Patent ID: 6849039

Claim:
A blood separation chamber for rotation about an axis comprising a low-G wall and a high-G wall extending circumferentially about the axis in a spaced apart relationship to define between them an annular separation channel having an annular boundary wall, an inlet passage to convey blood into the separation channel for separation into blood components along a circumferential flow path, a barrier wall spaced in a downstream flow direction from the inlet passage, the barrier wall extending partially into the separation channel generally in a radial direction from the high-G wall toward the low-G wall, to thereby define a constricted channel along the low-G wall, into which a blood component adjacent the low-G wall is directed, the barrier wall having a surface extending generally in an axial direction along the high-G wall toward the annular boundary wall, along which a blood component adjacent the high-G wall is directed, a first passage communicating with the separation channel through a first opening that is adjacent the low-G wall, the constricted channel adjoining the first opening, so that a blood component directed into the constricted channel enters the first passage for removal from the separation channel, and a second passage communicating with the separation channel through a second opening that is adjacent the high-G wall axially spaced from the annular boundary wall, the surface of the barrier wall adjoining the second opening, so that a blood component directed along the surface enters the second passage for removal from the separation channel.