Patent ID: 7252758

Claim:
An automated separation and collection system for processing blood comprising: a control system; a centrifuge assembly operated by the control system including a centrifuge and a separation container releasably coupled to and selectively rotatable by the centrifuge at a plurality of processing rotation speeds; a fill pump operated by the control system for pumping blood through a fill line from a fill syringe to the separation container; a valve operated by the control system to control the flow of blood in the fill line; a collection pump operated by the control system for pumping fluid from the separation container to a collection syringe through a collection line; a connector for fluidly connecting the fill and collection lines into a single flexible line, the single flexible line fluidly connected to the separation container; and an interface detector communicatively linded to the control system for transmitting a signal to the control system when an interface between two or more components within the separation container is detected, wherein the centrifuge assembly includes a loop device to enhance rotation and wear characteristics of the flexible line, the loop device including contact surfaces configured for reduced wear of portions of the flexible line abutting the contact surfaces, the loop device including an arm assembly including a latch for mating with and supporting the tube clamp and an arm for positioning the latch a distance from the centrifuge, the latch being positioned such that the tube clamp is positioned on the rotation axis of the centrifuge.