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.

The invention provides a sequential centrifuge for centrifuging discrete samples. Methods of more efficiently centrifuging discrete samples sequentially are also provided. The apparatus and methods for sequentially centrifuging discrete samples provide improved operating efficiencies over conventional batch centrifuges. Such advantages include reducing dwell time, increasing system throughput, reducing sample processing system footprint, and improving precision of the analytical process. The sequential centrifuge further provides the capability of handling critical samples without compromising the operating efficiencies achieved in centrifuging discrete samples in a sequential manner.

The invention provides a sequential centrifuge for centrifuging discrete samples. Methods of more efficiently centrifuging discrete samples sequentially are also provided. The apparatus and methods for sequentially centrifuging discrete samples provide improved operating efficiencies over conventional batch centrifuges. Such advantages include reducing dwell time, increasing system throughput, reducing sample processing system footprint, and improving precision of the analytical process. The sequential centrifuge further provides the capability of handling critical samples without compromising the operating efficiencies achieved in centrifuging discrete samples in a sequential manner.

The invention relates to an arrangement (10) for preparing a plurality of samples for an analytical method, comprising a carousel (14) with a solid housing (12) and moveable receiving parts (16) for the sample containers (18); a control for controlling the receiving parts (16) in the carousel (14); and a sample receiving device (24) for providing the sample to be analysed; one or more stations (24, 26, 28, 30, 32) for preparing samples are provided on the carousel (14), the receiving parts (16) for the sample containers (18) of the carousel (14) can be positioned on said stations; a centrifuge (22) with pairs of opposite lying receiving parts (42) provided for the sample containers (18), and said receiving parts (42) are arranged such that they can move on the centrifuge (22) and the movements can be controlled in such a manner that the sample holder (18) can be transferred between a receiving part (16) in the carousel (14) and a receiving part (42) in the centrifuge (22).

The present invention relates to a scraper device for centrifuge comprising a tubular runner mounted on a fixed base with the capacity to rotate around and slide along a vertical central axis through the action of a rotation actuator and an up and down actuator, respectively, a scraper assembly including a blade and an blow nozzle fixed at a lower end of the tubular runner, a tubular rod coaxially installed inside the tubular runner and fixed at its upper end to the fixed base by means of a support, and upper and lower gas pipes telescopically coupled to one another, located inside the tubular rod, fixed to the tubular rod and to the tubular runner, respectively, and connected to a pressurized gas supply device and to the blow nozzle, respectively.

A centrifuge includes a swing rotor. Rotor arms of the swing rotor have recesses into which hangers of the swing rotor at least partially swing in a swung-out state. As a result, the centrifuge container and thus also the centrifuges are more compact, because the swinging-out requires less space. An inertial mass of the swing rotor is reduced due to the recesses provided therein, whereby energy consumption, primarily when starting the centrifuge, is significantly reduced.

A discontinuous centrifuge consists of a rotatable centrifuge drum incorporating a drive spindle, a casing and a base. A hub of the centrifuge drum comprises a plurality of arms for the indirect or direct connection of the casing of the centrifuge drum to the drive spindle of the centrifuge drum. A scraper serves for scraping a product off the inner wall of the casing of the rotatable centrifuge drum. The scraper comprises an element which is pivotal about an axis, which axis extends in parallel with the axis of rotation of the centrifuge drum. The element comprises a blade which extends over almost the entire height of the centrifuge drum and makes contact with the product after the pivotal movement. The scraper is not moveable vertically. The arms of the hub have upper surfaces which are located below the drum base. The scraper is mounted independently of the swinging suspension of the centrifuge drum.

A discontinuous centrifuge consists of a rotatable centrifuge drum incorporating a drive spindle, a casing and a base. A hub of the centrifuge drum comprises a plurality of arms for the indirect or direct connection of the casing of the centrifuge drum to the drive spindle of the centrifuge drum. A scraper serves for scraping a product off the inner wall of the casing of the rotatable centrifuge drum. The scraper comprises an element which is pivotal about an axis, which axis extends in parallel with the axis of rotation of the centrifuge drum. The element comprises a blade which extends over almost the entire height of the centrifuge drum and makes contact with the product after the pivotal movement. The scraper is not moveable vertically. The arms of the hub have upper surfaces which are located below the drum base. The scraper is mounted independently of the swinging suspension of the centrifuge drum.

A centrifugal separator and a method of controlling a centrifugal separator are disclosed. The centrifugal separator includes a rotor delimiting therein a separation space, an inlet for liquid teed mixture, a first outlet for heavy phase, a second outlet for light phase, and at least one channel extending towards a central portion of the rotor. The method includes separating liquid feed mixture into at least the heavy phase and the light phase in the separation space, and determining at the first outlet that a pressure build-up period has passed, and thereafter determining that an abrupt pressure change takes place at the first outlet, and controlling the centrifugal separator in response to the abrupt pressure change.

A centrifugal separator and a method of controlling a centrifugal separator are disclosed. The centrifugal separator includes a rotor delimiting therein a separation space, an inlet for liquid teed mixture, a first outlet for heavy phase, a second outlet for light phase, and at least one channel extending towards a central portion of the rotor. The method includes separating liquid feed mixture into at least the heavy phase and the light phase in the separation space, and determining at the first outlet that a pressure build-up period has passed, and thereafter determining that an abrupt pressure change takes place at the first outlet, and controlling the centrifugal separator in response to the abrupt pressure change.