U.S. patent application number 14/642125 was filed with the patent office on 2015-06-25 for centrifuge.
The applicant listed for this patent is Kensey Nash Corporation. Invention is credited to William T. Chester, John E. Nash.
Application Number | 20150174591 14/642125 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47902336 |
Filed Date | 2015-06-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150174591 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nash; John E. ; et
al. |
June 25, 2015 |
CENTRIFUGE
Abstract
Centrifuges are useful to, among other things, remove red blood
cells from whole blood and retain platelets and other factors in a
reduced volume of plasma. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) and or
platelet poor plasma (PPP) can be obtained rapidly and is ready for
immediate injection into the host. Embodiments may include valves,
operated manually or automatically, to open ports that discharge
the excess red blood cells and the excess plasma into separate
receivers while retaining the platelets and other factors in the
centrifuge chamber. High speeds used allow simple and small
embodiments to be used at the patient's side during surgical
procedures. The embodiments can also be used for the separation of
liquids or slurries in other fields such as, for example, the
separation of pigments or lubricants.
Inventors: |
Nash; John E.; (Chester
Springs, PA) ; Chester; William T.; (Schwenksville,
PA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Kensey Nash Corporation |
Exton |
PA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
47902336 |
Appl. No.: |
14/642125 |
Filed: |
March 9, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14294302 |
Jun 3, 2014 |
8974362 |
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14642125 |
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13766528 |
Feb 13, 2013 |
8870733 |
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14294302 |
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13447008 |
Apr 13, 2012 |
8394006 |
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13766528 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
424/529 ; 494/10;
494/4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M 1/3693 20130101;
A61M 1/3696 20140204; B01D 2221/10 20130101; B04B 1/02 20130101;
B04B 5/0442 20130101; B01D 21/34 20130101; B01D 21/262 20130101;
B04B 1/14 20130101; B04B 5/0407 20130101; B04B 7/08 20130101; B04B
2005/0485 20130101; B04B 11/04 20130101; B04B 1/18 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B04B 11/04 20060101
B04B011/04; B04B 7/08 20060101 B04B007/08 |
Claims
1. A centrifuge comprising: a) a rotatable member comprising a
chamber having a longitudinal axis; (i) a first discharge port
provided in said chamber at a first radial distance from said
longitudinal axis, and in fluid communication with a first valve,
said first discharge port serving as an outlet for said rotatable
member; (ii) a second discharge port provided in said chamber at a
second radial distance from said longitudinal axis, and in fluid
communication with a second valve, said second discharge port
serving as an outlet for said rotatable member, and with said
second radial distance being less than said first radial distance;
(iii) at least a portion of said chamber being transparent; and
(iv) wherein said chamber comprises a first region and a second
region, with a side wall extending therebetween, at least a portion
of said sidewall tapering with respect to said longitudinal axis;
b) a motor to rotate said rotatable member about said longitudinal
axis.
2. The centrifuge of claim 1, wherein said at least a portion of
said side wall of said chamber comprises a continuous taper.
3. The centrifuge of claim 1, further comprising a biologic liquid
mixture of at least two constituents having different specific
gravities, said chamber containing said biologic liquid mixture,
and where each of said first and second valves are independently
selectively openable, such that while said first discharge port is
opened, at least a portion of said first constituent is
automatically ejected out said first discharge port as a result of
pressure built up by said centrifugal field, and while said second
discharge port is opened, at least a portion of a second
constituent is automatically ejected out said second discharge port
as a result of pressure built up by said centrifugal field.
4. The centrifuge of claim 3, wherein at least one of said first
and second valves are selectively closable in response to a
signal.
5. The centrifuge of claim 4, wherein said signal is derived from
one of: observing an interface occurring between separated
constituents of said biologic liquid mixture; detecting an
interface occurring between separated constituents of said biologic
liquid mixture by at least one automatic detector; and an automatic
response after passage of a defined period of time.
6. The centrifuge of claim 1, further comprising a reusable
component and a disposable component, said disposable component
being releasably securable to said reusable component, and wherein
said reusable component comprises said motor and said disposable
component comprises said rotatable member.
7. The centrifuge of claim 1, further comprising an inlet for the
addition of a biologic liquid mixture into said chamber.
8. The centrifuge of claim 1, further comprising a vent to permit
air to enter said chamber.
9. A centrifuge comprising: a) a rotatable member comprising a
chamber having a cross-section and a longitudinal axis; (i) a first
discharge port provided in said chamber at a first radial distance
from said longitudinal axis, and in fluid communication with a
first valve, said first discharge port serving as an outlet for
said rotatable member; (ii) a second discharge port provided in
said chamber at a second radial distance from said longitudinal
axis, and in fluid communication with a second valve, said second
discharge port serving as an outlet for said rotatable member, and
with said second radial distance being less than said first radial
distance; (iii) at least a portion of said chamber being
transparent; and (iv) wherein said cross-section of said chamber
comprises a shape selected from the group consisting of a cone, an
oval, triangle, square, and octagon, and frustums thereof; b) a
motor to rotate said rotatable member about said longitudinal axis
to produce a centrifugal field.
10. The centrifuge of claim 9, wherein said centrifuge is
configured to operate on a biologic liquid mixture of at least two
constituents having different specific gravities, said chamber
containing said biologic liquid mixture, and wherein each of said
first and second valves are independently selectively openable,
such that while said first discharge port is opened, at least a
portion of said first constituent is automatically ejected out said
first discharge port as a result of pressure built up by said
centrifugal field, and while said second discharge port is opened,
at least a portion of a second constituent is automatically ejected
out said second discharge port as a result of pressure built up by
said centrifugal field.
11. The centrifuge of claim 10, wherein at least one of said first
and second valves are selectively closable in response to a
signal.
12. The centrifuge of claim 11, wherein said signal is derived from
one of: observing an interface occurring between separated
constituents of said biologic liquid mixture; detecting an
interface occurring between separated constituents of said biologic
liquid mixture by at least one automatic detector; and an automatic
response after passage of a defined period of time.
13. The centrifuge of claim 9, further comprising a reusable
component and a disposable component, said disposable component
being releasably securable to said reusable component, and wherein
said reusable component comprises said motor and said disposable
component comprises said rotatable member.
14. The centrifuge of claim 9, further comprising an inlet for the
addition of a biologic liquid mixture into said chamber.
15. The centrifuge of claim 9, further comprising a vent to permit
air to enter said chamber.
16. A composition comprising a concentrated fraction of a
biological liquid mixture comprising blood, wherein the
concentrated fraction has been rotatably processed for less than
about 3 minutes in a processing unit, wherein the concentrated
fraction comprises at least one of: at least 93% of the red blood
cells have been removed relative to the original blood material;
and an enrichment factor of at least 8:1.
17. The composition of claim 16, wherein the concentrated fraction
comprises buffy coat.
18. The composition of claim 16, wherein said processing unit
comprises a rotatable member comprising a chamber having a
longitudinal axis, a first discharge port provided in said chamber
at a first radial distance from said longitudinal axis, and in
fluid communication with a first valve, said first discharge port
serving as an outlet for said rotatable member; a second discharge
port provided in said chamber at a second radial distance from said
longitudinal axis, and in fluid communication with a second valve,
said second discharge port serving as an outlet for said rotatable
member, and with said second radial distance being less than said
first radial distance; and wherein said chamber comprises a first
region and a second region, with a side wall extending
therebetween, at least a portion of said sidewall tapering with
respect to said longitudinal axis.
19. The composition of claim 18, wherein said at least a portion of
said chamber is transparent.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/294,302, filed on Jun. 3, 2014, entitled
Centrifuge, which is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 13/766,528, filed on Feb. 13, 2013, entitled Centrifuge, which
is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
13/447,008, filed on Apr. 13, 2012, entitled Centrifuge, which is a
Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
13/396,600, filed on Feb. 15, 2012, which is a Continuation-In-Part
Application of our earlier filed PCT International Patent
Application S.N. PCT/US11/01922, filed on Nov. 19, 2011, and
designating the U.S., which is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 12/949,781, filed on Nov. 19, 2010. The
Ser. No. 13/396,600 application is also a Continuation-In-Part of
our earlier filed U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/209,226,
filed on Aug. 12, 2011, which is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 12/949,781, filed on Nov. 19, 2010. All
of the above listed applications are assigned to the same assignee
as this invention and whose disclosures are incorporated by
reference herein.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention pertains to centrifuges.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] Fluids, such as whole blood or various other biological
fluids are suspensions and can be separated into their constituent
parts or fractions. For example, whole blood comprises four main
fractions, red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and
plasma, that can be separated based on their different specific
gravities in a device such as a centrifuge. An anti-coagulated
whole blood sample may be placed in a test tube, or other similar
device, which is then spun in a centrifuge at a specified speed.
The generated centrifugal force separates the blood into the
different fractions based on their relative specific gravities. The
red blood cells are on the bottom, plasma, is on the top with the
intermediate specific gravity white blood cells and platelets
(together referred to as the buffy coat (BC)) intermediate to the
other two fractions. Various other biological fluids may be
separated as well. For example, nucleated cells may be separated
and extracted from bone marrow or adipose tissue derived
samples.
[0004] It is desirable to isolate the different fractions of whole
blood for differing medicinal purposes. The platelets can be
obtained in preparations of platelet rich plasma (PRP) or platelet
concentrates (PC). Platelets contain growth factors (e.g. PDGF,
TGF-.beta., and others), which may initiate, aid in or accelerate
various bodily functions, including but not limited to
angiogenesis, wound healing, and osteogenesis. Administering
autologous platelets to an injury site may improve the healing
response by using a patient's own platelets without the risk of
infection by using blood products from another donor source.
Alternatively, platelet poor plasma (PPP) may be desired for use in
various procedures. PPP may be prepared by isolating the plasma
fraction from platelet concentrates, and preserving the isolated
plasma fraction.
[0005] Various systems exist for the production of PRP/PC. Some use
specialized test tubes, U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,179,391 and 7,520,402,
that can include floats, tubing and/or gel materials of specific
densities. Other systems use specialized double syringes, for
example those found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,716,187 and 7,195,606.
These test tubes and syringes must be centrifuged in a specialized
large centrifuge for a specified time, typically 10-30 minutes, and
then by delicate handling and extraction or decanting procedures
produce the desired PRP/PC. The consistency of these preparations
can vary depending on the operator's skill level. Other systems,
for example U.S. Pat. No. 6,982,038, contain specialized centrifuge
chambers and complicated control systems to produce the PRP/PC in
about 30 minutes. All of these systems provide PRP/PC of differing
platelet concentrations depending on the method used. A major
drawback to these methods is the need for an expensive piece of
capital equipment which limits the utility to facilities that have
the funds and space available. These methods also require
considerable operator skills to complete the procedures necessary
to obtain the PRP/PC.
[0006] The ability to produce PRP/PC from a patient's own blood at
the point of care without the need for complex, expensive equipment
and difficult procedures would facilitate the clinical utility of
PRP/PC. Therefore the objects of this invention include among other
things providing an apparatus and method for processing a patient's
own blood at the point of care in a short period of time that is
self-contained, battery operated, small and or portable,
inexpensive, easy to use, reproducible, able to separate many
cellular populations, and disposable without the need for
additional centrifugation equipment
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In accordance with the invention, a single use, sterile,
self-contained, compact, easy to use centrifugal separation unit
provides for quick, reliable concentration of constituents of a
liquid mixture, for example, a biologic liquid mixture, such as
platelet concentration from whole blood, or alternatively
concentrating cells from bone marrow aspirate. The resultant PRP/PC
can be immediately used for application to the patient. The unit is
suitable for office, operating room, emergency use, or military
field hospital use.
[0008] The disposable self-contained PRP separator features a motor
with a drive axis, the drive axis being coaxial with the central or
longitudinal axis of the blood separation chamber (BSC) assembly.
The motor can have the capacity to rotate the BSC at speeds in the
range 10,000 to 25,000 RPM for several minutes. Power can be
supplied to the motor through a battery or other power pack. The
power can be connected through a switch and even small dry cell
batteries will have sufficient capacity to complete the separation
process. The BSC and motor/battery are fully enclosed in an outer
container that includes an access port to the BSC to which a
standard syringe can be attached. Alternatively the BSC can be
rotated by non-electrical means such as an air driven turbine or
spring drive. It could also include a magnetic or mechanical
coupling to an external drive motor, or any source of energy that
may be available at the surgical site for example in the surgical
suite or on location during a trauma procedure, such as at a "MASH"
compound.
[0009] In a first embodiment the BSC assembly features a barrel
that may be cylindrical or tapered, an end cap incorporating
passageways and a tubular extension, and in some embodiments a
piston or bladder, that between them define the BSC. A sleeve
sliding over the outer diameter of the end cap acts as the moving
part of two valve assemblies, each valve featuring a recess in the
outer surface of the end cap and an O-ring in the recess. Passages
within the end cap lead from the BSC to the recess centers, and two
ports in the sleeve align with the recess centers in a 3 position
sequence. The two ports in the sleeve are positioned so that they
do not align with the two recess centers in the end cap at the same
time. In sequence, the sleeve selects a first port open, then both
ports closed, and then a second port open. The ports are opened in
a stepwise motion, but could be opened proportionally. The sleeve
is operated by a knob connected to a slidable collar through a
bearing assembly so that the knob does not rotate during operation
of the motor.
[0010] Anti-coagulated blood is injected through the tubular
extension in order to fill the BSC. The sleeve is in a first
position where both ports on the sleeve do not align with either of
the recesses in the end cap. The motor is actuated and the BSC
rotates to create a centrifugal force on the blood thereby
separating it into its components with the red blood cells closest
to the inner wall of the BSC with the white blood cells lining the
red blood cell layer toward the center, followed by the platelets
and then plasma filling the center. In other words, the
centrifugation yields concentric stratified constituent layers of
the mixture, with adjacent concentric stratified constituent layers
defining a mixture interface. After a centrifugation period of
about 1 minute or less the sleeve is moved to a second position in
which the first port in the sleeve aligns with the recess in the
end cap. This port communicates with the layer of red blood cells
against the inner wall. The red blood cells will exit the chamber
through this port due to pressure generated by the centrifugal
force. As red blood cells exit the separator, the volume is
replaced by air entering through the tubular extension in the end
cap. The air forms a column in the center of the chamber that grows
larger as more volume is replaced. It is also conceived that
without an air inlet vent, that continued rotation and evacuation
of the red blood cells will result in a vacuum core being formed,
as the blood is degassed and possibly drawing vapor from the liquid
due to the reduced pressure at the center of rotation. After a
substantial amount, preferably the majority, of the red blood cells
are discharged from the blood separator volume, the sleeve is moved
to a third position to close the first port and open the second
port. This is done before the layer of platelets in the volume can
exit the first port. The passage to the second recess in the end
cap of the device is precisely positioned away from the center axis
to remove a volume of plasma from the BSC without disturbing the
platelet layer. As plasma leaves the chamber, air replaces the
volume through the tubular extension and the column of air in the
center of the BSC continues to grow in diameter. When the diameter
of the air column encompasses the second passage entrance, no more
plasma can exit the chamber and the concentration process is
thereby automatically ended. In the case where there is a vacuum
core created, the concentration process would automatically end in
a similar manner, as the vacuum core encounters the second passage
entrance. The device is turned off and the platelet concentrate is
ready for use.
[0011] Another embodiment uses a flexible bladder lining the
interior of the BSC. The solid end of the BSC includes a hole for
air to enter around the exterior of the flexible bladder. The end
cap axis tubular extension includes an airtight valve. This
embodiment operates in the same manner except that it does not
deliberately introduce air into contact with the blood sample.
During the centrifugation cycle while red blood cells and then
plasma are exiting the chamber, air enters the opposite side of the
chamber thus collapsing the flexible bladder. Due to the pressure
generated in the liquid by centrifugal force, the sack collapses
into a "W" shape with the open ends of the "W" facing toward the
end of the chamber opposite the end with the air bleed hole. As
more plasma exits the chamber the middle of the "W" reaches the
second passage in the end cap and closes the passage off thus
automatically ending the cycle.
[0012] Another embodiment replaces the flexible bladder with a
piston and spring: as red blood cells (RBCs) exit the valve ports,
the piston moves towards the end cap encouraged by the spring.
[0013] It is further disclosed that the system of the subject
invention may incorporate an automatic shutoff mechanism to seal
the port(s) based upon certain conditions. For example, one such
mechanism can incorporate a flowable separation aid in the form of
a gel of an intermediate specific gravity selected to be between an
undesired element, e.g. red blood cells, and a desired therapeutic
element, e.g. platelets. The separator gel viscosity is designed so
that it will not pass through the small exit port at the centrifuge
speed employed in the blood separation centrifuge. Upon activation
of the centrifuge, the separator gel would create a distinct layer
and barrier between the outer red blood cell layer, located near
the periphery of the axis of rotation, and the platelet poor layer
which would be located closer to the center axis of the centrifuge
rotation. The separator gel automatically plugs the first port when
all of the red blood cells have exited. As a further example, the
automatic shut-off of the first port can be accomplished with a
solid damper, or vent flap, also constructed of a material with a
specifically targeted intermediate specific gravity. Upon initial
operation, the damper would open and separate away from the vent
hole based upon its density and attempt to position itself at a
location between the red blood cells and the platelets. As in the
previous example, once the red blood cells have fully exited the
system, the damper would seal the vent hole and effectively prevent
the platelet rich fluid from exited the system. As yet another
example of a separation aid, plastic beads such as microspheres
with the desired intermediate specific gravity could also be
pre-located within the centrifuge chamber. The beads would be sized
appropriately to plug the exit port after the undesirable element,
e.g. red blood cells, exited the system.
[0014] In another embodiment, the BSC, or at least a portion
thereof, can be made of a clear (transparent) material so that the
progress of the red blood cell removal can be observed through a
clear window in the outer case. This can allow for precise timing
for closing the first port to end the exiting of the red blood
cells.
[0015] Another embodiment accomplishes the concentration through
precise timing of the valve opening/closing sequence and the
starting and stopping of the motor.
[0016] In another embodiment, the system may feature a reusable
drive component with a motor that is arranged to be coupled to a
disposable centrifuge component, wherein the blood products are
centrifuged, separated, and contained entirely within the
disposable unit, such that the drive component is not exposed to
blood product and may be reused without fear of contamination.
[0017] In another embodiment, the disposable unit may include blood
absorbent materials or fluid receiving chambers to capture the
evacuated blood products.
[0018] In another embodiment, the rotation chamber is arranged to
minimize the disruption to the interfaces between the separated
blood products, while the red blood cells and plasma components are
evacuated from the rotating chamber.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIGS. 1a and 1b: Principle of operation.
[0020] FIG. 2: Centrifuge with spring loaded piston in tapered
chamber, charge position, RBC valve open, Plasma valve closed
(Longitudinal part section).
[0021] FIGS. 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d show transverse sections of the
centrifuge with spring loaded piston in tapered chamber,
(transverse sections of FIG. 2), and enlarged details of the RBC
valve components used in all devices shown in FIGS. 2, 4, 5, 6, 7,
9,10,11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18.
[0022] FIG. 4: Centrifuge with spring-loaded piston in tapered
chamber, spin-down, RBCs separated from plasma, both valves closed
(Longitudinal part section).
[0023] FIG. 5: Centrifuge with spring-loaded piston in tapered
chamber, mid position, RBC valve open and RBCs being dumped, plasma
valve closed (Longitudinal part section).
[0024] FIG. 6: Centrifuge with spring-loaded piston in tapered
chamber, final position, RBC valve closed, plasma valve open and
most of plasma dumped (Longitudinal part section).
[0025] FIG. 7: Centrifuge with bladder chamber, charge position,
RBC valve open, plasma valve closed (Longitudinal part
section).
[0026] FIG. 8: Centrifuge with bladder chamber, charge position,
(transverse section of FIG. 7).
[0027] FIG. 9: Centrifuge with bladder chamber, spin-down, RBCs
separated from plasma, both valves closed, (longitudinal part
section).
[0028] FIG. 10: Centrifuge with bladder chamber, RBCs dumping
position, RBC valve open, plasma valve closed (Longitudinal part
section).
[0029] FIG. 11: Centrifuge with bladder chamber, Plasma valve open,
RBC valve closed, plasma being dumped (Longitudinal part
section).
[0030] FIG. 12: Centrifuge with air core, initial charge position,
both valves closed. (Longitudinal part section).
[0031] FIG. 13: Centrifuge with air core, (transverse section of
FIG. 12).
[0032] FIG. 14: Centrifuge with air core, spin and separate, RBCs
being dumped, RBC valve open, plasma valve closed (Longitudinal
part section).
[0033] FIG. 15: Centrifuge with air core, RBC valve closed, plasma
valve open, residual RBCs and residual plasma remaining
(Longitudinal part section).
[0034] FIG. 16: Centrifuge with air core, removal of PRP at finish,
both valves closed (Longitudinal part section).
[0035] FIG. 17: Centrifuge with a typical enclosure (Longitudinal
part section, showing RBC and plasma capture means and aerosol
prevention means).
[0036] FIGS. 18a and 18b: Centrifuge with typical enclosure,
(transverse section of FIG. 17).
[0037] FIG. 19. Simplified longitudinal cross section of centrifuge
with disposable and reusable components shown separated. Shown with
the red blood cell and plasma valves closed.
[0038] FIG. 20a. Simplified schematic of centrifuge chamber having
a plenum at the end of the red blood cell channel and separated
fluids.
[0039] FIG. 20b. Projection view of the plasma port of FIG. 20a
with plasma fluid flow pattern represented by arrows.
[0040] FIG. 21. Assembled centrifuge in running position, RBC valve
open and RBC dump complete.
[0041] FIG. 22. Simplified transverse section of FIG. 21 at AA.
[0042] FIG. 23. Simplified transverse section of FIG. 21 through
plasma valve at BB showing valve construction.
[0043] FIG. 24. Assembled centrifuge in running position, RBC valve
shut, plasma valve open and plasma dump complete.
[0044] FIG. 25. Centrifuge with means for gathering Platelet Poor
Plasma (PPP) in a separate receiver, shown in plasma collection
phase of operation.
[0045] FIG. 26. Centrifuge with absorbent washers to capture blood
products, shown at the end of the RBC dump phase.
[0046] FIG. 27a. Simplified schematic of centrifuge chamber having
plena at the end of the red blood cell channel and at the plasma
outlet, and separated fluids.
[0047] FIG. 27b. Projection view of the plasma port of FIG. 27A,
with fluid flow pattern represented by arrows.
[0048] FIG. 28. Cross section views of alternate RBC-Plasma
receiver with indexing valve, depicted in the closed position.
[0049] FIG. 29. Cross section view of alternate RBC-Plasma receiver
with indexing valve showing valve in open position.
[0050] FIG. 30. Isometric cross section view of alternate
RBC-Plasma receiver with indexing valve.
[0051] FIG. 31. Isometric view of disassembled alternate RBC-Plasma
receiver with indexing valve.
[0052] FIG. 32. Centrifuge with scaffold material in a compartment
and arranged for receipt of buffy coat component.
[0053] FIG. 33. Simplified schematic of centrifuge chamber having a
restriction feature in a portion of the circumferential channel and
separated fluids.
[0054] FIG. 33a. Transverse sectional view of section A-A of FIG.
33, with the portion of the circumferential channel corresponding
to angle d featuring a restriction feature.
[0055] FIG. 34 Cross-sectional view of another alternative
centrifuge with a disk-shaped rotating assembly.
[0056] FIG. 35 Enlarged cross-sectional view the details of the
valve arrangement of the disk-shaped rotating assembly of the
centrifuge of FIG. 34.
[0057] FIG. 36 Enlarged, exploded isometric view of components of
the force transfer mechanism of the centrifuge of FIG. 34.
[0058] FIG. 37 Enlarged projection view of the valve components of
the rotating assembly of the centrifuge of FIG. 34.
MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0059] FIG. 1a provides an illustration for description of the
principle of operation of the devices covered in this invention. A
chamber of essentially frusto-conical shape 1, contains a mixture
of several liquids of differing densities, and rotates about the
longitudinal axis XX. The liquids 2, 3, and 4 separate into
radially distinct layers as shown in section AA. The taper is
beneficial in several ways, first it allows a small volume of
liquid to offer a large radial depth (as shown at 11) compared with
the radial depth the same volume would have if distributed over the
whole length of a right circular cylinder of similar dimensions,
see FIG. 1b at 14. Second, the taper provides a component of radial
acceleration force that helps to scour the outer liquid constituent
towards a port 9 placed at the larger cone diameter. Third, the
taper also allows visualization of the constituent boundaries as
axial locations such as 5 and 6 instead of radial locations such as
7 and 8 in some of the embodiments. It should be pointed out at
this juncture that the term "taper" or "tapered" is used in its
normal definitional sense, i.e., to become progressively smaller
toward one end or to diminish gradually. Thus the taper of the
chamber need not be linear, as shown in the exemplary embodiments
contained herein, but may be arcuate or of other shapes as set
forth in paragraph [0127] herein. In several embodiments the wall
12 of FIG. 1 moves toward the larger diameter and the
frusto-conical volume reduces as one or more constituents are
ported from the ports, for example at 9 and 10, leaving the center
constituent 3 at its original volume. In other embodiments wall 12
remains in place and air is introduced on the center line at 13 to
permit the porting of constituents 2 and 4 at 9 and 10 as the air
core expands to replace the discharged constituents.
[0060] FIG. 2 is a mainly longitudinal section of an essentially
circular device, external housing not shown. In FIG. 2 a liquid
tight variable volume, the chamber (BSC), is formed from a tapered
barrel 206, piston 210, piston seal 211 and end cap 215. Piston 210
and seal 211 are biased toward the larger end of the BSC by spring
209. Larger end of barrel 206 is closed by end cap 215. The inner
surface of the end cap 215 forms the larger diameter end wall of
the chamber, with the inner surface of the barrel 206 forming the
chamber's tapering side wall. In the case where this device is used
to enrich plasma from whole blood, end cap 215 has passages 216 and
217 bored within to permit the passage of red blood cells from
passage 217 and plasma from passage 216. Passage 217 is shown
passing through the outside skirt of the end cap that is in line
with the outside wall of tapered barrel 206. A passage bored
90.degree. from that shown at 217; through the inside face of end
cap 215 at the maximum ID position would be functionally equivalent
to the one shown at 217 and would have a shape similar to passage
216. Passages 217 and 216 connect with valves formed by O-rings 218
compressed in recesses 226 operating in concert with ports 228 and
227 respectively in sleeve 213. These valve components are shown
enlarged in FIGS. 3b and 3d. Sleeve 213 fits slidably on end cap
215 to permit the port holes 228 and 227 to connect with the
passages 216 and 217 at appropriate points in the operation. Sleeve
213 is keyed to end cap 215 to permit the transmission of rotary
motion between these constituents (key not shown). Insert 219 is
fastened to end cap 215 to provide an axle for the ball bearing 220
supporting the left hand end of the rotating assembly. Since the
sleeve 213 is rotating with the chamber, a ball bearing 221 is
provide to connect the sleeve to a non-revolving knob 223 via
collar 225 and rods 222. The knob and sleeve can be placed in 3
positions: first position, port 228 open and port 227 closed:
second position, both ports 227 and 228 closed: third position,
port 228 closed and port 227 open. Barrel 206 is fastened to the
shaft 205 of electric motor 201 using screw 207. No additional
bearings are provided at the motor end, the motor bearings
sufficing to support the barrel. The complete assembly is supported
by a frame 208, the insert bearing 220 and the motor 201 being
located on this same frame. The rotating components all rotate
about axis XX.
[0061] To use the device for preparing PRP, a syringe 233 with
needle 234, filled with anti-coagulated whole blood is inserted
into the device through elastomeric seal 214 to load the chamber
with whole blood 229. Knob 223 is placed in the first position to
allow air to discharge from port 228 as the chamber is filled with
blood. Whole blood 229 fully charges the chamber pushing the piston
210 and seal 211 to the far right, compressing spring 209.
[0062] FIG. 3a, a cross section at AA in FIG. 2, clarifies the
construction of the knob 223 and rod components 222. FIG. 3b is a
cross section at BB in FIG. 2 showing details for the valve
components, those being the recess 226 in end cap 215, O-ring 218
and port 228 in sleeve 213 (the construction of the valve for port
227 is the same). FIG. 3c shows the section at CC of FIG. 2.
[0063] Once the chamber has been charged with whole blood, the knob
and sleeve are placed in the second position with both valves
closed, the syringe 223 is removed and the motor started. The motor
is then run for times between 15 and 90 seconds depending on the
speed used. Speeds of 10,000 rpm to 25,000 rpm have been used,
developing centrifugal accelerations at the outside of the spinning
chamber from 1000 g to 6000 g.
[0064] FIG. 4 shows the device of FIG. 2 in operation rotating at
speed. The RBC port 228 and the plasma port 227 are both closed.
The boundary between the RBC layer and the plasma layer is shown at
237. The piston 210 is still at the as-charged position and the
spring 209 is fully compressed. The spring has two functions, it
moves the piston to the left as red blood cells are discharged from
the chamber through port 228, and the spring creates a significant
minimum pressure in the revolving liquid: this prevents the core of
the spinning liquid from reaching the vapor pressure of the liquids
and may suppress cell damage in some circumstances.
[0065] Once the red blood cells and the plasma have separated, with
the device still rotating, the knob and sleeve are placed in the
first position and red blood cells are discharged from port 228
into the casing (casing not shown, but see FIGS. 17 and 18)
surrounding the device. FIG. 5 shows the situation at the mid-point
of the RBC 231 discharge when the piston 210 is in mid position.
Once the majority of red blood cells have been discharged the valve
is placed in the third position and plasma 230 is eliminated from
port 227. FIG. 6 shows the situation at the end of the enrichment
process: the plasma port 227 is still open and the piston is close
to the far left position: platelets that have a specific gravity
between that of plasma and RBCs are trapped at the RBC-plasma
boundary layer 237; the plasma port is about to be closed and the
motor stopped.
[0066] Typical volumes for the chamber are 20-100 mL, and the
amount of enriched plasma removed at the termination of the
procedure is approximately a quarter to an eighth of the original
volume depending on the degree of enrichment desired.
[0067] In order to retain all the platelets and other factors
gathering at the RBC-plasma boundary, it is essential to close port
228 before all the RBCs have been removed, otherwise there is the
danger of these constituents flowing out with the last RBCs. To
ensure that this does not occur, the blood sample hematocrit value
is used to judge the residual volume of the chamber when the RBC
port must be closed. This volume is observable as a piston axial
position, and the valve is moved from position one to position
three as the piston reaches this predetermined position.
[0068] The device described in FIGS. 2 through 6 uses a piston and
seal traveling in a tapered tube, but a right circular cylinder may
well function adequately for mixtures of liquids other than blood
and where the residual volume of the first liquid discharged is not
too critical. The tapered tube has the advantages mentioned in the
discussion of FIG. 1. The position of the piston can be judged
visually by the operator relative to graduations on the barrel (not
shown), or an optical detector and automatic valve operation system
can be used (not shown).
[0069] Since the residual enriched plasma is injected back into the
patient the materials used for this device have to be medical grade
materials, at least for those constituents contacting the blood.
Polycarbonate or PTE are suitable for the barrel 206, end cap 215,
sleeve 213, frame 208, knob 223 and collar 225. Insert 219 is of a
suitable grade of passivated stainless steel such as 416 or 420.
The ball bearings have to do duty at high speed but operate for
very short times so stainless steel bearings of grade ABMA 1-3 are
adequate. O-rings 218 and seal 211 are of silicone rubber. Since
the motor does not contact blood, industrial motors (for example
those made by Mabucci) are adequate.
[0070] FIG. 7 shows an embodiment with a flexible bladder 312 that
initially conforms to the bore of the barrel 306, the bladder
providing a variable volume chamber through its ability to invert
as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. This embodiment may serve to reduce
the effect of entrapped air bubbles.
[0071] In FIG. 7 a liquid tight variable volume centrifuge chamber
(the BSC) is formed from a tapered barrel 306 containing a molded
bladder 312, and end cap 315. The bladder is captured in a return
fold 339 between a barrel projection 338 and the end cap 315.
Larger end of barrel 306 is closed by end cap 315. In the case
where this device is used to enrich plasma from whole blood, end
cap 315 has passages 316 and 317 bored within to permit the passage
of red blood cells from passage 317 and plasma from passage 316.
Passages 317 and 316 connect with valves formed by O-rings 318
compressed in recesses 326 operating in concert with ports 328 and
327 respectively in sleeve 313. Sleeve 313 fits slidably on end cap
315 to permit the ports 328 and 327 to connect with the passages
316 and 317 at appropriate points in the operation. The knob 323
and sleeve 313 can be placed in 3 positions: first position, port
328 open and port 327 closed: second position, both ports 327 and
328 closed: third position, port 328 closed and port 327 open.
Sleeve 313 is keyed to end cap 315 to permit the transmission of
rotary motion between these constituents (key not shown). Insert
319 is fastened to end cap 315 to provide an axle for the ball
bearing 320 supporting the left hand end of the rotating assembly.
Since the sleeve 313 is rotating with the chamber a ball bearing
321 is provide to connect the sleeve to a non-revolving knob 323
via collar 325 and rods 322. Barrel 306 is fastened to the shaft
305 of electric motor 301 using screw 307. No additional bearings
are provided at the motor end, the motor bearings sufficing to
support the barrel. The complete assembly is supported by a frame
308, the insert bearing 320 and the motor 301 being located on this
frame. The revolving components all rotate about axis XX. In this
illustration the sleeve is in the first position to keep the port
328 open for porting of air as the chamber is charged with blood,
and the plasma port 327 is closed. Whole blood 329 fully charges
the chamber. An elastomeric seal 314 permits the introduction of a
needle 334 for the passage of whole blood into the chamber before
the start of rotation, and removal of enriched plasma at the
cessation of action.
[0072] FIG. 8 is a transverse cross section of the device shown in
FIG. 7 at section AA. Whole blood 329 fills the BSC and bladder 312
which is fully in contact with barrel 306. Frame 308 runs under the
rotating assembly.
[0073] FIG. 9 shows the device of FIG. 7 in operation rotating at
speed. The sleeve 313 is in position two with both ports 327 and
328 closed. The boundary between RBCs 331 and plasma 330 is shown
at 337. The bladder is still against the barrel now under the
influence of the pressure developed by the spinning liquid
mixture.
[0074] FIG. 10 depicts the situation after spinning for 60 seconds
or so. The sleeve 313 is placed in position one, port 328 is open
and RBCs 331 are being discharged through port 328. Plasma port 327
is closed. The bladder has moved to the left to compensate for the
volume of RBCs that have been discharged. The shape adopted by the
bladder is a balance between the forces developed by liquid
pressure pushing the bladder to the right and atmospheric pressure
(via vent 332) pushing the bladder to the left. Since the pressure
at the center of the spinning liquid is near absolute zero the
atmospheric pressure exceeds the left hand pressure that has been
developed up to a certain radius, hence the re-entrant shape of the
bladder. The volume of plasma 330 has remained the same as when
introduced. The boundary between RBCs and plasma is shown at 337.
In this view the RBC discharge is about to be stopped since the
residual RBC volume 331 is low enough.
[0075] FIG. 11 illustrates the final position for the bladder 312
while the rotation continues but just prior to stopping. Sleeve 313
is in position three, RBC port 328 is closed and plasma port 327 is
still open. Plasma has been discharged through port 327 and is
about to be cut off by the bladder rolling onto end cap 315 and
cutting off the passage 316. This illustrates the minimum volume of
enriched plasma 330. At this point the sleeve 313 is moved to
position two with both ports closed and the rotation is then
stopped; the residual liquid is removed using a syringe in a
similar manner to the charging described in FIG. 7.
[0076] Materials for the device of FIGS. 7 through 11 are similar
to those for the device of FIGS. 2 through 6: the bladder by
example can be made of silicone rubber, polyurethane or
polyvinylchloride.
[0077] For the previous device 200 the piston position provided the
signal for closure of the RBC port 328. In the case of the bladder
the inverted bladder rolls along the tapered barrel bore, the axial
position of the reverse edge providing (labeled 312 in FIG. 11) the
volume and the signal for port closure. The cut-off of the plasma
discharge is automatic as the bladder rolls over the port passage
316.
[0078] The device described in FIGS. 12 through 16 utilizes an air
core and uses no bladder or piston.
[0079] The device of FIG. 12 is very similar in construction to the
two previous embodiments, with a BSC formed from a barrel 406 and
end cap 415. The inner surface of the end cap 415 forms the larger
diameter end wall of the chamber, with the inner surface of the
barrel 406 forming the chamber's tapering side wall. In this
illustration whole blood 429 from syringe 433 fills the centrifuge
chamber through needle 434 with both ports 428 and 427 closed. Air
displaced by the blood leaks out through the clearance between the
needle 434 and insert 419 bore as the blood is injected. FIG. 13
shows the circular section nature of FIG. 12. Once the charging
syringe is removed, the motor is started and the chamber is rotated
at 10,000 to 20,000 rpm for approximately one minute. At this point
the sleeve 413 is moved to the second position, and RBCs are
discharged through port 428 until the point shown in FIG. 14 where
the minimum RBCs 431 remain. Meanwhile, the plasma adopts the
region or layer 430, and a boundary 440 forms at the plasma-air
radial interface, the air core 438 having entered through the bore
of insert 419 (via a filter in the housing not shown, but see FIGS.
17 and 18). At this juncture the sleeve is moved to the third
position, port 428 closed and port 427 opened. With this preferred
device there is no bladder or piston to observe, so the operator
observes the axial interface 436 between the RBCs 431 and the
plasma 430 of the mixture through the transparent barrel to
determine when to manually close the RBC port 428 and open the
plasma port 427. With blood, this mixture interface is easy to see
and can be automated with an optical detector. The difference in
electrical resistivity between red blood cells and plasma can also
be used to trigger an indicator or automated valve. An alternative
way of determining the point at which to shut the RBC port is to
use time. After one minute of running to separate the constituents
of the blood, the RBC port is opened and a timer started. Since the
pressure generated in the centrifuge is a predictable function of
liquid specific gravity and running speed, and since the RBC port
is a precisely calibrated orifice, the flow rate being discharged,
and hence time can be computed for a given hematocrit value.
[0080] With the motor still running, the plasma discharges through
port 427 until it reaches the situation in FIG. 15 where the
residual RBCs are at layer 431 and the residual plasma at layer
430. The sleeve is then moved to the second position to close both
ports. In the case of plasma the passage 416 is placed at a precise
radial location to give an accurate final volume since no further
flow of plasma will occur once the air core 438 has grown to that
passage radial location. The motor is then stopped and the device
placed on end, with the motor downward, so that the rotation axis
is vertical as shown in FIG. 16. The remaining enriched plasma with
some RBCs is removed by syringe and needle as illustrated.
[0081] An enclosure suitable for various embodiments discussed in
this application is described in FIGS. 17 and 18; however these two
figures show the enclosure applied specifically to the air core
embodiment of FIGS. 12 through 16. The frame 508 is mounted to a
battery power pack 503 that acts as the base for the enclosure. An
outer casing 500 surrounds the centrifuge and is fastened to the
battery pack 503, the joint being liquid and air-tight. A valve
selector knob 545, integral with eccentric 546 and pin 547, is
mounted in the casing such that the selector knob 545 can be turned
by the operator to actuate the internal knob 523 via the pin 547 in
groove 548 and hence the collar 525 and valve sleeve 513. In FIG.
17 the motor 501 driving the chamber BSC is controlled manually by
switch 504 connected to battery pack 503 by wires 550. A bush 543
mounted at the left hand end of the enclosure 500 provides
alignment for the entry of the syringe (433 of FIG. 12) needle when
charging the chamber with whole blood or when extracting the
enriched plasma Immediately adjacent to bush 543 is a porous
flexible pierceable filter 544. This filter has two functions: It
filters the air entering the core of the centrifuge when it is
running, and it prevents the egress of any aerosols into the
atmosphere of blood fragments generated as the centrifuge
discharges RBCs or plasma into the casing. A small slit in the
filter allows the charging syringe needle to enter without damaging
the effectiveness of the filter. Covering most of the interior
walls of the casing 500 is a highly absorbent lining 542 to absorb
the RBCS and plasma discharged into the casing as the air core 538
enlarges and the enrichment process proceeds. A lens and mask 549
placed in the wall of the casing 500 permits the operator to view
the axial interface 536 of the RBCs and plasma as the process of
enrichment proceeds. The mask and lens are chosen to enhance the
contrast of the image seen of the liquid separation interface
536.
[0082] A photo detector (not shown) can be placed in the location
of the lens to provide an electrical signal of the progress of the
liquid separation interfaces, and an electromagnet actuator can
drive the valve selector knob 545. These electrical elements in
conjunction with a manual switch can be used to control the entire
process once the motor has started.
[0083] From tests to date it would seem feasible in some
applications to use a simple timer program to schedule the sleeve
motions. For example, the following sequence can operate off a
timer once the chamber is charged with blood, a) start motor, run
for 60 seconds b) open RBC port and discharge RBCs for 30 seconds,
c) close RBC port and open plasma port and run for 30 seconds, d)
close both ports, and stop motor. Such a device might require the
addition of a means of manually inserting the patient's hematocrit
number to allow for varying proportions of RBCs to plasma.
[0084] Table 1 gives typical data obtained for the air core device
of FIGS. 12 through 16 using porcine blood. The data was obtained
with runs of one minute for the initial separation and
approximately one more minute to discharge the RBCs and plasma.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Platelet Count Platelet % Red Blood
(.times.10.sup.3/ Concentration % Platelet Cells Sample microliter)
Factor Recovery Removed Baseline 229 NA NA NA Run 1 1656 7.2 100 93
Run 2 1457 6.4 88 92 Run 3 1446 6.3 87 93 Run 4 1685 7.3 100 94
[0085] For all three embodiments discussed, piston, bladder and air
core, the size and position of the ports and passages are very
important. As the centrifuge rotates, the pressure developed within
the chamber varies as the square of the speed and the square of the
radius of rotation. To gain manual control over the discharge of
constituents the discharge needs to take place over a manageable
time. The RBC port for example needs to be sized to allow passage
of the RBCs over a period of about 30 seconds. Conditions must be
selected to allow the RBC port to function without blockage as the
RBCs try to clump, and flow has to be kept low enough to stop the
platelets from being swirled into the exit vortex. For centrifuges
using whole blood samples of approximately 30 mL, it has been found
that RBC ports of the order 0.008 inch diameter work well if speeds
are in the region 15,000 to 20,000 rpm and chamber barrels are
about 1.0 to 1.25 inch in diameter at the largest point. Plasma
ports can be larger since the risk of losing the platelets is less:
values of about 0.010 inch diameter are adequate. Placement of the
plasma ports relative to the center axis of rotation has a direct
effect on the attainable concentration factor. The closer to the
center, the less plasma is removed and less concentration is
achievable. Additionally, in various embodiments of the invention
discussed it will be noticed that a small annulus 241, 341, 441,
541 is created at the large diameter end of the chamber. This
annulus creates a localized area of increased radial depth, but of
small volume, for the RBCs prior to their entry into the RBC
passages 217, 317, 417. This increase in depth reduces the tendency
for the platelets and other desired factors from exiting with the
RBCs being discharged through the RBC port 228, 328, 428 under
influence of the exit vortex created locally close to the same
ports (not shown).
[0086] In all the embodiments discussed the accuracy of the RBC
port closure point can be improved by employing a separation aid,
such as a flowable separator gel of an intermediate specific
gravity between the red blood cells and the platelets. The
separator gel spreads over the red blood cell layer moving the
other layers further towards the center axis. The separator gel
automatically caps the first port when all of the red blood cells
have exited. The separator gel viscosity is designed so that it
will not pass through the small exit port at the centrifuge speed
employed in the BSC. The automatic shut off of the first port can
also be accomplished with a separation aid in the form of a solid
material of intermediate specific gravity that is designed to enter
and close off the port when the red blood cells have fully exited.
An example would be plastic beads such as microspheres with the
desired intermediate specific gravity that are large enough to cap
the port when agglomerated as they flow toward the port.
[0087] For the bladder and air core embodiments the visualization
of the RBC plasma axial boundaries can be improved by incorporating
back lighting, such as in the form of an LED mounted inside the BSV
adjacent to the motor centerline. Additional windings in the motor
could provide the low power needed to power the lamp.
[0088] With adjustments to size and locations of the port and
passage dimensions, the subject invention also has the capability
for separating and concentrating a wide variety of therapeutically
beneficial cells and other biological constituents. Many of these
biological constituents have the potential for regenerative therapy
and can be characterized as regenerative agents. These regenerative
agents can assist with the regeneration, restoration, or repair of
a structure or assist with the function of an organ, tissue or
physiologic unit or system to provide a therapeutic benefit to a
living being. Examples of regenerative agents include for example:
stem cells, fat cells, progenitor cells, bone marrow, synovial
fluid, blood, endothelial cells, macrophages, fibroblasts,
pericytes, smooth muscle cells, uni-potent and multi-potent
progenitor and precursor cells, lymphocytes, etc. The invention
also has the potential to process soft or liquid tissues or tissue
components or tissue mixtures including but not limited to adipose
tissue, skin, muscle, etc. to provide a therapeutic regenerative
agent. The resulting separated or concentrated products from the
various embodiments described herein may be used as is known in the
art. Medical treatment procedures may call for the concentrated
product to be applied directly to a treatment site, or incorporated
into a treatment device (e.g., administered to an absorbent implant
material prior to, concurrent with, or post-implantation), or even
combined with another material as a method of treatment, for
example, by combining with a particulate material to form a paste
(e.g., combined with a extracellular matrix that has been
formulated as a powder).
[0089] The blood centrifuge container may also incorporate an
adjustable port, e.g. a tube with an open end extending radially
into the BSC and hinged at the outer periphery in such a manner
that the tube can be swung in an arc for the open end to scan a
range of radii (not shown). The location of the open end of the
tube can be adjusted before or during operation such that it is
located at a desired position with respect to the axis of rotation.
For example, the entrance port could be located towards the
periphery of the centrifuge container to initially vent undesired
cells, and later adjusted towards the center of the container to
vent platelet poor plasma. Alternatively, if the plasma fraction is
what is desired to be removed, the port can be positioned so that
essentially only plasma is tapped from the stratified mixture.
[0090] The apparatus may also be configured to shut off, or at
least to cease rotating, once a predetermined quantity of one or
more constituents such as plasma has been tapped. Specifically, a
port may be positioned such that, upon stratification, the plasma
constituent is adjacent the port. When the valve for that port is
opened, plasma is dispatched out through the port. The port may
also be configured with a sensor that senses the presence or
absence of plasma. As such, the apparatus can be configured such
that the barrel continues to rotate as long as plasma is sensed at
or in the port, but when plasma is no longer sensed, the sensor
provides a signal to the motor to stop (thereby stopping the
rotation of the barrel) or signaling the opening of a tap. As
plasma continues to be removed from the barrel through the port,
eventually the supply of plasma at the radius of the port is
exhausted, thereby causing a signal to be sent from said sensor,
and the barrel stops rotating. Of course, each of these signals may
arise from the sensing of any stratified layer, not just
plasma.
[0091] It may be desirable to collect one or more of the discarded
fractions of the liquid specimen in addition to the concentrated
fraction. This can be accomplished by one of several methods. A
collection bag or chamber can be connected to an exit port on the
sleeve. This bag or chamber will rotate with the barrel so
provisions must be taken to balance it around the axis of rotation.
Another method would be to have a circumferential funnel opposite
the desired exit port that would collect the fraction being
discharged and guide the fluid to a collection point by gravity
flow. This is further illustrated later in reference to FIG.
25.
[0092] Further embodiments are shown in FIGS. 19 through 26. These
figures describe a device using the air core principle covered in
FIGS. 12 through 17 but incorporating improvements designed to
maximize the enrichment obtainable when preparing PRP. FIG. 19
shows the two major components of a centrifuge designed to be used
in two components, a reusable drive unit 601 and a disposable
portion 600. The separation of the centrifuge into two components
allows the disposable component to be more cost effective.
[0093] FIG. 20a is a schematic representing a half mirror section
of a revolving chamber defined by the boundary letters `defg`.
Significant dimensions are noted by length references L1 through
L8, and the radii identified as D1 through D8. As can be seen in
FIG. 20a, D1 corresponds to the length of the radius measured from
the rotational axis XX to the outer end of the channel 640, as
shown in this embodiment having an optional plenum at the end of
the channel, where exiting RBCs 641 enter into the RBC passage 639.
Similarly, D2 and D3 identify the inner diameters for the right and
left sides, respectively, of the plenum at the end of the channel
640 farthest from axis XX. D4 and D7 mark the outer and inner
diameters, respectively, of the flat located on the right hand end
of wedge 609. D5 identifies the diameter at the interface between
the red blood cells 641 and the buffy coat 642. D6 identifies the
diameter at the interface between the buffy coat 642 and the plasma
643. D8 identifies the inner diameter of plasma passage 610, and
corresponds to the interface of the plasma 643 interface with the
air core 646. The length measurements L1 through L8 are based upon
a distance measured from the reference line corresponding to the
right side of the plasma passage 610. L1 and L2 are measured to the
left and right hand sides, respectively, of the plenum at the end
of the channel 640. L3 identifies the length to the flat on the
right hand side of a wedge 609 (to be described later), measured
from the reference line. L4 and L5 identify the location of left
and right markers 644. L6 corresponds to the length to the edge of
the rotation chamber measured at the diameter corresponding to the
buffy coat/plasma interface D6. L7 corresponds to the length to the
edge of the rotation chamber measured at the diameter corresponding
to the inner diameter of the flat located on the right hand edge of
wedge 609. L8 corresponds to the length to the edge of the rotation
chamber measured at the diameter corresponding to the inner
diameter of the entry into the plasma passage 610.
[0094] The rotational axis XX passes through boundary dg'. The
major cross hatched area represents the tapered chamber with the
outer wall having a half angle `a`. Inserted into the conical
recess of the chamber is the wedge 609 having an external
frusto-conical portion of half angle `b` that defines RBC channel
640 and an internal reverse frusto-conical recess defining half
angle `c` that defines the boundary of the plasma 643. It should be
noted that half angle `b` need not necessarily be the same as half
angle `a`, in other words the channel 640 may be tapered, not
parallel.
[0095] As fluid exits the RBC outlet port, the fluid exiting
through the RBC passage 639 experiences high shear forces, and the
RBC channel 640 serves to ensure that the RBC passage 639 entry
port is at the end of the channel 640 and at a distance removed
from the RBC-BC interface, with the channel dimensioned to allow
for significantly slower local flow speeds at the RBC's entrance
into the channel 640, relative to the high exit speed the RBC
experiences as it exits through the RBC passage 639.
[0096] For example, in one embodiment, RBCs collect at the outer
edge of the spinning chamber and discharge through one or more RBC
passages 639 fed from a circumferential groove or plenum, which, in
turn, is fed from a thin circumferential channel 640, or
alternatively, circumferential sections forming multiple channels
640, starting adjacent to the buffy-coat collection areas. The
circumferential channel 640 has a circumference many times larger
than the radial depth of the channel. For a device providing a 60M1
centrifuge, and having a channel with a 4.5 inch circumference by
0.020 radial depth the orifice diameter for RBC passage 639 would
be of the order 0.010 inch. This combination spinning at
approximately 17000 RPM would result in velocities of 2000-3000
cm/sec from the orifice at RBC passage 639, and only 1.5 cm/sec
along the channel 640. Thus the channel 640 slows the flow adjacent
the separation layer by a factor of over 1000 to 1. In another
embodiment (not shown) not having a plenum, the RBC passages may be
fed directly from the thin circumferential channel, starting
adjacent to the buffy-coat collection area. Similar performance, in
achieving a reduction of flow rate at the separation layer, when
compared to the orifice exit, would be expected as that described
with reference to the embodiment having a plenum.
[0097] It has been observed that there may be a benefit in
evacuating the RBCs under a reduced rotational speed of the
spinning chamber. This reduction of rotational speed must be
accomplished in a manner that does not disrupt the stratification
of the separated constituents, further; the reduced rotational
speed must not be reduced to the point of allowing significant
degradation of the established stratification of the constituents.
For example, upon achieving satisfactory stratification through the
operation of the device at a first speed suitable for separation, a
gradual ramping down of the rotation speed will maintain the
stratification, and once arriving at a second rotational speed, the
RBC cells may then be ejected through the RBC passage 639, at a
correspondingly reduced velocity as a consequence of the lower
forces created through the reduced rotational speed of the spinning
chamber. For the example previously described, having a rotational
speed of approximately 17000 RPM for separation, the gradual
reduction may occur in a controlled fashion over a determined
period of time, until settling at a targeted lower rate of
rotation, in this new example rotating at approximately 13000 RPM,
in order to allow evacuation of the RBCs while still preserving the
integrity of the RBC/BC interface. It is also recognized that minor
adjustments to the timing of these steps may, for practical
purposes, may achieve similar results, such as opening of the RBC
valving while the speed is still ramping down, but close to the
targeted evacuation rate.
[0098] Modifications to the dimensions, or rotational speeds may be
employed to ensure that a reduction in localized flow rates, when
measured at the RBC passage 639 and compared to the RBC entry into
the channel 640, may be made to achieve different reduction rates,
such as reduced beyond approximately 500:1, or 100:1, instead of
the 1000:1 described above. As can be seen in the embodiment of
FIG. 20a, the channel 640 is arranged on a radially shallow angle
a, and is shown having a plenum at the terminus of the channel,
from which the RBC passage 639 provides for the discharge of the
RBC. In another embodiment (not shown), the device may not provide
a plenum at the terminus of the channel, but rather the channel
terminus may include the outlet for the RBC passage, or the channel
may reduce in dimension (taper) and funnel directly into the outlet
for the RBC passage. As described above, the devices of this
invention aim to reduce the effect of the exiting RBCs upon the
buffy coat components, as may be accomplished by providing for
spatial separation between the RBC outlet and the RBC/buffy coat
interface. It is this spatial separation, with or without a plenum
in the channel, that reduces the tendency for the platelets and
other desired factors from exiting with the RBCs being discharged
through the RBC passage 639 under influence of the exit vortex
created locally close to the port. By operating the device in a
manner that prevents plasma or buffy coat components from entering
the channel 640, the high shear forces will be limited in effect
only to the RBC component, and will be unable to disrupt the
interface between the RBC and the BC. Typically, when comparing the
concentrated blood product with the starting material, about 93% of
the RBC's are removed using the chamber as described above, and as
depicted in FIG. 20 a. It may be desirable in some instances to
remove an even greater proportion of the RBC's. Values of
approximately 98% removal have been achieved by further managing
the turbulent flow towards and directly above RBC passage 639. The
management of the turbulent flow above and adjacent to the RBC
passage may be achieved in some embodiments by, at least partially
restricting or even completely closing off the flow into the
circumferential channel (in a direction of flow that is generally
from the flat of the wedge, towards the plenum, if any), without
preventing the flow of fluid through the channel (in a direction
that is largely perpendicular to, and circumferential around, the
axis of rotation) towards the RBC passage. This restriction may be
created over some portion of the circle that is the circumferential
channel. For example, in an embodiment, the width of channel 640,
at least the portion closest to the RBC passage, can be at least
partially reduced, for example, in one embodiment, from at least 1%
to 100%, in another embodiment from at least 10% to 100%, or in yet
another embodiment, from at least 20% to 100%, and in still another
embodiment, from 50% to 100% reduction, over a portion of the
circumferential channel, for example, in an embodiment from about
10 degrees to about 350 degrees, or, in another embodiment from
about 15 degrees to about 270 degrees, or, in still another
embodiment, from about 20 to 180 degrees of the circumference, with
the angular center optionally being substantially aligned with the
location of the RBC passage 639. FIG. 33 depicts a restrictive
feature 800 that restricts the flow of fluid into the channel 640,
and as shown in FIG. 33a, is in the portion of the channel
encompassed by angle d (here depicted as 90 degrees) of the
circumference. The restrictive feature may be integrated as part of
the rotating chamber, such as by machining or molding of the
rotation chamber, or alternatively may be manufactured as a
separate component and later affixed in some manner known to those
skilled in the art, to either the wedge 609 surface (as shown in
FIG. 33), or alternatively, to the interior surface of the rotating
chamber (not shown). The restriction may be of uniform dimensions,
as shown in FIG. 33a, or alternatively, in an embodiment (not
shown) there may be provided a variable reduction in the channel
640, where the greatest restriction of the entrance into the
channel is at the portion of the channel that is aligned with the
RBC passage, and the restriction percentage is reduced in a gradual
or steep taper, or even a stepped manner, as the distance of the
channel increases from the RBC passage. For this embodiment, the
goal is to provide the appropriate percentage restriction tailored
to counteract the variability of the flow rate into the channel
arising from the variable proximity to the RBC passage; thus in the
regions of the channel closest to the RBC passage, the percentage
of restriction to the channel will be maximized, while away from
the RBC passage, the percentage of the restriction of the channel
will be appropriately reduced, thus by ensuring uniform flow rates
into the channel, the disturbance to the interface between the
separated layers (e.g., RBC/BC interface) is minimized. In these,
and any other embodiment of the centrifuge devices described
herein, it is recognized that by using materials in the
construction of this part of the chamber that are similar in
density to blood, a condition of imbalance for the rotating chamber
is avoided, or alternatively the rotating chamber may be balanced
using counter weights, properly placed, as known to those skilled
in the art.
[0099] Similarly, by placing the plasma passage 610 at a location
removed from the buffy coat component (and optionally located
within a plenum as depicted in FIG. 27a), and with the buffy
coat-plasma interface not extending inward beyond D7, the buffy
coat can be contained within the chamber, as with the shallow angle
c, the high shear forces at the plasma passage 610 will not cause
the disruption of the BC-plasma interface. Thus there is a
reduction in the tendency for the platelets and other desired
factors from exiting with the plasma discharged through the plasma
passage 610 under influence of the exit vortex created locally
close to the port. Though depicted in FIG. 20a as located at the
base of the wedge 609, the plasma passage may be located elsewhere,
so long as the opening is at a suitable radius that is smaller than
the radius of the buffy coat-plasma interface, such as at a
location corresponding to L8 in FIG. 20a. Through these features,
the embodiments described aid in preserving substantially all of
the buffy coat component within the chamber and enhancing
concentration or enrichment efficiency of the finished product.
[0100] Furthermore, with reference to FIG. 27a, there is depicted
an embodiment identical to that shown in FIG. 20a, except that
there is included a plasma plenum 655 in the form of
circumferential groove (or portions of a circumferential groove)
housing the orifice(s) that lead into the plasma passage 610. In
this embodiment, the exiting plasma will flow along the tapered
channel defined by the boundaries of the wedge 609, and the air
core interface with the plasma. While the chamber is being rotated,
and the plasma valve open, the plasma will flow towards the plasma
passages (depicted here located at the base of the wedge 609), and
spill over the wedge base and into a plasma plenum 655. Once within
the plasma plenum, the plasma will flow along the length of the
plenum (i.e. circumferentially) until it encounters and exits
through the orifice(s) leading to the plasma passage 610. While the
plasma is traveling within the plenum 655, it will not exert shear
forces upon the plasma/buffy coat interface, which is at a distance
removed, and physically shielded by the presence of the wedge
609.
[0101] Comparing the FIGS. 20b and 27b will allow visualization of
the direction of fluid flow as the plasma approaches the plasma
outlet, whether as a continuous slope (the geometry shown in FIG.
20b), or with a plenum 655 (the geometry shown in FIG. 27b). These
figures represent a projection view, looking down towards the
opening to the plasma passage 610, as if one is looking from the
axis of rotation towards the outside diameter of the chamber.
[0102] With reference to FIG. 20b, the plasma is depicted as
traveling from right to left, and as the fluid approaches the left
edge of the chamber, the fluid will be drawn towards the outlets
for plasma passage 610. In this embodiment not having a plasma
plenum, the shear forces will be proportionally reduced with
increasing distance from the opening, thus as the plasma travels
along the inside face of the wedge (along angle c), the shear
forces will not necessarily be uniform throughout the entire
diameter of the region, but will be higher when alongside the
locations of the openings to the plasma passage 610. While the
geometry of FIG. 20a has been empirically determined to be
effective in minimizing shear forces affecting the buffy
coat/plasma interface, it may be possible to even further reduce
the shear forces experienced at the flat of the wedge during the
operation of the device.
[0103] With reference to FIG. 27b, the plasma is depicted as
traveling from right to left, and enters into the plasma plenum
655, prior to flowing along the plenum towards the openings 610. As
can be seen by the uniform arrows (right side) depicting fluid flow
towards the plenum 655, the presence of the plenum is expected to
reduce variations in shear force, when measured circumferentially
within the plasma channel (the plasma flowing between the wedge
face at angle c and the air core), as the plasma will approach the
base of the wedge 609, and flow into the plasma plenum 655, and
thus create an effect similar to water flowing over the breast of a
dam. That is, prior to cresting the obstruction, whether upstream
of the dam, or prior to entering the plenum, the fluids flow slowly
and smoothly, then once past the obstruction, whether downstream of
the dam or within the plenum, the fluid flow rates will be
relatively much higher and less uniform. As can be seen by the
arrows depicting the fluid flow pattern, the flow of plasma towards
the plasma plenum is expected to be uniformly distributed over the
entire diameter, then once the plasma has crested the wedge, and is
within the plenum 655, then there will be large variations in fluid
movement as the plasma flows out the one or more openings to the
plasma passage 610. Since the variable direction shear forces are
largely contained within the plenum, and not affecting plasma
flowing along the wedge face, this embodiment would be expected to
allow for enhanced enrichment factors of the buffy coat components.
The geometry of this embodiment allows for retained plasma,
measured as the depth between D8 and D6, to be minimized, due to
the reduced variability of plasma flow rates, when measured
circumferentially along the plasma channel, which would otherwise
tend to disrupt the buffy coat/plasma interface.
[0104] Furthermore, with reference to FIG. 20a, it should be
pointed out that the volume of plasma remaining after all the
discharged plasma has left the chamber is defined by the boundary
diameters D8 and D6. This volume can be tuned to get the value of
enrichment desired by adjusting these same mentioned
dimensions.
[0105] It should also be made clear that to obtain high degrees of
enrichment, the depth of plasma beneath the buffy-coat (as seen in
FIG. 20a) must decrease (diameter dimension (D6-D8)/2 decreases) so
the risk of platelet loss increases because the out-flowing plasma
shears the buffy/plasma interface more closely. However, the
pressure driving the plasma outflow gradually drops to zero as the
plasma diameter approaches D8 since pressure driving the plasma
flow is proportional to the square of the speed of rotation,
multiplied by the difference of the squares of the radius of the
opening of the plasma passage located at D8 and the radius of the
plasma/air interface within the chamber.
[0106] By taking advantage of this steadily reducing flow effect as
the plasma approaches D8, the plasma depth (D8-D6) can be
minimized, with little loss of buffy coat due to shear, and the
residual plasma volume minimized and the enrichment maximized.
[0107] To summarize, RBC/buffy-coat shear is minimized using the
outer diameter channel to control RBC/buffy-coat shear, and
plasma/buffy coat shear is controlled by geometry and the reducing
plasma to air core driving pressure.
[0108] Thus, while the chamber is rotating, and prior to the
discharge of any of the plasma, there is a larger pressure head
driving the plasma out through the plasma outlet and into plasma
passage 610, subsequently, as the volume of plasma in the chamber
decreases, the pressure head above the plasma outlet is reduced in
a proportionate amount, until the plasma level reaches the level of
the plasma outlet at D8, and all plasma flow out through the plasma
passage 610 terminates. As the flow rate through the plasma passage
610 is reduced as the plasma volume is reduced, this provides the
added benefit that the tendency for shear forces to affect the
buffy coat is minimized, as at the point the plasma flowing out and
the buffy coat are at nearest proximity to each other (i.e., the
distance between D6 and D8 is at its minimum), the plasma
evacuation flow rate will be at its lowest rate.
[0109] In operation blood fills the chamber and after a period of
time at speed separates in to red blood cells (RBC), buffy coat and
plasma. After separation, RBC passage 639 is opened and RBCs
discharge from RBC passage 639, the interface of the RBC's being
evident at L5 at the transparent conical surface. Visible markers
are placed on the chamber at L5 and L4 to guide an operator in the
closing of RBC passage 639: when the RBC interface reaches
somewhere between L5 and L4 the discharge of RBC's out of RBC
passage 639 is stopped by manipulation of valves to be described
later. At this point, residual RBCs occupy a predefined volume
defined by the conical channel 640 and the circumferential recess
at the left hand end of the RBC channel 639. When collecting buffy
coat (BC) 642, defined on the illustration by the honeycomb hatch,
it is important to prevent the BC from migrating into the RBC
channel 640, since the BC cannot be recovered at the end of the
procedure if they migrate there. To ensure that this does not
happen, the rate at which the RBC interface appears to move along
the conical surface of the chamber is controlled to a velocity that
is sufficiently low for an operator to stop the process (by closing
RBC passage 639) as the interface travels between makers placed at
L5 and L4. This velocity is a function of speed of rotation,
diameter of the chamber, size of the RBC discharge port connected
to passage 639, and the half angle `a` of the chamber. These
variables are adjusted to give an interface velocity at L5 or L4
that is manageable by a human operator but that does not impede the
rapid separation required (whole process of separation, discharge
of unwanted RBCs and plasma in less than 2 minutes). In testing
various parameters, it has been experimentally determined that an
interface velocity of approximately 4 mm/sec allows accurate
intervention by the operator, though it is recognized that higher
and lower velocities may be desirable, on the range of less than 10
mm/sec. (In the case where the RBC to Buffy coat interface is
detected by optical sensors or the like the approach velocity of
the interface can exceed the 10 mm/sec. rate). When RBC port 638 is
initially opened, there is a potential for temporary turbulence due
to the sudden pressure drop that may cause some disruption of the
clarity of the interface between the RBC and BC, at D6. The effect
of this turbulence can be minimized by an automatic ramp down in
the centrifuge speed that is controlled by the software in the base
unit 601. Changes in centrifugation speed can be programmed in the
software to automatically initiate by timers in the software or
signals generated by movement of the valve mechanisms. When the RBC
discharge is stopped, the BC is captured at the end of the flat or
separation surface on the right hand end of the wedge 609, defined
by diameters D4 and D7. Though the separation surface is depicted
in FIG. 20a as being at 90 degrees to the axis of rotation, it is
envisioned that the separation surface may be at another angle
relative to the axis of rotation. The separation surface forms the
"top" surface of the wedge 609 when the centrifuge is in its normal
upright orientation. If the RBCs are stopped at L5, the BC outer
diameter is D5, if the RBCs are stopped at L4 the BC outer diameter
is at D4. The buffy coat (BC) volume is around 0.5% of the blood
volume initially introduced, so the flat on the end of the wedge
(D4, D7) can be defined to ensure that in the worst case (RBC
stopped at L5) the BC stays on the separation surface and does not
extend into the inner half angle cone `c`. Once the RBC passage 639
is closed, the plasma passage 610 is opened and plasma flows to
discharge. The illustration shows the situation when all the plasma
has flowed out of plasma passage 610 and flow has stopped because
the air core 646 has expanded to the diameter of the passage inlet
at D8. Prevention of BC getting into the inner cone is important
since the axial velocity of the plasma surface accelerates as it
approaches the exit passage 610 and fast shear velocity at the
BC/Plasma interface results in loss of platelets into the plasma.
With radial separation of BC to air core (D6-D8)/2 of the order 1
mm-2 mm, the loss of platelets into plasma is acceptable and
enrichment factors (EF) of 8:1 or more can be consistently
obtained. Enrichment factors are defined by the following equation:
(EF=(# of platelets captured in the BC sample per unit volume)/(#
of platelets in the original whole blood sample per unit volume)).
Fundamentally, this design has been conceived to minimize the shear
at the RBC/BC and BC/Plasma interfaces and hence reduce loss of BC
to the RBC discharge or the plasma discharge.
[0110] In one embodiment, the orientation of the device in use is
with the axis of rotation XX being vertical, with the port valve
602 at the top of the device. As a consequence of the geometry of
the rotating chamber, when the rotation is halted, any fluid (e.g.,
RBC) that is within the channel 640, will tend to remain contained
in that channel, and substantially all other fluid above the line
corresponding to the flat 608 of the wedge 609 while in operation
(i.e., to the right of L3 in FIG. 20a), will flow by gravity, upon
cessation of rotation, and pool directly underneath the port valve
602, and is available to be harvested, such as by being drawn into
a needle directed through the port valve and into the pool of
concentrated materials. It is recognized that the various
embodiments described herein may be operated at another angle
(e.g., horizontal), and then optionally rotated to vertical for
harvesting, after cessation of rotation. By maintaining the RBCs
sequestered within the channel 640 upon cessation of rotation of
the chamber, the concentration of the buffy coat components can be
maximized, as those materials within the channel (e.g., RBCs) are
not available to further dilute the concentrated buffy coat or
other blood components. In some embodiments, it may be advantageous
to add a surface tension modifying coating (e.g., hydrophilic or
hydrophobic coating) to at least a portion of the rotating chamber,
such as the flat 608 at the end of the wedge 609 to prevent some of
the captured BC from remaining on the flat due to surface tension.
Furthermore, there may be a benefit in providing an angle (e.g., 1
to 45 degrees) to the flat of the wedge, in order to direct the
flow of fluid towards the central collection area, if in a
generally vertical orientation.
[0111] It has been observed that causing the rotation chamber to
decelerate rapidly, or alternatively abruptly, or with an uneven
rate of decrease, will lead to an increase in the amount of
platelets in the collection area, relative to a more gradual
deceleration of the rotation chamber. It is believed the rapid
deceleration, such as may be accomplished by incorporating a
braking system into the device, will create mixing of the
components above the flat of the wedge, and avoids the occurrence
of residual concentrated buffy coat components remaining on the
surface of the flat of the wedge. It is believed that the red blood
cells remaining within the chamber and within the channel, will
remain largely contained within the channel, and not mix with the
buffy coat, even upon rapid deceleration. Alternatively, one may
simply physically dislodge platelets, such as by tapping, shaking,
jarring, or otherwise disturbing any components that, due to
surface tension, had remained away from the collection area, such
that they can now be collected.
[0112] The geometry of the embodiments of the device incorporating
the wedge 609 provides at least 3 benefits aiding in the
efficiency, and operation of the device, as the wedge 609 serves
to: 1) create spatial separation; 2) form the channel; and 3)
increase the apparent depth of liquids. First, the wedge creates
spatial separation between the outlets for the plasma and the RBC,
and therefore can minimize the effects of shear forces at the
outlet from affecting the buffy coat components which remain
distant alongside the flat of the wedge. Second, the wedge
partially forms the channel, as the outermost surface of the wedge,
at angle b, provides part of the inner boundary of the channel 640.
Third, the wedge enhances the ease of operating the device, as it
enhances the apparent depth of the liquids displaced by the
existence of the wedge. That is, the wedge serves to displace the
volume of the fluids that are in the wedge region (between D2 and
D8), and has the effect of increasing the apparent depth of these
liquids, as dimensions between D4 and D5 are increased due to the
displacement, and necessarily the spacing between markers 644, at
L4 and L5, can accordingly be made larger and provide greater
resolution for the operator. With the effect that the operator can
now more accurately determine when to halt the discharge of the RBC
through the RBC passage 639.
[0113] FIG. 21 shows the device of FIG. 19 assembled and in the
running state with the RBC port 638 open, the plasma port 612
closed, and the RBC discharged to the RBC-Plasma receiver 647. No
plasma 643 has yet been discharged to the receiving chamber. The
air core 646 is fully established and the separated fluid
components are established with clear boundaries. The spinning
centrifuge blood-containing chamber is made up from two elements,
the tapered barrel 606 and the end cap 614. This chamber spins in
two bearings 619 and 604, the smaller bearing 604 locating the
narrow end of the chamber, and the larger bearing 619 locating the
larger end of the chamber indirectly via the drive shaft 617 and
the valve cap 616. The smaller bearing 604 is mounted in the
transparent mid cover 607 and the larger bearing in follower 618.
Valve cap 616 rotates with the chamber components driven by a key
or pin (not shown) from the end cap 614, and can translate axially
along the rotation axis propelled axially by the follower 618,
which in turn is moved axially by cam followers 620 and cams 621.
Axial movement of valve cap 616 controls the position of RBC port
638 and plasma port 612, and thus controls the discharge of RBCs
from RBC passage 639 or plasma from plasma passage 610. Cams 621
(typically 3 in number but may be more or less than 3) are integral
with drum 613. Follower 618 can move axially within drum 613 but is
prevented from rotation by male keys 631 on the follower and female
keys on substructure 624. By rotating drum 613 the operator moves
follower 620 axially and thus controls the position of the RBC and
plasma ports 638 and 612. RBC-plasma receiver 647 surrounds the
rotating elements to capture the discharged RBCs and excess plasma
and moves axially with the valve cap 616.
[0114] Clearance between shaft 617 and valve cap 616, and the
clearance between valve cap 616 and end cap 614 affects the fit and
concentricity between end cap 614 and valve cap 616. `O`-rings 648
and 611 act as seals and/or act as suspensions between these two
caps. If the clearances are held very small the `O`-rings act only
as seals, but if the clearance is increased substantially the
`O`-rings do double duty as seals and as suspensions. Such
suspension characteristics can be selected so that the natural
frequency of the valve cap 616 oscillating on the chamber assembly
(shaft 617, end cap 614, and barrel 606) is substantially lower or
substantially higher than the operating speed.
[0115] Centrifuge coupling 633 attached to drive shaft 617 accepts
torsional drive from motor 626 via motor coupling 629. Motor 626 is
mounted on substructure 624 that is fastened firmly to base
enclosure 625. An operator activated latch 622 ensures that
disposable portion 600 is firmly located relative to reusable
portion 601 by engaging in an annulus integral with drum 613.
[0116] Disposable portion 600 arrives as a sterile unit and is used
adjacent to a sterile field in an operatory environment. On
completion of the procedure for preparing and applying PRP or PPP
(which could involve running the device multiple times for multiple
applications for a single patient) disposable portion 600 is
discarded into the bio waste stream. However the reusable portion
601 remains in the operatory and may get moved elsewhere for
storage. To ensure that no whole blood or blood components
contaminate the reusable portion 601, a variety of elements may be
employed to prevent the egress of these fluids. With reference to
FIG. 26, absorbable washers 632 and 636 can capture any spillage
from receiver 647, and gel accelerator 649 can cause the discharged
fluids in receiver 647 to gel into a non-flowing gelatinous mass.
Alternatively sealed bearings (not shown) at 619 and rolling
diaphragms (not shown) between drum 613 and follower 618 can
capture all liquids. Absorbable materials can be made from porous
polyethylene (as sold under the tradename `Porex`), superabsorbent
polymers, polyacrylates, polyelectrolytes, hydrogels, chalk,
cellulose fibers or sponges, or woven textile, or other suitable
materials known in the art. Gel accelerators can be made from
materials as supplied by Multisorb Technologies, Inc. under the
name Drimop.RTM.. Residuals of the PRP collected in the chamber are
contained by port valve 602. Combinations of these solutions to
leakage will also be clear to those skilled in the art.
[0117] FIGS. 28-31 depict a radial indexing valve receiver 700,
which is an alternate embodiment of the previously discussed
RBC-plasma receiver 647. This radial indexing valve receiver
incorporates a radial indexing valve that works in cooperation with
the rotating drum 613 and follower 618 (as shown previously in FIG.
21) in order to prevent the contents from spilling from the
receiver. The radial indexing valve receiver 700 consists of two
mating components, the upper valve 701 and the lower storage
chamber 702. The upper valve 701 preferably includes four slots 704
and the lower storage chamber 702 includes four slots 705. The
number of slots can be varied and typically the numbers of slots in
each component are the same. The upper valve 701 includes indexing
tabs 703 that cooperate with grooves (not shown) in drum 613 so
that the upper valve 701 rotates when drum 613 is rotated. The
upper valve 701 also includes a 360 degree liquid inlet window 707.
The lower storage chamber 702 includes grooves 706 on its inner
circumference that cooperate with tabs (not shown) on follower 618.
Grooves 706 serve to key the lower storage chamber 702 to the
follower 618 and prevents the lower storage chamber 702 from
rotating when drum 613 is rotated. With reference to FIG. 30, the
upper valve 701 and lower storage chamber 702 include annular
interlocking features 709 and 708. As can be seen in greater detail
in the disassembled depiction of FIG. 31, the interlocking features
include the slots 704, 705 and mating surfaces 710, 711. As can be
seen in FIG. 30, the interlocking features 709, 708 define an
interference fit so that upper valve 701 and lower storage chamber
702 can be snapped together where mating surfaces 710 and 711
create a water tight seal. In use, the receiver 700 is to be
supplied in the position as shown in FIG. 28 where the slots 704 in
the upper valve 701 do not overlap with slots 705 in the storage
chamber 702. The centrifuge chamber 646 is then to be filled with
blood and the centrifuge is activated. When drum 613 is rotated to
open RBC valve port 638 (as previously discussed with reference to
FIG. 21), the upper valve 701 rotates with the drum, thus at least
partially overlapping slots 704 and 705 and thereby creating a
passage between the two receiver components 701 and 702, and as
seen in FIG. 29. The expelled RBC's 641 enter the upper valve 701
through 360 degree liquid inlet window 707 and drain by gravity
into lower storage chamber 702, through the overlapping region of
the slots. When drum 613 is rotated back to its home position to
stop the flow of RBC's 641 from valve port 638, slots 704 and 705
return to the non-overlapping position shown in FIG. 28 thus
sealing the RBC's in the lower storage chamber 702. Similarly, when
drum 613 is rotated in the opposite direction to open the plasma
port 612 the opposite sides of slots 704 and 705 are caused to
overlap, thus allowing the ejected plasma 643 to drain into the
lower storage chamber 702 through the overlapping slots. Drum 613
is then rotated back to its home position at the end of the process
to return slots 704 and 705 to the non-overlapping position, thus
sealing the discarded fluid in the lower storage chamber 702. This
prevents any spillage of the fluid during subsequent handling and
disposal of the disposable portion 600.
[0118] Typical dimensioning of slots 704 and 705 is such that there
will be overlap when the upper valve 701 is rotated in either
direction. In a preferred embodiment, the upper valve slots 704
each encompass 30 degrees of the circumference while the lower
storage chamber slots 705 encompass 50 degrees of the
circumference. This dimensioning leaves 5 degrees between the edges
of the slots, when in the closed orientation. Drum 613 is to be
rotated approximately 35 degrees to open ports in valve cap 616.
This will cause an overlap of slots 704 and 705 of 30 degrees, or
put another way, each entire slot 704 of the upper valve 701 will
be totally open to the lower storage chamber 702 through slot 705.
Other combinations of slot geometry and placement are possible and
would be obvious to one skilled in the art. The upper valve 701 and
storage chamber 702 are typically blow molded components, using
resilient thermoplastic resins, including but not limited, to
polypropylene and polyethylene.
[0119] Reusable portion 601 is powered by a cord mounted
transformer (not shown) from an AC supply, or from a DC power pack
such as those used for cordless drills and the like. Additional
items not shown are (but not limited to) a simple display mounted
on the base enclosure 625 that indicates power on-off to the
centrifuge, elapsed time from power on, and may include items such
an audible alarm for warning the operator when elapsed times reach
certain levels. In addition hall-effect switches or reed switches
(not shown) mounted in the base 625 which respond to magnets
mounted in the disposable portion 600 can be used to indicate the
rotation of drum 613 in base enclosure 625, and-or can be used to
select varying motor speeds that might be necessary for optimum
separation of fluid components.
[0120] Instead of an operator revolving drum 613 manually,
actuators (e.g. motor-gearbox combinations or screw jacks) in the
base 625 can rotate the drum automatically in response to signals
from the switches described above and-or from a small solid state
computer employed to optimize operation.
[0121] FIG. 22 is a simplified transverse section of FIG. 21 at AA.
The blood has separated into its major components plasma 643, RBCs
641, and Buffy-coat (BC) at 642.
[0122] FIG. 23 is a simplified transverse section through BB of
FIG. 21. This section shows the construction of the plasma valve
consisting of passage 610, and `O` ring 611. The construction of
these outlet ports is similar to that shown in FIG. 3b. When this
valve is opened, port 612 will be moved to a position in alignment
with passage 610, to allow for the flow of fluid therethrough.
[0123] FIG. 24 shows the device of FIG. 21 running in the situation
where the RBC valve port 638 is closed, the plasma port 612 is
open, and the plasma discharge has been completed. The volume of
plasma 643 is the final volume.
[0124] When platelet poor plasma (PPP) is required for a procedure
a slightly different configuration is required for the PPP
receiver. FIG. 25 has most components similar to those shown in
FIG. 21 but there are two receivers, one for RBCs 637 and one for
PPP 635. Since two fluid components are captured by discharge from
the spinning chamber the receivers both have to be fixed axially
relative to drum 613 to accept the different axial locations of the
plasma port 612 and RBC port 638 as they discharge appropriate
fluid component. A plasma access port 645 spans the walls of the
receiver 635 and extends through slot or opening (not shown) in
drum 613. This port is of elastomeric material such as nitrile
rubber that permits the passage of a hypodermic needle for the
removal of the PPP.
[0125] In use the operator places a sterile disposable portion 600
into the reusable portion 601, the drum position being preset at
the factory to the position where both plasma port 612 and RBC port
638 are closed. The operator then fills a syringe with whole blood
from the patient and introduces the blood via the syringe through
port valve 602 into the centrifuge chamber until the chamber is
filled. The device is activated and the motor runs for about one
minute by which time the blood has separated into the primary
layers of RBC, buffy-coat, and plasma. At this time the drum is
turned to position the RBC valve to the open position whereupon
RBCs start to discharge into receiver 637. As the RBCs discharge
the interface between RBCs and buffy coat (D5 in FIG. 20a)
approaches markings on the rotating barrel at 644 (L5 and L4 of
FIG. 20a). When the interface is between marks at 644 (about 30
seconds after the RBC port 638 is opened) the drum is turned to
close the RBC port and open the plasma port 612. Plasma then
discharges into the receiver and continues to do so until the air
core limits further discharge. At this point (about 30 seconds
after the plasma port was opened) the motor is stopped and the
enriched residual sample in the chamber is removed via port 602
with a syringe and cannula for injection into the patient (or onto
material about to be used as an implant). In the case of a PPP
preparation the process is the same as that described for PRP
except that the device conforms to the device shown in FIG. 25 and
the PPP is extracted from the side elastomeric port 645 of FIG.
25.
[0126] It is recognized that by employing varying speeds of
centrifugation, and altering the diameters at which the outlets
from the chamber are placed, it is possible to concentrate
different components, or isolate different specific gravity
fractions of the fluid material within the rotation chamber. For
example, rotating at a slower speed, as known to those skilled in
the art, and removing the bulk of the RBCs as described above, will
provide a plasma material with the suspended platelets. When
rotated at lower speeds, the platelets will not differentiate by
specific gravity from the plasma. Upon increasing the speed of
rotation, the platelets will then tend to differentiate by specific
gravity from the plasma, allowing flexibility in achieving the
desired combination of blood products sought by the operator.
[0127] While the various embodiments discussed previously have
described the blood separation chamber having a circular cross
section, it is recognized that any shape capable of high speed
rotation can be utilized, so long as there is an angled or tapered
inner diameter to facilitate the appropriate flow of the red blood
cells towards the RBC passage. For example, a separation chamber
that provides an ovalized cross section may be employed, as it will
be properly balanced and suitable for the rotational speeds
required. Similarly, other separation chambers having
cross-sectional profiles in varying shapes (e.g., octagonal,
square, triangular, etc.) can be employed, and if necessary,
balanced with weights to ensure proper balance when rotating.
Furthermore, it is also recognized that multiple chambers may be
utilized in the device, such as by providing 2 or more sections of
a circle, or alternatively 2 or more vessels may be balanced to
allow rotation of the multiple chambers, collectively forming a
rotor, where each of the chambers would provide for discharge of
particular blood components (e.g., RBC and Plasma), while allowing
for the concentration and access to the desired blood component
concentrated in each of the chambers.
[0128] The embodiments described herein are chiefly intended for
use in separating components from whole blood, though they may be
used with other liquids as well. In the case of blood product, once
the device has been operated to stratify the blood into its
constituent components, and the red blood cells and plasma removed
from the blood separation chamber via the previously described RBC
and plasma passages, the concentrated buffy coat containing
platelets and white blood cells will remain within the chamber. In
all the embodiments discussed, the operator of the device may
further choose to clarify the resulting buffy coat by adding one or
more additional biocompatible solutions, as a separation aid, into
the device and optionally performing further centrifugation steps.
These additional biocompatible solutions are sometimes referred to
as focusing fluids. As previously described, the buffy coat
consists of several constituents, including platelets and
leukocytes (i.e. white cells), each having unique specific
gravities. The leukocytes contain granulocytes and lymphoid cells
such as lymphocytes and monocytes, each of these having unique
specific gravities. For some applications, it may be important to
isolate or remove one or several of these components from the buffy
coat to provide a further purified therapeutic material. For
instance, some researchers have found improved in vitro performance
by removing leukocytes from the buffy coat (S. R. Mrowiec et al., A
novel technique for preparing improved buffy coat platelet
concentrates, Blood Cells, Molecules and Diseases (1995) 21 (3)
Feb. 15: 25-23). By way of example, a fixed quantity of one or more
liquids (e.g. focusing fluids) having specifically targeted
specific gravities could be delivered into the blood separation
chamber to allow further separation of various components of the
buffy coat (e.g. leukocytes) thereby focusing in upon a very
specific sub-component of the blood. Alternatively, a focusing
fluid may be used to enable the removal of all of the red blood
cells or plasma, by being of a targeted specific gravity between
the buffy coat and either the red blood cells or the plasma
components, such that by repeating the concentration process
described above, a blood component free from residual traces of
either the plasma or red blood cells may be achieved. Such focusing
fluids could include colorant, markers or other indicators to help
distinguish the boundaries between the targeted and non-targeted
biologic components. Fluids such as Ficoll-Paque sodium diatrizoate
solution (density of 1.077 g/mL, distributed by GE Healthcare),
Percoll (density of 1.088 g/mL, distributed by GE Healthcare), and
Cellotion (distributed by Zenoaq) and other fluids known in the art
could be used for purifying, separating and/or concentrating a wide
variety of therapeutically beneficial cells and other biological
constituents.
[0129] In another embodiment the biocompatible focusing fluid may
selectively bind to a blood product and subsequently be isolated or
separated by centrifugation, to result in a more concentrated
desired blood component. Various techniques are known in the art
for accomplishing the binding, for example, solid bead components
of desired specific gravity may be coated with antibodies and
employed to selectively bind the focusing fluid layer with the
targeted blood component (or conversely, the blood component to be
separated from the desired blood component). Alternatively, various
techniques and reagents known to one skilled in the art, using
techniques known, for example, from separation chemistry (e.g.,
chromatography or absorption) may be employed (such as ion exchange
resins as used in HPL C and FPLC methodologies). In these
embodiments, upon adding the focusing fluid to the blood separation
chamber containing the previously concentrated blood product, and
allowed an opportunity to bind, the desired blood product will be
caused to separate from the unwanted blood product when the
rotation is employed to stratify the materials within the blood
separation chamber. Removal of separated products can proceed
through one or both of the outlets as described previously. The
binding of the focusing fluid in this embodiment may be reversible
using techniques known in the art, such that upon being harvested,
the blood component may be unbound from the focusing fluid, and
optionally subjected to another purification procedure to provide
harvested blood product free of any focusing fluid.
[0130] As before, with an operator or sensor causing the actuation
of the valve mechanism controlling the discharge of fluids from the
chamber, a detectable interface would be beneficial in determining
when to close outlet valves. For this reason, the focusing fluid is
preferably distinguishable in some manner at the interface with the
other components within the chamber, for example, by being
distinguishable by color. Alternatively, prior to the
centrifugation with the focusing fluid, a biocompatible, selective
dye or marker material may be added to distinguish the fluids
within the chamber, and create the interface that is detectable by
the operator or sensor. Thus, the selective coloring would
facilitate detection of an interface between the desired
components, and those components sought to be removed from the
blood separation chamber through one or both of the outlet
ports.
[0131] In another embodiment, device 750 is configured as shown in
FIG. 32 in order to directly apply a selected fraction of the blood
sample to a biologically compatible scaffold 751 via the spraying
action from port 752 of the spinning chamber. Examples of scaffolds
include but are not limited to purified collagen pads or powder,
extracellular matrix sheet or powdered products, bone void fillers
and resorbable or non-resorbable synthetic meshes. In the
embodiment shown in FIG. 32, the cam 621 has four positions, 1-4,
with position #1 being the lowest position, instead of the three
previously described with regards to earlier embodiments. Valve cap
616 has additional BC port 752 and end cap 614 has additional BC
passage 755. Following the centrifugation procedure as previously
described, follower 620 is rotated from the neutral position #3 to
position #4 on cam 621 to align port 638 with RBC passage 639, such
that the red blood cells exit from port 638 into receiver 647. At
the appropriate time, follower 620 is rotated to the #2 position on
cam 621 to align port 612 with passage 610, such that plasma exits
from port 612 into receiver 647. In the final step, follower 620 is
rotated to position #1 on cam 621 to align BC port 752 with passage
755 to allow BC to exit to a BC receiver 753. In the embodiment of
FIG. 32, the BC receiver 753 contains a scaffold 751. The scaffold
751 can receive the BC as it is discharged into the BC receiver;
for example, the scaffold may be directly sprayed with the BC or
alternatively, the BC can wick into the material by capillary
action or absorption into the scaffold 751. When the desired amount
of BC has exited at port 752, the follower 620 is returned to
neutral position #3 on cam 621 and the motor switched off Scaffold
751, now treated with BC, may then be aseptically removed from
receiver 753. While various access methods may be employed, one
example is to provide access by disengaging mid-cover 607, at
connection joint 754, to provide for scaffold access. Using
analogous alterations of the design of receivers, cam and ports, it
is possible to directly apply any of the blood fractions to a
desired scaffold.
[0132] Direct application of BC to a scaffold results in a time
savings, and less chance for contamination of the preparation,
since the application is done automatically in a closed system
rather than manually in an open container. It would also reduce the
chances for infection of health care workers by reducing the amount
of handling of a blood product that potentially contains a human
pathogen.
[0133] In order to prevent premature destruction of the blood cells
that are being applied to the scaffold 751 in receiver 753, the
force at which the materials are ejected from the centrifugation
chamber can be controlled. By example, it has been shown that in a
device with a 30 ml capacity, with an exit hole diameter of 0.01'',
the centrifuge gave a higher proportion of intact cells when the
centrifugal force (g) was reduced to below about 1000 g, with
additional improvement in cell survival as speeds were reduced
further, to the range of about 300 g. Changes in centrifugation
speed can be programmed in the software to automatically initiate
by timers in the software or signals generated by movement of the
valve mechanisms.
[0134] Another alternative, exemplary embodiment of a centrifuge
100 constructed in accordance with this invention is shown in FIG.
34. That centrifuge is also arranged for separation, concentration
and collection of select constituents of a biologic liquid mixture
(such as, but not limited to, blood) and basically comprises two
main assemblies, namely, a removable disk-shaped rotating assembly
112 and a housing 113. The housing contains the rotating assembly,
a drive motor 126 and associated electrical drive circuits (not
shown) and switches (not shown). The removable disk-shaped rotating
assembly 112 basically comprises a separation chamber 143, and, in
this exemplary case, two collection chambers 109 and 110 for
receipt of separated constituents. In particular, in the exemplary
embodiment depicted, the rotating assembly comprises a first or
outer collection chamber 110 for the collection of higher specific
gravity fluids, e.g., RBCs and a second or inner collection chamber
109 for the collection of lower specific gravity fluids, e.g.,
plasma. Each of these chambers is annular in shape, but could be of
a different shape, so long as the rotating assembly was constructed
to be balanced to prevent unbalance-induced vibration. A cover 101
encloses the rotating assembly 112 when the centrifuge is running.
In this embodiment, it is envisioned that the housing 113, with its
various internal components would be reusable inasmuch as it would
not directly come into contact with the biologic liquid mixture.
The removable rotating assembly 112, in contradistinction may be
considered disposable after use.
[0135] The three chambers of the rotating assembly 112 are made up
from several components, including a main body 108 having an
extending hub 127, a cover plate 105, and a valve plate 115. These
three components are secured together to provide leak-proof seals
at all the interfaces. Alternatively, these components may be of
unitary construction and formed as a single piece, using various
manufacturing techniques, including, for example, stereolithography
or casting. The fixed valve plate 115 is fixedly secured to the
extending hub 127, so that a rotational force applied to the hub
will result in the rotation of the rotational assembly. The
rotating assembly also features an access port in the form of a
pierceable membrane 144 located in the cover plate 105 to serve as
the means for introduction of the biologic liquid mixture into the
separation chamber 143, for processing. The access port can be of
any suitable construction, e.g., a one-way duckbill valve. The
access port may also serve as the means for removal of any residual
separated component of the biologic mixture, e.g., the buffy coat
if the biologic mixture is blood.
[0136] In operation, fluid flow between the separation chamber 143,
and the collection chambers 110 and 109, is controlled by valves
138 and 117 (to be described later) that can be actuated
independently, to selectively open and close, in order to control
the flow of fluid therethrough. The valves are in fluid
communication with the interior of the separation chamber via fluid
passageways 141, 140 and 106, and will thus rotate as part of the
rotating assembly. The fluid passageway 140 constitutes a channel
between the underside of the top plate 105 and the body 108 and is
in fluid communication with the interior of the separation chamber
143. The passageway 141 is in fluid communication with passageway
140. The passageway 140 is annular in shape and is in fluid
communication with the valve 138 which is located at the
passageway's terminus. It should be pointed out at this juncture
that the passageway 140 need not be of annular shape. If not
annular in shape, the rotating assembly should include either a
similarly shaped passageway diametrically opposed to the passageway
140 or something else to balance the assembly so that will not
vibrate upon rotation. The fluid passageway 106 is also in fluid
communication with the interior of the separation chamber 143, but
at a smaller radial distance than the fluid passageway 141. The
passageway 106 is in fluid communication with the valve 117, which
is located at the passageway's terminus. The passageway 106 is not
annular in shape, but rather constitutes a bore. Preferably, a
similar passageway is located diametrically opposed to the
passageway 106 to result in a balanced assembly. If desired the
passageway 106 could be annular.
[0137] As will be explained, the valves 138 and 117 feature
elements that are static and dynamic relative to the other elements
of the rotating assembly. The static elements are fixed with
respect to the rotating assembly while the dynamic elements are
arranged to shift or pivot, relative to the rotating assembly.
[0138] As shown in in FIG. 34, and in expanded detail in FIGS. 35
and 37, each of the valves 138 and 117 is a 2-way (on/off) valve.
Each valve includes a common valve plate 115 which forms the static
(stationary) portion of each valve. The movable (slidable) portion
of each valve is in the form of an arcuate section or segment of a
common valve slider 116 (FIG. 37). Each valve is arranged so that
when in its open position it permits fluid flow through it into its
respective collection chamber. In particular, when open, the valve
138 permits fluid to flow through it into the collection chamber
110. Similarly, when open, the valve 117 permits fluid to flow
through it into the collection chamber 109. Thus, the valves enable
the controlled transfer of separated constituents of the biologic
liquid mixture from the separation chamber 143 to the collection
chambers 110 and 109.
[0139] To ensure leak proof operation, the valves employ resilient
sealing materials between the respective parts of the valve that
oppose each other and slide or pivot relative to each other. In
particular, as clearly shown in FIG. 35, which represents the
construction of each of the valves 138 and 117, the static portion
of each valve, i.e., the valve plate 115, houses two O-rings 146 in
respective circular recesses in the valve plate 115. Two pillars
147 and 148, which are integral with the valve plate 115, project
downward therefrom. The pillars cooperate with a support guide
cover 152 which is fixedly secured to each pillar to define a slot
therebetween. The cross section of the slot is designated by "abcd"
(see FIG. 35). The slot abcd of each valve extends below the valve
plate 115, parallel to the plane of the valve plate and is arranged
to slidably receive therein a respective arcuate segment of the
common valve slider 116. In particular, the slot of valve 138
slidably receives the arcuate segment 154 (FIG. 37) of the valve
slider 116, while the slot of the valve 117 slidably receives the
arcuate segment 153 of the valve slider. The valve slider 116 is
arranged to be pivoted about the central longitudinal axis (the
rotation axis X shown in FIGS. 34 and 37) of the rotating assembly
112 to operate (i.e., open and close) the valves 138 and 117 as
will be described later
[0140] As best seen in FIG. 35, the valve plate 115 includes an
entrance port or hole 182 and an exit port or hole 183 for each
valve. The ports 182 and 183 extend through the associated portion
of the valve plate into fluid communication with the slot abcd
located therebelow. Each valve includes a seal plate 150 which is
fixedly secured to the underside of its associated arcuate segment
153 or 154 and is located within the slot abcd of that valve. The
arcuate segment 154 of the valve slider 116 includes a pair of
drillings or holes 149 bridged by a transverse slot 151. The two
drillings 149 of the arcuate segment 154 are arranged to be brought
into alignment and fluid communication with the ports 182 and 183
of the valve 138 when the valve slider 116 is pivoted in one
rotational direction about the axis X. Similarly, the two drillings
149 of the arcuate segment 153 are arranged to be brought into
alignment and fluid communication with the ports 182 and 183 of the
valve 117 when the valve slider 116 is pivoted in the opposite
rotational direction about the axis X. Accordingly, when the valve
slider 116 is pivoted to the position aligning its drillings 149
with the ports 182 and 183 of the valve 138 the higher specific
gravity fluid that is separated by the centrifugation is permitted
to flow from the separation chamber 143 through the channel 141
down the passageway 140 into port 182. From there that fluid flows
through the transverse slot 151 to the exit port 183 from whence it
flows into the chamber 110. When the valve slider 116 is pivoted to
the position aligning its drillings 149 with the ports 182 and 183
of the valve 117 the lower specific gravity fluid that is separated
by the centrifugation is permitted to flow from the separation
chamber 143 through the passageway 106 into port 182. From there
that fluid flows through the transverse slot 151 to the exit port
183 from whence it flows into the chamber 109.
[0141] The dimension of the slot abcd are selected to provide
appropriate compression to O-rings 146 to prevent leakage when the
arcuate slider segments 153 and 154 slide through to open and close
the valves.
[0142] Since the valves 138 and 117 are part of the rotating
assembly, a force translating mechanism is provided to effect the
actuation of the valves, while the device is in operation. This
force translation may be accomplished using various techniques
known to those skilled in the art. One exemplary force transfer
mechanism suitable for use in the device will now be described.
[0143] In order to enable the valve slider to be pivoted in the two
rotational directions about axis X with respect to the valve plate
115, a pair of components with helical teeth are provided. Those
components are arranged to be moved axially relative to each other
as best seen in FIG. 36, all while rotating to create a centrifugal
field for the separation of the biologic liquid mixture. Referring
to FIG. 34, it can be seen that the chamber body 108 has male axial
splines 121 incorporated on the extending hub 127. A translator,
122 having female splines slides axially on the male splines 121 of
the extending hub 127. The translator includes helical teeth 120 on
its exterior. A valve slider hub 184 has inner helical teeth 118
that mate with the exterior teeth 120 on the translator. The
translator 122 is moved axially via ball bearing 130 by the axial
motion of a sleeve 132. That sleeve is keyed with slots 137 in
portions of housing 113. The sleeve 132 is driven axially in turn
by cams 124 formed on the interior of a control sleeve 136. The
control sleeve 136 is arranged to be rotated, driven by tabs 134.
The tabs pass through slots in the housing 113. The control sleeve
136 has three positions, with the middle position corresponding to
the valve plate positions shown in FIG. 37. As the control sleeve
136 is rotated, the sleeve 132 riding on cams 124 creates an axial
motion, which the translator 122 converts to a rotary motion, which
in turn effects the pivoting of the valve slider 116, so as to
direct the actuation of the valves. A return spring (not shown)
biases the valve plate 115 in torsion, such that the translator 122
is driven toward the motor 126.
[0144] The entire removable rotating assembly 112 mounts on the
drive shaft 123 of the motor 126, and is held in place by wing nut
103. The rotation of the rotating assembly 112 is driven by the
motor 126 and an associated driveshaft 123 through a key 104. The
driveshaft 123 is located by ball bearing 145 and the motor drive
end 125. The motor 126 is mounted on a frame 128 that also locates
the ball bearing 145.
[0145] In operation of the device 100, the control sleeve 136 is
placed in the central position, controlled by detents (not shown).
A new removable rotating assembly 112 is placed over the drive
shaft 123 and pressed down to compress the return spring (not
shown) and thus position the valve plate 115 in its starting
position, that is with the two valve slots 151 in the position
shown in FIG. 37. The wing nut 103 is then spun onto threaded
portion 102 of driveshaft 123, to hold the removable rotating
assembly 112 in place. A charge of fluid (the biologic liquid
mixture, e.g., blood) for separation is injected into chamber 143
via membrane 144. The motor 126 is turned on and allowed to run at
a speed appropriate for separation of the biologic liquid mixture
into its several constituent layers as concentric layers within the
separation chamber 143. At adequate rotational speeds, this
separation will occur in approximately ninety seconds or less, more
typically about one minute. For mixtures with very similar specific
gravities, this time period may be extended. Once separation of the
constituents has occurred, the tab 134 is moved into a second
position, to pivot the valve slider 116 in one rotational direction
about the axis X to the position such that one of the holes 149 in
the first valve 138 aligns with the entrance port 182 and the other
of the holes 149 aligns with the exit port 183, thereby opening
that valve so that the high specific gravity fraction of the
biologic liquid mixture flows into chamber 110 through first valve
138.
[0146] In accordance with one preferred embodiment of this
invention, the interface created by the separation of the biologic
liquid mixture into fractions is visually detectable, such that it
may be observed through a transparent portion in the top plate 105.
Alternatively, the interface may be detected electronically, using
sensors as has been discussed previously. It is recognized that
there may be a benefit in providing a contrasting color, or
mirrored surface, over at least a portion of the rotating chamber
disposed opposite a detector, or opposite to the transparent
portion of the top plate of the rotating assembly, in order to
enhance the detectability of the interface by the operator or
detector.
[0147] The movement of the interface is monitored as the higher
specific gravity constituent flows into chamber 110. As this
interface approaches the entrance 142 to channel 141, and when the
interface reaches a predetermined point, relative to the entrance
142 into channel 141, the fluid flow through first valve 138 is
halted, such as by acting upon the tab 134 to trigger the closing
of the first valve 138. Though the time for the evacuation of the
higher specific gravity fluid will vary based upon the speed of the
rotation, the viscosity of the fluid, and the diameter of the most
restrictive portion of the flow-path, it is anticipated that this
will typically be after approximately 15 seconds of flow. Where the
operator is detecting the interface, and monitoring in order to
determine when to close the first valve, it is necessary that the
rate of movement of the interface is such that a person may have
adequate time to react and trigger the closing of the valve, as has
been discussed previously.
[0148] Subsequently, the tab 134 is then moved to a third position,
which then pivots the valve slider 116 in the opposite rotational
direction about axis X to the position such that one of the holes
149 in the second valve 117 aligns with the entrance port 182 and
the other of the holes 149 aligns with the exit port 183, thereby
opening that valve so that lower specific gravity fraction of the
biologic liquid mixture flows into chamber 109 through the second
valve 117. This flow continues until air enters passageway 106,
whereupon flow ceases. At this juncture, typically about 2-3
minutes into the procedure, the tab 134 is returned to its
original, first position, with both valves 138 and 117 now closed,
and the motor is de-energized. A predetermined volume of the lower
specific gravity constituent, together with the remains of any
intermediate specific gravity constituents (e.g., buffy coat, if
the biologic mixture is blood), are now trapped in the separation
chamber 143, and ready for removal for use, for example, by
directing a syringe into the separation chamber via membrane 144.
The removable rotating assembly 112 may then be separated from the
driveshaft 123, and the contents of one or more of the three
chambers 143, 108, and 109 can be harvested if desired (via
membrane and syringe, for example).
[0149] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, in order
to function properly, the device 100 incorporates one or more vents
(not shown) to allow for fluid displacement. Ideally, one of the
vents provides for air to enter the chamber 143 as the fluid flows
into chambers 109 and 110, and another two vents allow air to
escape as fluid flows into chambers 109 and 110.
[0150] In an embodiment of the centrifuge 100, it may be desirable
to provide for the separation of a biologic liquid mixture, e.g.,
blood, charge of approximately 30 mL. To that end the above
described rotating assembly 112 may be sized with a maximum
diameter of approximately 8 cm, and a height measured along the
longitudinal axis (the rotation axis X) of approximately 1 cm. It
is recognized that increasing or decreasing the dimensions may be
desirable in order to achieve a desired sample size for
processing.
[0151] As has been discussed previously, it is recognized that the
chambers of the device depicted in FIGS. 34-37, may be either
annular chambers, or alternatively, may be a plurality of linked
chambers forming two or more sections of a circle, or
alternatively, two or more vessels may be balanced to allow
rotation of the multiple chambers, collectively forming a rotor,
where each of the chambers provides for discharge of particular
blood components (e.g., RBC and Plasma), while allowing for the
concentration and access to the desired blood component
concentrated in each of the chambers.
[0152] In any of the embodiments described herein, the device may
benefit from the incorporation of a tilt sensor that would halt the
rotation, or at a minimum reduce the rotation speed, of the
chamber, should the device be toppled or operated at an undesirable
angle. Given the rotation speed that the device is expected to
operate under, the angle would not likely affect the stratification
of the fluid components, but rather, this would prevent unintended
movement, that is known with devices that include rotating
elements, or those prone to vibrate while in operation.
[0153] The above described embodiments may be made available in kit
form, including the device and accessories needed for operation of
the device, including instructions for use and packaging suitable
for storage and preserving sterility. In some instances, the kit
may provide instructions along with the centrifuge device (either
as a single unit, or separable components), and optionally
including accessories such as separation aids, including focusing
fluids, or rapid test kits useful for providing qualitative or
quantitative information regarding the concentrated product.
Various blood testing procedures are known in the art, but it is
anticipated that any rapid testing kit that provides useful
information regarding, for example, the concentration factor or
recovery efficiency of the concentrated products may be
incorporated into the kit. Such a kit may require comparing the
results for blood components that have been subjected to the rapid
test kit after concentration, and optionally prior to
concentration. It is envisioned that the accessories may be
contained within a separate container within the packaging, or
contained within the blood separation chamber during packaging, or
made available apart from the centrifuge unit. For the embodiment
providing a reusable drive component with a motor that is arranged
to be coupled to a disposable centrifuge component, the kit may
include multiple disposable centrifuge components each suitable for
use with the reusable drive component.
[0154] Thus since the inventive process and inventions disclosed
herein may be embodied by additional steps or other specific forms
without departing from the spirit of general characteristics
thereof, some of which steps and forms have been indicated, the
embodiments described herein are to be considered in all respects
illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is to
be indicated by the appended claims, rather than the foregoing
description, and all changes which come within the meaning and
range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced
therein.
* * * * *