Patent ID: 7347948

Claim:
A centrifuge apparatus for separating a predetermined component from a fluid, comprising: a) a flexible centrifuge bag comprising: upper and lower flexible sheets, the sheets having doughnut shaped configurations, inner perimeters defining a central core of the centrifuge bag, and outer perimeters, wherein the upper and lower sheets are superimposed and completely sealed together at their outer and inner perimeters; a first compartment for receiving the fluid and separating the fluid into at least a first fraction and a second fraction; a second compartment for separating the predetermined component from the first fraction; a channel fluidly communicating the first compartment with the second compartment; an inlet tube for introducing the fluid into the first compartment; and an outlet tube for removing the predetermined component from the second compartment; and b) a rotatable rotor comprising an annular base having a first annular channel and an annular cover having a second channel for holding the flexible centrifuge bag therebetween, whereby when the base and the cover are superimposed, the first and second annular channels define an annular interior chamber having an off-centered figure eight configuration, the cover further comprising one or more radially spaced apart concentric indicator lines for monitoring the separation of the predetermined component.