Apparatus and method for separating and concentrating fluids containing multiple components
View Patent ↗An apparatus that allows for separating and collecting a fraction of a sample. The apparatus, when used with a centrifuge, allows for the creation of at least three fractions in the apparatus. It also provides for a new method of extracting the buffy coat phase from a whole blood sample. A buoy system that may include a first buoy portion and a second buoy member operably interconnected may be used to form at least three fractions from a sample during a substantially single centrifugation process. Therefore, the separation of various fractions may be substantially quick and efficient.
1. A system for separating a multi-component fluid from a patient with centrifugation, the system comprising:
a container, having a bottom and a side wall extending from said bottom, defining a sample holding area;
a buoy disposed in said sample holding area;
a member to selectively close a top of said container; and
a conduit interconnecting the patient and a port defined by said container;
wherein said buoy is movable when acted upon by forces created during the centrifugation;
wherein said buoy defines a collection volume for collecting a selected component of the multi-component fluid.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein said collection volume generally defines a cone extending from a plane defined by said buoy and having an apex within said buoy.
3. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a piston moveable within said sample holding area having a collection face;
wherein said piston is moveable from a first position to a second position generally closer to said collection volume of said piston buoy;
wherein said collection face of said piston is substantially complimentary to said collection volume of said buoy.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein said piston buoy includes a selected density such that said buoy is able to achieve a selected position between two components of a multi-component fluid during the centrifugation.
5. The system of claim 1 , for separating and extracting selected fractions from said container,
wherein said buoy has a first density;
a piston having a second density;
a connection member operably interconnecting said buoy and said piston;
wherein a selected fraction is operable to be collected near said collection volume between said buoy and said piston.
6. The system of claim 5 , wherein said buoy and said piston define a piston system that is disposable within said container during a centrifuge process.
7. The system of claim 5 , wherein said collection volume is a substantially concave surface defined by an upper portion of said buoy;
wherein said collection volume is disposed between said buoy and said piston.
8. The system of claim 5 , further comprising:
a post interconnecting said buoy and said piston;
wherein said post further defines a port extending between said collection volume and a cannula defined by said connection member.
9. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a vacuum creating system interconnected via a vacuum port with said container to form a pressure differential in said container relative to a position exterior to said container.
10. The system of claim 9 , further comprising:
a resilient bulb interconnected with at least a first valve associated with said vacuum port such that said resilient bulb is operable to withdraw a volume of fluid from said container and expel the volume of fluid from said container while substantially eliminating the re-entry of a volume of fluid into said container.
11. A system for separating a multi-component fluid from a patient with centrifugation, the system comprising:
a container, having a bottom and a side wall extending from said bottom defining a sample holding area;
a buoy disposed in said sample holding area;
a member to selectively close a top of said container; and
wherein said buoy is movable when acted upon by forces created during the centrifugation;
wherein said buoy defines a collection surface for collecting a selected component of the multi-component fluid;
wherein said collection surface generally defines a cone extending from a plane defined by said piston and having an apex within said piston.
12. The system of claim 11 , further comprising:
a piston moveable within said sample holding area having a collection face;
wherein said piston is moveable from a first position to a second position generally closer to said collection surface of said buoy;
wherein said collection face of said piston is substantially complimentary to said collection surface of said buoy.
13. The system of claim 11 , further comprising:
a conduit interconnecting the patient and a port defined by said container.
14. A system for separating a multi-component fluid from a patient with centrifugation, the system comprising:
a container, having a bottom and a side wall extending from said bottom, defining a sample holding area;
a buoy having a first density disposed in said sample holding area;
a member to selectively close a top of said container; and
a piston having a second density;
a connection member operably interconnecting said buoy and said piston;
wherein said buoy is movable when acted upon by forces created during the centrifugation;
wherein said buoy defines a collection surface for collecting a selected component of the multi-component fluid;
wherein a selected fraction is operable to be collected near said collection surface between said buoy and said piston.
15. The system of claim 14 , wherein said buoy and said piston define a piston system that is disposable within said container during a centrifuge process.
16. The system of claim 14 , wherein said collection surface is a substantially concave surface defined by an upper portion of said buoy;
wherein said collection surface is disposed between said buoy and said piston.
17. The system of claim 14 , further comprising:
a post interconnecting said buoy and said piston;
wherein said post further defines a port extending between said collection surface and a cannula defined by said connection member.
18. The system of claim 14 , further comprising:
a conduit interconnecting the patient and a port defined by said container.
19. A system for separating a multi-component fluid from a patient with centrifugation, the system comprising:
a container, having a bottom and a side wall extending from said bottom defining a sample holding area;
a buoy disposed in said sample holding area;
a member to selectively close a top of said container; and
wherein said buoy is movable when acted upon by forces created during the centrifugation;
wherein said buoy defines a collection volume for collecting a selected component of the multi-component fluid;
wherein said buoy includes a selected density such that said buoy is able to achieve a selected position between two components of a multi-component fluid during the centrifugation.
20. A system for separating a multi-component fluid from a patient with centrifugation, the system comprising:
a container, having a bottom and a side wall defining a selectable cross-section dimension extending from said bottom, defining a sample holding area, wherein the selectable cross-section dimension is selectable between a first small dimension and a second large dimension;
a buoy disposed in said sample holding area operable to contact the sidewall in the first small dimension and not contact at least a portion of the sidewall when in the second large dimension;
a member to selectively close a top of said container; and
a conduit interconnecting the patient and a port defined by said container
wherein said buoy is movable when acted upon by forces created during the centrifugation;
wherein said buoy defines a collection surface for collecting a selected component of the multi-component fluid.