Inventors:
David Skinkle - Denver CO, US
Stephen Berch - Arvada CO, US
Beth Hunter - Arvada CO, US
Craig James - Arvada CO, US
Rainer Koenig - Denver CO, US
Daniel McGinnis - Lakewood CO, US
Michael Schwab - Golden CO, US
International Classification:
C02F 1/38
US Classification:
210787000, 210512100, 494037000, 494043000, 494084000
Abstract:
A centrifuge apparatus for processing blood comprising a bottom spring-loaded support plate; a top support plate; an axial inlet/outlet for blood to be processed and processed components of the blood, the axial inlet/outlet being attached to the top support plate by a rotating seal assembly; a variable volume separation chamber mounted between the bottom support plate and the top support plate, the variable volume separation chamber being fluidly connected to the axial inlet/outlet; a pump fluidly connected to the axial inlet/outlet; and a rotary drive unit attached to the bottom support plate. The top support plate is fixed vertically and the bottom spring-loaded support plate is mounted on springs that maintain pressure on the variable volume separation chamber and allow the bottom support plate to move vertically.