Centrifugal separation apparatus and method for separating fluid components

摘要

An apparatus and method are provided for separating components of a fluid or particles. A separation vessel (28) having a barrier dam (62) is provided to initially separate intermediate density components of a fluid, and a fluid chamber (30) is provided to further separate these intermediate density components by forming an elutriative field or saturated fluidized particle bed. The separation vessel includes a shield (96) for limiting flow into the fluid chamber of relatively high density substances, such as red blood cells. The separation vessel also includes a trap dam (70) with a smooth, gradually sloped downstream section (104) for reducing mixing of substances. Structure is also provided for adding additional plasma to platelets and plasma flowing from the fluid chamber. The system reduces clumping of platelets by limiting contact between the platelets and walls of the separation vessel.