JP2010284651A - Circumferentially driven continuous flow centrifuge - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a centrifugal machine having a new structure. <P>SOLUTION: The centrifugal machine 10 includes the first rotatable mechanism 60, the second rotatable mechanism 90 and a fluid tubing 70. The first rotatable mechanism includes a rotation axis, and a fluid retentive housing 20 is coaxially mounted on the first rotatable mechanism for co-rotation with the first rotatable mechanism. The second rotatable mechanism includes a rotatable axis, and the first and the second rotatable mechanisms are coaxially interconnected for co-rotation around a common axis. Additionally, the fluid tubing is connected to the fluid retentive housing and includes a distal length that extends axially outwardly from the fluid retentive housing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

(Background of the Invention)
The present invention relates to centrifuges, and more particularly cassettes, rotors or other devices (which have a fluid holding chamber and a fluid flow tubing fixedly attached to the shaft of the device). It relates to centrifuges that work together.

In the context of a mechanism that has become known as a continuous flow centrifuge, if a length of tubing is fixedly attached to the rotating shaft of the device containing the fluid material to be centrifuged, the total length of the tubing is Must be rotated by the use of a rotating seal or by some other means so as to avoid twisting. A known method for avoiding the use of a rotating seal is to curve its tube length outwardly from the axis 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 tube in an annular form around. Therefore, such a method and apparatus for eliminating the twist of the tube are disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1 ( US Pat. No. 4,216,770 ) and Patent Document 2 ( US Pat. No. 4,419,089 ). And Patent Document 3 ( No. 4,389,206 ) .

A problem inherent in prior devices, such as rotating fluid flow tubing around the axis of centrifugal rotation, is that the rotational axis is positioned vertically, the tubing passes through the shaft shaft, and the device drives the shaft shaft. Driven, this shaft shaft requires a high aspect ratio and longitudinal shaft (which limits rotational speed and destabilizes the device), and the user is on the opposite side of the chuck component of the device Limiting the ability to mount a second cassette, rotor, etc.

In accordance with the foregoing, reference is also made to US Pat. No. 5,665,048, which is a centrifuge for rotating a fluid holding housing (which is fixedly connected to the axis of rotation of the fluid holding housing). has been having an inlet tubing and outlet tubing of the fluid) provides, this centrifuge comprises: a frame; a first rotatable mechanism having a rotation axis (in this case, fluid retention housing, the first rotatable A second rotatable mechanism having a rotation axis (here, the first and second rotating mechanisms) for simultaneous rotation with the first mechanism; Is mounted coaxially on the frame) and the second rotatable mechanism has an outer circumferential surface that engages the drive mechanism, the drive mechanism having a selected rotational speed X The second rotatable mechanism turns The first rotatable mechanism is configured such that the first rotatable mechanism rotates simultaneously with the second rotatable mechanism at a rotational speed of 2X. Interconnected with two rotatable mechanisms.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,216,770 US Pat. No. 4,419,089 U.S. Pat. No. 4,389,206

The second rotatable function includes a sheet for retaining a distal length of the outflow tubing extending from the axis of the fluid retaining housing, wherein the distal length of the outflow tubing retained by the sheet is the second Rotate around the rotation axis at the same rotational speed as the 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)
Thus, in accordance with the present invention, improvements to fluid tubing are provided by improvements to the centrifuge, particularly by support of the fluid tubing. In accordance with the present invention, a centrifuge is provided for rotating a fluid retaining housing such that, upon rotation of the housing, one or more selected materials suspended in a fluid retained within the housing are centrifuged. . The centrifuge includes a first rotatable mechanism that rotates with a fluid retaining housing that is coaxially mounted on the first rotatable mechanism for simultaneous rotation with the first rotatable mechanism. Have access. A second rotatable mechanism is also provided, which has a rotational axis, and 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 holding housing has a distal length that extends axially outward from the fluid holding housing. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the improvement includes a support arm mounted on the second rotatable mechanism, a support tube for supporting at least a portion of the distal length of the fluid tubing, and the A bearing member for rotatably supporting the support tube on the support arm (where the fluid tube freely moves between the fluid tube and its support during rotation of the first and second rotation mechanisms); Either rotate with the support tube or rotate relative to the support tube to minimize friction).

In another embodiment of the present invention, a multi-tube comprising a plurality of longitudinal tubes for delivering one or more fluids between a mechanism that includes a first fluid and a rotatably driven rotor that receives the fluid. A cavity rope 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 holding 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 axis of the rotor. The aforementioned longitudinal tube may comprise at least one tube arranged in a helical winding . This can be either a single or multiple strand winding and can be either counterclockwise or clockwise. And also in one or more strands, at one end, the helical winding can also be clockwise, while at the other end it can be counterclockwise, and also if necessary There may be straight sections in between.
More specifically, the present invention can relate to the following items.
(Item 1) A centrifuge for rotating a fluid holding housing, wherein one or more selected materials suspended in a fluid held in the housing are centrifuged when the housing is rotated. A centrifuge, wherein the centrifuge is:
A first rotatable mechanism having a rotating shaft, wherein the fluid holding housing is coaxially mounted on the first rotatable mechanism for simultaneous rotation with the first rotatable mechanism; A first rotatable mechanism;
A second rotatable mechanism having a rotational axis, wherein the first and second rotatable mechanisms are coaxially interconnected for simultaneous rotation about a common axis Mechanism;
A fluid tubing coupled to the shaft of the fluid retaining housing and having a distal length extending axially outwardly from the fluid retaining housing;
A support arm mounted on the second rotatable mechanism, a support tube, for receiving at least a portion of the distal length of the fluid tubing via the support tube. And a bearing member for rotatably supporting the support tube on the support arm,
So that upon rotation of the first rotatable mechanism and the second rotatable mechanism, the fluid tubing freely rotates with or in connection with the support tube. A centrifuge that is either rotating.
(Item 2) The centrifuge according to item 1, wherein the support arm extends to any side surface of the first and second rotatable mechanisms.
(Item 3) The centrifuge according to item 1, wherein the support arm includes a longitudinal channel for supporting the support tube.
(Item 4) The centrifuge according to item 3, wherein the support arm also includes a recess disposed on the opposite side to support the bearing member.
(Item 5) The item 4, wherein the bearing member includes a pair of bearings arranged on opposite sides supported by the recess of the support arm for supporting an opposite end of the support tube. Centrifuge.
(Item 6) The centrifuge according to Item 5, including an input guide member fixed to one side surface of the support arm.
(Item 7) The centrifuge according to item 6, comprising an output guide member fixed to the opposite end of the support arm.
(Item 8) The centrifuge according to item 1, comprising an input guide member fixed to one side surface of the support arm.
(Item 9) The centrifuge according to item 8, comprising an output guide member fixed to the opposite end of the support arm.
(Item 10) The centrifuge according to item 1, wherein the fluid pipe material includes a high durometer urethane pipe material.
(Item 11) The centrifuge according to item 1, further comprising guide members at both ends of the support arm.
(Item 12) The centrifuge according to item 11, wherein each of the pair of guide members is a smooth, Teflon (registered trademark) firmly coated aluminum member.
(Item 13) A multi-lumen rope, wherein the multi-lumen rope delivers one or more fluids between a mechanism containing a first fluid and a rotatably driven rotor that receives the fluid. A first end of the rope is attached to the center of the driven rotor, the other end of the rope is attached to the first fluid holding mechanism, and the first fluid holding 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 is at least one disposed in a helical wrap. A multi-lumen rope containing two tubes.
(Item 14) The multi-lumen rope according to item 13, wherein the plurality of tubes includes a central expresser tube and a plurality of peripheral processing tubes.
(Item 15) The multi-lumen rope according to item 14, wherein the spiral wrap is counterclockwise.
(Item 16) The multi-lumen rope according to item 14, wherein the spiral wrap is clockwise.
(Item 17) The multi-lumen rope according to item 13, wherein one end of the rope has a clockwise twist and the other end of the rope has a counterclockwise twist.
(Item 18) The multi-lumen rope according to item 17, wherein the central section of the rope has no twist.
(Item 19) The multi-lumen rope according to item 13, wherein the rope is installed so as to be twisted at both ends to give maximum torsional rigidity.
20. The multi-lumen rope of claim 13, wherein the rope is installed such that both ends are not twisted to create a minimum restriction on the fluid flow in the tube.
21. A multi-lumen rope for delivering 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, a support arm rotatable with the rotor, a support tube for supporting at least a portion of a distal length of the elongated tube via 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 a first fluid holding mechanism; The first fluid holding mechanism is mounted on the opposite side of the rotor, and as a result, the attachment point of the other end of the rope is the axis of the rotor. A multi-lumen rope that is substantially coaxial with.
22. The multi-lumen rope of claim 21, wherein the support arm has a channel for supporting the support tube and an opposite recess for supporting a set of bearings including the bearing member.
(Item 23) The multi-lumen rope according to item 22, further comprising 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.
(Item 24) A centrifuge for rotating the fluid holding housing having a fluid input and an output pipe member fixedly coupled to a rotating shaft of the fluid holding housing, the centrifuge being:
flame;
A first rotatable mechanism having a rotational axis and a first diameter, wherein the fluid retaining housing is coupled to the first rotatable mechanism for simultaneous rotation with the first rotatable mechanism. A first rotatable mechanism mounted coaxially;
A rotary shaft and a second rotatable mechanism having a second diameter larger than the first diameter, wherein the first and second rotatable mechanisms are coaxially mounted on the frame. A second rotatable mechanism;
A support arm mounted on the second rotatable mechanism;
A support tube for supporting at least a portion of the distal length of the fluid tubing through the support tube; and
A bearing member for rotatably supporting the support tube on the support arm;
And the second rotatable mechanism has an outer circumferential surface engaged with the drive mechanism, and the drive mechanism rotates at a rotational speed X at which the second rotatable mechanism is selected. And driving the outer circumferential surface so that the first rotatable mechanism is such that the first rotatable mechanism rotates simultaneously with the second rotatable mechanism at a rotational speed of 2X. The fluid tube is free to rotate with the support tube or to the support tube during rotation of the first and second rotation mechanisms. A centrifuge that is either rotating in relation.
(Item 25) The centrifuge according to item 24, wherein the support arm has a channel for supporting the support tube and an opposite recess for supporting a set of bearings including the bearing member.
(Item 26) The centrifuge according to item 25, further comprising 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.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a centrifuge according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1, particularly a support arm. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a support arm having a distal guide member and a fluid holding housing having a fluid pipe. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing components of the fluid holding housing and the fluid pipe. FIG. 5A discloses various alternative embodiments of fluid tubing or multi-lumen rope according to the present invention. FIG. 5B discloses various alternative embodiments of fluid tubing or multi-lumen rope according to the present invention. FIG. 5C discloses various alternative embodiments of fluid tubing or multi-lumen rope according to the present invention. FIG. 5D discloses various alternative embodiments of fluid tubing or multi-lumen rope according to the present invention. FIG. 5E discloses various alternative embodiments of fluid tubing or multi-lumen rope according to the present invention. FIG. 5F discloses various alternative embodiments of fluid tubing or multi-lumen rope according to the present invention. FIG. 5G discloses various alternative embodiments of fluid tubing or multi-lumen rope according to the present invention. FIG. 5H discloses various alternative embodiments of fluid tubing or multi-lumen rope according to the present invention.

(Detailed explanation)
FIG. 1 shows a centrifuge 10 whose basic configuration can be substantially the same as that described in US Pat. No. 5,665,048. As far as the present invention is concerned, this relates to the tubing 70 and in particular to its support from the centrifuge 10. The support includes a support arm 50 and its guide members 52 and 54.

As mentioned above, the basic structure of the centrifuge 10 may be the same as that described in US Pat. No. 5,665,048. Thus, US Pat. No. 5,665,048 is hereby incorporated herein by reference. The device includes a bag set 20. This 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 inflow and outflow tubing 70 that is coaxially and fixedly attached to the shaft 40 of the cassette 20, as shown 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. Therefore, when the chuck 60 rotates, the fixedly attached tube material 70 rotates simultaneously therewith. As shown, there is a length 72 of tubing 70 that extends axially outwardly from the area of the fixed fitting 71. Tubing length 72 curves axially rearward and extends through individually rotatable radially outer pulley 90, which interconnects pulley 90 and chuck 60 at XRPM speed. Rotated by the gear train, while the chuck rotates at a speed of 2X RPM. Reference is also made to the operation of chuck and pulley placement relative to US Pat. No. 5,665,048, which is incorporated herein by reference. FIG. 1 actually shows a cut-out drawing showing the chuck 60 and a further cut-out drawing showing the gear 91 (part of the aforementioned gear train).

  In operation, when the pulley 90 rotates, the length 72 of the tube curved backwards rotates around the axis 40 at a speed of XRPM, while the fixedly attached end 71 of the tube 70 is It actually rotates at a speed of 2X RPM. This phenomenon is well known in the art because it allows the tube 70 to avoid twisting about its axis even when the cassette 20 and chuck 60 rotate the tubes 70, 71 on the axis. A more complete description of this phenomenon is described in US Pat. No. 5,665,048 and RE 29,783 (3,586,413) (Adams).

  Reference is now made further to FIGS. 2 and 3, which illustrate the support arm 50. The support arm 50 is fixedly attached to the inner periphery of the pulley 90 at the central section 56. Accordingly, the support arm 50 rotates together 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 that supports a support tube 80. The support tube 80 is actually supported in the channel 58 by a set of bearings 82 illustrated in FIGS. Each of these bearings is housed in a corresponding recess 84 at the opposite end of the support arm, as shown in FIG.

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

If the fluid tubing is in the form of a multi-lumen rope, that embodiment will be described later in this specification, and the element of the rope farthest from the rotational access will exert a large force on the support surface and subsequently This creates a large frictional force that prevents the torsion necessary to cause the sliding rope action. The following parameters have been found desirable for proper operation of multi-lumen skip ropes;
1) Strong but flexible skip rope assembly ;
2) Ability to transmit torque without damaging the rope;
3) Low friction between the rope and the support, particularly away from the axis of rotation (here the g field is high).

Parameters 1 and 2 are usually of relatively small diameter, it is met by selecting a thermoplastic tubing having a high hardness as measured by De Yurometa. Adhesion methods and fixations have been used so that an assembly of at least nine lumens can be successfully attached with just aligned tube locations and hence stiffness and strength. This assembly is a spiral wound configuration to improve uniformity.

  Reference is also made here to FIGS. 5A-5H for various designs of ropes. FIG. 5A shows one strand 100A winding clockwise, while FIG. 5B shows multiple strands 100B winding counterclockwise. FIG. 5C shows a single strand 100C winding clockwise, while FIG. 5D shows a plurality of strands 100D winding clockwise. Through testing and observation, it is found that the two ends of the skipping rope move asymmetrically. This is due to the fact that one end twists clockwise and the other end twists counterclockwise. One end twists up, while the other end does not twist. Thus, according to one embodiment, it has been found that during rope assembly, the twist direction can be reversed in the middle of the rope. See FIGS. 5A, 5F and 5H in this regard. It is noted that the small section of the middle 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 ropes can be installed such that both ends are twisted to give maximum torque stiffness, so that both ends are not twisted to give the least restriction on the fluid flow in the tube.

In accordance with the present invention, in order to provide the desired low friction, with respect to fluid tubing, the skip rope portion is routed through a tightly coated aluminum portion of the periphery (here the Teflon® is a very smooth rope). it is noted that move forward through the support curved from the rotation access from to) guided Te. See FIG. 3 and guide members 52 and 54. In these regions, the coefficient of friction between the skip rope and the guide member is preferably less than 0.2.

The section of the skip rope at the maximum diameter from the center of rotation is a straight section of various lengths. This section can be very important for the overall torque required to twist the rope. In fact, (if you are filled with fluid body plus fluid) weight of the skip rope assembly increases by G field, this can be more than 1,000 multiplication. In order to reduce the torque required to drive the twisting motion, this section of the skip rope is supported by the aforementioned support tube 80. This is preferably a tube or a rigid metal or structural flop la stick. This rigid tube is itself supported by the aforementioned low friction bearing 82 and allows it to rotate completely around its own axis. This reduces the torque required to drive this region of the skip rope assembly to exactly zero. This structure of the support tube and bearing provides advantageous support for the fluid tubing length or lumen between the guide members 52 and 54. Since the support tube rotates freely, the fluid tube freely rotates with the support tube when a member such as 60 and 90 in FIG. 1 (in other words, the first and second rotatable mechanisms) rotates. Or rotate relative to the support tube.

Another feature of the invention relates to the structure of the multi-lumen rope itself, for example as illustrated in FIG. 5B. This may consist of a plurality of at least eight lumens 100B around the central lumen 102B. As illustrated in FIG. 5B, the central lumen 102B is straight while the other peripheral lumens are wrapped. The central lumen 102B can be an extruded tube, while the lumen 100B can be a processed tube. When placed in another direction, tube 102B can be an inflow tubing and tubing 100B can be an outflow tubing. The inflow tubing and the outflow tubing can also be reversed.

  It will now be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other embodiments, improvements, details and uses may be made consistent with the document and spirit of the foregoing disclosure and within the scope of this patent. This patent is limited only by the foregoing claims, and is to be construed in accordance with patent law, including equivalence.

Claims (1)

The centrifuge shown in FIG.

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