The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 23, 1999
Filed:
Dec. 06, 1996
Niels Erik Holm, Birker.o slashed.d, DK;
Raymond Carr, Largo, FL (US);
Niels Hvid, Holte, DK;
Louis Andersen, Stensved, DK;
Jesper Jo slashed.rgensen, Stensved, DK;
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, NJ (US);
Abstract
An apparatus for centrifuging and furthermore automatically handling a container (10) for separating a component, such as fibrin monomer, from plasma, where the container (10) comprises a cylindrical member (11) with a lower rim as well as a piston member (12) with a tubular piston rod (12) projecting upwardly from the upper end of the cylindrical member (11). The apparatus comprises a supporting turntable (1) with a first gripping member (27) releasably gripping the lower rim of the cylindrical member (11) when the container is placed thereon, the supporting turntable being connected to a first activator (5) for rotating the turntable (1) with the container (10) about the central axis thereof. Furthermore, the apparatus comprises a rotatably journalled piston activating mechanism adapted to activate the piston (12) by way of a second activator (21) and provided with a second gripping member (13) for releasably gripping the piston rod (12). The first gripping member (27) is adapted to automatically enter a locking engagement with the inner side of the cylindrical member (11) independent of the rotating position of the container (10) relative to the supporting turntable (1) and upon activation of a third activator (8) when the container (10) is placed on the supporting turntable (1). The second gripping member (13) is adapted to succeedingly and automatically enter a locking engagement with the piston rod (12) upon activation of a fourth activator (15).