A centrifugal field-flow fractionation device is provided with a controller for controlling introduction of a liquid sample by a sample introduction part and rotation of the rotor by a motor. The controller rotates the rotor at a first rotational speed when introducing the liquid sample into a flow path. The first rotational speed is faster than a second rotational speed. Therefore, when a liquid sample is introduced into the flow path, high centrifugal force can be applied to the liquid sample, which can suppress the variation of the particles in the liquid sample introduced to the flow path. The controller rotates the rotor at the second rotational speed slower than the first rotational speed with the liquid sample flow in the flow path stopped. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the constant application of high centrifugal force to the liquid sample, thereby suppressing the increase in the length of time required for analysis.

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.

Provided is a centrifugal field-flow fractionation device capable of suppressing deformation of a channel member. Pressure in a channel formed inside the channel member in a centrifugal field-flow fractionation device 1 is increased by a pressure increasing mechanism 8 provided downstream of the centrifugal field-flow fractionation device 1. In this manner, an inner surface of the channel is pressed outward by a liquid sample in the channel, and an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface of the channel member can be suppressed from being recessed toward the channel side.

A centrifugal field-flow fractionation device capable of improving analysis performance and shortening analysis time is provided. A first channel 111 communicating with a channel member is formed on a rotational shaft 11 that rotates together with a rotor. A second channel 644 communicating with the first channel 111 is formed on a fixing portion 60 fixed in a state of facing the rotational shaft 11 along a rotational axis L. A mechanical seal 66 having a pair of seal rings 661 and 662 that come into contact with each other and a biasing member 663 is provided to attach one seal ring 661 to the rotational shaft 11 and the other seal ring 662 to the fixing portion 60. The biasing member 663 biases the pair of seal rings 661 and 662 in a direction in which the pair of seal rings come in contact with each other. Since the rotational shaft 11 can be rotated at a high speed and the liquid sample can be fed at a high pressure, the analysis performance can be improved and the analysis time can be shortened.

A disposable blood separation set and a centrifugal blood processing system comprising a blood processing chamber adapted to be mounted on a rotor of a centrifuge; a frustro-conical cell separation chamber in fluid communication with the processing chamber, the cell separation chamber having an inlet, a primary outlet and a side tap outlet adjacent the inlet. A valve that is responsive to centrifugal force (a “gravity” valve) selects between the outlet and the side tap outlet. The gravity valve is mounted on the rotor. When the rotor spins at high speed, the gravity valve may open the primary outlet and close the side tap outlet. When the rotor spins at a lower speed, the gravity valve may open the side tap outlet and close the primary outlet.

The present invention provides an automated system and method to isolate nucleated blood cells from whole blood or bone marrow. A disc mounted to a centrifuge system with spinning rotor is used to manipulate cells by channeling fluids while subjected to high gravitational field. The disc embodies at least two axisymmetric processing stations connected by a circular channel. Each station contains multiple chambers connected by fluidic channels to controllably transfer fluids. First stage separation allows for the isolation of the buffy coat layer while the second stage separation utilizes gradient density fluids to isolate the targeted nucleated cells from the buffy coat layer in the spinning disc.

Provided is a centrifugal field-flow fractionation device that can stably press a fixing member toward an inner peripheral surface of a rotor by a wedge-shaped member, even when a relatively large centrifugal force acts on the wedge-shaped member. An arc-shaped (C-shaped) fixing member 17 is provided along an inner peripheral surface of a channel member 16 on a side of a rotation axis of the channel member 16. A wedge-shaped member 18 is attached between opposite ends of the fixing member 17 and applies a force in a direction of spreading the opposite ends apart, to thereby press the fixing member 17 toward the inner peripheral surface of the rotor 14. The wedge-shaped member 18 has a pair of contact surfaces 184 that respectively come into contact with the opposite ends of the fixing member 17. The pair of contact surfaces 184 include tapered surfaces that gradually taper down toward the rotor 14, so that the distance between the contact surfaces 184 gradually shortens as the contact surfaces 184 come close to the rotor 14.

Fluid separation chambers are provided with a central hub, with generally annular low-G and high-G walls extending about the hub to define therebetween a separation channel. A plurality of radial walls extend from the hub to the channel to define an inlet passage, two outlet passages, and a terminal wall separating an upstream end of the separation channel from a downstream end of the channel. The radius of the high-G wall is greater at the downstream end of the separation channel than at the upstream end, which may include the radius gradually increasing along a tapered section of the high-G wall. The tapered section may extend from the upstream end of the separation channel to the downstream end of the channel or along a smaller length of the channel. The radius of the low-G wall may similarly increase from the upstream end of the separation channel to the downstream end.

The present invention provides an automated system and method to isolate nucleated blood cells from whole blood or bone marrow. A disc mounted to a centrifuge system with spinning rotor is used to manipulate cells by channeling fluids while subjected to high gravitational field. The disc embodies at least two axisymmetric processing stations connected by a circular channel. Each station contains multiple chambers connected by fluidic channels to controllably transfer fluids. First stage separation allows for the isolation of the buffy coat layer while the second stage separation utilizes gradient density fluids to isolate the targeted nucleated cells from the buffy coat layer in the spinning disc.

A blood washing system (20) having a rotor (22) defining an internal chamber for receiving a multi-component fluid and a skimmer assembly (24) including a moveable buoy (28) having an orifice (32) fluidly connected to an access port for the rotor for selectively withdrawing separated fractions of the multi-component fluid. The multi-component fluid can be fed into the internal chamber before the rotor (22) can be rotated at a first speed to fractionate the multi-component fluid. A brake can be applied to the rotor to slow rotation of the rotor to a slower second speed or stop rotation of the rotor causing the solid and denser fluid fractions to settle on the bottom wall (44) of the rotor (22). The buoy (28) can have a specific gravity corresponding to a selected fraction such that the buoy floats on a surface of the selected fraction, wherein the fractions floating on the selected fraction can be withdrawn through the orifice (32).