Centrifugal contactors that can be used for mixing or separating materials are described. The contactors include a sensing system including a communications fiber within the shaft of the contactors and access ports providing access from the communications fiber to the mixing/separating zone of the contactor. The sensing system can be utilized during operation of the contactor and can provide for detailed and accurate on-line characterization of a protocol, as well as process control and system modification as necessary during operation.

Centrifugal contactors that can be used for mixing or separating materials are described. The contactors include a sensing system including a communications fiber within the shaft of the contactors and access ports providing access from the communications fiber to the mixing/separating zone of the contactor. The sensing system can be utilized during operation of the contactor and can provide for detailed and accurate on-line characterization of a protocol, as well as process control and system modification as necessary during operation.

A frustro-conical chamber for separating particles in a fluidized bed for blood component or cell separation. The chamber is characterized by injection-directing means for directing inflowing fluid along a frustro-conical wall of the chamber. A dam adjacent the cell-injection port may be circumferentially disposed within the chamber and may have its maximum height adjacent an injection port, and the height may diminish away from the injection port. The injection directing means may comprise a shelf extending into the interior of the chamber from the injection port, thereby impeding fluid flow in the direction of an outlet port.

A frustro-conical chamber for separating particles in a fluidized bed for blood component or cell separation. The chamber is characterized by injection-directing means for directing inflowing fluid along a frustro-conical wall of the chamber. A dam adjacent the cell-injection port may be circumferentially disposed within the chamber and may have its maximum height adjacent an injection port, and the height may diminish away from the injection port. The injection directing means may comprise a shelf extending into the interior of the chamber from the injection port, thereby impeding fluid flow in the direction of an outlet port.

A centrifuge having a housing containing a rotational mechanism and a centrifugal container having a longitudinal axis. The rotational mechanism has a circuit including an electrical motor, a switch, and an internal electrical power source. The centrifugal container is operably connected to the rotational mechanism through the housing, and is rotatable about the longitudinal axis. The centrifuge is portable and is for single use.

A centrifuge having a housing containing a rotational mechanism and a centrifugal container having a longitudinal axis. The rotational mechanism has a circuit including an electrical motor, a switch, and an internal electrical power source. The centrifugal container is operably connected to the rotational mechanism through the housing, and is rotatable about the longitudinal axis. The centrifuge is portable and is for single use.

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.

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.

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.

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.