US3887464A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Serum/plasma separator with centrifugal valve seal
Assignee: Becton Dickinson and Co
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Filing: 1974-02-27
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Granted: 1975-06-03
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Expires: 1994-02-27
Abstract
Abstract A self-contained fluid separator assembly is disclosed capable of separating blood into its component parts of plasma or serum, the light phase, and the cellular portion, the heavy phase. The assembly comprises a container having at least one open end for receiving blood for subsequent separation and a closure sealing the open end of the container. The closure is formed of a selfsealing elastomeric material which is penetrable by a pointed hollow needle through which the blood to be separated is conducted into the container. A piston is slidably disposed in the container with its outer surfaces in sealing contact with the inner surfaces of the container. Centrifugally actuated valve means in the form of a distortable closed end tube with side slit, normally closed, is provided on the piston and automatically opens in response to centrifugal force. When blood in the container is subjected to centrifugal force it first separates into its light phase and heavy phase. Thereafter the piston with open valve moves down through the light phase while retaining sealing engagement with the inner surfaces of the container. Positive stop means is provided on the container between its ends so that the piston as it moves through the light phase will contact the stop means and stop at a predetermined distance above the closure bottom of the tube. Upon termination of the centrifugal force, the valve means automatically closes to provide an impervious barrier between the separated light and heavy phases of the blood.
Inventors
- 👤 Waldemar A Ayres
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 16:45
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01L; B01L3/00; B01L3/50; B01L3/502; B01L3/5021
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
333 words
A self-contained fluid separator assembly, capable of separating blood into its component parts of light phase plasma or serum and heavy phase cellular portion, comprising: a. a container having at least one open end which is adapted to receive blood for subsequent separation into a light phase and a heavy phase; b. a closure sealing the open end of the container, the closure being formed of a self-sealing elastomeric material which is penetrable by a cannula through which blood to be separated is conducted into the container; c. a piston having a specific gravity relatively greater than the cellular portion of the blood and slidably mounted in the container and having means on an outer surface in sealing engagement with an inner surface of the container; d. centrifugally actuated valve means associated with said piston, said valve means being in the form of a downwardly projecting distortable closed end tube with a side slit and having a specific gravity greater than blood said slit openable when the valve means distorts due to substantial centrifugal force acting upon it, said valve means being normally closed when there is a minimum of centrifugal force acting on the valve means, so that when said container is subjected to moderate centrifugal force the blood separates into its light phase and heavy phase but the piston stays in the upper portion of the container, and subsequently when increased centrifugal force is used the valve means automatically opens with the light phase passing up through the valve means enabling the piston to move down through the light phase while retaining sealing engagement with the inner surface of the container; and e. mechanical stop means on the container whereby the piston when moving through the light phase will stop a predetermined distance from one of the ends of the container followed by termination of substantial centrifugal force which permits the valve means to close to provide an impervious barrier between the separated light phase and heavy phase of the blood.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
333 words
A self-contained fluid separator assembly, capable of separating blood into its component parts of light phase plasma or serum and heavy phase cellular portion, comprising: a. a container having at least one open end which is adapted to receive blood for subsequent separation into a light phase and a heavy phase; b. a closure sealing the open end of the container, the closure being formed of a self-sealing elastomeric material which is penetrable by a cannula through which blood to be separated is conducted into the container; c. a piston having a specific gravity relatively greater than the cellular portion of the blood and slidably mounted in the container and having means on an outer surface in sealing engagement with an inner surface of the container; d. centrifugally actuated valve means associated with said piston, said valve means being in the form of a downwardly projecting distortable closed end tube with a side slit and having a specific gravity greater than blood said slit openable when the valve means distorts due to substantial centrifugal force acting upon it, said valve means being normally closed when there is a minimum of centrifugal force acting on the valve means, so that when said container is subjected to moderate centrifugal force the blood separates into its light phase and heavy phase but the piston stays in the upper portion of the container, and subsequently when increased centrifugal force is used the valve means automatically opens with the light phase passing up through the valve means enabling the piston to move down through the light phase while retaining sealing engagement with the inner surface of the container; and e. mechanical stop means on the container whereby the piston when moving through the light phase will stop a predetermined distance from one of the ends of the container followed by termination of substantial centrifugal force which permits the valve means to close to provide an impervious barrier between the separated light phase and heavy phase of the blood.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
333 words
A self-contained fluid separator assembly, capable of separating blood into its component parts of light phase plasma or serum and heavy phase cellular portion, comprising: a. a container having at least one open end which is adapted to receive blood for subsequent separation into a light phase and a heavy phase; b. a closure sealing the open end of the container, the closure being formed of a self-sealing elastomeric material which is penetrable by a cannula through which blood to be separated is conducted into the container; c. a piston having a specific gravity relatively greater than the cellular portion of the blood and slidably mounted in the container and having means on an outer surface in sealing engagement with an inner surface of the container; d. centrifugally actuated valve means associated with said piston, said valve means being in the form of a downwardly projecting distortable closed end tube with a side slit and having a specific gravity greater than blood said slit openable when the valve means distorts due to substantial centrifugal force acting upon it, said valve means being normally closed when there is a minimum of centrifugal force acting on the valve means, so that when said container is subjected to moderate centrifugal force the blood separates into its light phase and heavy phase but the piston stays in the upper portion of the container, and subsequently when increased centrifugal force is used the valve means automatically opens with the light phase passing up through the valve means enabling the piston to move down through the light phase while retaining sealing engagement with the inner surface of the container; and e. mechanical stop means on the container whereby the piston when moving through the light phase will stop a predetermined distance from one of the ends of the container followed by termination of substantial centrifugal force which permits the valve means to close to provide an impervious barrier between the separated light phase and heavy phase of the blood.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
333 words
A self-contained fluid separator assembly, capable of separating blood into its component parts of light phase plasma or serum and heavy phase cellular portion, comprising: a. a container having at least one open end which is adapted to receive blood for subsequent separation into a light phase and a heavy phase; b. a closure sealing the open end of the container, the closure being formed of a self-sealing elastomeric material which is penetrable by a cannula through which blood to be separated is conducted into the container; c. a piston having a specific gravity relatively greater than the cellular portion of the blood and slidably mounted in the container and having means on an outer surface in sealing engagement with an inner surface of the container; d. centrifugally actuated valve means associated with said piston, said valve means being in the form of a downwardly projecting distortable closed end tube with a side slit and having a specific gravity greater than blood said slit openable when the valve means distorts due to substantial centrifugal force acting upon it, said valve means being normally closed when there is a minimum of centrifugal force acting on the valve means, so that when said container is subjected to moderate centrifugal force the blood separates into its light phase and heavy phase but the piston stays in the upper portion of the container, and subsequently when increased centrifugal force is used the valve means automatically opens with the light phase passing up through the valve means enabling the piston to move down through the light phase while retaining sealing engagement with the inner surface of the container; and e. mechanical stop means on the container whereby the piston when moving through the light phase will stop a predetermined distance from one of the ends of the container followed by termination of substantial centrifugal force which permits the valve means to close to provide an impervious barrier between the separated light phase and heavy phase of the blood.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
A self-container fluid separator of claim 1, wherein the stop means on the container is an annular groove interPosed between the ends of the container forming an annular constriction of the inner surface of the container so that said piston is prevented from passing the stop means when subjected to centrifugal forces.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least one annular sealing ring is provided on the periphery of the piston and in sealing engagement with the interior of the container.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1, wherein the valve means is independent of the piston sealing means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-06-02 | 1978-12-02 | 1979-06-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-02 | 1982-12-02 | 1983-06-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-02 | 1986-12-02 | 1987-06-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |