Patent ID: 8105495
Filing Date: 2012-01-31
Classification: A61M,B04B

Abstract:
1. A method for separating platelet rich plasma from a blood sample with a system comprising an inner wall having a top edge and a central axis surrounded by a depth filter having a capacity to receive all of the erythrocytes in the blood sample but insufficient to receive all of the plasma in the blood sample, an inner surface of the inner wall having an angle of at least about 0.2 degrees from the central axis of the inner wall, the method comprising the steps of: a) spinning an inner cylinder about its central axis at a speed that centrifugally separates erythrocytes from plasma and platelets of the blood sample and causes the erythrocytes to collect against an inner surface of the depth filter; b) continuing spinning for a time sufficient to allow substantially all of the erythrocytes to flow up the inner surface and over the top edge into the depth filter, leaving platelet enriched plasma behind in the inner cylinder; and c) slowing or discontinuing the spinning to permit the platelet enriched plasma to flow to the bottom of the inner cylinder.