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:
Apr. 05, 2011
Filed:
Nov. 09, 2009
Thomas Haubert, Columbus, OH (US);
Vince Contini, Powell, OH (US);
Steve Grimes, Westerville, OH (US);
Randy Jones, Delaware, OH (US);
Stephen C. Wardlaw, Lyme, CT (US);
Thomas Haubert, Columbus, OH (US);
Vince Contini, Powell, OH (US);
Steve Grimes, Westerville, OH (US);
Randy Jones, Delaware, OH (US);
Stephen C. Wardlaw, Lyme, CT (US);
Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus, OH (US);
Abstract
A tube and float system for use in separation and axial expansion of the buffy coat includes a transparent or semi-transparent, flexible sample tube and a rigid separator float having a specific gravity intermediate that of red blood cells and plasma. The float includes a main body portion of reduced diameter to provide a clearance gap between the inner wall of the sample tube and the float. One or more protrusions on the main body portion serve to support the flexible tube. During centrifugation, the centrifugal force causes the diameter of the flexible tube to expand and permit density-based axial movement of the float in the tube. The float further includes a pressure relief system to alleviate pressure build up in the trapped red blood cell blood fraction below the float, thereby preventing red blood cells from being forced into the annular gap containing the buffy coat layers.