The inventive technology described herein includes a novel mechanical apparatus and system which allows centrifugation of small micron sized particles. The invention allows for continuous separation of ultrasound contrast agents (microbubbles) from lipid solution via centrifugation assisted by a motor. The system allows for mass isolation and collection of microbubbles. The invention also allows for the dispensation of lipid solution. In one preferred embodiment, dilute microbubble solution is introduced to the system and subjected to a centrifugal force such that the particles migrate towards the center and collectively rises for extraction, while the lipid solution dispenses and is replace with an equal volume of dilute solution. In one preferred embodiment, the device includes a rotating column or cylinder driven by a belt drive assembly, with the column being supported by annular bearings on both ends. The bearings allow rotation of the outer cylinder independent of stationary input cylinder and output components.

The inventive technology described herein includes a novel mechanical apparatus and system which allows centrifugation of small micron sized particles. The invention allows for continuous separation of ultrasound contrast agents (microbubbles) from lipid solution via centrifugation assisted by a motor. The system allows for mass isolation and collection of microbubbles. The invention also allows for the dispensation of lipid solution. In one preferred embodiment, dilute microbubble solution is introduced to the system and subjected to a centrifugal force such that the particles migrate towards the center and collectively rises for extraction, while the lipid solution dispenses and is replace with an equal volume of dilute solution. In one preferred embodiment, the device includes a rotating column or cylinder driven by a belt drive assembly, with the column being supported by annular bearings on both ends. The bearings allow rotation of the outer cylinder independent of stationary input cylinder and output components.

A centrifuge including a lid section of a sample container, the lid section having a rotating shaft for swinging, and a swing-type rotor, and the centrifuge conducts centrifugation operation in a state where the sample container is seated in a bucket housing section by making the sample container in which the rotating shaft is mounted to a rotating shaft engagement groove of the rotor swing due to the rotation of the rotor. The rotating shaft comprises a plurality of members connected by a connection section and is configured so as to be bendable at the connection section by a centrifugal load accompanying the rotation of the rotor.

A centrifuge including a lid section of a sample container, the lid section having a rotating shaft for swinging, and a swing-type rotor, and the centrifuge conducts centrifugation operation in a state where the sample container is seated in a bucket housing section by making the sample container in which the rotating shaft is mounted to a rotating shaft engagement groove of the rotor swing due to the rotation of the rotor. The rotating shaft comprises a plurality of members connected by a connection section and is configured so as to be bendable at the connection section by a centrifugal load accompanying the rotation of the rotor.

Centrifugation systems are provided that have a non-contact seal assemblies including an upper guard and a skirted pivot, as well as a pressure source that provides a gas flow between the upper guard and a surface of the skirted pivot. In some embodiments, the non-contact seal assembly further includes a lower guard having one or more capillary channels defined on an upper surface.

Centrifugation systems are provided that have a non-contact seal assemblies including an upper guard and a skirted pivot, as well as a pressure source that provides a gas flow between the upper guard and a surface of the skirted pivot. In some embodiments, the non-contact seal assembly further includes a lower guard having one or more capillary channels defined on an upper surface.

A modular centrifuge device for separating fluid samples, including a housing having a modular power assembly mechanism for rotating samples with manual or electric power. A manual centrifuge device, including a housing having a power assembly mechanism for rotating samples with manual power, and a speed indicator for indicating if a predetermined speed has been reached and a time indicator for indicating if a predetermined or calculated time has been reached for rotating said samples operatively connected to the device. A method of centrifuging samples, by selecting a manual power mode or electric power mode on a centrifuge, rotating samples at a predetermined speed for a predetermined or calculated time, alerting a user that the predetermined speed and predetermined or calculated time have been achieved, and obtaining separated samples.

A modular centrifuge device for separating fluid samples, including a housing having a modular power assembly mechanism for rotating samples with manual or electric power. A manual centrifuge device, including a housing having a power assembly mechanism for rotating samples with manual power, and a speed indicator for indicating if a predetermined speed has been reached and a time indicator for indicating if a predetermined or calculated time has been reached for rotating said samples operatively connected to the device. A method of centrifuging samples, by selecting a manual power mode or electric power mode on a centrifuge, rotating samples at a predetermined speed for a predetermined or calculated time, alerting a user that the predetermined speed and predetermined or calculated time have been achieved, and obtaining separated samples.

A centrifugal separation apparatus includes a plurality of centrifugal separators each comprising a rotator which supports a plurality of sample containers containing a sample therein, a base in which the centrifugal separators are arranged in columns and stages and a route is defined therein, the centrifugal separators being movable inside the base, and a movement mechanism that sequentially move the centrifugal separators along the route in the base.

A centrifugal separation apparatus includes a plurality of centrifugal separators each comprising a rotator which supports a plurality of sample containers containing a sample therein, a base in which the centrifugal separators are arranged in columns and stages and a route is defined therein, the centrifugal separators being movable inside the base, and a movement mechanism that sequentially move the centrifugal separators along the route in the base.