Patent ID: 6887371
Filing Date: 2005-05-03
Classification: A61M,B04B

Abstract:
1. A fluid sample separation system for automatically controlling separation and collection of components in a fluid sample, comprising: a centrifuge including a sample reservoir having at least one inlet port for receiving the fluid sample and at least one outlet port for removing separated components in the fluid sample; a centrifuge drive assembly mechanically linked with the centrifuge to rotate the sample reservoir of the centrifuge at a rotation rate to separate the components of differing densities in radially positioned regions; a controller in communication with the centrifuge drive assembly adapted to transmit control signals to the centrifuge to selectively operate the centrifuge drive assembly; an outlet pump in fluid communication with the outlet port operable to apply a suction force to remove the separated components in the region adjacent the outlet port from the sample reservoir, wherein the outlet pump is in communication with the controller and operable with control signals from the controller to selectively operate to remove select ones of the separated components; and an inlet pump fluidically connected to the inlet port of the sample reservoir and in communication with the controller, the inlet pump being operable by the controller with control signals to pump the fluid sample into the sample reservoir via the inlet port.