Provided herein are devices and methods of processing a sample that include, in several embodiments, rotating one or more microfluidic chips that are mounted on a support plate using a motor driven rotational chuck. By spinning one or more of the microfluidic chips about a common center of rotation in a controlled manner, high flow rates (and high shear forces) are imparted to the sample in a controlled manner. Each microfluidic chip can be rotated 180° on the support plate so that the sample can be run back-and-forth through the microfluidic devices. Because the support plate can be driven at relatively high RPMs, high flow rates are generated within the microfluidic chips. This increases the shear forces on the sample and also decreases the processing time involved as the sample can quickly pass through the shear-inducing features of the microfluidic chip(s).

A method and a device for monitoring the rotational speed of an element are disclosed. The element may be part of a centrifuge, e.g. a motor, drive shaft, or rotor of a laboratory centrifuge. The rotational speed of the element is not determined directly, but rather clock cycles are counted while the element rotates by a predetermined rotational angle. Exceeding a predetermined rotational speed is determined by comparing a number of counted cycles with a predetermined value. The method and device can be implemented in hardware without requiring a microcontroller with corresponding software, thereby eliminating a need to software certification.

A method and a device for monitoring the rotational speed of an element are disclosed. The element may be part of a centrifuge, e.g. a motor, drive shaft, or rotor of a laboratory centrifuge. The rotational speed of the element is not determined directly, but rather clock cycles are counted while the element rotates by a predetermined rotational angle. Exceeding a predetermined rotational speed is determined by comparing a number of counted cycles with a predetermined value. The method and device can be implemented in hardware without requiring a microcontroller with corresponding software, thereby eliminating a need to software certification.

In one nonlimiting example, an automated system is provided for separating one or more components in a biological fluid, wherein the system comprises: (a) a centrifuge comprising one or more bucket configured to receive a container to effect said separating of one or more components in a fluid sample; and (b) the container, wherein the container includes one or more shaped feature that is complementary to a shaped feature of the bucket.

In one nonlimiting example, an automated system is provided for separating one or more components in a biological fluid, wherein the system comprises: (a) a centrifuge comprising one or more bucket configured to receive a container to effect said separating of one or more components in a fluid sample; and (b) the container, wherein the container includes one or more shaped feature that is complementary to a shaped feature of the bucket.

An oil separator with a housing, in which is rotatably mounted a rotor containing a drive element, an oil separating element and a shaft for driving the oil separating element of the rotor via the shaft of the rotor around the shaft axis. At least one element of the rotor is seated in such a way that it is displaceable via an actuator element axially from a first inoperative positive to a second operating position.

An oil separator with a housing, in which is rotatably mounted a rotor containing a drive element, an oil separating element and a shaft for driving the oil separating element of the rotor via the shaft of the rotor around the shaft axis. At least one element of the rotor is seated in such a way that it is displaceable via an actuator element axially from a first inoperative positive to a second operating position.

A centrifuge apparatus includes a plurality of modules, each including a rotatable body, housing and flying leads, assembly. The modules can be selectively interconnected to allow adaptation of the processing capacity of the apparatus to process a liquid to remove components therefrom and/or to process a number of different liquids and allow the separation of one or more types of components therefrom simultaneously.

A device for continuously separating flowable materials of different densities of a suspension includes: a drum that is rotatably supported about an axis of rotation, that is rotatable about the axis of rotation by a drum motor, and that surrounds a hollow space; a screw conveyor that is rotatably supported about the axis of rotation and is at least partially arranged in the hollow space and that is rotatable about the axis of rotation by a screw conveyor motor; an inflow pipe for supplying the suspension to the hollow space, wherein the drum has an outflow for the removal of a centrate acquired from the suspension from the hollow space; and the outflow section has a free jet section in which the centrate forms a free jet; and a measurement device by which the transmission and/or the reflection of the centrate in the free jet section can be contactlessly determined.

A device for continuously separating flowable materials of different densities of a suspension includes: a drum that is rotatably supported about an axis of rotation, that is rotatable about the axis of rotation by a drum motor, and that surrounds a hollow space; a screw conveyor that is rotatably supported about the axis of rotation and is at least partially arranged in the hollow space and that is rotatable about the axis of rotation by a screw conveyor motor; an inflow pipe for supplying the suspension to the hollow space, wherein the drum has an outflow for the removal of a centrate acquired from the suspension from the hollow space; and the outflow section has a free jet section in which the centrate forms a free jet; and a measurement device by which the transmission and/or the reflection of the centrate in the free jet section can be contactlessly determined.