EP3603813A2 - Fluid centrifuge and method for centrifuging a fluid using a centrifuge - Google Patents

Fluid centrifuge and method for centrifuging a fluid using a centrifuge Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3603813A2
EP3603813A2 EP18736962.4A EP18736962A EP3603813A2 EP 3603813 A2 EP3603813 A2 EP 3603813A2 EP 18736962 A EP18736962 A EP 18736962A EP 3603813 A2 EP3603813 A2 EP 3603813A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
rotor
holder
fluid
centrifuge
frame
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP18736962.4A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Emiliano Gabriel TOLOSA GONZÁLEZ
Nuria Noguera Ferrer
Ricard CARDUS VILA
Josep Maria ESCUER JULIEN
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Tecnologia Regenerativa Qrem SL
Original Assignee
Tecnologia Regenerativa Qrem SL
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Tecnologia Regenerativa Qrem SL filed Critical Tecnologia Regenerativa Qrem SL
Publication of EP3603813A2 publication Critical patent/EP3603813A2/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B04—CENTRIFUGAL APPARATUS OR MACHINES FOR CARRYING-OUT PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES
    • B04B—CENTRIFUGES
    • B04B5/00—Other centrifuges
    • B04B5/04—Radial chamber apparatus for separating predominantly liquid mixtures, e.g. butyrometers
    • B04B5/0407—Radial chamber apparatus for separating predominantly liquid mixtures, e.g. butyrometers for liquids contained in receptacles
    • B04B5/0414—Radial chamber apparatus for separating predominantly liquid mixtures, e.g. butyrometers for liquids contained in receptacles comprising test tubes
    • B04B5/0421—Radial chamber apparatus for separating predominantly liquid mixtures, e.g. butyrometers for liquids contained in receptacles comprising test tubes pivotably mounted
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B04—CENTRIFUGAL APPARATUS OR MACHINES FOR CARRYING-OUT PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES
    • B04B—CENTRIFUGES
    • B04B9/00—Drives specially designed for centrifuges; Arrangement or disposition of transmission gearing; Suspending or balancing rotary bowls
    • B04B9/02—Electric motor drives
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B04—CENTRIFUGAL APPARATUS OR MACHINES FOR CARRYING-OUT PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES
    • B04B—CENTRIFUGES
    • B04B7/00—Elements of centrifuges
    • B04B7/02—Casings; Lids
    • B04B2007/025—Lids for laboratory centrifuge rotors
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B04—CENTRIFUGAL APPARATUS OR MACHINES FOR CARRYING-OUT PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES
    • B04B—CENTRIFUGES
    • B04B11/00—Feeding, charging, or discharging bowls
    • B04B11/04—Periodical feeding or discharging; Control arrangements therefor
    • B04B2011/046—Loading, unloading, manipulating sample containers

Definitions

  • the present application belongs to the field of fluid centrifuges and methods for centrifuging fluids, in particular for biological fluids such as blood and/or blood derived components, bone marrow or fatty tissue.
  • Centrifuges for biological fluids are known which are employed in laboratory environment. They are devices configured for subjecting samples of biological fluids to rotation. Through the centrifugal force that is achieved during its operation, it is possible to accelerate sedimentation processes in fluids. In this way, the different components of the fluid can be separated.
  • Centrifuges essentially comprise a rotor driven by a motor, a frame and a cover for protecting the rotor.
  • the rotor is provided with a plurality of housings, distributed around its axis of rotation. Fluid samples are usually placed in a series of test tubes or pipes, each of which is inserted into a corresponding housing in the rotor. This rotor is located in a bucket shaped chamber.
  • the samples can be placed and handled by the user in the rotor housings through the cover, which opens and enables access to the bucket.
  • centrifuges may require all the rotor housings to be filled with similar samples, or the samples to be positioned symmetrically around the axis of rotation, or they may require mechanisms for balancing the rotor when samples are placed only in some of the housings, such as a mechanical system being of similar weight and shape to that of the actual sample in order to achieve a perfect balance in rotation of the rotor.
  • centrifuges especially of a certain size, is generally intended for specialized personnel, and their cost is relatively high.
  • a fluid centrifuge that may comprise:
  • opening adapted to the size of the holder should be interpreted in the sense that the opening is shaped and sized such only the holder intended to receive a cartridge can be comfortably accessed, with the cover keeping the rest of the rotor and other mechanisms of the centrifuge protected and preventing the user from accessing other parts/elements thereof.
  • a safe and easy-to-use fluid centrifuge is obtained.
  • the user only has to insert/remove the cartridge through the opening adapted to the size of the holder; the user bi-univocally finds a unique holder where the cartridge is received with the fluid to be centrifuged.
  • centrifuge may be handled and activated, for example, by a doctor or nurse in the context of a medical consultation.
  • the fluid centrifuge may comprise a stopping device configured to stop the rotor so that the holder intended to receive the cartridge is arranged in correspondence with the opening. This feature further facilitates the use of the centrifuge, since the user will always find the cartridge accessible through the opening after centrifugation, without the need to rotate the rotor manually to match the holder to the opening.
  • the opening of the cover is adapted to the size of the holder, safety is improved since the machine structure is stiffened in case of accidental catastrophic breakage of a rotor shaft while the rotor is rotating at high speed.
  • the stopping device may comprise an electromagnetic brake that may comprise a pair of mutually magnetically linkable members, one member being formed integral with the rotor and the other member being formed integral with the frame.
  • the stopping device may comprise a sensor for sensing the position of the rotor relative to the frame, so that the electromagnetic brake is operable according to a signal from said position sensor.
  • the position sensor may comprise a magnet formed integral with the holder and a magnetic field detector formed integral with the frame.
  • the fluid centrifuge may comprise a motor for rotating the rotor about the axis of rotation
  • the stopping device may comprise a processing unit configured for controlling the operation of the motor
  • the motor may be a stepper motor.
  • the motor may be of the (permanent magnet) "BLDC" synchronous type.
  • the fluid centrifuge may comprise a motor for rotating the rotor about the axis of rotation, wherein the stopping device may comprise an encoder associated with the motor.
  • the holder may be mounted on the rotor in an oscillating manner.
  • the holder may comprise a housing adapted to the shape of the cartridge.
  • the rotor may comprise a counterweight arranged symmetrically to the holder relative to the axis of rotation.
  • the rotor may comprise an additional holder intended to receive the counterweight.
  • the additional holder may be mounted on the rotor in an oscillating manner.
  • the cover may comprise an openable lid in correspondence with the opening.
  • the rotor may comprise a pair of longitudinal members joined together through a cross member so that an "H" is defined, wherein the longitudinal members may be arranged symmetrically to one another relative to the axis of rotation.
  • the holder intended to receive the cartridge may be arranged between the pair of longitudinal members.
  • the additional holder intended to receive the counterweight may be arranged between the pair of longitudinal members.
  • the holder may comprise a housing intended to receive a unique cartridge with fluid to be centrifuged.
  • a method for centrifuging a fluid with a centrifuge which may comprise:
  • the holder may be arranged in an oscillating manner relative to the rotor so that the angle of inclination of the holder relative to an axis of rotation of the rotor may vary when subjecting the fluid to a predetermined centrifugation cycle.
  • one member may be magnetically attached to the rotor and another member may be formed integral with the frame in order to stop the rotor.
  • FIG. 1 One example of the fluid centrifuge according to the present description, which has been designated as a whole with reference numeral 1, has been illustrated in figure 1 .
  • Figure 1 shows a diagrammatic perspective view of the fluid centrifuge 1 with a lid 7 in a closed position and figure 2 shows the same fluid centrifuge 1 but with the lid 7 in an open position and from another point of view.
  • Figure 3 shows a diagrammatic view of a longitudinal section of the fluid centrifuge 1.
  • the fluid centrifuge 1 may comprise:
  • the holder 31 is the unique holder that is intended to receive a cartridge with a fluid that it is desired to centrifuge in order to separate its components, although, as will be pointed out below, it is possible that the centrifuge has for example a further additional holder, with a different function.
  • cartridge refers herein to a container capable of receiving a sample of fluid to be centrifuged.
  • Said cartridge may have a suitable internal configuration, for example through channels or tubes (not shown), for subjecting the fluid sample to the centrifugal force.
  • the cartridge may be of a fungible nature for example in cases where biological fluids such as blood and/or derivatives thereof are to be centrifuged.
  • the cartridge may have the configuration described in WO2016174180 A1 .
  • the cartridge 100 may comprise more than one sample to be centrifuged and/or the unique holder 31 may be adapted to receive more than one cartridge 100.
  • the fluid centrifuge 1 may comprise a stopping device configured to stop the rotor 3 so that the holder 31 intended to receive the cartridge 100 can be arranged in correspondence with the opening 41 as it will be explained below.
  • Figure 2 shows how the cartridge 100 arranged in the holder 31 remains in correspondence with the opening 41 so that it can be easily removed or inserted by the user and without fear of making a mistake.
  • the stopping device may comprise an electromagnetic brake which in turn comprises a pair of mutually magnetically linkable members 51, 52: one member 51 may be formed integral with the rotor 3 and the other member 52 may be formed integral with the bucket 21 of the frame 2.
  • the stopping device may comprise a sensor 3 for sensing the position of the rotor relative to the frame 2. This allows the electromagnetic brake to be actuated according to a signal from said position sensor, which may be direct or through a processing unit 55 as will be described below.
  • the position sensor may comprise a magnet 53 formed integral with the holder 31 and a magnetic field detector 54 formed integral with the bucket 21 of the frame 2. When the magnet 53, which can rotate together with the holder 31, passes over the magnetic field detector 54, it detects this and outputs the corresponding signal, so that the electromagnetic brake comes into operation stopping the rotor 3 in the predetermined position.
  • the fluid centrifuge 1 may comprise a motor 6 operatively linked to the rotor 3 for rotating the rotor 3 about the axis of rotation A1.
  • the stopping device may comprise the processing unit 55 configured for controlling the operation of the motor 6.
  • the processing unit 55 can thus activate, accelerate, brake and/or stop the operation of the motor 6.
  • the fluid centrifuge 1 may also comprise a user interface such as a display screen 8 for controlling/managing centrifugation. Said display screen may be arranged on a protruding portion of the fluid centrifuge 1 so as to improve user readability. In the figures enclosed herein, such protruding portion has a wedge-shaped cross-section.
  • the electromagnetic brake may be dispensed with, since the angular displacement of the motor 6, and therefore the angular position of the rotor 3 driven by the motor 6, can be known at all times. This information can be sent to the processing unit 55 so as to control at all times the operation of the motor 6.
  • the motor 6 may be of the "BLDC” synchronous or permanent magnet type.
  • BLDC refers to "Brushless DC” (brushless DC motor).
  • the electromagnetic brake may be also dispensed with since the angular displacement of the motor 6, and thus the angular position of the rotor 3 that is driven by the motor 6, can be known. This information can also be sent to the processing unit 55 for controlling the operation of the motor 6.
  • the stopping device may comprise an encoder associated with the motor 6.
  • the rotational speed, the angular displacement of the motor 6, etc. can be encoded from the rotation of the motor 6. This information can be sent to the processing unit 55 for controlling at all times the operation of the motor 6. In this way, the position sensor described above may be dispensed with.
  • Figures 3-5 show that the holder 31 may comprise a housing or space adapted to the shape of the cartridge 100.
  • the shape and size of the holder 31 conform to the shape and size of the cartridge 100. In this way, holding of the cartridge 100 is optimal for subjecting it to the centrifugation process and allows it to be inserted and removed simply; incorrect positioning of the cartridge 100 can also be prevented when not correctly inserted into the adapted housing, for example with the cartridge 100 upside down.
  • the rotor 3 may comprise a counterweight 200 symmetrically arranged to the holder 31 relative to the axis of rotation A1.
  • the fluid centrifuge 1 may comprise an additional holder 32 intended to receive the counterweight 200.
  • the counterweight 200 could for example be another cartridge that may be filled with water or another liquid or fluid or solid, so that it is of the same weight and its mass distribution is similar to the cartridge with the fluid to be centrifuged that is placed in the holder 31. In this way, it is simple to adapt the centrifuge to a specific application, in which the cartridges with the fluid to be centrifuged will have a certain weight.
  • the counterweight 200 may be arranged in the rotor 3 without the additional holder 32.
  • the stopping device may comprise the magnet 53 of the position sensor formed integral with the holder 31.
  • the additional holder 32 may be formed integral with any of the members 51, 52 of the electromagnetic brake: in one example the member 51 may be a plate or the like made of ferromagnetic material and the other member 52 may be an electromagnet that is actuated when the magnet 53 is detected by the stopping device. No further details will be given for the electromagnet internal structure since it may be any within the reach of those skilled in the art.
  • Figure 3 shows that the member 52, which may be the electromagnet, and more specifically its longitudinal axis, may be inclined relative to the axis of rotation A1, so that it is aligned relative to the additional holder 32 where the member 51, which may be the plate or piece of ferromagnetic material, is located. That is, in a resting state the two members of the electromagnetic brake are tilted the same amount relative to the axis of rotation A1. With such electromagnet arrangement, maximum efficiency thereof is ensured when the additional holder 32 (and/or holder 31) reaches or is about to reach its minimum inclination relative to the axis of rotation A1, corresponding to the resting state.
  • the member 51 may be located elsewhere in the rotor 3.
  • the holder 31 and the additional holder 32 may be configured as a sheath like receptacle so as to be able to receive, respectively, the cartridge 100 and the counterweight 200.
  • Such receptacles may have an upper mouth through which the cartridge is inserted or removed; in addition, the opening of said mouth may extend over the receptacle side walls, leaving a free surface for accessing the cartridge 100 and thus improving handling thereof.
  • the stopping device may comprise a sensor 3 for sensing the position of the rotor relative to the frame 2. This allows the electromagnetic brake to be actuated according to a signal from said position sensor.
  • the position sensor may comprise a magnet 53 formed integral with the holder 31 and a magnetic field detector 54 formed integral with the frame 2. When the magnet 53 passes over the magnetic field detector 54, it detects this and outputs the corresponding signal, so that the electromagnetic brake comes into operation stopping the rotor 3 in the predetermined position.
  • a liquid centrifuge 1 is illustrated in figures 2-3 where an openable lid 7 is shown in correspondence with the opening 41 of the cover 4. Such lid 7 can be opened when the rotor 3 remains in a resting state.
  • the rotor 3 may comprise a pair of longitudinal members 33, 34 joined together through a cross member 35 so that an "H" is defined.
  • the longitudinal members 33, 34 may be arranged symmetrically to one another relative to the axis of rotation A1.
  • both the holder 31 and the additional holder 32 are respectively arranged between the pair of longitudinal members 33, 34 but it may be the case that some of the holders are not arranged in this way.
  • the holder 31 may be arranged in an oscillating manner relative to the rotor 3; similarly, and according to a different example, the additional holder 32 may also be arranged in an oscillating manner relative to the rotor 3.
  • the receptacles (holder 31 and additional holder 32) may be rotatably attached relative to the rotor 3, such that the relative inclination between the cartridge 100 (e.g. its longitudinal axis) and the axis of rotation A1 may vary during centrifugation.
  • the receptacles are attached to the longitudinal members 33, 34 by means of pins 36; as a result, the receptacles can be freely rotated relative to the rotor 3 when subjected to centrifugal force.
  • the holder 31 is displaced relative to the axis of rotation A1.
  • a method for centrifuging a fluid with a fluid centrifuge 1 is described below according to some examples.
  • the method may comprise:
  • the cartridge 100 may contain a blood sample (not shown) that is inserted into the centrifuge to separate the different components by sedimentation, taking advantage of the different densities thereof. Once the predetermined centrifugation cycle has been completed, the cartridge 100 can be removed through the opening 41, with the components already separated from each other.
  • the method may comprise a centrifugation cycle as described in WO2016174180 A1 .

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EP18736962.4A 2017-03-29 2018-03-28 Fluid centrifuge and method for centrifuging a fluid using a centrifuge Pending EP3603813A2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ES201700492 2017-03-29
PCT/ES2018/070268 WO2018178480A2 (es) 2017-03-29 2018-03-28 Centrifugadora de fluidos y método para centrifugar un fluido con una centrifugadora

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3603813A2 true EP3603813A2 (en) 2020-02-05

Family

ID=62815066

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP18736962.4A Pending EP3603813A2 (en) 2017-03-29 2018-03-28 Fluid centrifuge and method for centrifuging a fluid using a centrifuge

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3603813A2 (es)
WO (1) WO2018178480A2 (es)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2023196922A1 (en) * 2022-04-06 2023-10-12 Babson Diagnostics, Inc. Automated centrifuge loader

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS58154662A (ja) * 1982-03-10 1983-09-14 Hitachi Ltd 前処理機能を備えた自動分析装置
WO2006035801A1 (ja) * 2004-09-30 2006-04-06 Arkray, Inc. 遠心分離装置およびこれを備えた分析装置
US9446417B2 (en) * 2012-01-25 2016-09-20 BioNex Solutions, Inc. Vibration response and tuning of a center of mass/gravity of a centrifuge
AU2013292400A1 (en) * 2012-07-18 2015-01-29 Theranos, Inc. High speed, compact centrifuge for use with small sample volumes
ES2833420T3 (es) 2015-04-29 2021-06-15 Nte Sener Healthcare S A Separación y transferencia de fases de un fluido por centrifugación

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2023196922A1 (en) * 2022-04-06 2023-10-12 Babson Diagnostics, Inc. Automated centrifuge loader

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2018178480A2 (es) 2018-10-04
WO2018178480A3 (es) 2018-11-22

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