The invention relates to a system, comprising: a) a sample processing unit, comprising an input port and an output port coupled to a rotating container having at least one sample chamber, the sample processing unit configured provide a first processing step to a sample or to rotate the container so as to apply a centrifugal force to a sample deposited in the chamber and separate at least a first component and a second component of the deposited sample; and b) a sample separation unit coupled to the output port of the sample processing unit, the cell separation unit comprising separation column holder (42), a pump (64) and a plurality of valves (1-11) configured to at least partially control fluid flow through a fluid circuitry and a separation column (40) positioned in the holder, the separation column configured to separate labeled and unlabeled components of sample flowed through the column.

A centrifugal separator includes a rotor, and a control system. The control system includes a first and a second pressure sensor arranged at first and second radial positions in a separation space of the rotor. The first and second pressure sensors are positioned to be submerged in process liquid during operation of the centrifugal separator. A control unit of the control system is configured to determine a parameter of the process liquid within the separation space during operation of the centrifugal separator based on measurements from the first and second pressure sensors.

A method for operating a centrifuge device, the centrifuge device including a centrifuge having a light detector and the light source arranged such that detection of a filling material parameter is carried out in an interior of a centrifuge drum, and a software module for a plausibility check of the filling material parameter. The software module is connected to the light detector. The method for operating the centrifuge device includes illuminating a part of a surface of the filling material with the light source, receiving a light reflected from the filling material by the light detector and generating a corresponding detection signal, a plausibility check of the detection signal of the light detector by the software module, processing a plausible detection signal by the software module, and generating an output signal from the plausible detection signal by the software module.

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 fluid processing device includes a detection assembly having a light source, an adjustment system, and a light detector. The light source is associated with a component of the fluid processing device, provided in an initial position with respect to said component of the fluid processing device, and configured to emit a light. The adjustment system is associated with the light source and configured to adjust the position of the light source. The light detector is configured to receive at least a portion of the light from the light source and generate a signal indicative of the amount of light received by the light detector. The fluid processing device further includes a controller configured to receive the signal from the light detector and control the adjustment system to move the light source to a monitoring position based at least in part on the signal.

A centrifuge rotor having a curved shape is offset on a spinning rotor base and creates contiguous areas of low to high centrifugal force depending on the distances from the axis of the rotor base and a method of separating components in a fluid based upon a difference in density of the components, the method comprising the steps of providing to a rotor as described herein the fluid containing the mixed together components to be separated based upon the difference in density of the mixed together components; continuously flowing the components in the fluid to the rotor through an input tube connected to the input port while the rotor is spinning about a centrifugal axis of rotation; separating the components in the fluid into fractions based upon the difference in density of the mixed together components with the use of centrifugal force when the rotor is spinning; collecting components having i) a first density via a first tube connected to the output port at the first end on the rotor, ii) a second density via a second tube connected to the output port at the second end on the rotor, iii) a third density via a third tube connected to the output port at the junction on the rotor and iv) a fourth density via a fourth tube connected to the output port between the input port and the output port at the first end.

A centrifugal separation system includes a centrifugal separator, a liquid feed mixture conduit, a light phase conduit, a heavy phase conduit, and a flow control system. The flow control system includes a controller, a counterpressure generating arrangement connected to a heavy phase conduit, a liquid feed mixture measuring device, and a light phase measuring device and/or a heavy phase measuring device. The counterpressure generating arrangement includes a heavy phase receiving vessel and a heavy phase pressure control arrangement connected to the vessel. The controller is configured to control the heavy phase pressure control arrangement based on measurements from the liquid feed mixture measuring device and on measurements from the light phase measuring device and/or the heavy phase measuring device in order to control a heavy phase counterpressure in the heavy phase outlet passage.

A centrifuge is configured to provide integrated separation of blood components such that the separated products remain spinning within the centrifuge during the separation process. The centrifuge includes a disposable configured to separate the blood components such that the separated products remain within the disposable while the centrifuge is spinning; an integrated sensor system capable of determining a composition of the separated products within the disposable while the centrifuge is spinning; a chamber having a non-circular section that is configured to be deliberately un-balanced when the centrifuge chamber is empty; and the disposable includes valves that rotate with the centrifuge chamber.

A continuous centrifugal separator (CCS) system provides a laminar, annular, velocity distribution (LAVD) throughout, using axially staged and radially staged distribution of incoming flows. Diffuser plates help establish the LAVD at comparatively low (stably laminar) Reynolds numbers in axial flow through a trapezoidal (trapezoid of rotation) rotor shell. Dynamic cleaning (during uninterrupted operation) by feedback control of fluid and system conditions (e.g., turbidity, vibration) may be set and reset by feedback control. Static cleaning removes deposits not flushed by dynamic cleaning. A coalescence plate encourages collapse of the dispersion band to a thin boundary between separated species at a central radius optimized by operating parameters, such as mass flow rate and rotational velocity.

A method of supervising and controlling an E-line position in a centrifugal separator and a centrifugal separator include the E-line positon being continuously calculated based on inter alia, monitored density of light and heavy liquid phases, and monitored pressure at outlet side of light and/or heavy liquid outlet passages. First and/or second valves are controlled to control the E-line position, based on the supervised E-line position.