Centrifuge systems including free-flying centrifuges for mass separations in high gravity, microgravity, or zero gravity environments are described. A centrifuge system includes a body and a rotary member. The body includes a first vertical thruster selectively operable to move the body in a first direction parallel to the central axis, and one or more position sensors configured to determine a position of the body within an open space. The rotary member is configured to receive one or more material samples. The rotary member or body includes a first horizontal thruster selectively operable to move the body in a first direction perpendicular to the central axis, and the rotary member includes a rotational thruster selectively operable to rotate the rotary member about the central axis.

A centrifuge for cleaning a reaction vessel unit, having a rotor for holding at least one reaction vessel unit with its opening(s) directed outwardly, a motor for rotating the rotor around a rotation axis, a housing having a substantially cylindrical inner surface, wherein a drain is provided for discharging fluid expelled from the reaction vessel unit, wherein a gap is provided between the inner surface and the rotor so that by rotating the rotor a wind is generated which drives the expelled fluid on the inner surface to the drain wherein an aspiration pump is connected to the drain for discharging fluid.

A fixed angle centrifuge rotor includes a rotor body having a circumferential sidewall and a plurality of circumferentially spaced tubular cavities. Each tubular cavity has an open end and a closed end, and is configured to receive a sample container therein. The rotor further includes a pressure plate operatively coupled to the rotor body so that the pressure plate, in combination with the plurality of tubular cavities and the circumferential sidewall of the rotor body, define a hollow chamber within the rotor. The rotor further includes a plurality of elongated torque transfer members supported by the rotor body. Each of the plurality of torque transfer members has a first end located between a respective pair of adjacent tubular cavities, and extends radially inward in a direction toward a rotational axis of the rotor.

An apparatus and method may be used to separate a biological liquid sample and retrieve a separated liquid portion therefrom. The apparatus may have a tube, an insert, and a positioning mechanism. The tube may have a proximal end, a distal end, and a chamber between the proximal and distal ends for receiving the biological liquid sample. The insert may be positioned in the chamber, and may have a first end, a second end, a well between the first and second ends, and a draw tube in fluid communication with the second end and the well. The positioning mechanism may be connected to the tube and the insert, and may be manually actuable to move the insert between the proximal end and distal end to allow a separated portion of the biological liquid sample to flow proximally from the chamber through the draw tube and collect in the well.

A centrifuge for cleaning a reaction vessel unit, having a rotor for holding at least one reaction vessel unit with its opening(s) directed outwardly, a motor for rotating the rotor around a rotation axis, a housing having a substantially cylindrical inner surface, wherein a drain is provided for discharging fluid expelled from the reaction vessel unit, wherein a gap is provided between the inner surface and the rotor so that by rotating the rotor a wind is generated which drives the expelled fluid on the inner surface to the drain wherein an aspiration pump is connected to the drain for discharging fluid.

A tube rack of a centrifugal separator, in which a bottom rubber portion can be readily mounted and readily replaced, and yet such bottom rubber portion cannot be easily separated. The tube rack includes a holder (14) including a plurality of tube holes (12) each configured to accommodate a tube that is used for a sample and each includes an opening at one end portion of the holder serving as a tube insertion side, and an opening at a bottom portion of the holder that is at the other end. The tube rack includes a bottom rubber portion (15) including a plurality of bottom rubber members (25) each fits in the tube hole (12), and including connecting pieces (24). The tube rack includes a base (13) formed in a cylindrical shape having a bottom configured to accommodate and detachably hold the holder (14) and the bottom rubber portion (15), and to be inserted into a bucket of the centrifugal separator.

A centrifuge for cleaning a reaction vessel unit, having a rotor for holding at least one reaction vessel unit with its opening(s) directed outwardly, a motor for rotating the rotor around a rotation axis, a housing having a substantially cylindrical inner surface, wherein a drain is provided for discharging fluid expelled from the reaction vessel unit, wherein a gap is provided between the inner surface and the rotor so that by rotating the rotor a wind is generated which drives the expelled fluid on the inner surface to the drain wherein an aspiration pump is connected to the drain for discharging fluid.

Apparatus and methods for separating blood components are disclosed in which an apparatus for separating blood generally includes a tube defining a channel and configured for receiving a quantity of blood and a float contained within the tube and having a density which is predefined so that the float is maintained at equilibrium between a first layer formed from a first fractional component of the blood and a second layer formed from a second fractional component of the blood. Upon completion of the centrifugation, the first layer may be removed from the tube while the float isolates the second layer from the first layer.

An adaptor for a centrifuge rotor is provided. The adaptor comprises: a body comprising a plurality of bores arranged in a row each having a first diameter and each bore for receiving a first sample container; and a primary protrusion extending from the body. The primary protrusion has a second diameter and the primary protrusion is for being received in a rotor bore of a centrifuge rotor. The rotor bore is for receiving second sample containers.

Described herein are methods, systems, and apparatus for separating components of a sample; as well as methods of using compositions prepared by same. In one aspect, the apparatus can comprise a tubular body for receiving sample, a thixotropic material, and a float. The system comprising the apparatus can be configured to separate the component of the sample using centrifugation. The float can have a specific gravity less than or equal to the specific gravity of the thixotropic material. The thixotropic material can be positioned along a bottom inner surface of the tubular body, and a portion of the float can be embedded in the thixotropic material. The float can be made of a single, integral piece or a plurality of pieces that are configured to be fixed and immobile relative to each other during centrifugation. The float can be solid, nonporous and without any aperture.