Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
422533000 | Gravity or centrifuge separation | 33 |
20110097249 | Centrifuge cartridge - The invention relates to a centrifuge cartridge ( | 04-28-2011 |
20110165038 | USE OF AUTOLOGOUS SEDIMENT FROM FLUID ASPIRATES AS VEHICLES FOR DRUG DELIVERY - A centrifuge tube apparatus for centrifuging a sample collected in a syringe, the apparatus comprising: a syringe comprising at one end a narrowed outlet and means for connection to a needle and at the opposing end a partially inserted syringe plunger; and a syringe holder having an interior for accepting the syringe, wherein the interior comprises at least one ledge for resting the syringe in an inverted position within the holder to prevent further insertion of the plunger during centrifugation, further wherein the syringe holder is sized for insertion in a centrifuge rotor. | 07-07-2011 |
20120058027 | Separable Test Tube for Use in a Centrifugal Separator - The present invention includes a separable test tube for use in a centrifugal separator that does not need to separately transfer separation liquid to another test tube for a second separation after a first separation. The separable test tube includes a first tube including a first coupling portion, a second coupling portion, and an adjustment portion. A second tube includes a first body part, a first space portion, a first packing fastener, a third coupling portion which engages the first coupling portion, and an adjustment groove into which the adjustment portion is inserted. A third tube includes a second body part having a second space portion, a second packing fastener, and a fourth coupling portion which engages the second coupling portion. First and second watertight members are coupled to the first and second coupling portions, respectively. First and second packings are coupled to the first and second packing fasteners, respectively. | 03-08-2012 |
20120087847 | FILTERING TUBE AND MICROTUBE FOR THE PREPARATION AND PURIFICATION OF SMALL SAMPLE VOLUMES - The present invention relates to spin baskets or columns used in the preparation and purification of small sample volumes. The spin baskets of the invention are particularly designed to be used with microtubes and are adapted to connect with such microtubes. | 04-12-2012 |
20120171087 | Methods for Facilitating Fluid Flow Through Nanoporous Membranes - The present invention is drawn to methods for facilitating fluid flow through the nanopores of membranes, i.e., through sub-micron pores. The present invention is also directed to one or more apparatus for such fluid flow, and for nanoporous membranes modified to facilitate such fluid flow. | 07-05-2012 |
20120230890 | Method and Apparatus for Isolating Platelets From Blood - A platelet collection device comprising a centrifugal spin-separator container with a cavity having a longitudinal inner surface. A float in the cavity has a base, a platelet collection surface above the base, an outer surface. The float density is below the density of erythrocytes and above the density of plasma. The platelet collection surface has a position on the float which places it below the level of platelets when the float is suspended in separated blood. During centrifugation, a layer of platelets or buffy coat collects closely adjacent the platelet collection surface. Movement of a float having a density greater than whole blood through the sedimenting erythrocytes releases entrapped platelets, increasing the platelet yield. | 09-13-2012 |
20120251411 | CENTRIFUGE TUBE - The present invention relates to a centrifuge tube for use in the centrifugation of biological materials, wherein the diameter of the centrifuge tube is improved to enable minute centrifugation, and in which a thin, weak, and narrow portion of the centrifuge tube, to which a strong force is to be applied, is provided with a support piece to enable centrifugation to be performed without causing a deformation in the centrifuge tube. The centrifuge tube of the present invention enables the centrifugation of materials using differences in the specific gravities of the materials to be easily performed without using a reagent or the like. The centrifuge tube of the present invention has a closure made of a material such as a rubber, polyethylene, polypropylene, silicon or the like, such that a needle may penetrate through the closure and the centrifuge tube can be protected from contamination caused by bacteria, and centrifugation of biological materials can be performed in a closed space. | 10-04-2012 |
20130017130 | BUFFY COAT SEPARATOR FLOAT SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Tube and float systems for separation and axial expansion of the buffy coat are provided. Generally, the systems include a flexible sample tube and a rigid separator float having a specific gravity intermediate that of red blood cells and plasma. The sample tube has an elongated sidewall having a first cross-sectional inner diameter. The float has a main body portion and one or more support members protruding from the main body portion to engage and support the sidewall of the sample tube. During centrifugation, the centrifugal force enlarges the diameter of the tube to permit density-based axial movement of the float in the tube. After centrifugation is ended, the tube sidewall returns to its first diameter, thereby capturing the float and trapping the buffy coat constituents in an annular volume. Several different systems for capturing and retrieving the buffy coat constituents are described. | 01-17-2013 |
20130089475 | TUBE FOR SEPARATING PORTIONS OF A SAMPLE - A method and tube for separating a sample. The tube is configured to separate agglomerated or clumped material or other sample components having over a particular size from other smaller size portions of the sample. For example, blood clots may be separated from serum of a blood sample. The tube includes a chamber with a closed bottom and a sidewall extending upwardly from the bottom, and a sample inlet branch coupled to the chamber. A slit is positioned between the chamber and the sample inlet branch so that after a sample is placed into the sample inlet branch, a portion of the sample having a size smaller than the slit (e.g., liquid material) passes through the slit and into the chamber, and material in the sample having a size larger than the slit remains in the sample inlet branch. | 04-11-2013 |
20130095007 | BUFFY COAT SEPARATOR FLOAT SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Tube and float systems for separation and axial expansion of the buffy coat are provided. Generally, the systems include a flexible sample tube and a rigid separator float having a specific gravity intermediate that of red blood cells and plasma. The sample tube has an elongated sidewall having a first cross-sectional inner diameter. The float has a main body portion and one or more support members protruding from the main body portion to engage and support the sidewall of the sample tube. During centrifugation, the centrifugal force enlarges the diameter of the tube to permit density-based axial movement of the float in the tube. After centrifugation is ended, the tube sidewall returns to its first diameter, thereby capturing the float and trapping the buffy coat constituents in an annular volume. Several different systems for capturing and retrieving the buffy coat constituents are described. | 04-18-2013 |
20130095008 | TUBE AND FLOAT SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF USING THE SAME - This disclosure is directed to systems for analyzing target materials of a suspension. In one aspect, the systems include a tube and a float that is at least partially coated with a coating having a high affinity for target analytes of a suspension. The coating provides an adhesion or an attraction force with the target analytes through chemical means. In another aspect, the coating can be a changeable material that when stimulated by application of an appropriate stimulus attracts and/or attaches the target analytes to the coated surface of the float. In another aspect, a coating applied to the float may also be used to form a sealing engagement between the float and the inner surface of the tube in order to inhibit fluids from flowing past the coated float in the tube. | 04-18-2013 |
20130164195 | Density Phase Separation Device - A mechanical separator for separating a fluid sample into first and second phases is disclosed. The mechanical separator includes a float having a passageway extending between first and second ends thereof with a pierceable head enclosing the first end of the float, a ballast longitudinally moveable with respect to the float, and a bellows extending between a portion of the float and a portion of the ballast. The bellows is adapted for deformation upon longitudinal movement of the float and the ballast, with the bellows isolated from the pierceable head. The float has a first density and the ballast has a second density greater than the first density. The bellows is structured for sealing engagement with a cylindrical wall of a tube, and the pierceable head is structured for application of a puncture tip therethrough. The separation device is suitable for use with a standard medical collection tube. | 06-27-2013 |
20130189168 | FLOAT AND TUBE SYSTEM FOR SEPARATING A SUSPENSION WITH AN INTERNAL TRAP - This disclosure is directed to systems for separating a target analyte from a suspension. A suspension is added to a tube. A float is also added to the tube, and the tube, float, and suspension are centrifuged together, causing the constituent components of the suspension to separate into different layers along the axial length of the tube according to their specific gravities. The float has a specific gravity that positions the float at approximately the same level as a layer containing the target analyte, when the tube, float and sample are centrifuged. Prior to isolation, the material may be located between an outer surface of the float and an inner surface of the tube, or within a central bore that extends longitudinally through the float. The target analyte may then be drawn into a compartment within the float, thereby isolating the target analyte from the other suspension constituents. | 07-25-2013 |
20130230438 | Device for Separating Components of a Fluid Sample - A separator for use in a container for a biological fluid is disclosed. The separator includes a separator body having a first region at least partially made of a first material having a first density, and a second region at least partially made of a second material having a second density different from the first density. The separator has an overall density intermediate the densities of a first phase and a second phase of the biological fluid. At least a portion of the separator is deformable between a first condition in which the biological fluid can pass between an inner surface of the container and the separator, and a second condition in which at least a portion of the separator prevents the biological fluid from passing between the inner surface of the container and the separator. | 09-05-2013 |
20130259771 | High Bias Gel Tube and Process for Making Tube - An improved fluid collection container, containing a gel separation medium, is provided. The gel is disposed in the tube in a manner and geometry that is readily manufacturable, and which overcomes potential gel movement issues. | 10-03-2013 |
20130280146 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SEPARATION AND ANALYSIS OF TARGET ANALYTES - Systems for analyzing multiple target analytes of a suspension include a tube and multiple floats. The target analytes are conjugated with at least one fluorescent marker, and the tube, multiple floats and suspension are centrifuged so that at least a portion of each target analyte is located between the inner wall of the tube and the surface of the respective float. In order to identify each target analyte, the portions of the suspension between the tube and each float is illuminated with one or more channels of excitation light, which causes the at least one fluorescent marker to become excited and emit light at longer wavelengths. One of the target analytes may be used to assess quality control or may aid in a subsequent analysis or diagnosis. | 10-24-2013 |
20130294983 | Methods And Apparatus For Isolating Platelets From Blood - A platelet collection device comprising a centrifugal spin-separator container with a cavity having a longitudinal inner surface. A float in the cavity has a base, a platelet collection surface above the base, an outer surface. The float density is below the density of erythrocytes and above the density of plasma. The platelet collection surface has a position on the float which places it below the level of platelets when the float is suspended in separated blood. During centrifugation, a layer of platelets or buffy coat collects closely adjacent the platelet collection surface. Movement of a float having a density greater than whole blood through the sedimenting erythrocytes releases entrapped platelets, increasing the platelet yield. | 11-07-2013 |
20130315798 | Density Phase Separation Device - A mechanical separator for separating a fluid sample into first and second phases within a collection container is disclosed. The mechanical separator may have a separator body having a through-hole defined therein, with the through-hole adapted for allowing fluid to pass therethrough. The separator body includes a float, having a first density, and a ballast, having a second density greater than the first density. A portion of the float is connected to a portion of the ballast. Optionally, the float may include a first extended tab adjacent a first opening of the through-hole and a second extended tab adjacent the second opening of the through-hole. In certain configurations, the separator body also includes an extended tab band disposed about an outer surface of the float. The separator body may also include an engagement band circumferentially disposed about at least a portion of the separator body. | 11-28-2013 |
20130315799 | Density Phase Separation Device - A mechanical separator for separating a fluid sample into first and second phases within a collection container is disclosed. The mechanical separator may have a separator body having a through-hole defined therein, with the through-hole adapted for allowing fluid to pass therethrough. The separator body includes a float, having a first density, and a ballast, having a second density greater than the first density. A portion of the float is connected to a portion of the ballast. Optionally, the float may include a first extended tab adjacent a first opening of the through-hole and a second extended tab adjacent the second opening of the through-hole. In certain configurations, the separator body also includes an extended tab band disposed about an outer surface of the float. The separator body may also include an engagement band circumferentially disposed about at least a portion of the separator body. | 11-28-2013 |
20130323141 | Density Phase Separation Device - A mechanical separator for separating a fluid sample into first and second phases within a collection container is disclosed. The mechanical separator may have a separator body having a through-hole defined therein, with the through-hole adapted for allowing fluid to pass therethrough. The separator body includes a float, having a first density, and a ballast, having a second density greater than the first density. A portion of the float is connected to a portion of the ballast. Optionally, the float may include a first extended tab adjacent a first opening of the through-hole and a second extended tab adjacent the second opening of the through-hole. In certain configurations, the separator body also includes an extended tab band disposed about an outer surface of the float. The separator body may also include an engagement band circumferentially disposed about at least a portion of the separator body. | 12-05-2013 |
20140112841 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR REMOVING A SUPERNATANT OF A LIQUID SAMPLE, AND USE OF A VALVE DEVICE HAVING A SOLUBLE MEMBRANE - A device and a method for separating a supernatant of a liquid sample are proposed, in which an outlet is closed off by a water-soluble membrane that dissolves after a certain length of time so that the supernatant of the sample is automatically drained away after centrifugation. The water-soluble membrane may in principle may also be used for other purposes for temporarily retaining a liquid in a holding chamber. | 04-24-2014 |
20140161688 | APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR COLLECTING A TARGET MATERIAL - This disclosure is directed to an apparatus, system and method for retrieving a target material from a suspension. A system includes a processing vessel, such as an Eppendorf tube, a syringe or a test tube, and a collector. The collector is sized and shaped to fit into a primary vessel, such as a test tube. The collector funnels the target material from the suspension through a cannula and into the processing vessel. The collector includes a funnel at a second end in fluid communication with the cannula. The cannula extends into a chamber at a first end of the collector that holds the processing vessel. In one implementation, the processing vessel is empty. In another implementation, the processing vessel includes at least one displacement fluid. In yet another implementation, the processing vessel may include at least one displacement fluid and at least one processing solution. The collector may also expel at least one displacement fluid from the processing vessel, such that the at least one displacement fluid pushes the target material into the collector. | 06-12-2014 |
20140205514 | BLOOD SEPARATING VESSEL FOR EXTRACTING AUTOLOGOUS PLATELETS, AND APPARATUS FOR EXTRACTING AUTOLOGOUS PLATELETS - Provided is a blood separating vessel for extracting autologous platelets, and an apparatus for extracting autologous platelets. The blood separating vessel for extracting autologous platelets comprises: a main body defining an internal space divided into an upper fluid chamber and a lower fluid chamber; an upper cover disposed to seal an upper portion of the upper fluid chamber; a lower cover disposed to seal a lower portion of the lower fluid chamber, the lower cover being coupled such that an outer peripheral surface of the lower cover is elevatable in a state of being in close contact along an inner peripheral surface of the lower fluid chamber by an external force applied upward; and a fluid collection part dividing the internal space into the upper fluid chamber and the lower fluid chamber and including a fluid passage protruding upward to communicate the upper fluid chamber with the lower fluid chamber. | 07-24-2014 |
20140219888 | TUBE AND FLOAT SYSTEM AND METHODS OF USING THE SAME - This disclosure is directed to systems and methods for analyzing target materials of a suspension include a tube and a float. The float may include expandable portions. The system traps a target analyte between the expandable float and the tube and/or to create a seal between the expandable float and the tube to inhibit fluid from flowing past the expandable float in the tube. The expandable portions may radially expand when exposed to an expanding fluid, such that the expanding fluid is not a naturally-occurring constituent of the suspension; or, the expandable portions may radially expand when a force is exerted upon the expandable portion. A tube may include expandable portions that expand towards the float. | 08-07-2014 |
20140234183 | System for Blood Separation with a Separation Chamber Having an Internal Gravity Valve - A disposable blood separation set and a centrifugal blood processing system comprising a blood processing chamber adapted to be mounted on a rotor of a centrifuge; a frustro-conical cell separation chamber in fluid communication with the processing chamber, the cell separation chamber having an inlet, an outlet and a gravity valve inside the cell separation chamber. The valve is responsive to the gravitational field created by the speed of the rotor. When the rotor spins at high speed, the gravity valve may open the outlet at a location proximal to an axis of rotation of the rotor. When the rotor spins at a lower speed, the gravity valve may open the outlet at a location distal from the axis. | 08-21-2014 |
20140234184 | TEST CHIP - A test chip includes a substrate, a lid member, a separation portion, a first flow path, and a first holding portion. The substrate includes a surface on which a flow path is formed. The lid member covers the surface of the substrate. By centrifugal force, the separation portion separates components of a test object liquid into a separated component and a residual component having a larger specific gravity than a specific gravity of the separated component. The first flow path guides the separated component from the separation portion to a receiving portion. The first holding portion holds at least part of the residual component overflowing from the separation portion in a case where the separated component separated in the separation portion is moved from the separation portion to the receiving portion. The first holding portion is connected to at least one of the separation portion and the first flow path. | 08-21-2014 |
20140341788 | MICROFLUIDIC APPARATUS - Provided is a microfluidic apparatus that is mounted on a rotation driver and induces a flow of a fluid due to a centrifugal force, the microfluidic apparatus including: a separation unit that separates a target cell from a sample; a recovery chamber that is connected to the separation unit through a recovery channel and accommodates the target cell obtained by the separation; and an inclined portion that is disposed in the recovery chamber and tilted toward a bottom of the recovery chamber along a direction of the centrifugal force. | 11-20-2014 |
20150104359 | Density Phase Separation Device - A mechanical separator for separating a fluid sample into first and second phases within a collection container is disclosed. The mechanical separator may have a separator body having a through-hole defined therein, with the through-hole adapted for allowing fluid to pass therethrough. The separator body includes a float, having a first density, and a ballast, having a second density greater than the first density. A portion of the float is connected to a portion of the ballast. Optionally, the float may include a first extended tab adjacent a first opening of the through-hole and a second extended tab adjacent the second opening of the through-hole. In certain configurations, the separator body also includes an extended tab band disposed about an outer surface of the float. The separator body may also include an engagement band circumferentially disposed about at least a portion of the separator body. | 04-16-2015 |
20150139868 | Polymers For Use In Centrifugal Separation Of Liquids - Contemplated compositions and methods allow for in-situ formation of a rigid seal layer in a blood collection tube between a cell-depleted phase and a cell-enriched phase. Preferably, the seal layer is formed upon brief UV irradiation and comprises an acrylate, a methacrylate, an epoxy, a urethane, and/or a thiol-ene polymer. | 05-21-2015 |
20160023204 | Automated Sample Processing, Fluid Distribution, and Sedimentation Assay - The disclosure describes methods and devices with which to process and analyze difficult chemical, biological, environmental samples including but not limited to those containing bulk solids or particulates. The disclosure includes a cartridge which contains a separation tube as well as one or more valves and cavities for receiving raw sample materials and for directing and containing various fluids or samples. The cartridge may contain a separation fluid or density medium of defined density, and structures which direct particulates toward defined regions of the cartridge. Embodiments can include a rotational device for rotating the cartridge at defined rotational rates for defined time intervals. Embodiments allowing multiple assays from a single sample are also disclosed. In some embodiments, this device is used for direct processing and chemical analysis of food, soil, blood, stool, motor oil, semen, and other samples of interest. | 01-28-2016 |
20160136639 | Mechanical Separator for a Biological Fluid - A mechanical separator and separation assembly for separating a fluid sample into first and second parts within a collection container is disclosed. The mechanical separator has a body having a through-hole for allowing fluid to pass therethrough and includes a first portion, having a first density, and a second portion, having a second density different from the first density. The body defines a longitudinal axis extending perpendicular to the through-hole, and exhibits a first compression value when a force is applied to the body along this axis. The body also defines an axis extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and along the through-hole and exhibits a second compression value when a force is applied along this axis. The first compression value is different than the second compression value and may be less than the second compression value. | 05-19-2016 |
20160136640 | Mechanical Separator for a Biological Fluid - A separation assembly for separation of a fluid into first and second parts is disclosed. A container has a first end, a second end, and a sidewall extending therebetween defining an interior, the container defining a longitudinal axis between the first end and the second end. A separator body is disposed within the interior having a through-hole defined therethrough. The separator body includes a first part, and a second part interfaced with the first part, wherein the separator body is transitionable from a first position wherein the through-hole is provided in fluid-receiving alignment with the first end of the container, to a second position wherein the through-hole is provided substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the container. In the first position, a through-axis of the through-hole of the separator body is in a plane that is not parallel with a plane containing the longitudinal axis of the container. | 05-19-2016 |
20160152969 | NUCLEIC ACID EXTRACTION DEVICE | 06-02-2016 |