The invention relates to an arrangement for preparing a plurality of samples for an analytical method, comprising a carousel with a solid housing and moveable receiving parts for the sample containers; a control for controlling the receiving parts in the carousel; and a sample receiving device for providing the sample for the analytical method. Said arrangement is characterized in that one or more stations for preparing samples are provided on the carousel, the receiving parts for the sample containers of the carousel can be positioned on said stations. Said arrangement also comprises a centrifuge with pairs of opposite lying receiving parts provided for the sample containers, and said receiving parts are arranged such that they can move on the centrifuge for the sample holder such that a transfer of a sample holder between a receiving part in the carousel and a receiving part in the centrifuge can be carried out. The control takes place by the same control which is also provided for controlling the carousel.

Multi-component separation devices configured to separate components of a liquid sample by centrifugation are provided. Aspects of the separation devices include a container having a distal end and a proximal end and a buoy configured to be displaced along a longitudinal axis within the container where the buoy includes one or more sealed chambers. Also provided are methods of using the subject devices to separate components of a multi-component liquid sample such as whole blood, bone marrow aspirate or stromal vascular fraction as well as systems suitable for practicing the subject methods.

Provided is a centrifuge. In a centrifuge sample container (40) having a body part (41) and a bottom part (42), the body part (41) has two parallel flat surfaces, and includes an opening (44) having an elliptical shape from above view. The bottom part (42) is formed by a semi-cylindrical part (42a) and quarter spherical parts (42b) connected to the sides of the semi-cylindrical part. A height (H) of the sample container is greater than a length (L.sub.2) in the short axis direction of the opening, and a curvature radius (R.sub.1) of the outer surface of an arc part of the elliptical shape, a curvature radius (R.sub.2) of the outer surface of the semi-cylindrical part, and a curvature radius (R.sub.3) of the outer surface of the quarter spherical parts are equal. A flange part (43) that expands radially outward is formed on the opening (44) of the body part (41).

Embodiments for a portable and compact centrifugation and thermal management system capable of separating and transporting biological samples while maintaining sample quality for periods of shipment time are described. A compact, automatic centrifuge holding exactly one sample tube is inside an insulating and thermally managed container suitable for standard shipping. A rotor to retain a sample tube is pre-balanced. An electronic controller starts, times and stops centrifugation automatically, responsive to placement of a lid. Thermal management may comprise a phase change material. Embodiments are free of user controls. Embodiments are free of the need for external power or external control.

A washing liquid distribution element attached to an upper portion of a rotor body includes an upper distribution element and a lower distribution element. A washing liquid is supplied from a washing liquid introduction port during rotation of a rotor and enters a recessed inner portion of the lower distribution element. The washing liquid entered in the inner portion moves from the vicinity of rotation center toward a radially outer side to climb an inclined part by centrifugal force. Washing liquid passages are formed in a radial pattern at a lower annular part at a tip of the inclined part, and the washing liquid is discharged radially outward from discharge ports of the washing liquid passages. Formation of the inclined part makes it possible to evenly distribute the washing liquid into test tubes.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a small rotor for a centrifuge, the rotor being configured such that numerous sample containers can be mounted simultaneously and it is easy to take out the sample containers. In an inner peripheral surface 20A of an outer wall part 20, recessed areas 20B locally carved outward are provided in areas between sample container insertion holes 11 that are adjacent to each other in a circumferential direction. In the locations of the recessed areas 20B, the spaces between adjacent sample containers 51 are wider, and the sample containers 51 can easily be taken out.

A system for liquid component fractionation includes a first container, a second container, a tunnel connecting member and a stopcock valve. The stopcock valve is a three-way valve disposed at the tunnel connecting member and is rotatable to align one of three ports of the stopcock valve to a collection outlet member of the tunnel connecting member, so as to facilitate collection of a fractionated layer from a liquid after the system is centrifuged.

Compositions and methods for separating a sample of whole blood or bone marrow aspirate into a fraction rich in at least one of platelets and pluripotent cells are provided. A sample of whole blood can be centrifuged in a collection tube comprising a separator substance formulated to settle between the PRP fraction and the at least one other fraction. Preferably, centrifugation is completed without substantial activation of platelets. Optionally, the separator substance could be hardened to form a solid barrier that allows removal of all or substantially all of the platelets in the PRP fraction without remixing of the PRP fraction with the at least one other fraction. Transfer devices and methods are also provided in which a sterile sample can be transferred from a separation/preparation container (e.g., vacutainer) to a consumer or other container (e.g., dropper) while maintaining sterility of the sample.

Provided herein are systems and methods for biological sample concentration, purification, and fractionation of biological samples. The systems can comprise one or more containment devices for a biological sample connected to a shaft; a handheld motor source connected to the shaft and configured to modulate spinning the one or more containment devices along an axis of the one or more containment devices.

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.