Patent ID: 7094196

Claim:
A method for centrifugally separating a composite fluid into at least two of the component fluid parts thereof, said method comprising receiving a composite fluid front a fluid source in a separation layer having a fluid receiving area adjacent an axis of rotation, said separation layer having: a fluid inlet channel having an inlet channel height; a circumferential fluid separation channel, said separation channel having a proximal end and a distal end; and, a first separated fluid outlet channel having a first height; a second separated fluid outlet channel having a second height, said second outlet channel being adjacent said distal end of said separation channel and said first outlet channel being proximal from said second channel, wherein said second height is less than said first height and said first height is less than said inlet channel height; placing said inlet channel in fluid communication with said fluid receiving area; and placing said circumferential separation channel in fluid communication with said fluid inlet channel adjacent said proximal end of said separation channel and with each of said separated fluid outlet channels; and placing at least one separated fluid outlet channels in fluid communication with a corresponding separated component fluid receiver; and delivering at least one separated fluid component to a separated component fluid receiver.