Centrifugal separator with non-contact power supply for electronically active devices

Abstract

To provide a centrifuge assembly which supplies energy to sensors on a rotating component of a centrifuge and can reliably exchange (transmit and / or receive) data with sensors, and a method for processing blood and / or blood components.SOLUTION: A centrifuge assembly for processing blood and blood components comprises: a base; a rotating component that rotates relative to the base; a contactless power source 120 including a power source transmitter 122 associated with the base and a power source receiver 124 associated with the rotating component, where the power source transmitter wirelessly transmits power to the power source receiver, the centrifuge assembly includes an active electronic device 103 associated with the rotating component and operatively connected to the power source receiver, and the power source receiver supplies power to the active electronic device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] [Cross - Reference to Related Applications] This application claims the benefit and priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 320,898, filed on March 17, 2022, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] [Technical Field] The present invention relates to a centrifuge system and apparatus including a non - contact power source for supplying power to an active device on a rotating component of a centrifuge, and more particularly, for supplying power to a sensor having wireless data transfer capabilities on a rotating component.

Background Art

[0003] Today, people routinely process whole blood and blood components by centrifugation into various therapeutic components such as red blood cells, platelets, and plasma.

[0004] Conventional blood - processing centrifuges use conductive slip rings to supply power to active devices on the rotating components of the centrifuge. Such slip rings are also used to transmit data between an active device and another device not located on a rotating component such as a control unit. However, the mechanical nature of the slip rings can be unreliable, and the information that can be transferred is limited.

[0005] There remains a need for a reliable energy supply and data exchange (transmission and / or reception) to active devices disposed on the rotating components of a centrifuge.

Summary of the Invention

[0006] There are several embodiments of the subject matter that may be embodied separately or together in the apparatus, systems, and methods described and / or claimed below. These embodiments may be used alone or in combination with other embodiments of the subject matter described herein, and the description of these embodiments together is not intended to preclude the use of these embodiments separately or the claim of such embodiments separately or as a set in different combinations, as described in the claims appended to this specification or in later amended claims. For the purposes of this description and claims, unless otherwise specified, “blood” is intended to include whole blood and blood components such as concentrated red blood cells, plasma, platelets, and white blood cells, with or without anticoagulants or additives.

[0007] The following summary is intended to provide readers with a general overview of the various potential aspects of this subject matter and is non-limiting and non-exclusive with respect to various possible aspects or combinations of aspects. Additional aspects and features are found in the detailed description and / or accompanying drawings herein.

[0008] According to this disclosure, a first aspect includes a centrifuge assembly for processing blood and / or components. The centrifuge assembly includes a base and a rotating component that rotates relative to the base. The assembly includes a contactless power supply, such as wireless, which includes a power transmitter associated with the base and a power receiver associated with the rotating component. The power transmitter transmits power to the power receiver wirelessly. An electronically active device is associated with the rotating component and operably connected to the power receiver. The power receiver supplies power to the electronically active device.

[0009] In another embodiment, a method for processing blood and / or components in a centrifugation assembly. This method includes flowing blood and / or blood components through a rotating component of a centrifugation assembly and rotating the rotating component of the centrifugation assembly relative to a base. This method further includes using a non-contact power supply to power an electronically active device associated with the rotating component.

[0010] These and other aspects of this subject matter are described in the following detailed description of the attached drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a side view of an exemplary processing system including a centrifugal assembly according to the present disclosure.

[0012] [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a front perspective view of the processing system shown.

[0013] [Figure 3] This is an exploded perspective view of the components of a centrifugal separation assembly.

[0014] [Figure 4] This is an enlarged perspective view of the rotating component of a centrifugal separation assembly, shown in its suspended operating position.

[0015] [Figure 5] This is a side cross-sectional view of the rotating component of the centrifugal separation assembly, approximately along the line 5-5 in Figure 4.

[0016] [Figure 6] This is an example of an active device on the rotating component of a centrifugal separation assembly. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0017] Figures 1 and 2 show an exemplary centrifugation processing system 10 using the centrifugation assembly 12 of the present disclosure. The system 10 can be used to process a variety of fluids. The system 10 is particularly well suited to processing whole blood and other suspensions of traumatized cellular material.

[0018] System 10 includes a centrifugal separation assembly 12 and an associated fluid handling assembly 14. The centrifugal separation assembly 12 is a durable equipment item. The fluid handling assembly 14 is a single-use, disposable item that the user loads into the centrifugal separation assembly 12 before starting the processing procedure (as shown overall in Figure 1) and removes from the centrifugal separation assembly 12 upon completion of the procedure.

[0019] The centrifugal separation assembly 12 comprises a centrifugal separator 16 mounted to rotate within a cabinet 18. The user maneuvers and transports the cabinet 18 on associated wheels 20. It should be noted that, due to its compact form, the centrifugal separation assembly 12 can also be manufactured as a tabletop unit.

[0020] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the cabinet 18 includes a sliding drawer 36 that holds a centrifuge 16. As shown in Figure 1, the user opens the drawer 36 to access the centrifuge 16 and insert and remove the processing chamber 22. As shown in Figure 2, the user closes the drawer 36 when performing the processing operation. The processing assembly 14 comprises a processing chamber 22 attached to the centrifuge 16 for rotation (as shown in Figure 1). An associated fluid circuit 24 carries fluid to and from the processing chamber 22. The fluid circuit 24 has several fluid containers 26. As shown in Figure 2, during use, the containers 26 hang from supports on the outside of the cabinet 18. The fluid circuit 24 passes through several peristaltic pumps 28 and clamps 30 on the surface of the cabinet 18. The fluid circuit 24 enters an access opening 100 that leads to the processing chamber 22 mounted inside the cabinet 18. In the illustrated environment, the fluid circuit 24 pre-connects the processing chamber 22 to the container 26, forming an integrated sterile unit that is closed off from communication with the atmosphere.

[0021] The centrifugal assembly 12 includes a processing control unit 32 that coordinates the operation of the centrifuge 16. The processing control unit 32 preferably receives and displays information regarding the processing procedure using input / output terminals 34.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 3, the centrifuge 16 includes a base 42 that supports a plate 45 mounted on a flexible separation mount 44. The flexible mount 44 structurally separates the components attached to the plate 45 from the rest of the centrifuge 16 by damping vibrations and tremors caused by the components attached to the plate 45. The components attached to the plate 45 constitute the separated mass of the centrifuge 16.

[0023] A non-rotating outer housing or bucket 46 is attached to the plate 45. The bucket 46 surrounds a fixed platform 48 and supports the rotating components of the centrifuge 16.

[0024] As shown in more detail in FIGS. 4 and 5, the rotating components include a centrifugal yoke assembly 50 and a centrifugal chamber assembly 52. The yoke assembly 50 rotates on the platform 48 on the first drive shaft 54. The chamber assembly 52 rotates on the yoke assembly 50 on the second drive shaft 56. The rotating chamber assembly 52 carries the processing chamber 22.

[0025] The yoke assembly 50 includes a yoke base 58, a pair of upright yoke arms 60, and a yoke cross member 62 attached between the arms 60. The base 58 is attached to a first drive shaft 54 that rotates on a bearing element 64 around the fixed platform 48. A first electric drive 66 rotates the yoke assembly 50 on the first drive shaft 54.

[0026] The chamber assembly 52 is attached to a second drive shaft 56 that rotates on a bearing element 68 within the yoke cross member 62. The second drive shaft 56 and the bearing element 68 rotate as a unit on a ball bearing 70. A second electric drive 72 rotates the centrifugal chamber assembly 52 on the second drive shaft.

[0027] The first electric drive unit 66 and the second electric drive unit 72 each comprise a permanent magnet brushless DC motor. As shown in Figure 5, the fixed platform holds the field coil 74 of the first motor 66, and the yoke base 58 includes the armature or rotor of the first motor 66. The yoke cross member 62 holds the field coil 74 of the second motor 72, and the chamber assembly 52 comprises the associated armature or rotor.

[0028] In the illustrated embodiment, the first electric motor 66 rotates the yoke assembly 50 at a predetermined rotational speed. The second electric motor 72 rotates the chamber assembly 52 at the same rotational speed as the first electric motor 66, in the same direction and around the same axis as the rotating yoke assembly 50.

[0029] The yoke assembly 50 includes tube holders 80, 82 supported by the yoke cross member 62. An electronic active device 103 is also associated with the yoke 50. In the illustrated embodiment, the yoke cross member 62 supports the electronic active device 103, such as a sensor for sensing or measuring the properties of the fluid being processed and / or the centrifuge. In one alternative, the electronic active device 103 may be a blood component detector that senses or detects various blood components and / or their interfaces. In another alternative, the electronic active device 103 may be one or more of an interface detector, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a hemolysis sensor, a weighing scale, or any other suitable electronic device or sensor. In yet another alternative example, the electronic active device 103 may include an optical sensor or camera used to sense or determine the properties of the blood in the centrifuge.

[0030] The electronically active device 103 is powered by a contactless power supply 120, such as a wireless power supply. The contactless power supply 120 may include inductive, capacitive, or magnetodynamic contactless power transmission, or any other suitable contactless power transmission. Referring to Figures 4 and 5, the contactless power supply 120 includes a power transmitter 122 and a power receiver 124. The power transmitter 122 is associated with a stationary platform 48 on which the yoke assembly rotates. In the illustrated embodiment, the power transmitter 122 is a relatively flat plate associated with the surface 126 of the platform 48 facing the yoke 50. For example, the power transmitter 122 may be located on or embedded in the surface 126. The power receiver 124 is associated with a rotating component of the centrifuge 16, such as the rotating yoke 50. In the illustrated embodiment, the power receiver 124 is a relatively flat plate associated with the surface 128 of the rotating yoke 50 facing the stationary platform 48. For example, the power receiving unit 124 may be located on the surface 128 or embedded in it.

[0031] The electronically active device 103 is powered by a contactless power supply 120. In the illustrated embodiment, the electronically active device 103 is operably connected to the power receiving unit 124 by one or more wires 130. In the illustrated embodiment, the wires 130 are shown with dashed lines to indicate that they are located within or running through the structure of the rotating yoke 50. In other embodiments, the wires 130 may run along the outer surface of the rotating yoke 50.

[0032] During centrifugal separation, the rotating yoke 50 rotates relative to the fixed platform 48. A power transmission unit 122 on the fixed platform transmits energy to a power reception unit 124. The power reception unit 124 supplies power to an electronically active device 103, which may be a sensor. In one embodiment, the electronically active device may be an electrically driven device 72.

[0033] The electronically active device 103 can wirelessly exchange data with another device 105 that is not located on the rotating components of the centrifuge. For example, the other device 105 is not located on or associated with the yoke 50. The other device 105 may be, for example, the control unit 32, or may be within the control unit 32 (Figure 1), and these are not located on the rotating components. The electronically active device 103 may have a wireless data exchange device 107 that exchanges (transmits and / or receives) data with a separate data exchange device 109 of the other device 105. The data may be exchanged via one or more of Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, short-range wireless communication, or any other suitable wireless peer-to-peer communication. Furthermore, the electronically active device 103 and the other device 105 can also convert analog data to digital data for wireless transmission.

[0034] The combination of the use of a contactless power supply 120 and wireless data exchange results in the ability to use an electronically active device 103 on the rotating components of a centrifuge with little to no mechanical connection required. This configuration improves the reliability of the electronically active device and reduces mechanical failures. Furthermore, this combination can be used in fields other than blood separation, for example, other fields and structures that include an electronically active device on rotating components.

[0035] As described above, the electronically active device can be any suitable device such as a sensor or detector that provides information about the properties of the blood or the operation of the centrifuge. Figure 6 shows an exemplary electronically active device 103. The electronically active device 103 may also be an optical sensor 103a that senses the optical properties of the fluid during the separation process. The sensor 103a may be supported by a cross member 62 (Figure 4) of a rotating yoke 50. The sensor 103a includes a light source 76 that emits light absorbed by the fluid, such as red blood cells. In the illustrated embodiment, the light source 76 includes a circular array of red light-emitting diodes 84. Of course, other wavelengths absorbed by RBCs, such as green or infrared, can also be used.

[0036] Sensor 103a also includes a photodetector 78 mounted adjacent to the light source 76. In the illustrated preferred embodiment, the photodetector 78 comprises a PIN diode detector positioned approximately at the geometric center of a circular array of light-emitting diodes 84.

[0037] The yoke 50 and sensor 103a rotate relative to the platform 48. Furthermore, the centrifugal chamber assembly 52 rotates relative to the sensor 103a. The light source 76 directs light onto the chamber assembly 52. ​​In the illustrated embodiment, the chamber assembly 52 is transparent to the light emitted by the light source 76 within region 86. In the illustrated embodiment, region 86 includes a window cut out into the chamber assembly 52. ​​The remaining portion of the chamber assembly 52 in the path of sensor 103a includes a light-absorbing material.

[0038] Light from the light source 76 passes through the transparent region 86 of the chamber assembly 52 each time the rotating chamber assembly 52 and the sensor 103a align. The light is reflected back towards the sensor, where it is detected by the detector 78.

[0039] When the transparent interface region 86 of the chamber assembly 52 aligns with the sensor 103a, the detector 78 first senses the light reflected through the plasma layer. Finally, the red blood cell layer enters the optical path of the sensor 103a. The red blood cell layer absorbs light from the light source 76, thereby reducing the intensity of the previously sensed reflected light. The intensity of the reflected light sensed by the detector 78 represents the amount of light from the light source 76 that is not absorbed by the red blood cell layer.

[0040] The sensor (active device) can wirelessly exchange data with another device not located on the rotating components of the centrifuge. The other device may be, for example, the control unit 32, which is not located on the rotating components. For example, the sensor may have a wireless data exchange member that exchanges (transmits and / or receives) data with a separate data exchange member of a device not physically associated with the rotating components of the centrifuge containing the sensor. Data from sensor 103a may be transmitted wirelessly to the other device 105. For example, data from sensor 103a is sent to the control unit 32, which adjusts the centrifuge based on the data. Furthermore, analog data from sensor 103a may be digitized before being wirelessly transmitted to the control unit 32 by a wireless exchange device 107.

[0041] manner Embodiment 1. A centrifugal assembly for processing blood and blood components, comprising a base, a rotating component that rotates relative to the base, and a non-contact power supply including a power transmitting unit associated with the base and a power receiving unit associated with the rotating component, wherein the power transmitting unit wirelessly transmits power to the power receiving unit, and comprises an electronically active device associated with the rotating component and operably connected to the power receiving unit, the power receiving unit supplying power to the electronically active device.

[0042] Embodiment 2. The centrifugal assembly according to Embodiment 1, wherein the electronically active device exchanges data with another device not located on the rotating component.

[0043] Embodiment 3. The centrifugal assembly according to Embodiment 2, wherein the electronically active device wirelessly exchanges data with another device not located on the rotating component.

[0044] Embodiment 4. The centrifugal separation assembly according to Embodiment 3, wherein wireless data exchange is via one or more of Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and short-range wireless communication.

[0045] Embodiment 5. The centrifugal assembly according to Embodiment 3 or Embodiment 4, wherein the electronically active device includes a first wireless data exchange device, and another device not located on the rotating component includes a second wireless data exchange device, and the first wireless data exchange device and the second wireless data exchange device exchange data with each other.

[0046] Embodiment 6. A centrifugal assembly according to any one of Embodiments 2 to 5, wherein another device not located on a rotating component comprises a control unit.

[0047] Embodiment 7. A centrifugal separation assembly according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 6, wherein the electronically active device comprises a sensor.

[0048] Embodiment 8. The centrifugal assembly according to Embodiment 7, wherein the sensor senses one or more properties of blood and / or blood components.

[0049] Embodiment 9. The centrifugal separation assembly according to Embodiment 8, wherein the sensor comprises an optical sensor.

[0050] Embodiment 10. The centrifugal separation assembly according to Embodiment 7, wherein the sensor senses one or more characteristics of the centrifugal separation assembly.

[0051] Embodiment 11. The centrifugal assembly according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 6, wherein the electronically active device comprises one or more of the following: a blood component detector, an interface detector, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a hemolysis sensor, a weighing scale, and a camera.

[0052] Embodiment 12. A method for processing blood and / or blood components using a centrifugal assembly, comprising flowing blood and / or blood components through a rotating component of the centrifugal assembly, rotating the rotating component of the centrifugal assembly relative to a base, and supplying power to an electronically active device associated with the rotating component by a non-contact power supply.

[0053] Embodiment 13. The method according to Embodiment 12, wherein the non-contact power supply includes a power transmitting unit and a power receiving unit, the power transmitting unit being associated with a base, the power receiving unit being associated with a rotating component, and the power receiving unit supplying power to an electronically active device.

[0054] Embodiment 14. The method according to Embodiment 12 or Embodiment 13, further comprising exchanging data between an electronically active device and another device not located on a rotating component.

[0055] Embodiment 15. The method of Embodiment 14, wherein the exchange of data between an electronically active device and another device includes wireless data exchange.

[0056] Embodiment 16. The method according to Embodiment 15, wherein wireless data exchange is via one or more of Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and short-range wireless communication.

[0057] Embodiment 17. The method according to Embodiment 15 or Embodiment 16, wherein the electronically active device includes a first wireless data exchange device, and another device not located on a rotating component includes a second wireless data exchange device, and the first wireless data exchange device and the second wireless data exchange device exchange data with each other.

[0058] Embodiment 18. The method according to any one of Embodiments 14 to 17, wherein another device not located on the rotating component comprises a control unit.

[0059] Embodiment 19. The method according to any one of Embodiments 12 to 18, wherein the electronically active device comprises a sensor.

[0060] Embodiment 20. The method according to Embodiment 19, wherein the sensor senses one or more properties of blood and / or blood components.

[0061] Embodiment 21. The method according to Embodiment 19 or Embodiment 20, wherein the sensor comprises an optical sensor.

[0062] Embodiment 22. The method according to Embodiment 19, wherein the sensor senses one or more characteristics of a centrifugal assembly.

[0063] Embodiment 23. The method according to any one of Embodiments 12 to 18, wherein the electronically active device comprises one or more of the following: a blood component detector, an interface detector, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a hemolysis sensor, a weighing scale, and a camera.

Claims

1. A centrifugal assembly for processing blood and blood components, Fixed platform and A rotating component positioned above the fixed platform and rotating relative to the fixed platform, wherein the rotating component includes a yoke assembly having a yoke base, A drive shaft attached to the yoke base, A motor supported by the fixed platform, wherein the motor rotates the drive shaft relative to the fixed platform, thereby rotating the yoke assembly relative to the fixed platform, A contactless power supply comprising a power transmitting unit and a power receiving unit, wherein the power transmitting unit is configured to wirelessly transmit power to the power receiving unit, the power transmitting unit is located below the yoke assembly and associated with the surface of the fixed platform facing the yoke assembly, and the power receiving unit is located above the fixed platform and associated with the surface of the yoke assembly facing the fixed platform. The system comprises an electronically active device associated with the rotating component, located above the non-contact power supply, and operably connected to the power supply receiving unit, The power receiving unit is configured to supply power to the electronically active device, in a centrifugal separation assembly.

2. The centrifugal assembly according to claim 1, wherein the electronically active device is configured to exchange data with another device not located on the rotating component.

3. The centrifugal assembly according to claim 2, wherein the electronically active device is configured to wirelessly exchange data with another device not located on the rotating component.

4. The centrifugal separation assembly according to claim 3, wherein the electronically active device is configured to wirelessly exchange data via one or more of Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi®, and short-range wireless communication.

5. The centrifugal assembly according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the electronically active device includes a first wireless data exchange device, and the other device not located on the rotating component includes a second wireless data exchange device, and the first wireless data exchange device and the second wireless data exchange device are configured to exchange data with each other.

6. The centrifugal assembly according to claim 2, wherein the other device not positioned on the rotating component comprises a control unit.

7. The centrifugation assembly according to claim 1, wherein the electronically active device comprises a sensor.

8. The centrifugal assembly according to claim 7, wherein the sensor is configured to sense one or more characteristics of blood and / or blood components.

9. The centrifugal separation assembly according to claim 8, wherein the sensor comprises an optical sensor.

10. The centrifugal separation assembly according to claim 7, wherein the sensor is configured to sense one or more characteristics of the centrifugal separation assembly.

11. The centrifugation assembly according to claim 1, wherein the electronic active device comprises one or more of the following: a blood component detector, an interface detector, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a hemolysis sensor, a weighing scale, and a camera.

12. The centrifugal separation assembly according to claim 1, wherein the rotating component comprises a rotating chamber assembly that supports a processing chamber, and a fluid circuit is configured to transport fluid to and from the processing chamber.

13. A non-surgical and non-therapeutic method for processing blood and / or blood components using the centrifugal assembly described in Claim 1, Blood and / or blood components are flowed through the rotating components of the centrifugal assembly, The rotating component of the centrifugal assembly is rotated relative to the fixed platform, A method comprising supplying power to the electronically active device associated with the rotating component by the non-contact power supply.

14. The non-surgical and non-therapeutic method according to claim 13, further comprising exchanging data between the electronically active device and another device not located on the rotating component.

15. The non-surgical and non-therapeutic method according to claim 14, wherein the exchange of data between the electronically active device and the other device includes wireless data exchange.

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