Patent ID: 7914753

Claim:
A flow structure for performing separation of a tested specimen comprising a first component and a second component with different characteristics therebetween, comprising: a main body rotatable about a reference axis penetrating a center thereof; a first compartment formed at the center of the main body; a second compartment formed in the main body radially outward of the first compartment relative to the reference axis and communicated with the first compartment, wherein the first compartment and second compartments are arranged such that when the tested specimen is disposed in the first compartment, an amount of the tested specimen is transmitted from the first compartment to the second compartment; a third compartment formed in the main body radially outward of the second compartment relative to the reference axis and communicated with the second compartment, comprising a first cushion region and a second cushion region communicated with the first cushion region, wherein the second compartment and the third compartment are arranged such that rotation of the main body in a first direction for a first predetermined period of time causes the tested specimen located in the second compartment to be transmitted to the first and second cushion regions of the third compartment, and wherein the third compartment is configured such that rotation of the main body in the first direction for a second predetermined period of time subsequent to the first period of time causes the separation of the first and second components of the tested specimen located at the first cushion region such that the second cushion region is filled with the separated first component; a fourth compartment formed in the main body and communicated with the third compartment, wherein the third compartment and the fourth compartment are arranged such that the first component of the tested specimen located at the second cushion region is transmitted to the fourth compartment when rotation of the main body is stopped for a particular period of time, and wherein the fourth compartment is configured such that rotation of the main body in a second direction different than the first direction causes the separated first component located at the fourth compartment to be transmitted outwardly relative to the reference axis by an acting force, so that the first component is completely separated from the second component; a fifth compartment communicated with the fourth compartment, wherein the separated first component located at the fourth compartment is outwardly transmitted to the fifth compartment by the acting force; and a sixth compartment communicated with the fifth compartment.