC. In another embodiment (not shown), the device may not provide a plenum at the terminus of the channel, but rather the channel terminus may include the outlet for the RBC passage, or the channel may reduce in dimension (taper) and funnel directly into the outlet for the RBC passage. As described above, the devices of this invention aim to reduce the effect of the exiting RBCs upon the buffy coat components, as may be accomplished by providing for spatial separation between the RBC outlet and the RBC/buffy coat interface. It is this spatial separation, with or without a plenum in the channel, that reduces the tendency for the platelets and other desired factors from exiting with the RBCs being discharged through theRBC passage639 under influence of the exit vortex created locally close to the port. By operating the device in a manner that prevents plasma or buffy coat components from entering thechannel640, the high shear forces will be limited in effect only to the RBC component, and will be unable to disrupt the interface between the RBC and the BC. Typically, when comparing the concentrated blood product with the starting material, about 93% of the RBC's are removed using the chamber as described above, and as depicted inFIG. 20a. It may be desirable in some instances to remove an even greater proportion of the RBC's. Values of approximately 98% removal have been achieved by further managing the turbulent flow towards and directly aboveRBC passage639. The management of the turbulent flow above and adjacent to the RBC passage may be achieved in some embodiments by, at least partially restricting or even completely closing off the flow into the circumferential channel (in a direction of flow that is generally from the flat of the wedge, towards the plenum, if any), without preventing the flow of fluid through the channel (in a direction that is largely perpendicular to, and circumferential around, the axis of rotation) towards the RBC passage. This restriction may be created over some portion of the circle that is the circumferential channel. For example, in an embodiment, the width ofchannel640, at least the portion closest to the RBC passage, can be at least partially reduced, for example, in one embodiment, from at least 1% to 100%, in another embodiment from at least 10% to 100%, or in yet another embodiment, from at least 20% to 100%, and in still another embodiment, from 50% to 100% reduction, over a portion of the circumferential channel, for example, in an embodiment from about 10 degrees to about 350 degrees, or, in another embodiment from about 15 degrees to about 270 degrees, or, in still another embodiment, from about 20 to 180 degrees of the circumference, with the angular center optionally being substantially aligned with the location of theRBC passage639.FIG. 33 depicts a restrictive feature800 that restricts the flow of fluid into thechannel640, and as shown inFIG. 33a, is in the portion of the channel encompassed by angle d (here depicted as 90 degrees) of the circumference. The restrictive feature may be integrated as part of the rotating chamber, such as by machining or molding of the rotation chamber, or alternatively may be manufactured as a separate component and later affixed in some manner known to those skilled in the art, to either thewedge609 surface (as shown inFIG. 33), or alternatively, to the interior surface of the rotating chamber (not shown). The restriction may be of uniform dimensions, as shown inFIG. 33a, or alternatively, in an embodiment (not shown) there may be provided a variable reduction in thechannel640, where the greatest restriction of the entrance into the channel is at the portion of the channel that is aligned with the RBC passage, and the restriction percentage is reduced in a gradual or steep taper, or even a stepped manner, as the distance of the channel increases from the RBC passage. For this embodiment, the goal is to provide the appropriate percentage restriction tailored to counteract the variability of the flow rate into the channel arising from the variable proximity to the RBC passage; thus in the regions of the channel closest to the RBC passage, the percentage of restriction to the channel will be maximized, while away from the RBC passage, the percentage of the restriction of the channel will be appropriately reduced, thus by ensuring uniform flow rates into the channel, the disturbance to the interface between the separated layers (e.g., RBC/BC interface) is minimized. In these, and any other embodiment of the centrifuge devices described herein, it is recognized that by using materials in the construction of this part of the chamber that are similar in density to blood, a condition of imbalance for the rotating chamber is avoided, or alternatively the rotating chamber may be balanced using counter weights, properly placed, as known to those skilled in the art.
• Similarly, by placing theplasma passage610 at a location removed from the buffy coat component (and optionally located within a plenum as depicted inFIG. 27a), and with the buffy coat-plasma interface not extending inward beyond D7, the buffy coat can be contained within the chamber, as with the shallow angle c, the high shear forces at theplasma passage610 will not cause the disruption of the BC-plasma interface. Thus there is a reduction in the tendency for the platelets and other desired factors from exiting with the plasma discharged through theplasma passage610 under influence of the exit vortex created locally close to the port. Though depicted inFIG. 20aas located at the base of thewedge609, the plasma passage may be located elsewhere, so long as the opening is at a suitable radius that is smaller than the radius of the buffy coat-plasma interface, such as at a location corresponding to L8 inFIG. 20a. Through these features, the embodiments described aid in preserving substantially all of the buffy coat component within the chamber and enhancing concentration or enrichment efficiency of the finished product.
• Furthermore, with reference toFIG. 27a, there is depicted an embodiment identical to that shown inFIG. 20a, except that there is included aplasma plenum655 in the form of circumferential groove (or portions of a circumferential groove) housing the orifice(s) that lead into theplasma passage610. In this embodiment, the exiting plasma will flow along the tapered channel defined by the boundaries of thewedge609, and the air core interface with the plasma. While the chamber is being rotated, and the plasma valve open, the plasma will flow towards the plasma passages (depicted here located at the base of the wedge609), and spill over the wedge base and into aplasma plenum655. Once within the plasma plenum, the plasma will flow along the length of the plenum (i.e. circumferentially) until it encounters and exits through the orifice(s) leading to theplasma passage610. While the plasma is traveling within theplenum655, it will not exert shear forces upon the plasma/buffy coat interface, which is at a distance removed, and physically shielded by the presence of thewedge609.
• Comparing theFIGS. 20band 27bwill allow visualization of the direction of fluid flow as the plasma approaches the plasma outlet, whether as a continuous slope (the geometry shown inFIG. 20b), or with a plenum655 (the geometry shown inFIG. 27b). These figures represent a projection view, looking down towards the opening to theplasma passage610, as if one is looking from the axis of rotation towards the outside diameter of the chamber.
• With reference toFIG. 20b, the plasma is depicted as traveling from right to left, and as the fluid approaches the left edge of the chamber, the fluid will be drawn towards the outlets forplasma passage610. In this embodiment not having a plasma plenum, the shear forces will be proportionally reduced with increasing distance from the opening, thus as the plasma travels along the inside face of the wedge (along angle c), the shear forces will not necessarily be uniform throughout the entire diameter of the region, but will be higher when alongside the locations of the openings to theplasma passage610. While the geometry ofFIG. 20ahas been empirically determined to be effective in minimizing shear forces affecting the buffy coat/plasma interface, it may be possible to even further reduce the shear forces experienced at the flat of the wedge during the operation of the device.
• With reference toFIG. 27b, the plasma is depicted as traveling from right to left, and enters into theplasma plenum655, prior to flowing along the plenum towards theopenings610. As can be seen by the uniform arrows (right side) depicting fluid flow towards theplenum655, the presence of the plenum is expected to reduce variations in shear force, when measured circumferentially within the plasma channel (the plasma flowing between the wedge face at angle c and the air core), as the plasma will approach the base of thewedge609, and flow into theplasma plenum655, and thus create an effect similar to water flowing over the breast of a dam. That is, prior to cresting the obstruction, whether upstream of the dam, or prior to entering the plenum, the fluids flow slowly and smoothly, then once past the obstruction, whether downstream of the dam or within the plenum, the fluid flow rates will be relatively much higher and less uniform. As can be seen by the arrows depicting the fluid flow pattern, the flow of plasma towards the plasma plenum is expected to be uniformly distributed over the entire diameter, then once the plasma has crested the wedge, and is within theplenum655, then there will be large variations in fluid movement as the plasma flows out the one or more openings to theplasma passage610. Since the variable direction shear forces are largely contained within the plenum, and not affecting plasma flowing along the wedge face, this embodiment would be expected to allow for enhanced enrichment factors of the buffy coat components. The geometry of this embodiment allows for retained plasma, measured as the depth between D8 and D6, to be minimized, due to the reduced variability of plasma flow rates, when measured circumferentially along the plasma channel, which would otherwise tend to disrupt the buffy coat/plasma interface.
• Furthermore, with reference toFIG. 20a, it should be pointed out that the volume of plasma remaining after all the discharged plasma has left the chamber is defined by the boundary diameters D8 and D6. This volume can be tuned to get the value of enrichment desired by adjusting these same mentioned dimensions.
• It should also be made clear that to obtain high degrees of enrichment, the depth of plasma beneath the buffy-coat (as seen inFIG. 20a) must decrease (diameter dimension (D6−D8)/2 decreases) so the risk of platelet loss increases because the out-flowing plasma shears the buffy/plasma interface more closely. However, the pressure driving the plasma outflow gradually drops to zero as the plasma diameter approaches D8 since pressure driving the plasma flow is proportional to the square of the speed of rotation, multiplied by the difference of the squares of the radius of the opening of the plasma passage located at D8 and the radius of the plasma/air interface within the chamber.
• By taking advantage of this steadily reducing flow effect as the plasma approaches D8, the plasma depth (D8−D6) can be minimized, with little loss of buffy coat due to shear, and the residual plasma volume minimized and the enrichment maximized.
• To summarize, RBC/buffy-coat shear is minimized using the outer diameter channel to control RBC/buffy-coat shear, and plasma/buffy coat shear is controlled by geometry and the reducing plasma to air core driving pressure.
• Thus, while the chamber is rotating, and prior to the discharge of any of the plasma, there is a larger pressure head driving the plasma out through the plasma outlet and intoplasma passage610, subsequently, as the volume of plasma in the chamber decreases, the pressure head above the plasma outlet is reduced in a proportionate amount, until the plasma level reaches the level of the plasma outlet at D8, and all plasma flow out through theplasma passage610 terminates. As the flow rate through theplasma passage610 is reduced as the plasma volume is reduced, this provides the added benefit that the tendency for shear forces to affect the buffy coat is minimized, as at the point the plasma flowing out and the buffy coat are at nearest proximity to each other (i.e., the distance between D6 and D8 is at its minimum), the plasma evacuation flow rate will be at its lowest rate.
• In operation blood fills the chamber and after a period of time at speed separates in to red blood cells (RBC), buffy coat and plasma. After separation,RBC passage639 is opened and RBCs discharge fromRBC passage639, the interface of the RBC's being evident at L5 at the transparent conical surface. Visible markers are placed on the chamber at L5 and L4 to guide an operator in the closing of RBC passage639: when the RBC interface reaches somewhere between L5 and L4 the discharge of RBC's out ofRBC passage639 is stopped by manipulation of valves to be described later. At this point, residual RBCs occupy a predefined volume defined by theconical channel640 and the circumferential recess at the left hand end of theRBC channel639. When collecting buffy coat (BC)642, defined on the illustration by the honeycomb hatch, it is important to prevent the BC from migrating into theRBC channel640, since the BC cannot be recovered at the end of the procedure if they migrate there. To ensure that this does not happen, the rate at which the RBC interface appears to move along the conical surface of the chamber is controlled to a velocity that is sufficiently low for an operator to stop the process (by closing RBC passage639) as the interface travels between makers placed at L5 and L4. This velocity is a function of speed of rotation, diameter of the chamber, size of the RBC discharge port connected topassage639, and the half angle ‘a’ of the chamber. These variables are adjusted to give an interface velocity at L5 or L4 that is manageable by a human operator but that does not impede the rapid separation required (whole process of separation, discharge of unwanted RBCs and plasma in less than 2 minutes). In testing various parameters, it has been experimentally determined that an interface velocity of approximately 4 mm/sec allows accurate intervention by the operator, though it is recognized that higher and lower velocities may be desirable, on the range of less than 10 mm/sec. (In the case where the RBC to Buffy coat interface is detected by optical sensors or the like the approach velocity of the interface can exceed the 10 mm/sec. rate). WhenRBC port638 is initially opened, there is a potential for temporary turbulence due to the sudden pressure drop that may cause some disruption of the clarity of the interface between the RBC and BC, at D6. The effect of this turbulence can be minimized by an automatic ramp down in the centrifuge speed that is controlled by the software in thebase unit601. Changes in centrifugation speed can be programmed in the software to automatically initiate by timers in the software or signals generated by movement of the valve mechanisms. When the RBC discharge is stopped, the BC is captured at the end of the flat or separation surface on the right hand end of thewedge609, defined by diameters D4 and D7. Though the separation surface is depicted inFIG. 20aas being at 90 degrees to the axis of rotation, it is envisioned that the separation surface may be at another angle relative to the axis of rotation. The separation surface forms the “top” surface of thewedge609 when the centrifuge is in its normal upright orientation. If the RBCs are stopped at L5, the BC outer diameter is D5, if the RBCs are stopped at L4 the BC outer diameter is at D4. The buffy coat (BC) volume is around 0.5% of the blood volume initially introduced, so the flat on the end of the wedge (D4, D7) can be defined to ensure that in the worst case (RBC stopped at L5) the BC stays on the separation surface and does not extend into the inner half angle cone ‘c’. Once theRBC passage639 is closed, theplasma passage610 is opened and plasma flows to discharge. The illustration shows the situation when all the plasma has flowed out ofplasma passage610 and flow has stopped because theair core646 has expanded to the diameter of the passage inlet at D8. Prevention of BC getting into the inner cone is important since the axial velocity of the plasma surface accelerates as it approaches theexit passage610 and fast shear velocity at the BC/Plasma interface results in loss of platelets into the plasma. With radial separation of BC to air core (D6−D8)/2 of the order 1 mm-2 mm, the loss of platelets into plasma is acceptable and enrichment factors (EF) of 8:1 or more can be consistently obtained. Enrichment factors are defined by the following equation: (EF=(# of platelets captured in the BC sample per unit volume)/(# of platelets in the original whole blood sample per unit volume)). Fundamentally, this design has been conceived to minimize the shear at the RBC/BC and BC/Plasma interfaces and hence reduce loss of BC to the RBC discharge or the plasma discharge.
• In one embodiment, the orientation of the device in use is with the axis of rotation XX being vertical, with theport valve602 at the top of the device. As a consequence of the geometry of the rotating chamber, when the rotation is halted, any fluid (e.g., RBC) that is within thechannel640, will tend to remain contained in that channel, and substantially all other fluid above the line corresponding to the flat608 of thewedge609 while in operation (i.e., to the right of L3 inFIG. 20a), will flow by gravity, upon cessation of rotation, and pool directly underneath theport valve602, and is available to be harvested, such as by being drawn into a needle directed through the port valve and into the pool of concentrated materials. It is recognized that the various embodiments described herein may be operated at another angle (e.g., horizontal), and then optionally rotated to vertical for harvesting, after cessation of rotation. By maintaining the RBCs sequestered within thechannel640 upon cessation of rotation of the chamber, the concentration of the buffy coat components can be maximized, as those materials within the channel (e.g., RBCs) are not available to further dilute the concentrated buffy coat or other blood components. In some embodiments, it may be advantageous to add a surface tension modifying coating (e.g., hydrophilic or hydrophobic coating) to at least a portion of the rotating chamber, such as the flat608 at the end of thewedge609 to prevent some of the captured BC from remaining on the flat due to surface tension. Furthermore, there may be a benefit in providing an angle (e.g., 1 to 45 degrees) to the flat of the wedge, in order to direct the flow of fluid towards the central collection area, if in a generally vertical orientation.
• It has been observed that causing the rotation chamber to decelerate rapidly, or alternatively abruptly, or with an uneven rate of decrease, will lead to an increase in the amount of platelets in the collection area, relative to a more gradual deceleration of the rotation chamber. It is believed the rapid deceleration, such as may be accomplished by incorporating a braking system into the device, will create mixing of the components above the flat of the wedge, and avoids the occurrence of residual concentrated buffy coat components remaining on the surface of the flat of the wedge. It is believed that the red blood cells remaining within the chamber and within the channel, will remain largely contained within the channel, and not mix with the buffy coat, even upon rapid deceleration. Alternatively, one may simply physically dislodge platelets, such as by tapping, shaking, jarring, or otherwise disturbing any components that, due to surface tension, had remained away from the collection area, such that they can now be collected.
• The geometry of the embodiments of the device incorporating thewedge609 provides at least 3 benefits aiding in the efficiency, and operation of the device, as thewedge609 serves to: 1) create spatial separation; 2) form the channel; and 3) increase the apparent depth of liquids. First, the wedge creates spatial separation between the outlets for the plasma and the RBC, and therefore can minimize the effects of shear forces at the outlet from affecting the buffy coat components which remain distant alongside the flat of the wedge. Second, the wedge partially forms the channel, as the outermost surface of the wedge, at angle b, provides part of the inner boundary of thechannel640. Third, the wedge enhances the ease of operating the device, as it enhances the apparent depth of the liquids displaced by the existence of the wedge. That is, the wedge serves to displace the volume of the fluids that are in the wedge region (between D2 and D8), and has the effect of increasing the apparent depth of these liquids, as dimensions between D4 and D5 are increased due to the displacement, and necessarily the spacing betweenmarkers644, at L4 and L5, can accordingly be made larger and provide greater resolution for the operator. With the effect that the operator can now more accurately determine when to halt the discharge of the RBC through theRBC passage639.
• FIG. 21 shows the device ofFIG. 19 assembled and in the running state with theRBC port638 open, theplasma port612 closed, and the RBC discharged to the RBC-Plasma receiver647. Noplasma643 has yet been discharged to the receiving chamber. Theair core646 is fully established and the separated fluid components are established with clear boundaries. The spinning centrifuge blood-containing chamber is made up from two elements, the taperedbarrel606 and theend cap614. This chamber spins in twobearings619 and604, thesmaller bearing604 locating the narrow end of the chamber, and thelarger bearing619 locating the larger end of the chamber indirectly via thedrive shaft617 and thevalve cap616. Thesmaller bearing604 is mounted in the transparentmid cover607 and the larger bearing infollower618.Valve cap616 rotates with the chamber components driven by a key or pin (not shown) from theend cap614, and can translate axially along the rotation axis propelled axially by thefollower618, which in turn is moved axially bycam followers620 andcams621. Axial movement ofvalve cap616 controls the position ofRBC port638 andplasma port612, and thus controls the discharge of RBCs fromRBC passage639 or plasma fromplasma passage610. Cams621 (typically 3 in number but may be more or less than 3) are integral withdrum613.Follower618 can move axially withindrum613 but is prevented from rotation bymale keys631 on the follower and female keys onsubstructure624. By rotatingdrum613 the operator movesfollower620 axially and thus controls the position of the RBC andplasma ports638 and612. RBC-plasma receiver647 surrounds the rotating elements to capture the discharged RBCs and excess plasma and moves axially with thevalve cap616.
• Clearance betweenshaft617 andvalve cap616, and the clearance betweenvalve cap616 andend cap614 affects the fit and concentricity betweenend cap614 andvalve cap616. ‘O’-rings648 and611 act as seals and/or act as suspensions between these two caps. If the clearances are held very small the ‘O’-rings act only as seals, but if the clearance is increased substantially the ‘O’-rings do double duty as seals and as suspensions. Such suspension characteristics can be selected so that the natural frequency of thevalve cap616 oscillating on the chamber assembly (shaft617,end cap614, and barrel606) is substantially lower or substantially higher than the operating speed.
• Centrifuge coupling633 attached to driveshaft617 accepts torsional drive frommotor626 viamotor coupling629.Motor626 is mounted onsubstructure624 that is fastened firmly tobase enclosure625. An operator activatedlatch622 ensures thatdisposable portion600 is firmly located relative toreusable portion601 by engaging in an annulus integral withdrum613.
• Disposable portion600 arrives as a sterile unit and is used adjacent to a sterile field in an operatory environment. On completion of the procedure for preparing and applying PRP or PPP (which could involve running the device multiple times for multiple applications for a single patient)disposable portion600 is discarded into the bio waste stream. However thereusable portion601 remains in the operatory and may get moved elsewhere for storage. To ensure that no whole blood or blood components contaminate thereusable portion601, a variety of elements may be employed to prevent the egress of these fluids. With reference toFIG. 26,absorbable washers632 and636 can capture any spillage fromreceiver647, andgel accelerator649 can cause the discharged fluids inreceiver647 to gel into a non-flowing gelatinous mass. Alternatively sealed bearings (not shown) at619 and rolling diaphragms (not shown) betweendrum613 andfollower618 can capture all liquids. Absorbable materials can be made from porous polyethylene (as sold under the trade name ‘Porex’), superabsorbent polymers, polyacrylates, polyelectrolytes, hydrogels, chalk, cellulose fibers or sponges, or woven textile, or other suitable materials known in the art. Gel accelerators can be made from materials as supplied by Multisorb Technologies, Inc. under the name Drimop®. Residuals of the PRP collected in the chamber are contained byport valve602. Combinations of these solutions to leakage will also be clear to those skilled in the art.
• FIGS. 28-31 depict a radialindexing valve receiver700, which is an alternate embodiment of the previously discussed RBC-plasma receiver647. This radial indexing valve receiver incorporates a radial indexing valve that works in cooperation with therotating drum613 and follower618 (as shown previously inFIG. 21) in order to prevent the contents from spilling from the receiver. The radialindexing valve receiver700 consists of two mating components, theupper valve701 and thelower storage chamber702. Theupper valve701 preferably includes fourslots704 and thelower storage chamber702 includes fourslots705. The number of slots can be varied and typically the numbers of slots in each component are the same. Theupper valve701 includesindexing tabs703 that cooperate with grooves (not shown) indrum613 so that theupper valve701 rotates whendrum613 is rotated. Theupper valve701 also includes a 360 degree liquid inlet window707. Thelower storage chamber702 includesgrooves706 on its inner circumference that cooperate with tabs (not shown) onfollower618.Grooves706 serve to key thelower storage chamber702 to thefollower618 and prevent thelower storage chamber702 from rotating whendrum613 is rotated. With reference toFIG. 30, theupper valve701 andlower storage chamber702 include annular interlocking features709 and708. As can be seen in greater detail in the disassembled depiction ofFIG. 31, the interlocking features include theslots704,705 andmating surfaces710,711. As can be seen inFIG. 30, the interlocking features709,708 define an interference fit so thatupper valve701 andlower storage chamber702 can be snapped together where mating surfaces710 and711 create a water tight seal. In use, thereceiver700 is to be supplied in the position as shown inFIG. 28 where theslots704 in theupper valve701 do not overlap withslots705 in thestorage chamber702. Thecentrifuge chamber646 is then to be filled with blood and the centrifuge is activated. Whendrum613 is rotated to open RBC valve port638 (as previously discussed with reference toFIG. 21), theupper valve701 rotates with the drum, thus at least partially overlappingslots704 and705 and thereby creating a passage between the tworeceiver components701 and702, and as seen inFIG. 29. The expelled RBC's641 enter theupper valve701 through 360 degree liquid inlet window707 and drain by gravity intolower storage chamber702, through the overlapping region of the slots. Whendrum613 is rotated back to its home position to stop the flow of RBC's641 fromvalve port638,slots704 and705 return to the non-overlapping position shown inFIG. 28 thus sealing the RBC's in thelower storage chamber702. Similarly, whendrum613 is rotated in the opposite direction to open theplasma port612 the opposite sides ofslots704 and705 are caused to overlap, thus allowing the ejectedplasma643 to drain into thelower storage chamber702 through the overlapping slots.Drum613 is then rotated back to its home position at the end of the process to returnslots704 and705 to the non-overlapping position, thus sealing the discarded fluid in thelower storage chamber702. This prevents any spillage of the fluid during subsequent handling and disposal of thedisposable portion600.
• Typical dimensioning ofslots704 and705 is such that there will be overlap when theupper valve701 is rotated in either direction. In a preferred embodiment, theupper valve slots704 each encompass 30 degrees of the circumference while the lowerstorage chamber slots705 encompass 50 degrees of the circumference. This dimensioning leaves 5 degrees between the edges of the slots, when in the closed orientation.Drum613 is to be rotated approximately 35 degrees to open ports invalve cap616. This will cause an overlap ofslots704 and705 of 30 degrees, or put another way, eachentire slot704 of theupper valve701 will be totally open to thelower storage chamber702 throughslot705. Other combinations of slot geometry and placement are possible and would be obvious to one skilled in the art. Theupper valve701 andstorage chamber702 are typically blow molded components, using resilient thermoplastic resins, including but not limited, to polypropylene and polyethylene.
• Reusable portion601 is powered by a cord mounted transformer (not shown) from an AC supply, or from a DC power pack such as those used for cordless drills and the like. Additional items not shown are (but not limited to) a simple display mounted on thebase enclosure625 that indicates power on-off to the centrifuge, elapsed time from power on, and may include items such an audible alarm for warning the operator when elapsed times reach certain levels. In addition, hall-effect switches or reed switches (not shown) mounted in the base625 which respond to magnets mounted in thedisposable portion600 can be used to indicate the rotation ofdrum613 inbase enclosure625, and-or can be used to select varying motor speeds that might be necessary for optimum separation of fluid components.
• Instead of anoperator revolving drum613 manually, actuators (e.g. motor-gearbox combinations or screw jacks) in the base625 can rotate the drum automatically in response to signals from the switches described above and-or from a small solid state computer employed to optimize operation.
• FIG. 22 is a simplified transverse section ofFIG. 21 at AA. The blood has separated into itsmajor components plasma643,RBCs641, and Buffy-coat (BC) at642.
• FIG. 23 is a simplified transverse section through BB ofFIG. 21. This section shows the construction of the plasma valve consisting ofpassage610, and ‘O’ring611. The construction of these outlet ports is similar to that shown inFIG. 3b. When this valve is opened,port612 will be moved to a position in alignment withpassage610, to allow for the flow of fluid therethrough.
• FIG. 24 shows the device ofFIG. 21 running in the situation where theRBC valve port638 is closed, theplasma port612 is open, and the plasma discharge has been completed. The volume ofplasma643 is the final volume.
• When platelet poor plasma (PPP) is required for a procedure, a slightly different configuration is required for the PPP receiver.FIG. 25 has most components similar to those shown inFIG. 21 but there are two receivers, one forRBCs637 and one forPPP635. Since two fluid components are captured by discharge from the spinning chamber the receivers both have to be fixed axially relative to drum613 to accept the different axial locations of theplasma port612 andRBC port638 as they discharge appropriate fluid component. Aplasma access port645 spans the walls of thereceiver635 and extends through slot or opening (not shown) indrum613. This port is of elastomeric material such as nitrile rubber that permits the passage of a hypodermic needle for the removal of the PPP.
• In use the operator places a steriledisposable portion600 into thereusable portion601, the drum position being preset at the factory to the position where bothplasma port612 andRBC port638 are closed. The operator then fills a syringe with whole blood from the patient and introduces the blood via the syringe throughport valve602 into the centrifuge chamber until the chamber is filled. The device is activated and the motor runs for about one minute by which time the blood has separated into the primary layers of RBC, buffy-coat, and plasma. At this time the drum is turned to position the RBC valve to the open position whereupon RBCs start to discharge intoreceiver637. As the RBCs discharge, the interface between RBCs and buffy coat (D5 inFIG. 20a) approaches markings on the rotating barrel at644 (L5 and L4 ofFIG. 20a). When the interface is between marks at644 (about 30 seconds after theRBC port638 is opened) the drum is turned to close the RBC port and open theplasma port612. Plasma then discharges into the receiver and continues to do so until the air core limits further discharge. At this point (about 30 seconds after the plasma port was opened) the motor is stopped and the enriched residual sample in the chamber is removed viaport602 with a syringe and cannula for injection into the patient (or onto material about to be used as an implant). In the case of a PPP preparation the process is the same as that described for PRP except that the device conforms to the device shown inFIG. 25 and the PPP is extracted from the sideelastomeric port645 ofFIG. 25.
• It is recognized that by employing varying speeds of centrifugation, and altering the diameters at which the outlets from the chamber are placed, it is possible to concentrate different components, or isolate different specific gravity fractions of the fluid material within the rotation chamber. For example, rotating at a slower speed, as known to those skilled in the art, and removing the bulk of the RBCs as described above, will provide a plasma material with the suspended platelets. When rotated at lower speeds, the platelets will not differentiate by specific gravity from the plasma. Upon increasing the speed of rotation, the platelets will then tend to differentiate by specific gravity from the plasma, allowing flexibility in achieving the desired combination of blood products sought by the operator.
• While the various embodiments discussed previously have described the blood separation chamber having a circular cross section, it is recognized that any shape capable of high speed rotation can be utilized, so long as there is an angled or tapered inner diameter to facilitate the appropriate flow of the red blood cells towards the RBC passage. For example, a separation chamber that provides an ovalized cross section may be employed, as it will be properly balanced and suitable for the rotational speeds required. Similarly, other separation chambers having cross-sectional profiles in varying shapes (e.g., octagonal, square, triangular, etc.) can be employed, and if necessary, balanced with weights to ensure proper balance when rotating. Furthermore, it is also recognized that multiple chambers may be utilized in the device, such as by providing 2 or more sections of a circle, or alternatively 2 or more vessels may be balanced to allow rotation of the multiple chambers, collectively forming a rotor, where each of the chambers would provide for discharge of particular blood components (e.g., RBC and Plasma), while allowing for the concentration and access to the desired blood component concentrated in each of the chambers.
• The embodiments described herein are chiefly intended for use in separating components from whole blood, though they may be used with other liquids as well. In the case of blood product, once the device has been operated to stratify the blood into its constituent components, and the red blood cells and plasma removed from the blood separation chamber via the previously described RBC and plasma passages, the concentrated buffy coat containing platelets and white blood cells will remain within the chamber. In all the embodiments discussed, the operator of the device may further choose to clarify the resulting buffy coat by adding one or more additional biocompatible solutions, as a separation aid, into the device and optionally performing further centrifugation steps. These additional biocompatible solutions are sometimes referred to as focusing fluids. As previously described, the buffy coat consists of several constituents, including platelets and leukocytes (i.e. white cells), each having unique specific gravities. The leukocytes contain granulocytes and lymphoid cells such as lymphocytes and monocytes, each of these having unique specific gravities. For some applications, it may be important to isolate or remove one or several of these components from the buffy coat to provide a further purified therapeutic material. For instance, some researchers have found improved in vitro performance by removing leukocytes from the buffy coat (S. R. Mrowiec et al., A novel technique for preparing improved buffy coat platelet concentrates, Blood Cells, Molecules and Diseases (1995) 21 (3) February 15: 25-23). By way of example, a fixed quantity of one or more liquids (e.g. focusing fluids) having specifically targeted specific gravities could be delivered into the blood separation chamber to allow further separation of various components of the buffy coat (e.g. leukocytes) thereby focusing in upon a very specific sub-component of the blood. Alternatively, a focusing fluid may be used to enable the removal of all of the red blood cells or plasma, by being of a targeted specific gravity between the buffy coat and either the red blood cells or the plasma components, such that by repeating the concentration process described above, a blood component free from residual traces of either the plasma or red blood cells may be achieved. Such focusing fluids could include colorant, markers or other indicators to help distinguish the boundaries between the targeted and non-targeted biologic components. Fluids such as Ficoll-Paque sodium diatrizoate solution (density of 1.077 g/mL, distributed by GE Healthcare), Percoll (density of 1.088 g/mL, distributed by GE Healthcare), and Cellotion (distributed by Zenoaq) and other fluids known in the art could be used for purifying, separating and/or concentrating a wide variety of therapeutically beneficial cells and other biological constituents.
• In another embodiment the biocompatible focusing fluid may selectively bind to a blood product and subsequently be isolated or separated by centrifugation, to result in a more concentrated desired blood component. Various techniques are known in the art for accomplishing the binding, for example, solid bead components of desired specific gravity may be coated with antibodies and employed to selectively bind the focusing fluid layer with the targeted blood component (or conversely, the blood component to be separated from the desired blood component). Alternatively, various techniques and reagents known to one skilled in the art, using techniques known, for example, from separation chemistry (e.g., chromatography or absorption) may be employed (such as ion exchange resins as used in HPL C and FPLC methodologies). In these embodiments, upon adding the focusing fluid to the blood separation chamber containing the previously concentrated blood product, and allowed an opportunity to bind, the desired blood product will be caused to separate from the unwanted blood product when the rotation is employed to stratify the materials within the blood separation chamber. Removal of separated products can proceed through one or both of the outlets as described previously. The binding of the focusing fluid in this embodiment may be reversible using techniques known in the art, such that upon being harvested, the blood component may be unbound from the focusing fluid, and optionally subjected to another purification procedure to provide harvested blood product free of any focusing fluid.
• As before, with an operator or sensor causing the actuation of the valve mechanism controlling the discharge of fluids from the chamber, a detectable interface would be beneficial in determining when to close outlet valves. For this reason, the focusing fluid is preferably distinguishable in some manner at the interface with the other components within the chamber, for example, by being distinguishable by color. Alternatively, prior to the centrifugation with the focusing fluid, a biocompatible, selective dye or marker material may be added to distinguish the fluids within the chamber, and create the interface that is detectable by the operator or sensor. Thus, the selective coloring would facilitate detection of an interface between the desired components, and those components sought to be removed from the blood separation chamber through one or both of the outlet ports.
• In another embodiment,device750 is configured as shown inFIG. 32 in order to directly apply a selected fraction of the blood sample to a biologicallycompatible scaffold751 via the spraying action fromport752 of the spinning chamber. Examples of scaffolds include but are not limited to purified collagen pads or powder, extracellular matrix sheet or powdered products, bone void fillers and resorbable or non-resorbable synthetic meshes. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 32, thecam621 has four positions, 1-4, with position #1 being the lowest position, instead of the three previously described with regards to earlier embodiments.Valve cap616 hasadditional BC port752 andend cap614 hasadditional BC passage755. Following the centrifugation procedure as previously described,follower620 is rotated from theneutral position #3 to position #4 oncam621 to alignport638 withRBC passage639, such that the red blood cells exit fromport638 intoreceiver647. At the appropriate time,follower620 is rotated to the #2 position oncam621 to alignport612 withpassage610, such that plasma exits fromport612 intoreceiver647. In the final step,follower620 is rotated to position #1 oncam621 to alignBC port752 withpassage755 to allow BC to exit to aBC receiver753. In the embodiment ofFIG. 32, theBC receiver753 contains ascaffold751. Thescaffold751 can receive the BC as it is discharged into the BC receiver; for example, the scaffold may be directly sprayed with the BC or alternatively, the BC can wick into the material by capillary action or absorption into thescaffold751. When the desired amount of BC has exited atport752, thefollower620 is returned toneutral position #3 oncam621 and the motor switched off.Scaffold751, now treated with BC, may then be aseptically removed fromreceiver753. While various access methods may be employed, one example is to provide access by disengagingmid-cover607, at connection joint754, to provide for scaffold access. Using analogous alterations of the design of receivers, cam and ports, it is possible to directly apply any of the blood fractions to a desired scaffold.
• Direct application of BC to a scaffold results in a time savings, and less chance for contamination of the preparation, since the application is done automatically in a closed system rather than manually in an open container. It would also reduce the chances for infection of health care workers by reducing the amount of handling of a blood product that potentially contains a human pathogen.
• In order to prevent premature destruction of the blood cells that are being applied to thescaffold751 inreceiver753, the force at which the materials are ejected from the centrifugation chamber can be controlled. By example, it has been shown that in a device with a 30 ml capacity, with an exit hole diameter of 0.01″, the centrifuge gave a higher proportion of intact cells when the centrifugal force (g) was reduced to below about 1000 g, with additional improvement in cell survival as speeds were reduced further, to the range of about 300 g. Changes in centrifugation speed can be programmed in the software to automatically initiate by timers in the software or signals generated by movement of the valve mechanisms.
• Another alternative, exemplary embodiment of acentrifuge100 constructed in accordance with this invention is shown inFIG. 34. That centrifuge is also arranged for separation, concentration and collection of select constituents of a biologic liquid mixture (such as, but not limited to, blood) and basically comprises two main assemblies, namely, a removable disk-shapedrotating assembly112 and ahousing113. The housing contains the rotating assembly, adrive motor126 and associated electrical drive circuits (not shown) and switches (not shown). The removable disk-shapedrotating assembly112 basically comprises aseparation chamber143, and, in this exemplary case, twocollection chambers109 and110 for receipt of separated constituents. In particular, in the exemplary embodiment depicted, the rotating assembly comprises a first orouter collection chamber110 for the collection of higher specific gravity fluids, e.g., RBCs and a second orinner collection chamber109 for the collection of lower specific gravity fluids, e.g., plasma. Each of these chambers is annular in shape, but could be of a different shape, so long as the rotating assembly was constructed to be balanced to prevent unbalance-induced vibration. Acover101 encloses therotating assembly112 when the centrifuge is running. In this embodiment, it is envisioned that thehousing113, with its various internal components would be reusable inasmuch as it would not directly come into contact with the biologic liquid mixture. The removablerotating assembly112, in contradistinction may be considered disposable after use.
• The three chambers of therotating assembly112 are made up from several components, including amain body108 having an extendinghub127, acover plate105, and avalve plate115. These three components are secured together to provide leak-proof seals at all the interfaces. Alternatively, these components may be of unitary construction and formed as a single piece, using various manufacturing techniques, including, for example, stereolithography or casting. The fixedvalve plate115 is fixedly secured to the extendinghub127, so that a rotational force applied to the hub will result in the rotation of the rotational assembly. The rotating assembly also features an access port in the form of apierceable membrane144 located in thecover plate105 to serve as the means for introduction of the biologic liquid mixture into theseparation chamber143, for processing. The access port can be of any suitable construction, e.g., a one-way duckbill valve. The access port may also serve as the means for removal of any residual separated component of the biologic mixture, e.g., the buffy coat if the biologic mixture is blood.
• In operation, fluid flow between theseparation chamber143, and thecollection chambers110 and109, is controlled byvalves138 and117 (to be described later) that can be actuated independently, to selectively open and close, in order to control the flow of fluid therethrough. The valves are in fluid communication with the interior of the separation chamber viafluid passageways141,140 and106, and will thus rotate as part of the rotating assembly. Thefluid passageway140 constitutes a channel between the underside of thetop plate105 and thebody108 and is in fluid communication with the interior of theseparation chamber143. Thepassageway141 is in fluid communication withpassageway140. Thepassageway140 is annular in shape and is in fluid communication with thevalve138 which is located at the passageway's terminus. It should be pointed out at this juncture that thepassageway140 need not be of annular shape. If not annular in shape, the rotating assembly should include either a similarly shaped passageway diametrically opposed to thepassageway140 or something else to balance the assembly so that will not vibrate upon rotation. Thefluid passageway106 is also in fluid communication with the interior of theseparation chamber143, but at a smaller radial distance than thefluid passageway141. Thepassageway106 is in fluid communication with thevalve117, which is located at the passageway's terminus. Thepassageway106 is not annular in shape, but rather constitutes a bore. Preferably, a similar passageway is located diametrically opposed to thepassageway106 to result in a balanced assembly. If desired thepassageway106 could be annular.
• As will be explained, thevalves138 and117 feature elements that are static and dynamic relative to the other elements of the rotating assembly. The static elements are fixed with respect to the rotating assembly while the dynamic elements are arranged to shift or pivot, relative to the rotating assembly.
• As shown in inFIG. 34, and in expanded detail inFIGS. 35 and 37, each of thevalves138 and117 is a 2-way (on/off) valve. Each valve includes acommon valve plate115 which forms the static (stationary) portion of each valve. The movable (slidable) portion of each valve is in the form of an arcuate section or segment of a common valve slider116 (FIG. 37). Each valve is arranged so that when in its open position it permits fluid flow through it into its respective collection chamber. In particular, when open, thevalve138 permits fluid to flow through it into thecollection chamber110. Similarly, when open, thevalve117 permits fluid to flow through it into thecollection chamber109. Thus, the valves enable the controlled transfer of separated constituents of the biologic liquid mixture from theseparation chamber143 to thecollection chambers110 and109.
• To ensure leak proof operation, the valves employ resilient sealing materials between the respective parts of the valve that oppose each other and slide or pivot relative to each other. In particular, as clearly shown inFIG. 35, which represents the construction of each of thevalves138 and117, the static portion of each valve, i.e., thevalve plate115, houses two O-rings146 in respective circular recesses in thevalve plate115. Twopillars147 and148, which are integral with thevalve plate115, project downward therefrom. The pillars cooperate with asupport guide cover152 which is fixedly secured to each pillar to define a slot therebetween. The cross section of the slot is designated by “abcd” (seeFIG. 35). The slot abcd of each valve extends below thevalve plate115, parallel to the plane of the valve plate and is arranged to slidably receive therein a respective arcuate segment of thecommon valve slider116. In particular, the slot ofvalve138 slidably receives the arcuate segment154 (FIG. 37) of thevalve slider116, while the slot of thevalve117 slidably receives thearcuate segment153 of the valve slider. Thevalve slider116 is arranged to be pivoted about the central longitudinal axis (the rotation axis X shown inFIGS. 34 and 37) of therotating assembly112 to operate (i.e., open and close) thevalves138 and117, as will be described later.
• As best seen inFIG. 35, thevalve plate115 includes an entrance port orhole182 and an exit port orhole183 for each valve. Theports182 and183 extend through the associated portion of the valve plate into fluid communication with the slot abcd located therebelow. Each valve includes aseal plate150 which is fixedly secured to the underside of its associatedarcuate segment153 or154 and is located within the slot abcd of that valve. Thearcuate segment154 of thevalve slider116 includes a pair of drillings orholes149 bridged by atransverse slot151. The twodrillings149 of thearcuate segment154 are arranged to be brought into alignment and fluid communication with theports182 and183 of thevalve138 when thevalve slider116 is pivoted in one rotational direction about the axis X. Similarly, the twodrillings149 of thearcuate segment153 are arranged to be brought into alignment and fluid communication with theports182 and183 of thevalve117 when thevalve slider116 is pivoted in the opposite rotational direction about the axis X. Accordingly, when thevalve slider116 is pivoted to the position aligning itsdrillings149 with theports182 and183 of thevalve138 the higher specific gravity fluid that is separated by the centrifugation is permitted to flow from theseparation chamber143 through thechannel141 down thepassageway140 intoport182. From there that fluid flows through thetransverse slot151 to theexit port183 from whence it flows into thechamber110. When thevalve slider116 is pivoted to the position aligning itsdrillings149 with theports182 and183 of thevalve117 the lower specific gravity fluid that is separated by the centrifugation is permitted to flow from theseparation chamber143 through thepassageway106 intoport182. From there that fluid flows through thetransverse slot151 to theexit port183 from whence it flows into thechamber109.
• The dimension of the slot abcd are selected to provide appropriate compression to O-rings146 to prevent leakage when thearcuate slider segments153 and154 slide through to open and close the valves.
• Since thevalves138 and117 are part of the rotating assembly, a force translating mechanism is provided to effect the actuation of the valves, while the device is in operation. This force translation may be accomplished using various techniques known to those skilled in the art. One exemplary force transfer mechanism suitable for use in the device will now be described.
• In order to enable the valve slider to be pivoted in the two rotational directions about axis X with respect to thevalve plate115, a pair of components with helical teeth are provided. Those components are arranged to be moved axially relative to each other as best seen inFIG. 36, all while rotating to create a centrifugal field for the separation of the biologic liquid mixture. Referring toFIG. 34, it can be seen that thechamber body108 has maleaxial splines121 incorporated on the extendinghub127. A translator,122 having female splines slides axially on themale splines121 of the extendinghub127. The translator includeshelical teeth120 on its exterior. Avalve slider hub184 has innerhelical teeth118 that mate with theexterior teeth120 on the translator. Thetranslator122 is moved axially viaball bearing130 by the axial motion of asleeve132. That sleeve is keyed withslots137 in portions ofhousing113. Thesleeve132 is driven axially in turn bycams124 formed on the interior of acontrol sleeve136. Thecontrol sleeve136 is arranged to be rotated, driven bytabs134. The tabs pass through slots in thehousing113. Thecontrol sleeve136 has three positions, with the middle position corresponding to the valve plate positions shown inFIG. 37. As thecontrol sleeve136 is rotated, thesleeve132 riding oncams124 creates an axial motion, which thetranslator122 converts to a rotary motion, which in turn effects the pivoting of thevalve slider116, so as to direct the actuation of the valves. A return spring (not shown) biases thevalve plate115 in torsion, such that thetranslator122 is driven toward themotor126.
• The entire removablerotating assembly112 mounts on thedrive shaft123 of themotor126, and is held in place bywing nut103. The rotation of therotating assembly112 is driven by themotor126 and an associateddriveshaft123 through a key104. Thedriveshaft123 is located byball bearing145 and themotor drive end125. Themotor126 is mounted on aframe128 that also locates theball bearing145.
• In operation of thedevice100, thecontrol sleeve136 is placed in the central position, controlled by detents (not shown). A new removablerotating assembly112 is placed over thedrive shaft123 and pressed down to compress the return spring (not shown) and thus position thevalve plate115 in its starting position, that is with the twovalve slots151 in the position shown inFIG. 37. Thewing nut103 is then spun onto threadedportion102 ofdriveshaft123, to hold the removablerotating assembly112 in place. A charge of fluid (the biologic liquid mixture, e.g., blood) for separation is injected intochamber143 viamembrane144. Themotor126 is turned on and allowed to run at a speed appropriate for separation of the biologic liquid mixture into its several constituent layers as concentric layers within theseparation chamber143. At adequate rotational speeds, this separation will occur in approximately ninety seconds or less, more typically about one minute. For mixtures with very similar specific gravities, this time period may be extended. Once separation of the constituents has occurred, thetab134 is moved into a second position, to pivot thevalve slider116 in one rotational direction about the axis X to the position such that one of theholes149 in thefirst valve138 aligns with theentrance port182 and the other of theholes149 aligns with theexit port183, thereby opening that valve so that the high specific gravity fraction of the biologic liquid mixture flows intochamber110 throughfirst valve138.
• In accordance with one preferred embodiment of this invention, the interface created by the separation of the biologic liquid mixture into fractions is visually detectable, such that it may be observed through a transparent portion in thetop plate105. Alternatively, the interface may be detected electronically, using sensors as has been discussed previously. It is recognized that there may be a benefit in providing a contrasting color, or mirrored surface, over at least a portion of the rotating chamber disposed opposite a detector, or opposite to the transparent portion of the top plate of the rotating assembly, in order to enhance the detectability of the interface by the operator or detector.
• The movement of the interface is monitored as the higher specific gravity constituent flows intochamber110. As this interface approaches theentrance142 to channel141, and when the interface reaches a predetermined point, relative to theentrance142 intochannel141, the fluid flow throughfirst valve138 is halted, such as by acting upon thetab134 to trigger the closing of thefirst valve138. Though the time for the evacuation of the higher specific gravity fluid will vary based upon the speed of the rotation, the viscosity of the fluid, and the diameter of the most restrictive portion of the flow-path, it is anticipated that this will typically be after approximately 15 seconds of flow. Where the operator is detecting the interface, and monitoring in order to determine when to close the first valve, it is necessary that the rate of movement of the interface is such that a person may have adequate time to react and trigger the closing of the valve, as has been discussed previously.
• Subsequently, thetab134 is then moved to a third position, which then pivots thevalve slider116 in the opposite rotational direction about axis X to the position such that one of theholes149 in thesecond valve117 aligns with theentrance port182 and the other of theholes149 aligns with theexit port183, thereby opening that valve so that lower specific gravity fraction of the biologic liquid mixture flows intochamber109 through thesecond valve117. This flow continues until air enterspassageway106, whereupon flow ceases. At this juncture, typically about 2-3 minutes into the procedure, thetab134 is returned to its original, first position, with bothvalves138 and117 now closed, and the motor is de-energized. A predetermined volume of the lower specific gravity constituent, together with the remains of any intermediate specific gravity constituents (e.g., buffy coat, if the biologic mixture is blood), are now trapped in theseparation chamber143, and ready for removal for use, for example, by directing a syringe into the separation chamber viamembrane144. The removablerotating assembly112 may then be separated from thedriveshaft123, and the contents of one or more of the threechambers143,108, and109 can be harvested if desired (via membrane and syringe, for example).
• As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, in order to function properly, thedevice100 incorporates one or more vents (not shown) to allow for fluid displacement. Ideally, one of the vents provides for air to enter thechamber143 as the fluid flows intochambers109 and110, and another two vents allow air to escape as fluid flows intochambers109 and110.
• In an embodiment of thecentrifuge100, it may be desirable to provide for the separation of a biologic liquid mixture, e.g., blood, charge of approximately 30 mL. To that end the above described rotatingassembly112 may be sized with a maximum diameter of approximately 8 cm, and a height measured along the longitudinal axis (the rotation axis X) of approximately 1 cm. It is recognized that increasing or decreasing the dimensions may be desirable in order to achieve a desired sample size for processing.
• As has been discussed previously, it is recognized that the chambers of the device depicted inFIGS. 34-37, may be either annular chambers, or alternatively, may be a plurality of linked chambers forming two or more sections of a circle, or alternatively, two or more vessels may be balanced to allow rotation of the multiple chambers, collectively forming a rotor, where each of the chambers provides for discharge of particular blood components (e.g., RBC and Plasma), while allowing for the concentration and access to the desired blood component concentrated in each of the chambers.
• In any of the embodiments described herein, the device may benefit from the incorporation of a tilt sensor that would halt the rotation, or at a minimum reduce the rotation speed, of the chamber, should the device be toppled or operated at an undesirable angle. Given the rotation speed that the device is expected to operate under, the angle would not likely affect the stratification of the fluid components, but rather, this would prevent unintended movement, that is known with devices that include rotating elements, or those prone to vibrate while in operation.
• The described embodiments may be made available in kit form, including the device and accessories needed for operation of the device, including instructions for use and packaging suitable for storage and preserving sterility. In some instances, the kit may provide instructions along with the centrifuge device (either as a single unit, or separable components), and optionally including accessories such as separation aids, including focusing fluids, or rapid test kits useful for providing qualitative or quantitative information regarding the concentrated product. Various blood testing procedures are known in the art, but it is anticipated that any rapid testing kit that provides useful information regarding, for example, the concentration factor or recovery efficiency of the concentrated products may be incorporated into the kit. Such a kit may require comparing the results for blood components that have been subjected to the rapid test kit after concentration, and optionally prior to concentration. It is envisioned that the accessories may be contained within a separate container within the packaging, or contained within the blood separation chamber during packaging, or made available apart from the centrifuge unit. For the embodiment providing a reusable drive component with a motor that is arranged to be coupled to a disposable centrifuge component, the kit may include multiple disposable centrifuge components each suitable for use with the reusable drive component.
• Thus since the inventive process and inventions disclosed herein may be embodied by additional steps or other specific forms without departing from the spirit of general characteristics thereof, some of which steps and forms have been indicated, the embodiments described herein are to be considered in all respects illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is to be indicated by the appended claims, rather than the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.

Claims (21)

1-27. (canceled)

30. A centrifuge for isolating and concentrating a fraction of a biologic liquid mixture comprising:

a. a chamber having a longitudinal axis, a first end, a second end, and a sidewall extending between said first end and said second end, wherein at least a portion of said sidewall is transparent;

b. a first port provided in said chamber at a first radial distance from said longitudinal axis, and in fluid communication with a first valve;

c. a second port provided in said chamber at a second radial distance from said longitudinal axis, and in fluid communication with a second valve, said second radial distance being less than said first radial distance;

d. a motor configured to rotate said chamber about said longitudinal axis and thereby produce a centrifugal field;

wherein the sidewall is configured to direct toward the first port a biologic liquid mixture that is present in the chamber and experiencing a centrifugal field.

31. The centrifuge ofclaim 30, wherein the sidewall extends from the first end to the second end in a first direction that is away from the longitudinal axis.

32. The centrifuge ofclaim 30, wherein the sidewall extends from the first end to the second end in a second direction that is toward the longitudinal axis.

33. The centrifuge ofclaim 30, wherein the sidewall extends in a first direction from the first end to the second end that is away from the longitudinal axis, and the sidewall extends in a second direction from the first end to the second end that is toward the longitudinal axis.

34. The centrifuge ofclaim 33, wherein the first radial distance is between the portion of the sidewall that extends in the first direction and the portion of the sidewall that extends in the second direction.

35. The centrifuge ofclaim 30, wherein the chamber is disk-shaped.

36. The centrifuge ofclaim 30, wherein the first port comprises a bore through the sidewall of the chamber.

37. The centrifuge ofclaim 30, wherein the first port comprises an annular passageway.

38. The centrifuge ofclaim 30, wherein the first port is in fluid communication with a first reservoir and the second port is in fluid communication with a second reservoir

39. The centrifuge ofclaim 30, wherein the first valve or second valve employs a resilient sealing mechanism that slides or pivots in response to a sufficient centrifugal field.

40. The centrifuge ofclaim 30, wherein the first valve is openable in response to user input.

41. The centrifuge ofclaim 30, wherein the second valve is openable in response to user input.

42. A method of isolating and concentrating a fraction of a biologic liquid mixture, comprising the steps of:

a. providing a centrifuge comprising:

i. a chamber having a longitudinal axis, a first end, a second end, and a sidewall extending between said first end and said second end, wherein at least a portion of said sidewall is transparent;

ii. a first port provided in said chamber at a first radial distance from said longitudinal axis, and in fluid communication with a first valve;

iii. a second port provided in said chamber at a second radial distance from said longitudinal axis, and in fluid communication with a second valve, said second radial distance being less than said first radial distance; and

iv. a motor configured to rotate said chamber about said longitudinal axis and thereby produce a centrifugal field;

 wherein the sidewall is configured to direct toward the first port a biologic liquid mixture that is present in the chamber and experiencing a centrifugal field;

b. introducing into the chamber a biologic liquid mixture that is separable into at least a first fraction and a second fraction under centrifugal field;

c. rotating the chamber about the longitudinal axis, thereby separating the biologic mixture into the first fraction and the second fraction;

d. ejecting at least a portion of the first fraction from the chamber through the first port and leaving a residual of the biologic liquid mixture in the chamber; and

e. ejecting at least a portion of the second fraction from the chamber through the second port after performing step d.

43. The method ofclaim 42, wherein said biologic liquid mixture is blood and said separation of said fractions results in one or more of: at least a 6.3 platelet concentration factor; at least 87% platelet recovery; and at least 92% of red blood cells removed from said biologic liquid mixture.

44. The method ofclaim 42, further comprising the step of:

f. collecting at least a portion of said sample remaining within said chamber.

45. The method ofclaim 42, further comprising between step d and step e, the step of monitoring an interface between said first fraction and said second fraction through said sidewall and executing step d in response to the position of the interface.

46. The method ofclaim 42, further comprising between step d and step e, the step of detecting an interface occurring between separated constituents of said sample by at least one automatic detector and executing step d in response to a signal produced by the automatic detector.

47. The method ofclaim 42, wherein step d comprises selectively opening the first valve.

48. The method ofclaim 42, wherein step e comprises selectively opening the second valve.

49. The method ofclaim 47, further comprising between step d and step e, the step of closing said first valve.

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