JP2003514645A - Circularly driven continuous flow centrifuge - Google Patents

Abstract

There is disclosed a multi-lumen rope comprising a plurality of elongated tubes for delivering one or more fluids between a first fluid containing mechanism and a fluid receiving rotatably driven rotor, one end of the rope being attached to the center of the driven rotor, the other end of the rope being attached to the first fluid retaining mechanism, the first fluid retaining mechanism being mounted on an opposing side of the rotor and such that the point of attachment of the other end of the rope is substantially coaxial with an axis of the rotor, said elongated tubes comprising at least one tube disposed in a spiral wrap, wherein one end of the rope has a right hand twist and the other end of the rope has a left hand twist.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to centrifuges (apparati), and more particularly to cassettes, rotors or other devices, which are fixedly mounted to the fluid holding chamber and the shaft of the device. Centrifuge working with a fluid flow tubing).

In the context of what has become known as a continuous flow centrifuge, the total length of tubing when a length of tubing is fixedly attached to the axis of rotation of the device containing the fluid material to be centrifuged. Must be rotated by the use of rotary seals or some other means to avoid twisting the tubing. A well-known method to avoid the use of rotary seals is to bend the tubing length outwards from the shaft and at the outer edge around the rotor, or cassette, etc., at half the rotational speed of the rotor / cassette itself. Is to rotate the tubing in an annular form around. Accordingly, such a method for eliminating tube kinking and an apparatus therefor are described, for example, in US Pat. Nos. 4,216,770 and 4,419,08.
No. 9 and No. 4,389,206.

A problem inherent in prior art devices such as rotating fluid flow tubing about the axis of centrifuge rotation is that the axis of rotation is arranged vertically, the tubing passes through the axial shaft, and the device drives the axial shaft. This axial shaft requires a high aspect ratio and longitudinal shafts (which limit the speed of rotation and destabilize the device), and allow the user to counter the chuck component of the device. Limiting the ability to mount a second cassette, rotor, etc. on the side.

In accordance with the foregoing, reference is also made to US Pat. No. 5,665,048, which discloses a centrifuge for rotating a fluid holding housing, which is fixed to the rotation axis of the fluid holding housing. And a first rotatable mechanism having a rotation axis (wherein the fluid holding housing is Mounted coaxially on the first rotatable mechanism for simultaneous rotation with one rotatable mechanism); a second rotatable mechanism having a rotation axis (here, the first and the second rotatable mechanism). Two rotating mechanisms are mounted coaxially on the frame) and the second rotatable mechanism has an outer circumferential surface that engages the drive mechanism, the drive mechanism being selected. Rotation speed X Driving the outer circumferential surface to rotate the second rotatable mechanism at; the first rotatable mechanism allows the first rotatable mechanism to rotate at a second rotational speed of 2X. Interconnected with a second rotatable mechanism for simultaneous rotation therewith.

A second rotatable feature includes a seat for holding a distal length of the output tubing extending from the axis of the fluid retention housing, where the distal end of the output tubing held by the seat. The length rotates about the axis of rotation at the same rotational speed as the second rotatable mechanism. One of the problems associated with such an arrangement is the constant friction between the tubing and the sheet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, in accordance with the present invention, improvements are provided in centrifuges, and in particular, improvements in fluid tubing due to the support of the fluid tubing. According to the present invention, there is provided a centrifuge for rotating a fluid-holding housing such that upon rotation of the housing, one or more selected materials suspended in the fluid held within the housing are centrifuged. . The centrifuge includes a first rotatable mechanism that rotates with a fluid retention housing coaxially mounted to the first rotatable mechanism for co-rotation with the first rotatable mechanism. Have access. A second rotatable mechanism is also provided, which
Having a rotation axis, the first and second rotatable mechanisms are coaxially interconnected for simultaneous rotation about a common axis. The fluid tubing coupled to the shaft of the fluid retention housing has a distal length that extends axially outward from the fluid retention housing. According to one embodiment of the invention, an improvement is a support arm mounted on a second rotatable mechanism, a support tube therethrough for supporting at least a portion of the distal length of the fluid tubing, and The support arm includes a bearing member for rotatably supporting the support tube (where the fluid tubing is free to move between the fluid tubing and its support during rotation of the first and second rotating mechanisms). Either rotate with or in relation to the support tube to minimize friction).

In another embodiment of the invention, a plurality of longitudinal tubes for delivering one or more fluids between a mechanism containing a first fluid and a rotatably driven rotor for receiving the fluids. A multi-lumen rope including is provided. One end of the rope is attached to the center of the driven rotor and the other end of the rope is attached to the first fluid retention mechanism. The first fluid retention mechanism is mounted on the opposite side of the rotor such that the attachment point at the other end of the rope is substantially coaxial with the rotor axis. The aforementioned longitudinal tube may include at least one tube disposed within the spiral wrap. This can either be a wrap of one or more strands and can be either counterclockwise or clockwise. And also, in one or more strands, at one end the spiral wrap may also be clockwise, while at the other end it may be counterclockwise, and also, if desired,
There may be a straight section between them.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG. 1 shows a centrifuge device 10, the basic construction of which is described in US Pat. No. 5,665,665.
Can be substantially the same as described in No. 048. As far as the invention is concerned, this relates more to the tubing 70, and in particular to its support from the centrifuge 10. This support comprises a support arm 50 and its guide members 52 and 54.
including.

As mentioned above, the basic structure of centrifuge 10 may be the same as that described in US Pat. No. 5,665,048. Accordingly, US Pat. No. 5,665,048 is hereby incorporated herein by reference. This device
Includes bag set 20. It can also be referred to as a self-contained fluid-holding centrifuge cassette or rotor, which is mounted on an internally rotatable chuck 60. The backset 20 has fluid inputs and outputs 70 coaxially and fixedly mounted to the shaft 40 of the cassette 20, as illustrated in FIGS. As shown, the cassette is mounted on the chuck 60 so that its axis of rotation is coaxial along the common axis 40. Thus, as the chuck 60 rotates, the fixedly mounted tubing 70 simultaneously rotates with it. As shown, there is a length 72 of tubing 70 that extends axially outwardly from the area of the fixed fitting 71. A tubing length 72 curves axially rearwardly and extends through an individually rotatable radially outer pulley 90, which interconnects the pulley 90 and chuck 60 at a speed of XRPM. It is rotated by the gear train, while the chuck rotates at a speed of 2XRPM. Also, reference is made to US Pat.
65,048, which is incorporated herein by reference, for the manipulation of chuck and pulley placement. FIG. 1 actually shows a cutaway view showing the chuck 60 and a further cutaway view showing the gear 91 (part of the gear train described above).

In operation, when the pulley 90 rotates, the length of tubing 7 curved backwards
2 rotates about axis 40 at a speed of XRPM, while the fixedly mounted end 71 of tubing 70 actually rotates at a speed of 2XRPM. This phenomenon is well known in the art, as it allows the tubing 70 to avoid twisting about its axis even when the cassette 20 and the chuck 60 rotate the tubing 70, 71 about the axis. For a more complete description of this phenomenon, see US Pat.
048 and RE 29,783 (3,586,413) (Adams)
It is described in.

Reference is now made further to FIGS. 2 and 3, which illustrate a support arm 50. This support arm 50 has a pulley 90 in its central section 56.
It is fixed around the inside of the. Therefore, the support arm 50 rotates with the hub 90.

The support arm 50 is longitudinally shaped and extends to either side of the centrifuge 10, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the support arm 50 has a longitudinal channel 58, which carries a support tube 80. The support tube 80 is channel 5 with a set of bearings 82 illustrated in FIGS.
8 is actually supported. Each of these bearings is housed in a corresponding recess 84 at the opposite end of the support arm, as shown in FIG.

Accordingly, support arm 50 is fixedly attached to pulley 90, support tube 80 is supported within the channel and support arm by bearings 82, and fluid tube 70 then supports tube 80. Extending through, in this regard, FIG. 1 shows these various components in their final assembled state. The fluid tubing 70 is shown guided by the C-shaped guide member 52 to one end of the support tube 80. At the other end of the support tube, a fluid tubing length 72 extends out of the support tube and into an S-shaped tubing guide 54, as shown in FIG.

If the fluid tubing is in the form of a multi-lumen rope, that embodiment will be described later in this specification, with the elements of the rope furthest from the rotational access exerting a large force on the bearing surface. , And subsequently, creates a large frictional force that prevents the twisting required to produce the sliding rope action. The following parameter (perimeter)
It has been found to be desirable for proper operation of multi-lumen skip ropes; 1) strong but flexible skip assembly; 2) ability to transfer torque without damaging the rope; 3) rope. And a low friction between the support and the support, especially far from the axis of rotation (where the g-field is high).

Parameters 1 and 2 are typically met by choosing relatively small diameter, high durometer thermoplastic tubing. The gluing method and fixation were used so that an assembly of at least 9 lumens could be successfully attached with just the tubing location, and hence rigidity and strength. The assembly is in a spiral wrapped configuration for improved uniformity.

References are also made here to FIGS. 5A-5H for various designs of ropes.
Figure 5A shows one strand 100A wrapping clockwise, while Figure 5B shows multiple strands 100B wrapping counterclockwise. Figure 5
C shows one strand 100C wrapping clockwise, while FIG. 5D
Indicates that a plurality of strands 100D are wound around clockwise. Through testing and observation, it is found that the two ends of the skip rope move asymmetrically.
This is due to the fact that one end twists clockwise and the other end twists counterclockwise. One end is twisted up, while the other end is not twisted. Therefore, according to one embodiment, it has been found that during assembly of the rope, the twist directions can be opposite in the middle of the rope. In this regard, see Figures 5A, 5F and 5H. It is noted that the small section of the intermediate rope has no twist. By doing so, the rope can be installed so that both ends of the rope are in the same twisted state. The rope may be installed so that both ends are twisted to provide maximum torque stiffness, so that the ends are not twisted to provide the least restriction to fluid flow within the tube.

In accordance with the present invention, in order to provide the desired low friction, with respect to the fluid tubing, the portion of the skip rope is a perimeter (where the rope is very smooth, Teflon® firmly coated aluminum). It is noted that the rotational access from (guided through the section) proceeds forward through the curved support. See FIG. 3 and guide members 52 and 54. In these areas, the coefficient of friction between the skip rope and the guide is preferably less than 0.2.

The section of the skip rope at maximum diameter from the center of rotation is a straight section of varying length. This section can be very important for the overall torque required to twist the rope. In fact, the weight of the skip rope assembly (and the fluid (if the assembly is full)) is increased by the G-field, which can be over 1000 multiplications. To reduce the torque required to drive the twisting motion, this section of skip rope is supported by the support tube 80 described above. It is preferably a rigid tube, either metal or structurally pure stick. This rigid tube allows itself to be fully rotated about its own axis, supported by the low friction bearing 82 previously described. This reduces the torque required to drive this area of the skip rope assembly to just substantially zero. This structure of support tubes and bearings provides advantageous support for the fluid tubing length or lumen between guides 52 and 54. This support tube is free to rotate so that upon rotation of a member such as 60 and 90 in FIG. 1 (in other words, the first and second rotatable mechanisms), the fluid tubing is free to rotate with the support tube. It either rotates or rotates in relation to the support tube.

Another feature of the invention relates to the structure of the multilumen rope itself, as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 5B. It may consist of a plurality of at least eight lumens 100B around the central lumen 102B. As shown in FIG. 5B, the central lumen 102B is straight, while the other peripheral lumen wraps. Central lumen 102B can be an expressor tube, while lumen 100B can be a processing tube. Put another way, the tube 102B can be an input tubing and the tubing 100B can be an output tubing. Input tubing and output tubing can also be reversed.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other embodiments, improvements, details and uses can be made here consistent with the document and spirit of the above disclosure and within the scope of this patent. This patent is limited only by the following claims, which are to be construed in accordance with patent law, including the doctrine of equivalents.

[Brief description of drawings]

[Figure 1]   FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a centrifuge device according to the present invention.

[Fig. 2]   2 is a perspective view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1, specifically a support arm.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a fluid holding housing having a support arm having an end guide and a fluid tubing.

[Figure 4]   FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing components of the fluid holding housing and the fluid pipe material.

FIG. 5A discloses various alternative embodiments of fluid tubing or multi-lumen ropes in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5B discloses various alternative embodiments of fluid tubing or multi-lumen ropes in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5C discloses various alternative embodiments of fluid tubing or multi-lumen ropes in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5D discloses various alternative embodiments of fluid tubing or multi-lumen ropes in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5E discloses various alternative embodiments of fluid tubing or multilumen ropes in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5F discloses various alternative embodiments of fluid tubing or multi-lumen ropes in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5G discloses various alternative embodiments of fluid tubing or multilumen ropes in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5H discloses various alternative embodiments of fluid tubing or multi-lumen ropes in accordance with the present invention.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Standley, Robert El.             United States Massachusetts             02478, Belmont, Leslie Low             Do 31 F-term (reference) 4D057 AC01 AC06 AE11 BC01

Claims (26)

[Claims] 1. A centrifuge for rotating a fluid-retaining housing, wherein one or more selected materials suspended in a fluid retained within the housing are centrifuged during rotation of the housing. A centrifuge, the centrifuge comprising: a first rotatable mechanism having an axis of rotation, the fluid holding housing for co-rotating with the first rotatable mechanism; A first rotatable mechanism coaxially mounted on one rotatable mechanism; a second rotatable mechanism having a rotation axis, the first and second rotatable mechanisms being common A second rotatable mechanism coaxially interconnected for simultaneous rotation about an axis; a fluid tubing coupled to an axis of the fluid holding housing and outwardly from the fluid holding housing Has a distal length that extends axially And a support tube mounted on the second rotatable mechanism, the support tube comprising at least the distal length of the fluid tube through the support tube. A support tube for receiving a portion, and a bearing member for rotatably supporting the support tube on the support arm, whereby the first rotatable mechanism and the second rotatable mechanism. A centrifuge in which, when rotating, the fluid tubing is either free to rotate with or in relation to the support tube. 2. The centrifuge of claim 1, wherein the support arm extends to either side of the first and second rotatable mechanisms. 3. The centrifuge of claim 1, wherein the support arm includes a longitudinal channel for supporting the support tube. 4. The centrifuge of claim 3, wherein the support arm also includes a recess located opposite to support the bearing member. 5. The bearing member includes a set of oppositely disposed bearings carried by the recess of the support arm for supporting opposite ends of the support tube. Centrifuge described in. 6. The centrifuge according to claim 5, further comprising an input guide member fixed to one side surface of the support arm. 7. The centrifuge of claim 6 including an output guide member secured to the opposite end of the support arm. 8. The centrifuge according to claim 1, further comprising an input guide member fixed to one side surface of the support arm. 9. The centrifuge of claim 8 including an output guide member secured to the opposite end of the support arm. 10. The fluid tubing comprises a high durometer urethane tubing,
The centrifuge according to claim 1. 11. A guide member is further included at both ends of the support arm.
The centrifuge according to claim 1. 12. The Teflon (10), wherein each of the pair of guide members is smooth.
The centrifuge according to claim 11, which is a firmly coated aluminum member of registered trademark. 13. A multi-lumen rope that delivers one or more fluids between a mechanism containing a first fluid and a rotatably driven rotor that receives the fluid. A plurality of elongated tubes for attaching one end of the rope to the center of the driven rotor and the other end of the rope to the first fluid retention mechanism. Is mounted on the opposite side of the rotor,
And, as a result, the attachment point at the other end of the rope is substantially coaxial with the axis of the rotor and the elongated tube comprises at least one tube arranged in a spiral wrap. 14. The multi-lumen rope of claim 13, wherein the plurality of tubes comprises a central expressor tube and a plurality of peripheral processing tubes. 15. The multilumen rope of claim 14, wherein the spiral wrap is counterclockwise. 16. The multilumen rope of claim 14, wherein the spiral wrap is clockwise. 17. The multi-lumen rope of claim 13, wherein one end of the rope has a right-hand twist and the other end of the rope has a left-hand twist. 18. The multilumen rope of claim 17, wherein the central section of the rope has no kink. 19. The multi-lumen rope of claim 13, wherein the rope is installed to twist up at both ends to provide maximum torsional rigidity. 20. The multi-lumen rope of claim 13, wherein the rope is installed such that it is untwisted at both ends to create a minimum restriction on fluid flow in the tube. 21. A multi-lumen rope that delivers one or more fluids between a mechanism containing a first fluid and a rotatably driven rotor for receiving the fluid. A plurality of elongate tubes for supporting the rotor, the support arm rotatable with the rotor, the support tube for supporting at least a portion of the distal length of the elongated tube through the support tube, and the support arm. A bearing member for rotatably supporting the support tube, wherein one end of the rope is attached to the center of the driven rotor and the other end of the rope is attached to the first fluid holding mechanism. Mounted, the first fluid retention feature is mounted on the opposite side of the rotor, and so that the attachment point at the other end of the rope is substantially coaxial with the axis of the rotor. Lumen rope. 22. The multi-lumen rope of claim 21, wherein the support arm has opposite recesses for supporting a set of bearings including a channel for supporting the support tube and the bearing member. 23. The method further comprises an input guide member fixed to one end of the support arm and an output guide member fixed to the other end of the support arm.
The multi-lumen rope of claim 22. 24. A centrifuge for rotating a fluid holding housing having fluid input and output tubing fixedly connected to a rotation axis of a fluid holding housing, the centrifuge comprising: a frame; A first rotatable mechanism having an axis of rotation and a first diameter, wherein the fluid retention housing is co-rotated with the first rotatable mechanism to provide the first rotatable mechanism to the first rotatable mechanism. A coaxially mounted first rotatable mechanism; a rotation axis and a second rotatable mechanism having a second diameter greater than the first diameter, the first and second rotatable mechanisms A rotatable mechanism mounted coaxially on the frame; a second rotatable mechanism; a support arm mounted on the second rotatable mechanism; a support tube via the support tube; The fluid pipe material A support tube for supporting at least a portion of the distal length; and a bearing member for rotatably supporting the support tube on the support arm, the second rotatable mechanism engaging a drive mechanism. An outer circumferential surface, the drive mechanism driving the outer circumferential surface to cause the second rotatable mechanism to rotate at a selected rotational speed X, the first rotation A possible mechanism is such that the first rotatable mechanism simultaneously rotates with the second rotatable mechanism at a rotational speed of 2X,
Interconnected to a second rotatable mechanism whereby the first and second rotatable mechanisms are connected.
The centrifuge, wherein upon rotation of the rotating mechanism, the fluid tubing is either free to rotate with or in relation to the support tube. 25. The support arm has opposite recesses for supporting a set of bearings including a channel for supporting the support tube and the bearing member.
The centrifuge according to claim 24. 26. The method further comprises an input guide member fixed to one end of the support arm and an output guide member fixed to the other end of the support arm.
The centrifuge according to claim 25.