Patent Publication Number: US-2016236209-A1

Title: Centrifuge

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present invention is directed to a centrifuge. 
     Centrifuges are commonly used in medical and biological research for separating purifying materials of different densities such as viruses, bacteria, sales, proteins, and other compositions. A centrifuge normally includes a motor, a rotor and specimen holders capable of spinning up to tens of thousands of revolutions per minute. Specimen holders include, for example, test tubes, test tube holders, or any other means suitable for retaining a specimen. 
     There are challenges associated with use of centrifuges in laboratory or lab environments. Centrifuges are placed on lab countertops that are approximately three feet tall and are usually positioned approximately one foot from the edge of the lab countertop. The centrifuge is approximately one foot tall. Many centrifuge operators are little more than five feet tall. As a result of their lower vantage point, and without assistance, these operators may be unable to see into the centrifuge to confirm that all samples have been removed, to ensure samples have been loaded properly, or to confirm that it is safe to reach into the rotor chamber where the rotor could potentially be rotating or tubes or specimen holders may have broken, spilled or been dropped to the bottom of the chamber. 
     In addition, lab countertop space is extremely scarce and, therefore highly valuable. In many small labs, the centrifuge is only used a few times per day, but still requires a minimum of one square foot of counter space plus clearance around the centrifuge. 
     It would be desirable in the art to have a centrifuge that does not suffer from the above-mentioned drawbacks. 
     SUMMARY 
     One embodiment of the disclosure is directed to a centrifuge including a first portion having a first end opposite a second end, the first portion positioned substantially vertically above a second portion. The first portion having a rotor for receiving at least one specimen holder insertable in the rotor from a position vertically above the rotor. The second portion raises the first end of the first portion relative to the second end of the first portion with respect to a horizontal plane coincident with an upper segment of the second end for permitting viewing of at least a fraction of the rotor associated with the at least one specimen holder from a vantage point near the second end and vertically positioned above or at least about coincident with the horizontal plane. 
     Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed to a centrifuge including a first portion having a first end opposite a second end, the first portion positioned substantially vertically above a second portion. The first portion having a rotor for receiving at least one specimen holder insertable in the rotor from a position vertically above the rotor. The second portion raises the first end of the first portion relative to the second end of the first portion with respect to a horizontal plane coincident with an upper segment of the second end for permitting viewing of at least a fraction of the rotor associated with the at least one specimen holder from a vantage point near the second end and vertically positioned above or at least about coincident with the horizontal plane. Centrifuge controls associated with a surface of at least one of the first portion and second portion adjacent the second end each have a corresponding coincident line that is coincident with a plane perpendicular to the horizontal plane, the at least one coincident line and the horizontal plane subtends an angle that is less than or about equal to 90 degrees from the horizontal plane. 
     Yet another embodiment of the disclosure is directed to a centrifuge including a first portion having a first end opposite a second end, the first portion positioned substantially vertically above a second portion. The first portion having a rotor for receiving at least one specimen holder insertable in the rotor from a position vertically above the rotor. The second portion raises the first end of the first portion relative to the second end of the first portion with respect to a horizontal plane coincident with an upper segment of the second end for permitting viewing of at least a fraction of the rotor associated with the at least one specimen holder from a vantage point near the second end and vertically positioned above or at least about coincident with the horizontal plane. An angle subtending between the horizontal plane and a line substantially coincident with the upper segment of the second end of the first portion is between about 10 degrees and about 30 degrees. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  shows an upper isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a centrifuge. 
         FIGS. 2-3  show respective upper and lower isometric views of an exemplary embodiment of a stand for a centrifuge. 
         FIGS. 4-8  show respective orthogonal views of an exemplary embodiment of a stand for a centrifuge. 
         FIG. 9  shows an upper isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a centrifuge. 
         FIG. 10  shows an elevation view of the an exemplary embodiment of the centrifuge of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 11  shows comparative respective side-by-side upper isometric views of a known art centrifuge and an exemplary embodiment of a centrifuge of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 12  shows an upper isometric view of an embodiment of a centrifuge arranged inside of a cabinet. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     Exemplary embodiments are directed to a centrifuge that overcomes drawbacks associated with conventional centrifuges. While discussed in the context of a particular centrifuge, it will be appreciated that all of the aspects of that centrifuge are not required to be used in combination. Rather, any one of the components or subassemblies can be separately employed in conjunction with otherwise conventional centrifuges or otherwise combined in any manner desired. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a centrifuge  10  of the present disclosure comprises a first portion  12  positioned substantially vertically above and supported by a second portion  14 . First portion  12  has a first end  16  opposite a second end  18  and a rotor  20  for receiving a plurality of specimen holders  22  accessible from a position vertically above rotor  20 . As a result of the novel construction of second portion  14 , first end  16  of first portion  12  is raised relative to second end  18  of first portion  12 . This arrangement permits viewing of at least a fraction of rotor  20  associated with at least one specimen holder  22  from a vantage point  24  near second end  18  that is vertically positioned above or at least about coincident with an upper segment  26  of second end  18 , as will be discussed in additional detail below. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2-8 , second portion  14  includes a body  28  having a support surface  30  for supporting first portion  12  ( FIG. 1 ). In one embodiment support surface  30  is smooth to securely engage a lower segment  27  ( FIG. 1 ) having suction cups (not shown) extending downwardly from lower segment  27  of first portion  12 . As further shown in  FIG. 2 , a protrusion  32  extends outwardly from second portion  14  toward the first portion  12  when second portion  14  and first portion  12  are brought together to help support/secure first portion  12  to second portion  14 . Optionally, openings  68 ,  70  as well as webs  72  or other reinforcement features may be formed in first portion  12 . In one embodiment, protrusion  32  corresponds to or is adjacent to at least a portion of lower segment  27  ( FIG. 1 ) of second end  18 . In another embodiment, one or more of protrusions  35 ,  37  extend outwardly toward corresponding ends  34 ,  36  ( FIG. 1 ) of lower segment  27  of first portion  12  that are adjacent to second end  18  of first portion  12 . As further shown in  FIG. 2 , protrusions  32 ,  35 ,  37  are interconnected. In another embodiment, the protrusions are not connected to each other. In another embodiment, the protrusions can form a contiguous periphery extending outwardly from support surface  30 . In one embodiment, first portion  12  and second portion  14  form an integral or unitary (one piece) housing of the centrifuge. In another embodiment, first portion  12  is structurally supported by second portion  14  with fasteners (not shown). In another embodiment, first portion  12  is structurally supported/secured by second portion  14  without fasteners, such as by gravity and friction between contact surfaces of the first portion and the second portion. 
       FIGS. 9-10  show an upper isometric view and a respective elevation view of centrifuge  10  for purposes of clarifying the disclosure. As best shown in  FIG. 9 , positioned along upper segment  26  of second end  18  is a horizontal plane  38  and a vertical plane  40  intersecting along a line  42 . As further shown in  FIG. 9 , a line  44  that extends along and is substantially coincident with upper segment  26  and is also coincident with vertical plane  40  subtends an angle  46  between lines  42  and line  44 . 
     By virtue of angle  46 , from vantage point  24  positioned near second end  18  and further vertically positioned above or at least about coincident with horizontal plane  38 , viewing is permitted of at least a fraction of rotor  20  associated with at least one specimen holder  22 . As a result of this permitted partial viewing of rotor  20  and at least one specimen holder  22 , operators having vantage point  24  are able to view the rotor and at least one specimen holder to confirm that samples have been removed, to ensure samples have been loaded properly, or to confirm that it is safe to reach into the rotor chamber where the rotor could potentially be rotating or tubes or specimen holders may have broken, spilled or been dropped to the bottom of the chamber. As shown in  FIG. 11 , from a common vantage point, centrifuge  10  of the present disclosure permits full viewing of multiple specimen holders, while a centrifuge  100 , that is positioned side-by-side to centrifuge  10 , fails to permit full viewing of any specimen holders. 
     As further shown in  FIGS. 9-10 , first portion  12  includes centrifuge controls  48  positioned along end  18 , such as a control panel for controlling operation of the centrifuge, which centrifuge controls  48  are associated with a surface  50 , such as a surface substantially coincident with a plane  52 . In one embodiment, the centrifuge controls may be positioned along end  18  of second portion  14 . A second vertical plane  54  is mutually perpendicular to both horizontal plane  38  and vertical plane  40 . A line  56  is coincident with vertical plane  40  and surface  50  associated with centrifuge controls  48 . A line  58  is coincident with vertical plane  40  and second vertical plane  54 . Line  56  and line  58  subtend an angle  60  therebetween. Line  56  and horizontal plane  38  subtend an angle  62  therebetween. 
     As further shown in  FIGS. 9-10 , the magnitude of angle  46  is generally related to the magnitude of angle  62 . That is, while on one hand it is generally desirable to maximize the magnitude of angle  46  for improved viewability of the rotor and specimen holders, it is also generally desirable that the resulting angle  62  (the angle between surface  50  of centrifuge controls  48  (line  56 ) and horizontal plane  38 ) be less than or about equal to 90 degrees. Stated another way, subtracting angle  60  from 90 degrees equals angle  62 . Angle  62  is associated with viewability of centrifuge controls  48  from a vantage point  25  ( FIG. 10 ) significantly vertically greater than the vertical position of the centrifuge controls. For example, as shown in  FIG. 12 , in which the centrifuge is positioned inside a cabinet  64  beneath a countertop  66 , it is appreciated that increasing angle  62  to a magnitude greater than 90 degrees ( FIGS. 9-10 ) would result in decreased viewability of the centrifuge controls, possibly requiring an operator to lower their vantage point (bend over, kneel, etc.) in order to view the centrifuge controls. 
     It is to be further understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that the depth of the rotor within the rotor chamber, the shape of the opening to the rotor chamber, the geometry of the centrifuge housing (for example, the angle from a vertical plane between the surface of centrifuge controls without the second portion) as well as potential constraints imposed by rotors having fixed openings to receive specimen holders, may limit the magnitude of angle  46  ( FIG. 9 ) between opposed ends of the upper segment of the centrifuge. In one embodiment, angle  46  is between about 10 degrees and about 30 degrees, about 12 degrees and about 28 degrees, about 14 degrees and about 26 degrees, about 15 degrees and about 24 degrees, about 15 degrees and about 22 degrees, about 16 degrees and about 20 degrees, about 17 degrees and about 19 degrees, about 11 degrees, about 12 degrees, about 13 degrees, about 14 degrees, about 15 degrees, about 16 degrees, about 17 degrees, about 18 degrees, about 19 degrees, about 20 degrees, about 21 degrees, about 22 degrees, about 23 degrees, about 24 degrees, about 25 degrees, about 26 degrees, about 27 degrees, about 28 degrees, about 29 degrees, about 30 degrees, or any combination or sub combination thereof. 
     While the foregoing specification illustrates and describes exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.