Centrifugal method and apparatus for processing fluid materials

摘要

Samples to be analyzed, such as physiological fluids (blood, urine, etc.) may be processed using centrifugal techniques. The sample is centrifugally passed through a separation column to extract the desired component from the aqueous phase. Next, the extracted component is washed free of extraneous materials and then eluted from the separating column by centrifugally passing a suitable solvent therethrough. The aqueous phase and extracted components are collected in separate containers. To facilitate this method, an apparatus is provided that accommodates switching between fluid flow paths in a centrifuge. The centrifuge utilizes a swinging bucket rotor which contains a separating column, the top end of which employs a fluid reservoir for holding the sample to be extracted. Fluids are passed through the separating column (a first flow path) from a central distributor in the centrifuge rotor while in operation. An outer ring of swinging buckets holds two receptacles (the second and third flow paths), one for the aqueous phase and one for the solvent phase containing the sample extract or physiological component. These two receptacles are placed in radial fluidic alignment with the separating column by the technique of reversing the direction of rotation of the rotor, thus switching between two fluid flow paths.