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 blood component collection cassette that can trap a substance where blood components coagulate by using a simple and economical configuration, and a manufacturing method of the blood component collection cassette are provided. A blood component collection cassette (28) includes a cassette main body (40) where a flow path (42) is formed and is configured to be mountable to a centrifugal separation device (14). The cassette main body (40) has a first sheet (40a) and a second sheet (40b) which are formed of a soft material. The flow path (42) is formed between the first sheet (40a) and the second sheet (40b). A filter member (60) for trapping a substance where blood components coagulate is arranged on the flow path (42) in the cassette main body (40).

Embodiments are directed to methods and apparatuses for ensuring that mechanisms that are used to position components of an apheresis machine are not broken as a result of rotation of a centrifuge. In embodiments, a safety mechanism is provided that contacts components of the centrifuge and pushes them into a position to ensure that they do not break when the centrifuge is operated at high rpm.

A rotating seal-type liquid testing apparatus includes a lower cup component, an upper cup body, a top cover and a testing element. The lower cup component includes a lower cup body, a high liquid baffle, a low liquid baffle and a water-absorbing sealing plug. The low liquid baffle and the high liquid baffle divide a bottom of an inner cavity of the lower cup body into a reaction region and a cut-off region. An edge of a bottom surface of the inner cavity of the lower cup body is provided with a vent hole, and the vent hole is positioned in the cut-off region. The upper cup body is disposed in the lower cup body, a bottom surface of an inner cavity of the upper cup body is provided with a liquid outlet, and the liquid outlet is connected to the reaction region in the lower cup body.

Embodiments are directed to methods and apparatuses for ensuring that mechanisms that are used to position components of an apheresis machine are not broken as a result of rotation of a centrifuge. In embodiments, a safety mechanism is provided that contacts components of the centrifuge and pushes them into a position to ensure that they do not break when the centrifuge is operated at high rpm.

The present disclosure relates to methods and devices for the separation of blood components including separation by rapid sedimentation, including in an automated fashion.

A fluid separation device includes a centrifuge in which a fluid is separated into at least two components, with an interface therebetween. At least a portion of one of the separated fluid components is removed from the centrifuge and flows through a vessel. Light is reflected off of the separated fluid component in the vessel and received and analyzed to determine its main wavelength. If the main wavelength is higher than a maximum value, a target location of the interface is changed. If the main wavelength is less than the maximum value, then the location of the interface is compared to the target location. When the interface is sufficiently close to the target location, the optical density of the separated fluid component in the vessel is compared to a minimum value. If the optical density is less than the minimum value, the target location of the interface is changed.

The present embodiments relate to a fluid control device using centrifugal force. The fluid control device using centrifugal force includes a fluid control portion comprising a plurality of chambers and controlling a movement of a fluid inside the chamber; a lower fixing portion positioned on a lower portion of the fluid control portion and fixing the plurality of chambers; an upper fixing portion positioned an on upper portion of the fluid control portion and fixing the plurality of chambers; and a fastening member penetrating and fastening the lower fixing portion, the fluid control portion, and the upper fixing portion, wherein the plurality of chambers are disposed to face each other and placed on the lower fixing portion.

A modular cassette and method for separating a composite fluid into at least two component parts thereof during centrifugation is provided. The modular cassette includes a fluid inlet portion, at least one fluid separation portion, at least one media chamber in fluid communication with the fluid separation portion, a fluid collection portion, at least one fluidic channel configured to form a fluid communication between at least two components of the cassette, at least one wax valve including undulating flow channel portions configured to close at least one of the fluidic channels, and at least one heating element configured to actuate the at least one wax valve.

A centrifugal separator for clarification of a liquid mixture into a heavy phase and a light phase, having a centrifugal separator bowl rotatable around an axis and encasing a separation space, and a sludge space radially outward of said separation space. The centrifugal separator bowl includes a hermetic inlet for feeding a liquid mixture to said separation space; a first hermetic outlet for a separated clarified light phase; and a second hermetic outlet for a separated heavy phase; a plurality of outlet conduits extending from an outer position in said sludge space to said second hermetic outlet. Each of the outlet conduits has a flow restriction in the form of a nozzle or vortex diode. A method to control such a centrifugal separator, in order to provide a stable flow through said outlet conduits, is also disclosed.