EP0056609B1 - Separation tube for separating by centrifugation - Google Patents

Separation tube for separating by centrifugation Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0056609B1
EP0056609B1 EP82100181A EP82100181A EP0056609B1 EP 0056609 B1 EP0056609 B1 EP 0056609B1 EP 82100181 A EP82100181 A EP 82100181A EP 82100181 A EP82100181 A EP 82100181A EP 0056609 B1 EP0056609 B1 EP 0056609B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
separating
separating tube
separating member
separating element
tube according
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Expired
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EP82100181A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0056609A2 (en
EP0056609A3 (en
Inventor
Uwe Werner Dr. Ballies
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Individual
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Individual
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Priority to AT82100181T priority Critical patent/ATE6993T1/en
Publication of EP0056609A2 publication Critical patent/EP0056609A2/en
Publication of EP0056609A3 publication Critical patent/EP0056609A3/en
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
    • B01L3/50—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes
    • B01L3/502—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures
    • B01L3/5021—Test tubes specially adapted for centrifugation purposes
    • B01L3/50215—Test tubes specially adapted for centrifugation purposes using a float to separate phases

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a separation tube for the centrifugal separation of a liquid containing at least two components, in which a separating element with a top and bottom surface is arranged, which consists of elastic material, preferably non-elastic plastic, the specific weight of which lies between those of the components to be separated and which In the idle state, the cross-section of the separating tube is blocked.
  • Such a separating tube is already known from DE-OS 27 11 336, in which an essentially cylindrical separating element made of polystyrene is arranged in a separating tube made of plastic.
  • the diameter of the separating tube widens somewhat due to compression, while the shape of the separating element made of hard plastic does not change.
  • This creates an annular gap between the separating element and the inner wall of the separating tube, so that the separating element is moved towards the bottom of the separating tube under the influence of the centrifugal force.
  • the lighter component enters through the annular gap into the space above the separating element, which is deposited on the heavier component.
  • the inner wall of the separating tube again lies closely against the separating element and closes the annular gap, so that a complete separation of the two components is achieved and is maintained.
  • a disadvantage of the known separating tube is that it must not be made of a material that does not expand in the radial direction during centrifugation, so that glass tubes separate for this.
  • a separating tube of the type mentioned which is characterized in that the center of gravity of the separating element is arranged eccentrically with respect to the separating tube axis in the idle state, and that the separating element can only be tilted in the separating tube due to its shape during centrifugation in such a way that there is a gap between the largest circumference of the separating element and the inner wall of the separating tube.
  • the separating element tilts in the separating tube during centrifuging and thus forms a gap through which the lighter component can get from the underside of the separating element to its upper side.
  • the separating element has the shape of an asymmetrical truncated cone, the largest diameter 0 1 of which is twice as large as its smallest diameter D 2 , and a generatrix of the separating element which is perpendicular to both the largest diameter 0 1 and the smallest diameter D 2 connects both diameters 0 1 and D 2 .
  • a separating element is trapezoidal in cross section or in view.
  • the center of gravity of the separating element is eccentric with respect to the axis of the separating tube, so that the separating element is tilted during centrifugation in such a way that the center of gravity moves to the central axis M of the separating tube.
  • the separating element touches the inner wall of the separating tube with two diametrically opposite points and forms two crescent-shaped gaps for the passage of the component to be separated. A tilting over of the separating element is prevented by a point of the bottom surface touching the wall of the separating tube in an extreme position.
  • the separating element has the shape of a cylindrical section with a circular cover surface that runs perpendicular to the generating section of the cylindrical section and blocks the diameter of the separating tube in the idle state.
  • the cylinder section has a smaller circumference than a semicircle, so that the separating element can tilt when centrifuging.
  • the underside of the top surface is preferably beveled toward the bottom surface of the separating element, so that no air remains trapped under the separating element.
  • a separating wall is provided on the underside of the free cover surface, which has an edge which, when the separating element is in the rest position, runs at an angle to the wall of the separating tube. In an extreme position of the separating element, this edge of the dividing wall touches the wall of the separating tube and prevents a further tilting or rotating movement.
  • the separating element is conical with a spherical shell-shaped bottom surface, the height of the cone attached to the spherical shell surface being less than half the diameter of the separating tube. If the cone points upwards during centrifugation, the center of gravity lies above the largest diameter of the separating element and this has an unstable position, so that it will turn around and bring the cone tip down.
  • the separating element is formed on a piston rod via a predetermined breaking point, so that it can be used like a syringe piston before centrifuging.
  • the piston rod is broken off, for which purpose, in the case of a conical separating element, two additional annular beads arranged at a distance from one another the inner wall of the separating tube, namely in the vicinity of its upper end. These ring beads form a counter bearing for breaking off the piston rod.
  • the wall of the separating tube forms this counter bearing.
  • the tilting or the rotary movement of the separating element is further supported by the fact that in particularly preferred embodiments at least one buoyancy chamber is provided, which includes air before centrifuging in the rest position of the separating element.
  • the buoyancy chamber is preferably arranged in a region diametrically opposite the center of gravity, so that the buoyancy force supports the action of the centrifugal force acting in the center of gravity during the rotation of the separating element.
  • the inclination of the buoyancy chamber wall is selected so that air can be enclosed in the idle state, but it emerges entirely from the buoyancy chamber during centrifugation, so that after centrifugation there is no air in the region of the separating layer of the two components and adversely affects them.
  • a separating tube 2 is shown in the figures in a horizontal position, as is often used in centrifuges.
  • the separating tube 2 consists, for example, of plastic or glass and is initially closed with a sealing plug 4, a separating element 6 in the form of an asymmetrical body with an eccentric center of gravity S being attached to the underside of the sealing plug 4 via a connecting element 8.
  • the two components or phases to be separated are represented by lines or dots, the lines indicating the liquid phase and the dots indicating a heavier, for example solid phase, dispersed therein.
  • the connecting element 8 is, for example, an adhesive layer whose bond with the separating element 6 is broken up by the action of the centrifugal force.
  • the separating element 6 shown in FIGS. 1 to 9 has a circular top surface 7 and a likewise circular bottom surface 5, which lie in mutually parallel planes.
  • the circular top surface 7 has the same outside diameter 0 1 as the inside diameter of the separating tube 2, while the diameter D 2 of the bottom surface 5 is half the size of the top surface diameter D 1 .
  • the distance between the bottom surface 5 and the top surface 7 corresponds to the height of the separating element 6, which has the shape of a rectangular trapezoid in section. 1, a generatrix of the separating element 6 lies against the wall of the separating tube 2, while the diametrically opposite generatrix, which connects the top surface 7 to the bottom surface 5, runs from the inner wall of the separating tube 2 to the separating tube axis M. Due to the shape of the separating element 6, its center of gravity S does not lie in the separating tube axis M, but is arranged eccentrically with respect to this by the amount e.
  • the separating element shown in FIG. 1 also has in its half opposite the center of gravity S at least one buoyancy chamber 10 which encloses air L in the idle state according to FIG. 1.
  • Fig. 2 shows the state that occurs after a certain time of action of the centrifugal force, wherein the separating element 6 has detached from the connecting element 8 and already a partial separation of the two phases through the gap f between the separating element 6 and the tube wall by tilting the separating element is done.
  • This tilting or rotating of the separating element 6 is achieved in that, on the one hand, the centrifugal force acting in the center of gravity S tries to rotate the center of gravity S into the separating tube axis M.
  • the rotational movement is indicated by arrow A.
  • a buoyancy force acting in the buoyancy chamber 10 acts in the opposite direction to the action of the centrifugal force, so that a rotating twin is created which supports the rotational movement of the separating element 6 in the direction of arrow A.
  • the separating element 6 is supported on two diametrically opposite points on the inner wall of the separating tube 2, which lie on the circumference of the top surface 7 in the normal plane running through the separating tube axis M on the cutting or drawing plane.
  • the liquid phase passes the separating element 6, which slides in the direction of the tube bottom and finally floats on the heavier phase according to FIG. 3 and is rotated back into the starting position by the buoyancy when immersed in the heavier phase, in which it blocks the diameter of the separation tube 2.
  • the air L enclosed in the buoyancy chamber 10 before centrifugation has completely escaped during centrifugation, so that in the end position according to FIG. 3 no force counteracts the restoring buoyancy force of the heavier phase. In addition, no air is trapped in the buoyancy chamber 10 which could adversely affect the heavier phase.
  • the separating element 6 can be made from any material, in particular plastic. It can be solid, hollow or filled with additional weights.
  • the buoyancy chamber 10 can be open towards the circumference of the separating element 6. In another embodiment, the buoyancy chamber is closed and contains granules as an additional buoyancy body.
  • a separating element made of glass-hard, light plastic, for example made of polystyrene is preferably used, which has a specific weight of - 1.045, i.e. is lighter than the erythrocyte layer with a specific weight of - 1.09 and somewhat heavier than the plasma - or serum layer, the specific weight of which is ⁇ 1.04 to 1.045.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates the effect and arrangement of the buoyancy chamber 10 on the basis of five positions of the separating element 6 during centrifuging, which are shown one above the other in a separating tube 2 for reasons of clarity.
  • a normal N to the separating tube 2 or to the separating tube axis M is assumed, with respect to which the angle of the chamber wall inclination ⁇ IV and the top surface inclination ⁇ IV is indicated.
  • the separating element 6 hangs on the plug 4 by means of the connecting element 8. Its cover surface 7 lies parallel to the normal N of the separating tube 2, so that the inclination of the cover surface ⁇ 1 with respect to the normal N 0 ° is.
  • the buoyancy chamber 10 is filled with air L. Furthermore, liquid W 1 is also partially located in the buoyancy chamber 10, specifically the position of the liquid level is determined by the upper right edge of the buoyancy chamber 10 in FIG. 41.
  • the buoyancy chamber 10 is shaped in such a way that it can be demolded to the right during the shaping. For this purpose, the chamber opening must have at least the same diameter as the rest of the chamber in order to be able to use an undivided molded body. In the case of a buoyancy chamber with a smaller chamber opening than the inner chamber diameter, it is necessary to use a divided molded body in the production of the separating element.
  • Fig. 411 shows the position of the separating element 6 after the start of centrifuging, a gap f ll being formed by rotation in the direction of the arrow A ll . In Fig. 411, this is a counterclockwise rotation. Part of the air L ll enclosed in the buoyancy chamber 10 can now escape through the gap f ll , while liquid W ll flows into the buoyancy chamber 10.
  • the chamber wall inclination ⁇ ll is smaller than in FIG. 41, while the cover surface inclination ⁇ ll has increased.
  • the separating element 6 is rotated by pivoting in the direction of arrow A to such an extent that the inclination of the chamber wall has reached a negative range with respect to the normal N.
  • the liquid W flowing into the buoyancy chamber 10 has displaced all of the air L and the previous buoyancy through the air L in the right half of the separating element 6 has been eliminated.
  • the top surface inclination ⁇ III is greatest, while the chamber wall inclination ⁇ III has its greatest negative value of, for example, 5 to 20 °, preferably 10 °.
  • FIGS. 5 to 7 show the absolute position of the separating tube 2 in a centrifuge, the same parts again being provided with the same reference numerals.
  • Fig. 6 shows the separation tube 2 during centrifugation at revolution speeds v,). jv , which corresponds to the separator positions II-IV in Fig. 4.
  • FIG. 7 shows the end position of the separating tube 2, which is reached at the highest centrifuging speed Vv and which corresponds to the position of the separating element in FIG. 4V.
  • FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the separating element 6, in which the top surface 7 with its diameter D 1 and the bottom surface 5 with its diameter D 2 can be clearly recognized.
  • a predetermined breaking point 16 is formed in the center of the circular, flat cover surface 7, by means of which the separating element 6 connects to a piston rod 15 indicated in FIG. 9.
  • the separating tube axis M runs through the center of the top surface 7 and thus also through the predetermined breaking point 16.
  • the center of the circular bottom surface 5 is offset by D i / 4 with respect to the center of the top surface 7, i.e. by half the radius of the top surface 7, so that in the top view, the bottom surface 5 extends from an edge of the top surface 7 to the predetermined breaking point 16 lying in its center. This results in the shape of a right-angled trapezoid, which can be seen in FIG. 9, with a generatrix running parallel to the wall of the separating tube 2.
  • the separating element 6 can also be used as a piston for the suction of blood, for which purpose it is molded on a piston rod 15 via a predetermined breaking point 16. After the blood has been drawn up into the separating tube 2, which for this purpose is provided on its underside with a closable cannula cone 18, which is not shown in this figure, but can be seen in FIG. 10, the piston rod 15 is bent by turning it clockwise in FIG. 9 broken off, the separating element 6 being supported on the wall of the separating tube 2.
  • the separating element 6 ' also has at least one buoyancy chamber 10, which can be seen in FIG. 10 by a partial section.
  • the buoyancy chamber 10 is indicated by dashed lines in FIG. 11.
  • 10 has on its bottom a cannula cone 18 through which blood or the liquid to be separated can be sucked.
  • FIG. 11 shows the broken-off separating element 6 'in the starting position and the sealing plug 4', which is provided with a conical depression corresponding to the top surface 7 '.
  • FIGS. 12 and 13 show a further embodiment of the separating element, the same parts again being provided with the same reference symbols.
  • the modified separating element bears the reference symbol 6 ".
  • the separating element 6" has a circular cover surface 7, to which a cylinder section 11 is connected.
  • the circumference of the cylinder section 11 is shorter than half a circle, so that the greatest width of the cylinder section 11 is less than the diameter of the top surface 7 and thus of the separating tube 2. This allows the separating element 6 "to be tilted in the separating tube 2, specifically counterclockwise in FIG. 13.
  • FIG. 13 shows the separating element 6 "in section, it being seen that the underside 9 of the top surface 7 extends inclined from the wall of the separating tube 2 to the bottom surface 5" of the separating element 6 "and an angle of, for example, 5 to 20 with the top surface 7 °, preferably 10 °.
  • a partition 12 is also provided under the free cover surface 7, the lower edge 13 of which is at a distance from the wall of the separating tube 2 ends and thus prevents the separating element 6 "from tipping over during centrifugation.
  • the separating element 6 "thus has approximately the outline shape of the separating element 6 shown in FIGS.
  • the separating element 6" is in turn molded onto a piston rod 15 via a predetermined breaking point 16 and can be removed from it by kinking the piston rod 15 after being pulled up blood or the fluid to be separated. This breaking off takes place in Fig. 13 by moving the piston rod 15 clockwise, so that the cylinder section 11 is supported on the wall of the separating tube 2 and forms a counter bearing.
  • FIGS. 14 to 16 show a further embodiment of the invention with a conical separating element 6 ′, 6 ′′, the tip of which is in turn molded onto a breakable piston rod 15 via a predetermined breaking point 16.
  • the conical separating element 6 ', 6 "thus has a conical top surface 7', 7", the largest outside diameter of which corresponds to the inside diameter of the separating tube 2.
  • the conical top surface 7 ', 7 is followed by a curved bottom surface 5', 5", which is a spherical section in the embodiment shown.
  • the largest diameter of the spherical section is 0 1 indicated by dashed lines in Fig.
  • the height of the top surface cone from its base containing the diameter D 1 to the tip formed by the predetermined breaking point 16 is slightly less than half the inner diameter D 1 of the separation tube 2, so that the Separating element 6 ', 6 "after being broken off from the piston rod 15 during centrifugation according to FIG is also again eccentric with respect to the separating tube axis M.
  • air can be enclosed in the buoyancy chamber 10 ', 10 ", which assists the separating element 6', 6" from tipping over during centrifugation.
  • annular beads 20 and 21 are provided at the upper end of the separating tube 2, which are spaced from one another such that they clamp the separating element 6', 6" on the circumference.
  • the outer annular bead 20 is larger in the radial direction of the separating tube 2, so that pulling out of the separating element 6 ', 6 "from the separating tube 2 is substantially hindered.
  • the inner annular bead 21, on the other hand, is somewhat smaller, so that the separating element 6', 6 "when pulling up over this ring bead.
  • the two ring beads 20 and 21 form a counter bearing for the separating element .6 ', 6 "for breaking off the piston rod 15.
  • the separating element 6', 6" is in the position indicated by dash-dotted lines in FIG. 14.
  • the outer and inner annular beads 20 and 21 are arranged at one end of the separating tube 2, in which case a sealing plug that surrounds the separating tube 2 on the outside is selected.
  • a sealing plug that surrounds the separating tube 2 on the outside is selected.
  • the two annular beads are at a distance from the end of the separating tube, so that it can be closed by one of the sealing plugs 4 and 4 'shown in the previous figures.
  • FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of the conical separating element 6 ', 6 "broken off from the piston rod, the edge of the buoyancy chamber 10', 10" also being recognizable.
  • the separating element according to FIGS. 14 to 16 is a solid body without a buoyancy chamber, the turning or overturning of the separating element taking place solely due to its unstable position after the piston rod has broken off.
  • the separating element has approximately the shape according to FIG. 15, its top surface being curved and its bottom surface being conical.
  • the curved top surface in one embodiment is connected to a sealing plug via a connecting element before centrifuging, or is molded onto a piston rod via a predetermined breaking point.
  • This separating element with a curved top surface and a conical bottom surface can in turn also have one or more buoyancy chambers, from which the previously enclosed air can reliably escape during centrifugation. Appropriate embodiments for the buoyancy chambers are described with reference to Figures 1 to 11.
  • the separating element in the case of a separating tube which is quadrangular in cross section in a view, triangular or trapezoidal, so that again the entire cross section of the separating tube is shut off in the idle state, while during centrifuging the separating element is tilted and thus a gap is formed .

Abstract

A separating tube (2) preferably made from a plastics material for centrifugal separation of a liquid containing at least two components and preferably blood is provided, in which an asymmetrically shaped separating member (6) serves to separate the two components. The separating member (6) has a specific gravity between that of the two components to be separated. As a result of the asymmetrical shape, the center of gravity (S) of separating member (6) is eccentrically positioned with respect to axis (M) of separating tube (2), so that the separating member (6) is rotated or tilted during centrifuging. At least one gap (f) is formed through which one of the two components reaches the top of separating member (6). At the end of the centrifuging process, the bouyancy of the heavier component rotates separating member (6) back into its original position in which it seals off separating tube (2). FIG. 4 is intended for publication with the summary.

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft ein Trennröhrchen für die Zentrifugaltrennung einer mindestens zwei Komponenten enthaltenden Flüssigkeit, in welchem ein Trennelement mit Deckfläche und Bodenfläche angeordnet ist, das aus elastischem Material, vorzugsweise aus unelastischem Kunststoff besteht, dessen spezifisches Gewicht zwischen denen der zu trennenden Komponenten liegt und das im Ruhezustand den Querschnitt des Trennröhrchens absperrt.The invention relates to a separation tube for the centrifugal separation of a liquid containing at least two components, in which a separating element with a top and bottom surface is arranged, which consists of elastic material, preferably non-elastic plastic, the specific weight of which lies between those of the components to be separated and which In the idle state, the cross-section of the separating tube is blocked.

Ein derartiges Trennröhrchen ist bereits aus der DE-OS 27 11 336 bekannt, bei dem ein im wesentlichen zylinderförmiges Trennelement aus Polystyrol in einem Trennröhrchen aus Kunststoff angeordnet ist. Beim Zentrifugieren weitet sich der Durchmesser des Trennröhrchens durch Stauchung etwas auf, während sich das aus hartem Kunststoff bestehende Trennelement in seiner Form nicht verändert. Dadurch entsteht ein Ringspalt zwischen dem Trennelement und der Innenwand des Trennröhrchens, so daß das Trennelement unter dem Einfluß der Zentrifugalkraft in Richtung zum Boden des Trennröhrchens bewegt wird. Die leichtere Komponente tritt durch den Ringspalt in den Raum über dem Trennelement, das sich auf der schwereren Komponente absetzt. Nach Beendigung des Zentrifugierens legt sich die Innenwand des Trennröhrchens wieder eng an das Trennelement und verschließt den Ringspalt, so daß eine vollständige Trennung der beiden Komponenten erreicht ist und beibehalten wird.Such a separating tube is already known from DE-OS 27 11 336, in which an essentially cylindrical separating element made of polystyrene is arranged in a separating tube made of plastic. During centrifugation, the diameter of the separating tube widens somewhat due to compression, while the shape of the separating element made of hard plastic does not change. This creates an annular gap between the separating element and the inner wall of the separating tube, so that the separating element is moved towards the bottom of the separating tube under the influence of the centrifugal force. The lighter component enters through the annular gap into the space above the separating element, which is deposited on the heavier component. After centrifugation has ended, the inner wall of the separating tube again lies closely against the separating element and closes the annular gap, so that a complete separation of the two components is achieved and is maintained.

Ein Nachteil des bekannten Trennröhrchens liegt darin, daß dieses nicht aus einem Werkstoff gefertigt sein darf, der sich beim Zentrifugieren nicht in radialer Richtung aufweitet, so daß Glasröhrchen hierfür ausscheiden.A disadvantage of the known separating tube is that it must not be made of a material that does not expand in the radial direction during centrifugation, so that glass tubes separate for this.

Es ist daher Aufgabe der Erfindung, das bekannte Trennröhrchen dahingehend zu verbessern, daß beim Zentrifugieren auch dann ein Spalt zwischen Trennelement und Trennröhrchenwand entsteht, wenn letzteres aus einem sich nicht aufweitenden Material hergestellt ist.It is therefore an object of the invention to improve the known separation tube in such a way that a gap is formed between the separation element and the separation tube wall during centrifugation even if the latter is made from a non-expanding material.

Zur Lösung dieser Aufgabe dient ein Trennröhrchen der eingangs erwähnten Art, welches dadurch gekennzeichnet ist, daß im Ruhezustand der Schwerpunkt des Trennelements in bezug auf die Trennröhrchenachse exzentrisch angeordnet ist und daß das Trennelement aufgrund seiner Form lediglich während des Zentrifugierens derart im Trennröhrchen verkippbar ist, daß ein Spalt zwischen dem größten Umfang des Trennelements und der Innenwand des Trennröhrchens entsteht.To solve this problem, a separating tube of the type mentioned is used, which is characterized in that the center of gravity of the separating element is arranged eccentrically with respect to the separating tube axis in the idle state, and that the separating element can only be tilted in the separating tube due to its shape during centrifugation in such a way that there is a gap between the largest circumference of the separating element and the inner wall of the separating tube.

Dadurch wird erreicht, daß sich das Trennelement während des Zentrifugierens im Trennröhrchen verkippt und damit einen Spalt bildet, durch den die leichtere Komponente von der Unterseite des Trennelements zu dessen Oberseite gelangen kann.It is thereby achieved that the separating element tilts in the separating tube during centrifuging and thus forms a gap through which the lighter component can get from the underside of the separating element to its upper side.

Vorzugsweise hat das Trennelement die Form eines unsymmetrischen Kegelstumpfs, dessen größter Durchmesser 01 doppelt so groß wie sein kleinster Durchmesser D2 ist, und wobei eine sowohl auf dem größten Durchmesser 01 als auch auf dem kleinsten Durchmesser D2 senkrecht stehende Erzeugende des Trennelements die beiden Durchmesser 01 und D2 verbindet. Ein derartiges Trennelement ist im Querschnitt bzw. in der Ansicht trapezförmig. Der Schwerpunkt des Trennelementes liegt bezüglich der Achse des Trennröhrchens exzentrisch, so daß das Trennelement beim Zentrifugieren derart gekippt wird, daß der Schwerpunkt zur Mittelachse M des Trennröhrchens wandert. Dabei berührt das Trennelement mit zwei diametral gegenüberliegenden Punkten die Innenwand des Trennröhrchens und bildet zwei halbmondförmige Spalte für den Durchtritt der abzutrennenden Komponente. Ein Überkippen des Trennelements wird dadurch verhindert, daß in einer Extremstellung ein Punkt der Bodenfläche die Wand des Trennröhrchens berührt.Preferably, the separating element has the shape of an asymmetrical truncated cone, the largest diameter 0 1 of which is twice as large as its smallest diameter D 2 , and a generatrix of the separating element which is perpendicular to both the largest diameter 0 1 and the smallest diameter D 2 connects both diameters 0 1 and D 2 . Such a separating element is trapezoidal in cross section or in view. The center of gravity of the separating element is eccentric with respect to the axis of the separating tube, so that the separating element is tilted during centrifugation in such a way that the center of gravity moves to the central axis M of the separating tube. The separating element touches the inner wall of the separating tube with two diametrically opposite points and forms two crescent-shaped gaps for the passage of the component to be separated. A tilting over of the separating element is prevented by a point of the bottom surface touching the wall of the separating tube in an extreme position.

In einer anderen Ausführung der Erfindung hat das Trennelement die Form eines Zylinderabschnitts mit kreisförmiger Deckfläche, die senkrecht zur Erzeugenden des Zylinderabschnitts verläuft und im Ruhezustand den Durchmesser des Trennröhrchens absperrt. Der Zylinderabschnitt hat einen kleineren Umfang als ein halbkreis, so daß das Trennelement beim Zentrifugieren kippen kann.In another embodiment of the invention, the separating element has the shape of a cylindrical section with a circular cover surface that runs perpendicular to the generating section of the cylindrical section and blocks the diameter of the separating tube in the idle state. The cylinder section has a smaller circumference than a semicircle, so that the separating element can tilt when centrifuging.

Vorzugsweise ist die Unterseite der Deckfläche zur Bodenfläche des Trennelementes hin abgeschrägt, so daß keine Luft unter dem Trennelement eingeschlossen bleibt.The underside of the top surface is preferably beveled toward the bottom surface of the separating element, so that no air remains trapped under the separating element.

Um ein Überkippen des Trennelements zu verhindern, ist an der Unterseite der freien Deckfläche eine Trennwand vorgesehen, die eine in der Ruhestellung des Trennelements im Winkel zur Wand des Trennröhrchens verlaufende Kante aufweist. In einer Extremstellung des Trennelementes berührt diese Kante der Trennwand die Wand des Trennröhrchens und verhindert eine weitere Kipp- oder Drehbewegung.In order to prevent the separating element from tipping over, a separating wall is provided on the underside of the free cover surface, which has an edge which, when the separating element is in the rest position, runs at an angle to the wall of the separating tube. In an extreme position of the separating element, this edge of the dividing wall touches the wall of the separating tube and prevents a further tilting or rotating movement.

In einer weiteren Ausgestaltung der Erfindung ist das Trennelement kegelförmig mit kugelschalenförmiger Bodenfläche, wobei die Höhe des an die Kugelschalenfläche ansetzenden Kegels kleiner als der halbe Durchmesser des Trennröhrchens ist. Zeigt der Kegel beim Zentrifugieren nach oben, so liegt der Schwerpunkt oberhalb des größten Durchmessers des Trennelementes und dieses hat dadurch eine instabile Lage, so daß es sich umdrehen und die Kegelspitze nach unten bringen wird.In a further embodiment of the invention, the separating element is conical with a spherical shell-shaped bottom surface, the height of the cone attached to the spherical shell surface being less than half the diameter of the separating tube. If the cone points upwards during centrifugation, the center of gravity lies above the largest diameter of the separating element and this has an unstable position, so that it will turn around and bring the cone tip down.

In einer bevorzugten Ausführung der Erfindung ist das Trennelement über eine Sollbruchstelle an eine Kolbenstange angeformt, so daß es sich vor dem Zentrifugieren wie ein Spritzenkolben verwenden läßt. Nach dem Aufziehen der Spritze wird die Kolbenstange abgebrochen, wozu bei kegelförmigem Trennelement zusätzlich zwei im Abstand zueinander angeordnete Ringwülste an der Innenwand des Trennröhrchens, und zwar in der Nähe von dessen oberem Ende angeformt sind. Diese Ringwülste bilden ein Gegenlager zum Abbrechen der Kolbenstange. In anderen Ausführungen bildet die Wand des Trennröhrchens dieses Gegenlager.In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the separating element is formed on a piston rod via a predetermined breaking point, so that it can be used like a syringe piston before centrifuging. After the syringe has been drawn up, the piston rod is broken off, for which purpose, in the case of a conical separating element, two additional annular beads arranged at a distance from one another the inner wall of the separating tube, namely in the vicinity of its upper end. These ring beads form a counter bearing for breaking off the piston rod. In other versions, the wall of the separating tube forms this counter bearing.

Unterstützt wird das Kippen bzw. die Drehbewegung des Trennelementes noch dadurch, daß in besonders bevorzugten Ausführungsformen jeweils mindestens eine Auftriebskammer vorgesehen ist, die vor dem Zentrifugieren in der Ruhestellung des Trennelementes Luft einschließt.The tilting or the rotary movement of the separating element is further supported by the fact that in particularly preferred embodiments at least one buoyancy chamber is provided, which includes air before centrifuging in the rest position of the separating element.

Vorzugsweise ist die Auftriebskammer in einem dem Schwerpunkt diametral gegenüberliegenden Bereich angeordnet, so daß die Auftriebskraft die Wirkung der im Schwerpunkt angreifenden Zentrifugalkraft bei der Drehung des Trennelementes unterstützt.The buoyancy chamber is preferably arranged in a region diametrically opposite the center of gravity, so that the buoyancy force supports the action of the centrifugal force acting in the center of gravity during the rotation of the separating element.

Die Neigung des Auftriebskammerwand ist so gewählt, daß im Ruhezustand zwar Luft einschließbar ist, diese jedoch beim Zentrifugieren zur Gänze aus der Auftriebskammer austritt, damit nach dem Zentrifugieren keine Luft im Bereich der Trennschicht der beiden Komponenten vorhanden ist und diese nachteilig beeinflußt.The inclination of the buoyancy chamber wall is selected so that air can be enclosed in the idle state, but it emerges entirely from the buoyancy chamber during centrifugation, so that after centrifugation there is no air in the region of the separating layer of the two components and adversely affects them.

Weitere vorteilhafte Ausgestaltungen der Erfindung ergeben sich aus den Unteransprüchen und der nachfolgenden Figurenbeschreibung.Further advantageous refinements of the invention result from the subclaims and the following description of the figures.

Die Erfindung wird im folgenden anhand von Figuren näher erläutert ; es zeigen :

  • Figur 1 eine Schnittansicht eines Ausführungsbeispiels vor dem Zentrifugieren ;
  • Figur 2 eine Schnittansicht gemäß Fig. 1 während des Zentrifugierens ;
  • Figur 3 eine Schnittansicht gemäß Fig. 1 nach dem Zentrifugieren ;
  • Figur 4 eine Schnittansicht gemäß Fig. 1 zur Darstellung des Bewegungsablaufs beim Übergang aus der Ruhestellung gemäß Fig. in die Endstellung gemäß Fig. 3 ;
  • Figur 5 die Lage des Trennröhrchens gemäß Fig. 1 vor dem Zentrifugieren ;
  • Figur 6 die Lage des Trennröhrchens und des Trennelements während des Zentrifugierens ;
  • Figur 7 die Lage des Trennröhrchens und des Trennelementes am Ende des Zentrifugierens ;
  • Figur 8 eine perspektivische Ansicht des Trennelements gemäß den Fig. 1 bis 7 ohne Auftriebskammer ;
  • Figur 9 eine Schnittansicht des an eine Kolbenstange angeformten Trennelementes gemäß Fig. 8 ;
  • Figur 10 eine weitere Ausführung des Trennelementes gemäß den Fig. 1 bis 9 ;
  • Figur 11 eine Schnittansicht des von der Kolbenstange abgebrochenen Trennelements gemäß Fig. 10 ;
  • Figur 12 eine weitere Ausführung eines Trennelements in perspektivischer Darstellung ;
  • Figur 13 eine Schnittansicht des Trennelements gemäß Fig. 12 ;
  • Figur 14 eine Schnittansicht einer anderen Ausführung des an eine Kolbenstange angeformten Trennelements ;
  • Figur 15 das von der Kolbenstange abgebrochene Trennelement gemäß Fig. 14 nach dem Zentrifugieren ; und
  • Figur 16 eine perspektivische Ansicht des Trennelements gemäß Fig. 14 und 15.
The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to figures; show it :
  • Figure 1 is a sectional view of an embodiment before centrifugation;
  • Figure 2 is a sectional view of Figure 1 during centrifugation.
  • Figure 3 is a sectional view of Figure 1 after centrifugation.
  • 4 shows a sectional view according to FIG. 1 to illustrate the sequence of movements during the transition from the rest position according to FIG. 3 into the end position according to FIG. 3;
  • FIG. 5 shows the position of the separating tube according to FIG. 1 before centrifuging;
  • FIG. 6 shows the position of the separating tube and the separating element during centrifugation;
  • FIG. 7 shows the position of the separating tube and the separating element at the end of centrifuging;
  • 8 shows a perspective view of the separating element according to FIGS. 1 to 7 without a buoyancy chamber;
  • FIG. 9 shows a sectional view of the separating element according to FIG. 8 molded onto a piston rod;
  • 10 shows a further embodiment of the separating element according to FIGS. 1 to 9;
  • FIG. 11 shows a sectional view of the separating element broken off from the piston rod according to FIG. 10;
  • FIG. 12 shows a further embodiment of a separating element in a perspective view;
  • FIG. 13 shows a sectional view of the separating element according to FIG. 12;
  • FIG. 14 shows a sectional view of another embodiment of the separating element molded onto a piston rod;
  • FIG. 15 the separating element broken off from the piston rod according to FIG. 14 after centrifuging; and
  • FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of the separating element according to FIGS. 14 and 15.

Die Fig. 1 bis 3 zeigen eine Ausführung eines Trennelements 6 während einzelner Phasen des Zentrifugierens. Ein Trennröhrchen 2 ist in den Figuren in horizontaler Lage dargestellt, wie sie häufig in Zentrifugen eingenommen wird. Das Trennröhrchen 2 besteht beispielsweise aus Kunststoff oder aus Glas und ist zu Beginn mit einem Verschlußstopfen 4 verschlossen, wobei an der Unterseite des Verschlußstopfens 4 über ein Verbindungselement 8 ein Trennelement 6 in Form eines asymmetrischen Körpers mit exzentrischem Schwerpunkt S angebracht ist. Die beiden zu trennenden Komponenten oder Phasen sind durch Striche bzw. Punkte wiedergegeben, wobei mit den Strichen die flüssige Phase und mit den Punkten eine darin dispergierte schwerere, beispielsweise feste Phase angedeutet ist. Das Verbindungselement 8 ist beispielsweise eine Klebeschicht, deren Bindung mit dem Trennelement 6 durch die Wirkung der Zentrifugalkraft aufgebrochen wird. Das in den Figuren 1 bis 9 dargestellte Trennelement 6 weist eine kreisförmige Deckfläche 7 und eine ebenfalls kreisförmige Bodenfläche 5 auf, die in zueinander parallelen Ebenen liegen. Die kreisförmige Deckfläche 7 hat den gleichen Außendurchmesser 01 wie der Innendurchmesser des Trennröhrchens 2, während der Durchmesser D2 der Bodenfläche 5 halb so groß wie der Deckflächen-Durchmesser D1 ist. Der Abstand der Bodenfläche 5 von der Deckfläche 7 entspricht der Höhe des Trennelements 6, das im Schnitt die Form eines rechtwinkligen Trapezes hat. Im Ruhezustand gemäß Fig. 1 liegt eine Erzeugende des Trennelements 6 an der Wand des Trennröhrchens 2 an, während die diametral gegenüberliegende Erzeugende, die die Deckfläche 7 mit der Bodenfläche 5 verbindet, von der Innenwand des Trennröhrchens 2 zur Trennröhrchenachse M verläuft. Durch die Formgebung des Trennelements 6 liegt dessen Schwerpunkt S nicht in der Trennröhrchenachse M, sondern ist bezüglich dieser um den Betrag e exzentrisch angeordnet.1 to 3 show an embodiment of a separating element 6 during individual phases of centrifugation. A separating tube 2 is shown in the figures in a horizontal position, as is often used in centrifuges. The separating tube 2 consists, for example, of plastic or glass and is initially closed with a sealing plug 4, a separating element 6 in the form of an asymmetrical body with an eccentric center of gravity S being attached to the underside of the sealing plug 4 via a connecting element 8. The two components or phases to be separated are represented by lines or dots, the lines indicating the liquid phase and the dots indicating a heavier, for example solid phase, dispersed therein. The connecting element 8 is, for example, an adhesive layer whose bond with the separating element 6 is broken up by the action of the centrifugal force. The separating element 6 shown in FIGS. 1 to 9 has a circular top surface 7 and a likewise circular bottom surface 5, which lie in mutually parallel planes. The circular top surface 7 has the same outside diameter 0 1 as the inside diameter of the separating tube 2, while the diameter D 2 of the bottom surface 5 is half the size of the top surface diameter D 1 . The distance between the bottom surface 5 and the top surface 7 corresponds to the height of the separating element 6, which has the shape of a rectangular trapezoid in section. 1, a generatrix of the separating element 6 lies against the wall of the separating tube 2, while the diametrically opposite generatrix, which connects the top surface 7 to the bottom surface 5, runs from the inner wall of the separating tube 2 to the separating tube axis M. Due to the shape of the separating element 6, its center of gravity S does not lie in the separating tube axis M, but is arranged eccentrically with respect to this by the amount e.

Das in Fig. 1 dargestellte Trennelement weist ferner in seiner dem Schwerpunkt S gegenüberliegenden Hälfte mindestens eine Auftriebskammer 10 auf, die im Ruhezustand gemäß Fig. 1 Luft L einschließt.The separating element shown in FIG. 1 also has in its half opposite the center of gravity S at least one buoyancy chamber 10 which encloses air L in the idle state according to FIG. 1.

Fig. 2 zeigt den Zustand, der sich nach gewisser Einwirkungszeit der Zentrifugalkraft einstellt, wobei sich das Trennelement 6 von dem Verbindungselement 8 gelöst hat und bereits eine teilweise Trennung der beiden Phasen durch den Spalt f zwischen dem Trennelement 6 und der Röhrchenwand durch Verkippen des Trennelements erfolgt ist. Dieses Verkippen oder Drehen des Trennelements 6 wird dadurch erreicht, daß einerseits die im Schwerpunkt S angreifende Zentrifugalkraft den Schwerpunkt S in die Trennröhrchenachse M zu drehen versucht. Die Drehbewegung ist durch den Pfeil A angedeutet. Gleichzeitig wirkt eine in der Auftriebskammer 10 angreifende Auftriebskraft in entgegengesetzter Richtung zur Wirkung der Zentrifugalkraft, so daß ein Drehzwilling entsteht, der die Drehbewegung des Trennelements 6 in Richtung des Pfeils A unterstützt. Beim Drehen oder Kippen stützt sich das Trennelement 6 an zwei diametral gegenüberliegenden Punkten an der Innenwand des Trennröhrchens 2 ab, die am Umfang der Deckfläche 7 in der durch die Trennröhrchenachse M verlaufenden Normalebene auf die Schnitt- bzw. Zeichenebene liegen.Fig. 2 shows the state that occurs after a certain time of action of the centrifugal force, wherein the separating element 6 has detached from the connecting element 8 and already a partial separation of the two phases through the gap f between the separating element 6 and the tube wall by tilting the separating element is done. This tilting or rotating of the separating element 6 is achieved in that, on the one hand, the centrifugal force acting in the center of gravity S tries to rotate the center of gravity S into the separating tube axis M. The rotational movement is indicated by arrow A. At the same time, a buoyancy force acting in the buoyancy chamber 10 acts in the opposite direction to the action of the centrifugal force, so that a rotating twin is created which supports the rotational movement of the separating element 6 in the direction of arrow A. When rotating or tilting, the separating element 6 is supported on two diametrically opposite points on the inner wall of the separating tube 2, which lie on the circumference of the top surface 7 in the normal plane running through the separating tube axis M on the cutting or drawing plane.

Beim weiteren Zentrifugieren tritt die flüssige Phase an dem Trennelement 6 vorbei, welches in Richtung auf den Röhrchenboden gleitet und gemäß Fig. 3 schließlich auf der schwereren Phase schwimmt und durch den Auftrieb beim Eintauchen in die schwerere Phase wieder in die Ausgangsstellung zurückgedreht wird, in der es den Durchmesser des Trennröhrchens 2 absperrt. Die in der Auftriebskammer 10 vor dem Zentrifugieren eingeschlossene Luft L ist während des Zentrifugierens vollständig ausgetreten, so daß in der Endstellung gemäß Fig. 3 keine Kraft der rückstellenden Auftriebskraft der schwereren Phase entgegenwirkt. Außerdem ist keine Luft in der Auftriebskammer 10 eingeschlossen, die die schwerere Phase in nachteiliger Weise beeinflussen könnte.During further centrifugation, the liquid phase passes the separating element 6, which slides in the direction of the tube bottom and finally floats on the heavier phase according to FIG. 3 and is rotated back into the starting position by the buoyancy when immersed in the heavier phase, in which it blocks the diameter of the separation tube 2. The air L enclosed in the buoyancy chamber 10 before centrifugation has completely escaped during centrifugation, so that in the end position according to FIG. 3 no force counteracts the restoring buoyancy force of the heavier phase. In addition, no air is trapped in the buoyancy chamber 10 which could adversely affect the heavier phase.

Das Trennelement 6 kann aus beliebigem Werkstoff, insbesondere Kunststoff hergestellt sein. Es kann massiv, hohl oder mit Zusatzgewichten angefüllt sein. Die Auftriebskammer 10 kann zum Umfang des Trennelements 6 hin offen sein. In einer anderen Ausführung ist die Auftriebskammer geschlossen und enthält ein Granulat als zusätzlichen Auftriebskörper. Bei der Trennung von Blut wird vorzugsweise ein Trennelement aus glashartem, leichtem Kunststoff, beispielsweise aus Polystyrol verwendet, das ein spezifisches Gewicht von - 1,045 besitzt, also leichter ist als die Erythrozytenschicht mit einem spezifischen Gewicht von - 1,09 und etwas schwerer als die Plasma- bzw. Serumschicht, deren spezifisches Gewicht < 1,04 bis 1,045 beträgt.The separating element 6 can be made from any material, in particular plastic. It can be solid, hollow or filled with additional weights. The buoyancy chamber 10 can be open towards the circumference of the separating element 6. In another embodiment, the buoyancy chamber is closed and contains granules as an additional buoyancy body. When separating blood, a separating element made of glass-hard, light plastic, for example made of polystyrene, is preferably used, which has a specific weight of - 1.045, i.e. is lighter than the erythrocyte layer with a specific weight of - 1.09 and somewhat heavier than the plasma - or serum layer, the specific weight of which is <1.04 to 1.045.

Fig. 4 veranschaulicht die Wirkung und Anordnung der Auftriebskammer 10 anhand von fünf Stellungen des Trennelements 6 während des Zentrifugierens, die aus Gründen der Übersichtlichkeit übereinander in einem Trennröhrchen 2 dargestellt sind. Dabei ist in der Figur eine Normale N auf das Trennröhrchen 2 bzw. auf die Trennröhrchenachse M angenommen, bezüglich der einerseits der Winkel der Kammerwandneigung αI-V und der Deckflächenneigung βI-V angegeben ist.FIG. 4 illustrates the effect and arrangement of the buoyancy chamber 10 on the basis of five positions of the separating element 6 during centrifuging, which are shown one above the other in a separating tube 2 for reasons of clarity. In the figure, a normal N to the separating tube 2 or to the separating tube axis M is assumed, with respect to which the angle of the chamber wall inclination α IV and the top surface inclination β IV is indicated.

In der Ausgangs- bzw. Ruhestellung gemäß Fig. 41 hängt das Trennelement 6 mittles des Verbindungselements 8 am Verschlußstopfen 4. Seine Deckfläche 7 liegt dabei parallel zur Normalen N des Trennröhrchens 2, so daß die Deckflächenneigung β1 in Bezug auf die Normale N 0° ist. Die Auftriebskammer 10 ist mit Luft L gefüllt. Ferner befindet sich Flüssigkeit W1 teilweise ebenfalls in der Auftriebskammer 10, und zwar wird die Lage des Flüssigkeitsspiegels durch die in Fig. 41 rechte obere Kante der Auftriebskammer 10 festgelegt. Die Auftriebskammer 10 ist so geformt, daß sie bei der Formung nach rechts schräg entformt werden kann. Hierzu muß die Kammeröffnung mindestens den gleichen Durchmesser wie die übrige Kammer haben, um einen ungeteilten Formkörper verwenden zu können. Bei einer Auftriebskammer mit kleinerer Kammeröffnung als Kammerinnendurchmesser ist es erforderlich, einen geteilten Formkörper bei der Herstellung des Trennelements zu verwenden.41, the separating element 6 hangs on the plug 4 by means of the connecting element 8. Its cover surface 7 lies parallel to the normal N of the separating tube 2, so that the inclination of the cover surface β 1 with respect to the normal N 0 ° is. The buoyancy chamber 10 is filled with air L. Furthermore, liquid W 1 is also partially located in the buoyancy chamber 10, specifically the position of the liquid level is determined by the upper right edge of the buoyancy chamber 10 in FIG. 41. The buoyancy chamber 10 is shaped in such a way that it can be demolded to the right during the shaping. For this purpose, the chamber opening must have at least the same diameter as the rest of the chamber in order to be able to use an undivided molded body. In the case of a buoyancy chamber with a smaller chamber opening than the inner chamber diameter, it is necessary to use a divided molded body in the production of the separating element.

Fig. 411 zeigt die Lage des Trennelements 6 nach dem Beginn des Zentrifugierens, wobei ein Spalt fll durch Drehung in Richtung des Pfeils All entstanden ist. In Fig. 411 ist dies eine Drehung gegen den Uhrzeigersinn. Ein Teil der in der Auftriebskammer 10 eingeschlossenen Luft Lll kann nun durch den Spalt fll austreten, während Flüssigkeit Wll in die Auftriebskammer 10 nachfließt. Die Kammerwandneigung αll ist hierbei kleiner als in Fig. 41, während sich die Deckflächenneigung βll vergrößert hat.Fig. 411 shows the position of the separating element 6 after the start of centrifuging, a gap f ll being formed by rotation in the direction of the arrow A ll . In Fig. 411, this is a counterclockwise rotation. Part of the air L ll enclosed in the buoyancy chamber 10 can now escape through the gap f ll , while liquid W ll flows into the buoyancy chamber 10. The chamber wall inclination α ll is smaller than in FIG. 41, while the cover surface inclination β ll has increased.

In Fig. 4111 ist das Trennelement 6 durch Verschwenken in Richtung des Pfeils A so weit gedreht, daß die Kammerwandneigung in einen negativen Bereich bezüglich der Normalen N gelangt ist. Die in die Auftriebskammer 10 nachfließende Flüssigkeit W hat dabei die gesamte Luft L verdrängt und der bisherige Auftrieb durch die Luft L in der rechten Hälfte des Trennelements 6 fällt weg. In dieser Lage ist die Deckflächenneigung βlll an größten, während die Kammerwandneigung αlll ihren größten, negativen Wert von beispielsweise 5 bis 20°, vorzugsweise 10° hat.In FIG. 4111, the separating element 6 is rotated by pivoting in the direction of arrow A to such an extent that the inclination of the chamber wall has reached a negative range with respect to the normal N. The liquid W flowing into the buoyancy chamber 10 has displaced all of the air L and the previous buoyancy through the air L in the right half of the separating element 6 has been eliminated. In this position, the top surface inclination β III is greatest, while the chamber wall inclination α III has its greatest negative value of, for example, 5 to 20 °, preferably 10 °.

Bei weiterer Abwärtsbewegung des Trennelements 6 im Trennröhrchen 2 gemäß Fig. 41V wirkt eine durch das Eintauchen in die schwerere Phase hervorgerufene Auftriebskraft B der Drehrichtung des Pfeiles Alll entgegen, so daß eine Rückdrehung des Trennelements 6 in Richtung des Pfeils Aly und damit eine Verkleinerung des Spaltes fIVerfolgt. Die Kammerwandneigung αIV gelangt wieder in den positiven Bereich, also unter die Normale N, während sich die Deckflächenneigung βIV wieder verkleinert.Upon further downward movement of the separating member 6 in the separating tube 2 according to FIG. 41V acts a caused by the immersion in the heavier phase lift force B of the rotational direction of arrow A lll counter, so that a reverse rotation of the separating member 6 in the direction of arrow A l y and thus The gap f IV is reduced. The chamber wall inclination α IV returns to the positive range, i.e. below normal N, while the cover surface inclination β IV decreases again.

In der Endstellung gemäß Fig. 4V schwimmt das Trennelement 6 auf der schwereren Phase auf und hat das Trennröhrchen 2 wieder verschlossen. Die Deckfläche 7 liegt wieder parallel zur Normalen N, so daß die Deckflächenneigung βν= 0 ist. Die Kammerwandneigung aν hat wieder ihren Maximalwert und es gilt aν = α1. Die Auftriebskammer 10 ist jetzt vollständig von Luft befreit und zum Gänze mit Flüssigkeit Wv gefüllt, die die schwerere Phase darstellt.In the end position according to FIG. 4V the separating element 6 floats on the heavier phase and has closed the separating tube 2 again. The top surface 7 is again parallel to the normal N, so that the inclination of the top surface is β ν = 0. The chamber wall inclination a ν has its maximum value again and a ν = α 1 applies. The buoyancy chamber 10 is now completely free of air and completely filled with liquid W v , which is the heavier phase.

Die Figuren 5 bis 7 zeigen die absolute Lage des Trennröhrchens 2 in einer Zentrifuge, wobei wiederum gleiche Teile mit gleichen Bezugszeichen versehen sind.FIGS. 5 to 7 show the absolute position of the separating tube 2 in a centrifuge, the same parts again being provided with the same reference numerals.

Fig. 5 zeigt das eingehängte Trennröhrchen 2 vor dem Zentrifugieren, wobei die Achse der Zentrifuge mit C bezeichnet ist. Die Geschwindigkeit der Zentrifuge v, = 0.5 shows the suspended separating tube 2 before centrifuging, the axis of the centrifuge being designated by C. The speed of the centrifuge v, = 0.

Fig. 6 zeigt das Trennröhrchen 2 während des Zentrifugierens mit Umlaufgeschwindigkeiten v,).jv, was den Trennelementstellungen II-IV in Fig. 4 entspricht.Fig. 6 shows the separation tube 2 during centrifugation at revolution speeds v,). jv , which corresponds to the separator positions II-IV in Fig. 4.

Schließlich zeigt Fig. 7 die Endstellung des Trennröhrchens 2, die bei höchster Zentrifugiergeschwindigkeit Vv erreicht wird und die der Lage des Trennelements in Fig. 4V entspricht.Finally, FIG. 7 shows the end position of the separating tube 2, which is reached at the highest centrifuging speed Vv and which corresponds to the position of the separating element in FIG. 4V.

Fig. 8 zeigt eine perspektivische Darstellung des Trennelements 6, in der die Deckfläche 7 mit ihrem Durchmesser D1 und die Bodenfläche 5 mit ihrem Durchmesser D2 klar erkennbar sind. In der Mitte der kreisförmigen, ebenen Deckfläche 7 ist eine Sollbruchstelle 16 angeformt, mittels der das Trennelement 6 an eine in Fig. 9 angedeutete Kolbenstange 15 anschließt. Durch den Mittelpunkt der Deckfläche 7 und damit auch durch die Sollbruchstelle 16 verläuft die Trennröhrchenachse M. Der Mittelpunkt der kreisförmigen Bodenfläche 5 ist bezüglich des Mittelpunkts der Deckfläche 7 um Di/4 versetzt, also um den halben Radius der Deckfläche 7, so daß in der Draufsicht die Bodenfläche 5 von einem Rand der Deckfläche 7 bis zu der in ihrem Mittelpunkt liegenden Sollbruchstelle 16 reicht. Dies ergibt die in Fig. 9 erkennbare Form eines rechtwinkligen Trapezes mit einer parallel zur Wand des Trennröhrchens 2 verlaufenden Erzeugenden.8 shows a perspective view of the separating element 6, in which the top surface 7 with its diameter D 1 and the bottom surface 5 with its diameter D 2 can be clearly recognized. A predetermined breaking point 16 is formed in the center of the circular, flat cover surface 7, by means of which the separating element 6 connects to a piston rod 15 indicated in FIG. 9. The separating tube axis M runs through the center of the top surface 7 and thus also through the predetermined breaking point 16. The center of the circular bottom surface 5 is offset by D i / 4 with respect to the center of the top surface 7, i.e. by half the radius of the top surface 7, so that in the top view, the bottom surface 5 extends from an edge of the top surface 7 to the predetermined breaking point 16 lying in its center. This results in the shape of a right-angled trapezoid, which can be seen in FIG. 9, with a generatrix running parallel to the wall of the separating tube 2.

Das Trennelement 6 ist gleichzeitig als Kolben für das Ansaugen von Blut verwendbar, wozu es in bereits erwähnter Weise über eine Sollbruchstelle 16 an eine Kolbenstange 15 angeformt ist. Nach dem Aufziehen des Blutes in das Trennröhrchen 2, das zu diesem Zweck an seiner Unterseite mit einem in dieser Figur nicht dargestellten, jedoch in Fig. 10 erkennbaren, verschließbaren Kanülenkonus 18 versehen ist, wird die Kolbenstange 15 durch aboknicken im Uhrzeigersinn in Fig. 9 abgebrochen, wobei sich das Trennelement 6 an der Wand des Trennröhrchens 2 abstützt.The separating element 6 can also be used as a piston for the suction of blood, for which purpose it is molded on a piston rod 15 via a predetermined breaking point 16. After the blood has been drawn up into the separating tube 2, which for this purpose is provided on its underside with a closable cannula cone 18, which is not shown in this figure, but can be seen in FIG. 10, the piston rod 15 is bent by turning it clockwise in FIG. 9 broken off, the separating element 6 being supported on the wall of the separating tube 2.

Bei dem in den Figuren 8 und 9 dargestellten Trennelement 6 ist keine Auftriebskammer erkennbar, es ist jedoch klar, daß auch das an eine Kolbenstange angeformte Trennelement mit einer Auftriebskammer gemäß den Fig. 1 bis 7 versehen sein kann.In the separating element 6 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, no buoyancy chamber can be seen, but it is clear that the separating element formed on a piston rod can also be provided with a buoyancy chamber according to FIGS. 1 to 7.

Die Fig. 10 und 11 zeigen eine andere Ausführung des Trennelements 6', das über eine kegelförmige Deckfläche 7' an die Kolbenstange 15 anschließt. Gleiche Teile sind in diesen Figuren wieder mit gleichen Bezugszeichen versehen. An der Spitze der kegelförmigen Deckfläche 7' ist wiederum eine Sollbruchstelle 16 vorgesehen. Das Trennelement 6' weist ferner mindestens eine Auftriebskammer 10 auf, die in Fig. 10 durch einen Teilschnitt erkennbar ist. In Fig. 11 ist die Auftriebskammer 10 gestrichelt angedeutet. Das Trennröhrchen gemäß Fig. 10 weist an seinem Boden einen Kanülenkonus 18 auf, durch den Blut oder die zu trennende Flüssigkeit ansaugbar ist. Nach dem Aufziehen des Trennelements 6' wird die Kolbenstange 15 in der zuvor beschriebenen Weise abgebrodhen und das Trennröhrchen 2 an seiner Oberseite mit einem übergreifenden Verschlußstopfen 4' verschlossen. Ferner wird der Kanülenkonus 18 durch eine an sich bekannte, aus Gründen der Übersichtlichkeit aber weggelassene Abdeckkappe ebenfalls verschlossen.10 and 11 show another embodiment of the separating element 6 ', which connects to the piston rod 15 via a conical cover surface 7'. Identical parts are again provided with the same reference symbols in these figures. A predetermined breaking point 16 is again provided at the tip of the conical cover surface 7 '. The separating element 6 'also has at least one buoyancy chamber 10, which can be seen in FIG. 10 by a partial section. The buoyancy chamber 10 is indicated by dashed lines in FIG. 11. 10 has on its bottom a cannula cone 18 through which blood or the liquid to be separated can be sucked. After the separating element 6 'has been pulled open, the piston rod 15 is burned off in the manner described above and the separating tube 2 is closed on its upper side with an overlapping sealing plug 4'. Furthermore, the cannula cone 18 is also closed by a cover cap which is known per se but omitted for reasons of clarity.

Fig. 11 zeigt das abgebrochene, in der Ausgangsstellung befindliche Trennelement 6' und den Verschlußstopfen 4', der entsprechend der Deckfläche 7' mit einer kegelförmigen Vertiefung versehen ist.11 shows the broken-off separating element 6 'in the starting position and the sealing plug 4', which is provided with a conical depression corresponding to the top surface 7 '.

Die Figuren 12 und 13 zeigen eine weitere Ausführung des Trennelements, wobei wiederum gleiche Teile mit gleichen Bezugszeichen versehen sind. Das abgewandelte Trennelement trägt das Bezugszeichen 6". Das Trennelement 6" weist eine kreisförmige Deckfläche 7 auf, an die sich ein Zylinderabschnitt 11 anschließt. Der Umfang des Zylinderabschnitts 11 ist kürzer als ein halber Kreisumfang, so daß die größte Breite des Zylinderabschnitts 11 geringer als der Durchmesser der Deckfläche 7 und damit des Trennröhrchens 2 ist. Dies gestattet ein Verkippen des Trennelements 6" im Trennröhrchen 2, und zwar in Fig. 13 gegen den Uhrzeigersinn.FIGS. 12 and 13 show a further embodiment of the separating element, the same parts again being provided with the same reference symbols. The modified separating element bears the reference symbol 6 ". The separating element 6" has a circular cover surface 7, to which a cylinder section 11 is connected. The circumference of the cylinder section 11 is shorter than half a circle, so that the greatest width of the cylinder section 11 is less than the diameter of the top surface 7 and thus of the separating tube 2. This allows the separating element 6 "to be tilted in the separating tube 2, specifically counterclockwise in FIG. 13.

Fig. 13 zeigt das Trennelement 6" im Schnitt, wobei man erkennt, daß die Unterseite 9 der Deckfläche 7 von der Wand des Trennröhrchens 2 zur Bodenfläche 5" des Trennelements 6" geneigt verläuft und mit der Deckfläche 7 einen Winkel von beispielsweise 5 bis 20°, vorzugsweise 10° einschließt. Dadurch kann unter der Deckfläche 7 gefangene Luft beim Kippen des Trennelements 6" von der Unterseite 9 des Trennelements 6" entweichen. Unter der freien Deckfläche 7 ist ferner eine Trennwand 12 vorgesehen, deren Unterkante 13 im Abstand zur Wand des Trennröhrchens 2 endet und damit ein Überkippen des Trennelements 6" beim Zentrifugieren verhindert. In der Ansicht hat das Trennelement 6" somit etwa dei Umrißform des in den Figuren 1 bis 9 dargestellten Trennelements 6. Das Trennelement 6" ist wiederum über eine Sollbruchstelle 16 an eine Kolbenstange 15 angeformt und kann von dieser durch Abknicken der Kolbenstange 15 nach dem Aufziehen von Blut oder der zu trennenden Flüssigkeit abgebrochen werden. Dieses Abbrechen erfolgt in Fig. 13 durch Bewegung der Kolbenstange 15 im Uhrzeigersinn, so daß sich der Zylinderabschnitt 11 an der Wand des Trennröhrchens 2 abstützt und ein Gegenlager bildet.13 shows the separating element 6 "in section, it being seen that the underside 9 of the top surface 7 extends inclined from the wall of the separating tube 2 to the bottom surface 5" of the separating element 6 "and an angle of, for example, 5 to 20 with the top surface 7 °, preferably 10 °. As a result, air trapped under the cover surface 7 can escape from the underside 9 of the separation element 6 "when the separating element 6" is tilted. A partition 12 is also provided under the free cover surface 7, the lower edge 13 of which is at a distance from the wall of the separating tube 2 ends and thus prevents the separating element 6 "from tipping over during centrifugation. In the view, the separating element 6 "thus has approximately the outline shape of the separating element 6 shown in FIGS. 1 to 9. The separating element 6" is in turn molded onto a piston rod 15 via a predetermined breaking point 16 and can be removed from it by kinking the piston rod 15 after being pulled up blood or the fluid to be separated. This breaking off takes place in Fig. 13 by moving the piston rod 15 clockwise, so that the cylinder section 11 is supported on the wall of the separating tube 2 and forms a counter bearing.

Die Figuren 14 bis 16 zeigen eine weitere Ausführung der Erfindung mit einem kegelförmigen Trennelement 6', 6", das mit seiner Spitze wiederum über eine Sollbruchstelle 16 an eine abbrechbare Kolbenstange 15 angeformt ist. Gleiche Teile sind in diesen Figuren wiederum mit gleichen Bezugszeichen versehen. Das kegelförmige Trennelement 6', 6" weist somit eine kegelförmige Deckfläche 7', 7" auf, deren größter Außendurchmesser dem Innendurchmesser des Trennröhrchens 2 entspricht. An die kegelförmige Deckfläche 7', 7" schließt eine gewölbte Bodenfläche 5', 5" an, die in der dargestellten Ausführung ein Kugelabschnitt ist. Der größte Durchmesser des Kugelabschnitts 01 ist in Fig. 14 gestrichelt angedeutet und entspricht dem Innendurchmesser des Trennröhrchens 2. Die Höhe des Deckflächenkegels von seiner den Durchmesser D1 enthaltenden Basis bis zur von der Sollbruchstelle 16 gebildeten Spitze ist etwas geringer als der halbe Innendurchmesser D1 des Trennröhrchens 2, damit sich das Trennelement 6', 6" nach dem Abbrechen von der Kolbenstange 15 beim Zentrifugieren gemäß Fig. 15 vollständig umdrehen kann. In der gewölbten Bodenfläche 5', 5" ist ferner mindestens eine Auftriebskammer 10', 10" exzentrisch angeordnet, so daß der Schwerpunkt S ebenfalls wiederum bezüglich der Trennröhrchenachse M exzentrisch liegt. In der Auftriebskammer 10', 10" kann beim Aufziehen der zu trennenden Flüssigkeit Luft eingeschlossen sein, die ein Überkippen des Trennelements 6', 6" beim Zentrifugieren unterstützt. Fig. 15 zeigt das nach dem Abbrechen umgekippte Trennelement 6', 6", bei dem nunmehr die gewölbte Bodenfläche 5', 5" nach oben zeigt. Da auch die Auftriebskammer 10', 10" nach oben offen ist, bleibt keine Luft eingeschlossen.FIGS. 14 to 16 show a further embodiment of the invention with a conical separating element 6 ′, 6 ″, the tip of which is in turn molded onto a breakable piston rod 15 via a predetermined breaking point 16. The same parts are again provided with the same reference numerals in these figures. The conical separating element 6 ', 6 "thus has a conical top surface 7', 7", the largest outside diameter of which corresponds to the inside diameter of the separating tube 2. The conical top surface 7 ', 7 "is followed by a curved bottom surface 5', 5", which is a spherical section in the embodiment shown. The largest diameter of the spherical section is 0 1 indicated by dashed lines in Fig. 14 and corresponds to the inner diameter of the separation tube 2. The height of the top surface cone from its base containing the diameter D 1 to the tip formed by the predetermined breaking point 16 is slightly less than half the inner diameter D 1 of the separation tube 2, so that the Separating element 6 ', 6 "after being broken off from the piston rod 15 during centrifugation according to FIG is also again eccentric with respect to the separating tube axis M. When the liquid to be separated is drawn up, air can be enclosed in the buoyancy chamber 10 ', 10 ", which assists the separating element 6', 6" from tipping over during centrifugation. FIG overturned separating element 6 ', 6 ", in which the curved bottom surface 5', 5" now points upwards. Since the buoyancy chamber 10 ', 10 "is open at the top, no air remains trapped.

Zum Abbrechen des Trennelements 6', 6" von der Kolbenstange 15 sind am oberen Ende des Trennröhrchens 2 zwei Ringwülste 20 und 21 vorgesehen, die einen derartigen Abstand zueinander aufweisen, daß sie das Trennelement 6', 6" am Umfang einklemmen. Der äußere Ringwulst 20 ist in radialer Richtung des Trennröhrchens 2 größer, so daß ein Herausziehen des Trennelementes 6', 6" aus dem Trennröhrchen 2 wesentlich behindert wird. Der innere Ringwulst 21 ist hingegen etwas kleiner, so daß sich das Trennelement 6', 6" beim Hochziehen über diesen Ringwulst bewegen läßt. Die beiden Ringwülste 20 und 21 bilden ein Gegenlager für das Trennelement .6', 6" für das Abbrechen der Kolbenstange 15. Hierbei befindet sich das Trennelement 6', 6" in der in Fig. 14 strichpunktiert angedeuteten Stellung.To break off the separating element 6 ', 6 "from the piston rod 15, two annular beads 20 and 21 are provided at the upper end of the separating tube 2, which are spaced from one another such that they clamp the separating element 6', 6" on the circumference. The outer annular bead 20 is larger in the radial direction of the separating tube 2, so that pulling out of the separating element 6 ', 6 "from the separating tube 2 is substantially hindered. The inner annular bead 21, on the other hand, is somewhat smaller, so that the separating element 6', 6 "when pulling up over this ring bead. The two ring beads 20 and 21 form a counter bearing for the separating element .6 ', 6 "for breaking off the piston rod 15. Here, the separating element 6', 6" is in the position indicated by dash-dotted lines in FIG. 14.

Der äußere und innere Ringwulst 20 bzw. 21 sind in einer Ausführung an einem Ende des Trennröhrchens 2 angeordnet, wobei in diesem Fall ein das Trennröhrchen 2 außen umgreifender Verschlußstopfen gewählt wird. Ein derartiger Verschlußstopfen ist aus Gründen der Übersichtlichkeit weggelassen, es ist dem Fachmann jedoch klar, wie ein derartiger Verschlußstopfen auszuführen ist. In einer anderen, nicht dargestellten Ausführung liegen die beiden Ringwülste im Abstand zum Ende des Trennröhrchens, so daß dieses durch einen der in den vorhergehenden Figuren dargestellten Verschlußstopfen 4 bzw. 4' verschließbar ist.In one embodiment, the outer and inner annular beads 20 and 21 are arranged at one end of the separating tube 2, in which case a sealing plug that surrounds the separating tube 2 on the outside is selected. Such a plug is omitted for the sake of clarity, but it is clear to the person skilled in the art how to carry out such a plug. In another embodiment, not shown, the two annular beads are at a distance from the end of the separating tube, so that it can be closed by one of the sealing plugs 4 and 4 'shown in the previous figures.

Fig. 16 zeigt das von der Kolbenstange abgebrochene kegelförmige Trennelement 6', 6" in perspektivischer Ansicht, wobei auch der Rand der Auftriebskammer 10', 10" erkennbar ist.16 shows a perspective view of the conical separating element 6 ', 6 "broken off from the piston rod, the edge of the buoyancy chamber 10', 10" also being recognizable.

In einer weiteren, nicht dargestellten Ausführung ist das Trennelement gemäß den Figuren 14 bis 16 ein Vollkörper ohne Auftriebskammer, wobei das Umdrehen oder Überkippen des Trennelements allein aufgrund seiner instabilen Lage nach dem Abbrechen von der Kolbenstange erfolgt.In a further embodiment, not shown, the separating element according to FIGS. 14 to 16 is a solid body without a buoyancy chamber, the turning or overturning of the separating element taking place solely due to its unstable position after the piston rod has broken off.

Gemäß einer weiteren, nicht dargestellten Ausführung hat das Trennelement etwa die Form gemäß Fig. 15, wobei seine Deckfläche gewölbt und seine Bodenfläche kegelförmig ist. In diesem Fall ist die gewölbte Deckfläche in einer Ausführung vor dem Zentrifugieren über ein Verbindungselement mit einem Verschlußstopfen verbunden oder über eine Sollbruchstelle an eine Kolbenstange angeformt. Dieses Trennelement mit gewölbter Deckfläche und kegelförmiger Bodenfläche kann ebenfalls wiederum eine oder mehrere Auftriebskammern aufweisen, aus denen beim Zentrifugieren die zuvor eingeschlossene Luft zuverlässig austreten kann. Zweckmäßige Ausführungsformen für die Auftriebskammern sind anhand der Figuren 1 bis 11 beschrieben.According to a further embodiment, not shown, the separating element has approximately the shape according to FIG. 15, its top surface being curved and its bottom surface being conical. In this case, the curved top surface in one embodiment is connected to a sealing plug via a connecting element before centrifuging, or is molded onto a piston rod via a predetermined breaking point. This separating element with a curved top surface and a conical bottom surface can in turn also have one or more buoyancy chambers, from which the previously enclosed air can reliably escape during centrifugation. Appropriate embodiments for the buoyancy chambers are described with reference to Figures 1 to 11.

Es liegt auch im Rahmen der Erfindung, das Trennelement im Falle eines im Querschnitt viereckigen Trennröhrchens in einer Ansicht dreiecksförmig oder trapezförmig auszubilden, so daß wiederum im Ruhezustand der gesamte Querschnitt des Trennröhrchens abgesperrt ist, während beim Zentrifugieren ein Verkippen des Trennelementes und damit eine Spaltbildung erfolgt.It is also within the scope of the invention to design the separating element in the case of a separating tube which is quadrangular in cross section in a view, triangular or trapezoidal, so that again the entire cross section of the separating tube is shut off in the idle state, while during centrifuging the separating element is tilted and thus a gap is formed .

Claims (12)

1. Separating tube for the centrifugal separation of a liquid containing at least two components, in which a separating member is provided which has a top surface (7) and a bottom surface (5) and is made from inelastic material, preferably inelastic plastic material, whose specific gravity is between that of the components to be separated and which in the rest state seals the cross-section of the separating tube, characterized in that in the rest state the center of gravity (S) of the separating member (6, 6', 6") is arranged eccentrically with respect to the separating tube axis (M) and that due to its shape, only during centrifuging, the separating member (6, 6', 6") can be tilted in the separating tube (2) in such a way that a gap (f) is formed between the largest circumference (01) of the separating member (6, 6', 6") and the inner wall of the separating tube (2).
2. Separating tube according to claim 1, characterized in that the separating member (6) is shaped like an asymmetrical frustum, whose largest diameter (D1) is twice as large as its smallest diameter (D2), with a generatrix of the separating member (6) positioned vertically on both, the largest diameter (D1) and the smallest diameter (D2) connecting the two diameters (D1 and D2) (Figures 1-11).
3. Separating tube according to claim 1, characterized in that the separating member (6") is in the shape of a cylindrical portion with a circular top surface (7) under whose free end is provided a separating wall (12) preventing an overturning of separating member (6") (Figures 12 and 13).
4. Separating tube according to claim 3, characterized in that the underside (9) of the top surface (7) is inclined from its free end to the bottom surface (5') of the separating member (6") (Figures 12 and 13).
5. Separating tube according to claim 1, characterized in that the separating member (6, 6', 6") is shaped like a cone with a rounded bottom surface (5', 5") (Figures 14 to 16).
6. Separating tube according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the separating member (6, 6") has a conical top surface (7') (Figures 10 and 11).
7. Separating tube according to one of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the separating member (6, 6', 6") is shaped onto a piston rod (15) by a predetermined breaking point (16).
8. Separating tube according to claim 7, characterized in that the predetermined breaking point (16) is located on the planar top surface (7) of the separating member (6) containing the largest diameter (D1) (Figures 8-9 and 12-13).
9. Separating tube according to claim 7, characterized in that the predetermined breaking point (16) is located at the tip of the conical top surface (7', 7") (Figures 10-11 and 14-16).
10. Separating tube according to claim 5, characterized in that the predetermined breaking point (16) is formed onto the rounded bottom surface (5', 5").
11. Separating tube according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the separating member (6, 6', 6") has at least one eccentrically arranged buoyancy chamber (10).
12. Separating tube according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the separating member (6, 6', 6") is made from polysterene.
EP82100181A 1981-01-21 1982-01-13 Separation tube for separating by centrifugation Expired EP0056609B1 (en)

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AT82100181T ATE6993T1 (en) 1981-01-21 1982-01-13 SEPARATOR TUBE FOR CENTRIFUGAL SEPARATION.

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DE3101733A DE3101733C2 (en) 1981-01-21 1981-01-21 Separating element in a separating tube for centrifugal separation
DE3101733 1981-01-21

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DE2734720C2 (en) * 1977-03-16 1986-07-10 Uwe Werner Dr.Med. 2300 Kiel Ballies Separation tubes for centrifugal separation
AT381466B (en) * 1977-03-16 1986-10-27 Ballies Uwe SEPARATING TUBES FOR CENTRIFUGAL SEPARATION
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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0056609A2 (en) 1982-07-28
DE3101733C2 (en) 1982-10-14
DE3260096D1 (en) 1984-05-17
US4364832A (en) 1982-12-21
ATE6993T1 (en) 1984-04-15
EP0056609A3 (en) 1982-12-08
DE3101733A1 (en) 1982-08-05

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