An optical monitoring system is provided for use with a blood processing system. The system includes a light source configured to illuminate a disposable flow circuit received in a centrifuge and a light detector configured to receive an image of the disposable flow circuit. A controller combines two or more of the images received by the light detector to generate a two-dimensional output. The output is used to control the separation of blood within the disposable flow circuit. The monitoring system may also be used to verify that the disposable flow circuit is suitable for use with the centrifuge or that the disposable flow circuit is properly aligned within the centrifuge. The monitoring system may be positioned outside of the centrifuge bucket which receives the centrifuge.

A fluid circuit for use with a fluid processing assembly, the fluid circuit comprising an umbilicus having a first end, a second end, an axis of rotation, and a cross-sectional circumference; a one-piece bearing secured to the umbilicus at a location between the first and second ends, the bearing having an axis of rotation and including an inner lumen which directly engages the umbilicus and includes a plurality of traction features, which bear against the umbilicus to prevent relative rotation of the bearing and the umbilicus; and the plurality of traction features comprising a first traction feature configured to engage the umbilicus at a first set of lengths between the first and second ends and a second traction feature configured to engage the umbilicus at a second set of lengths between the first and second ends.

An optical monitoring system is provided for use with a blood processing system having a yoke that rotates an umbilicus about a rotational axis at a first speed, which causes rotation of an associated centrifuge at a second speed about the rotational axis that is different from the first speed. The system includes a light source configured to illuminate a disposable flow circuit received in the centrifuge and a light detector configured to receive an image of the disposable flow circuit to detect the location of an interface between separated blood compenents within the disposable flow circuit. The monitoring system may be positioned outside of the centrifuge bucket which receives the centrifuge and is configured to be in a fully operational mode for interface detection only when a transparent portion of the centrifuge is visible to the monitoring system.

A centrifuge rotor assembly includes a chamber assembly, a bearing support, and a counterweight that is substantially diametrically opposed to the bearing support with respect to the chamber assembly. The chamber assembly receives a processing chamber of a fluid circuit, while the bearing support receives a portion of an umbilicus that is fluidly connected to the processing chamber. The bearing support and counterweight are rotated about a central axis of the chamber assembly by an electric drive of the centrifuge rotor assembly, with the bearing support and counterweight remaining substantially diametrically opposed to each other with respect to the chamber assembly while being rotated about the central axis. The electric drive may rotate the bearing support and counterweight at a plurality of different speeds, with the counterweight automatically moving with respect to the bearing support between radially innermost and radially outermost positions to balance the centrifuge rotor assembly.

A connector for a fluid handling system includes a body defining a plurality of internal passages that connect single-lumen tubes to lumens of a multi-lumen tube. Openings located along an internal edge of connector provide fluid communication between the internal passages and openings located along a curved outer surface of the multi-lumen tube.

An apparatus of a counter flow centrifuge can include at least one vessel, a handle assembly, and a plurality of tubes extending through the handle assembly and to the vessel. The vessel can be rotated at twice a speed of the handle assembly when the apparatus is inserted into a bowl of the counter flow centrifuge.

A fluid circuit for use with a fluid processing assembly, the fluid circuit comprising an umbilicus having a first end, a second end, an axis of rotation, and a cross-sectional circumference; a one-piece bearing secured to the umbilicus at a location between the first and second ends, the bearing having an axis of rotation and including an inner lumen which directly engages the umbilicus and includes a plurality of traction features, which bear against the umbilicus to prevent relative rotation of the bearing and the umbilicus; and the plurality of traction features comprising a first traction feature configured to engage the umbilicus at a first set of lengths between the first and second ends and a second traction feature configured to engage the umbilicus at a second set of lengths between the first and second ends.

A fluid circuit for use with a fluid processing assembly, the fluid circuit comprising an umbilicus having a first end, a second end, an axis of rotation, and a cross-sectional circumference; a one-piece bearing secured to the umbilicus at a location between the first and second ends, the bearing having an axis of rotation and including an inner lumen which directly engages the umbilicus and includes a plurality of traction features, which bear against the umbilicus to prevent relative rotation of the bearing and the umbilicus; and the plurality of traction features comprising a first traction feature configured to engage the umbilicus at a first length between the first and second ends and a second traction feature configured to engage the umbilicus at a second length between the first and second ends.

The invention relates to a flow-through centrifuge which is used, for example, for biotechnical applications, in particular as a blood centrifuge. A driving arrangement and/or transmission arrangement of the flow-through centrifuge comprises a planetary gearset. In the planetary gearset, at least one planetary belt pulley is rotatably supported on a rotating planet carrier. A torque of the planetary belt pulley is transmitted via a belt. The planet carrier and the planetary belt pulley are driven at different rotational speeds. According to the invention, the planet carrier is held by a belt tensioning unit rotating with the planet carrier. A distance of the planet carrier from a rotor axis can be changed via the belt tensioning unit in order to adjust the belt tension of the belt.