Patent ID: 7452322

Claim:
A rotor for use in a centrifuge system, the rotor comprising: an elastic, stretchable and resilient diaphragm defining a chamber of varying volume; and a boundary wall at least partially defining the chamber having defined therethrough first and second conduits in fluid communication with the chamber, wherein uncentrifuged fluid may enter the chamber through the second conduit, while centrifuged fluid may exit the chamber through the first conduit, a fixed portion including the first and second conduits; a rigid mounting member capable of spinning around the fixed portion on an axis of rotation, the elastic diaphragm mounted to the rigid mounting member; and a rotary seal coupled to, and providing a seal, between the rigid mounting member and the fixed portion, wherein the rotary seal comprises a base, a spring member surrounding the axis of rotation and mounted on the base, first and second seal faces, which surround the rotor's axis of rotation and which spin in relation to each other, the first seal face being mounted on the spring member so that the spring member applies a force pressing the first seal face against the second seal face, and a flexible seal member surrounding the rotor's axis of rotation, and preventing flow between the first seal face and the base.