B04B5/0414

Methods and apparatus for isolation of white blood cells using a multiposition valve

Kits and methods provide for the isolation of white blood cells from bodily fluids. In one exemplary aspect, a method for isolating white blood cells from blood includes the act of adding a blood sample to a separation tube having a distal end, a proximal end, and a valve located proximate said proximal end, said valve being configured to transition between at least first, second, and third positions. The method also includes the act of removably attaching a cap to the distal end, centrifuging the separation tube with the valve in the first position, removing the cap at the distal end of the separation tube and removably attaching a first syringe to the proximal end, switching the valve to the second position and withdrawing, via the first syringe, a red blood cell sediment. The method also includes the act of switching the valve to the first position and removing the first syringe, adding a small volume of buffer to the separation tube, removably attaching a cap to the distal end and centrifuging the separation tube and removing the cap at the distal end of the separation tube and removably attaching a second syringe to the proximal end. Additional acts include switching the valve to the second position, withdrawing the remaining red blood cell sediment via the second syringe and switching the valve to the first position and removing the second syringe.

ISOLATION TUBE

A separation container for extracting a portion of a sample for use or testing and method for preparing samples for downstream use or testing are provided. The separation container may include a body defining an internal chamber. The body may define an opening, and the body may be configured to receive the sample within the internal chamber. The separation container may further include a seal disposed across the opening, such that the seal may be configured to seal the opening of the body, and a plunger movably disposed at least partially inside the internal chamber. The plunger may be configured to be actuated to open the seal and express the portion of the sample.

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR BALANCING A CENTRIFUGE ROTOR
20210370321 · 2021-12-02 ·

A rotor hub assembly for a centrifuge rotor includes a rotor hub including a head portion, an elongated shaft portion extending axially away from the head portion and a central bore extending through the head portion and the shaft portion. The head portion includes a plurality of balancing bores each configured to selectively receive at least one balancing weight for balancing the centrifuge rotor. A method for balancing a centrifuge rotor is also provided.

Centrifuge tube separation system, and methods of use
11344880 · 2022-05-31 ·

A system for separating biological material includes a centrifuge tube, a separation tube having an open bottom, a cap, and a separation medium disposable within the centrifuge tube and the separation tube. The centrifuge tube and the separation tube sealingly and releasably couples to the cap, such that, when coupled, the separation tube is positioned within the centrifuge tube. The cap is configured to facilitate and/or regulate air- or gas-flow between an area outside of the cap and an interior of the separation tube. When the separation tube is positioned within the centrifuge tube, the open bottom of the separation tube is submersed in the separation medium. The system also includes a hollow needle coupled to a means for regulating a flow of air, gas, or other matter. The needle is insertable through the cap or plug, and is used to facilitate the introduction of matter into the separation tube.

Paperfuge: An integrated paper-based centrifugation and microfluidics platform for low-cost diagnostics

A microfluidic centrifuge is provided that includes a microfluidic disc having a pair of through holes that include a first through hole and a second through hole, where the pair of through holes are disposed symmetric and proximal to a central axis of the microfluidics disc, where the microfluidics disc includes a sealable input port and a sealable output port, where the sealable input port and the sealable output port are connected by a microfluidics channel, and a pair of tethers disposed through the pair of through holes that are disposed to twist about each other for unwinding where the tether unwinding is disposed to interact with the through holes, where the microfluidics disc rotates about the central axis.

Centrifuge rotor with locking levers providing visual indication of cover closure
11731144 · 2023-08-22 · ·

A centrifuge rotor (10) includes a closure (32) between a lower part (12) of the centrifuge rotor (10) and a cover (14). The centrifuge rotor has been improved such that proper single-handed operation is made possible. In particular, the closure (32) can be closed and detached again using just one hand. The cover (14) includes a circular cut-out (20) for fastening the centrifuge rotor (10) in a centrifuge. The cover (14) is attached to the lower part (12) by levers having a concave shaping (66). The cover (14) and the levers cooperate to provide a visual indication whether the cover is properly closed.

CENTRIFUGE WITH ELASTOCALORIC COOLING AND METHOD FOR COOLING A CENTRIFUGE
20220143628 · 2022-05-12 ·

The present invention relates to a centrifuge, in particular a laboratory centrifuge, comprising a rotor which is rotatably mounted in an interior of a rotor chamber and is designed to accommodate sample vessels, a drive motor to set the rotor in rotation, and a cooling device which is designed to dissipate heat from the interior of the rotor chamber via a coolant, the cooling device being designed to use an elastocaloric effect and having at least one cooling unit which comprises an elastocaloric material arranged between a counter block and a punch, the punch being designed to periodically apply a force to the elastocaloric material and then to let the elastocaloric material relax again, the cooling device being designed to transfer both heat from the elastocaloric material to the coolant and from the coolant to the elastocaloric material. The present invention also relates to a method for cooling an interior of a rotor chamber of such a centrifuge.

FULL-AUTOMATIC GENE ANALYSIS APPARATUS AND GENE ANALYSIS METHOD

The present disclosure provides a full-automatic gene analysis apparatus and a gene analysis method, and relates to the field of medical detection technologies. The apparatus includes a body, a first taking and placing device, a second taking and placing device, a first lid opening and closing device, a second lid opening and closing device, a sample rack, a consumable rack, a PCR detection device and a centrifugal transfer device. The first taking and placing device is configured to take and place a sample tube or a PCR tube or perform a pipetting operation, a lid is automatically opened and closed by the lid opening and closing device; automatic transfer and centrifuging operations of the PCR tube are realized by the centrifugal transfer device; a PCR detection step is automatically performed by the second taking and placing device and the PCR detection device.

WHOLE BLOOD SEPARATOR DEVICE AND METHOD OF USE
20220134328 · 2022-05-05 ·

A whole blood separator device has a sleeve. The sleeve has a sleeve body. The sleeve body has an enlarged first proximal end portion and an enlarged second distal end portion and an intermediate cylindrical tube portion connecting the first proximal end portion and the second distal end portion. The sleeve body is configured to fit inside a test tube and receive whole blood which can be separated by centrifugation into a plasma layer in the proximal end portion, a buffy coat layer in the intermediate portion and a red blood cell portion in the distal portion. The whole blood separator device wherein at least the proximal end portion has an open end. Preferably, the distal end portion also has an open end.

ROTOR WITH IMPROVED SPILL CONTROL
20230294112 · 2023-09-21 ·

A rotor assembly that includes a rotor body having a plurality of rotor wells. The rotor body includes an upstanding annular lip that defines an annular containment groove configured to capture and retain material leaked from a sample container received a rotor well during rotation of the rotor assembly. The rotor body also includes an annular containment lip that forms a continuous extension of the annular containment groove. The rotor assembly includes a lid selectively attachable to the open end of the rotor body that includes a first undercut channel configured to receive a portion of a first sealing gasket formed as an annular disk. The lid is supported above the upper surface of the rotor body by the annular containment lip such that the first sealing gasket is positioned between the lid and the annular containment lip to form a seal between the lid and the rotor body.