BUFFY COAT SEPARATOR FLOAT SYSTEM AND METHOD

摘要

A tube and float system (100) for use in separation and axial expansion of t he buffy coat includes a transparent or semi-transparent, flexible sample tube (130) and a rigid separator float (110) having a specific gravity intermedia te that of red blood cells and plasma. The float (110) includes a main body portion (112) of reduced diameter to provide a clearance gap (150) between t he inner wall of the sample tube (130) and the float (110). One or more protrusions (114) on the main body portion (112) serve to support the flexib le tube (130). During centrifugation, the centrifugal force enlarges the diamet er of the tube (130) to permit density-based axial movement of the float (110) in the tube (130). The float (110) further includes a pressure relief system (152) to alleviate pressure build up in the trapped red blood cell blood fraction below the float (110), thereby preventing red blood cells from bein g forced into the annular gap (150) containing the buffy coat layers.