Continuous centrifugation system and method for directly deriving intermediate density material from a suspension

摘要

A system for continuously separating lighter and intermediate density matter, such as plasma rich in platelets from whole blood moves blood through a diverging centrifugation gap between inner and outer walls of a rotor rotating about a central axis within an outer housing. The centrifugation action creates layered flow along an intermediate section. However by crating trailing wakes in the gap between the rotor and housing, localized remixing patterns tending to move in the opposite direction are induced in the layered matter. Platelet rich plasm may then be extracted through adjacent platelet concentrate ports on the inner wall of the rotor. An interior passageway system passes the platelet rich plasma to a platelet concentrate reservoir. Recirculation of blood in the rotor-housing gap between the output and input, and pumping action provided by the diverging centrifugation gap, aid in enhancing throughput and concentration levels. Prior to the centrifugation gap an initial narrow gap section is employed to limit backward propagation of the induced circulatory patterns.