Continuous flow centrifuge system and method

Abstract

The system of the present disclosure includes a centrifuge rotor, an annular channel, and a collection chamber. The centrifuge rotor may include a plurality of slots configured to accept a centrifuge tube, which may include a collection tube and / or an open-bottom column washing support tube. Each slot may include a slot outlet directed to the annular channel. The annular channel may be fluidly coupled to the collection chamber. Liquid waste may be separated from the centrifuge tube during use of the centrifuge system, pass through the annular channel, and be deposited in the collection chamber.

Description

Attorney Docket No. 70676-02CONTINUOUS FLOW CENTRIFUGE SYSTEM AND METHODCROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 734,934 filed December 17, 2024, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.FIELD

[0002] The disclosure generally relates to biological research and development equipment and, more particularly, to centrifuge systems.INTRODUCTION

[0003] This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

[0004] Centrifugation is a fundamental technique in biological, chemical, and clinical laboratories, widely employed for sample preparation, purification, and fractionation. Conventional benchtop centrifuges typically utilize fixed-angle or swinging-bucket rotors to process microcentrifuge tubes or spin columns. These systems rely on batch-based workflows, where liquid waste generated during wash steps accumulates in collection tubes or troughs that must be manually removed and discarded between spins. This manual intervention introduces several inefficiencies: it increases hands-on time, slows overall throughput, and creates opportunities for operator error and cross-contamination. In high-throughput environments, such as nucleic acid purification or protein cleanup protocols, these limitations become particularly pronounced, as dozens or hundreds of samples may require multiple wash and elution cycles.

[0005] Existing centrifuge designs lack integrated continuous-flow capabilities for automated liquid waste removal. While some specialized industrial centrifuges incorporate drainage systems, these are generally intended for large-volume separations and are not compatible with standard laboratory consumables such as spin columns and microcentrifuge tubes. Attempts to adapt such systems for small-scale workflows often require custom hardware or complex plumbing, which can compromise ease of use and increase maintenance requirements. Furthermore, known designs do not adequately address contamination control during wash steps, as manual handling ofAttorney Docket No. 70676-02 flow-through containers exposes operators to biohazardous materials and increases aerosol generation risk.

[0006] Another challenge with conventional centrifugation workflows is reproducibility. Manual removal of liquid waste between steps introduces variability in timing and handling, which can affect the efficiency of washing and elution processes. This variability is particularly problematic in diagnostic and regulated environments, where process consistency is critical. Additionally, the need for frequent lid opening and tube manipulation during multi-step protocols can lead to temperature fluctuations and environmental exposure, further impacting sample integrity.

[0007] Accordingly, there is a continuing need for a centrifuge system that integrates continuous-flow drainage while maintaining compatibility with standard laboratory consumables. Such a system should minimize manual intervention, reduce contamination risk, and improve reproducibility without requiring significant changes to existing protocols. Ideally, the design would allow for automated removal of liquid waste during or immediately after centrifugation, while preserving the ability to collect eluates when necessary.SUMMARY

[0008] In concordance with the instant disclosure, a continuous flow centrifuge system that may militate against contaminations during wash and liquid waste removal steps, while also substantially decreasing the total processing time and manual labor for the completion of the sample preparation, has surprisingly been discovered.

[0009] The centrifuge system of the present disclosure may include a centrifuge rotor, a channel, and a collection chamber. The centrifuge rotor may include a plurality of slots configured to accept a centrifuge tube. The centrifuge tube may include a collection tube and / or an open bottom column washing support tube. The plurality of slots may each include an outlet directed to the channel. The channel may be directed to the collection chamber. Liquid waste may be separated from the centrifuge tube during use of the centrifuge system, pass through the chamber, and deposited in the collection chamber.

[0010] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.Attorney Docket No. 70676-02DRAWINGS

[0011] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the centrifuge system, further depicting the centrifuge system having an access lid and an accessible collection chamber, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0013] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the centrifuge system, as shown in FIG. 1, further depicting an annular channel fluidly coupled to the collection chamber, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0014] FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of a centrifuge rotor, further depicting a raised lip adjacent to outlets for liquid waste, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0015] FIG. 4 is a front-side elevational view of the centrifuge system, further depicting the bent slot of the centrifuge rotor, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0016] FIG. 5 is a front-side elevational view of a column washing support tube, further depicting an open bottom for liquid waste to flow therethrough, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0017] FIG. 6 is a front-side elevational view of an eluate collection tube, further depicting a closed bottom, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0018] FIG. 7 is a front cross-sectioned perspective view of the centrifuge system, further depicting the second angle formed between a first portion and a second portion of the slot, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0019] FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the centrifuge rotor, further depicting the bend of the slot being oriented toward a direction of rotation, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0020] FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a method for operating the system of the present disclosure, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.Attorney Docket No. 70676-02DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The following description of technology is merely exemplary in nature of the subject matter, manufacture, and use of one or more inventions, and is not intended to limit the scope, application, or uses of any specific invention claimed in this application or in such other applications as may be filed claiming priority to this application, or patents issuing therefrom. Regarding methods disclosed, the order of the steps presented is exemplary in nature, and thus, the order of the steps can be different in various embodiments, including where certain steps can be simultaneously performed. “A” and “an” as used herein indicate “at least one” of the item is present; a plurality of such items may be present, when possible. Except where otherwise expressly indicated, all numerical quantities in this description are to be understood as modified by the word “about” and all geometric and spatial descriptors are to be understood as modified by the word “substantially” in describing the broadest scope of the technology. “About” when applied to numerical values indicates that the calculation or the measurement allows some slight imprecision in the value (with some approach to exactness in the value; approximately or reasonably close to the value; nearly). If, for some reason, the imprecision provided by “about” and / or “substantially” is not otherwise understood in the art with this ordinary meaning, then “about” and / or “substantially” as used herein indicates at least variations that may arise from ordinary methods of measuring or using such parameters.

[0022] Although the open-ended term “comprising,” as a synonym of non-restrictive terms such as including, containing, or having, is used herein to describe and claim embodiments of the present technology, embodiments may alternatively be described using more limiting terms such as “consisting of’ or “consisting essentially of.” Thus, for any given embodiment reciting materials, components, or process steps, the present technology also specifically includes embodiments consisting of, or consisting essentially of, such materials, components, or process steps excluding additional materials, components or processes (for consisting of) and excluding additional materials, components or processes affecting the significant properties of the embodiment (for consisting essentially of), even though such additional materials, components or processes are not explicitly recited in this application. For example, recitation of a composition or process reciting elements A, B and C specifically envisions embodiments consisting of, and consisting essentially of, A, B and C, excluding an element D that may be recited in the art, even though element D is not explicitly described as being excluded herein.Attorney Docket No. 70676-02

[0023] As referred to herein, disclosures of ranges are, unless specified otherwise, inclusive of endpoints and include all distinct values and further divided ranges within the entire range. Thus, for example, a range of “from A to B” or “from about A to about B” is inclusive of A and of B. Disclosure of values and ranges of values for specific parameters (such as amounts, weight percentages, etc.) are not exclusive of other values and ranges of values useful herein. It is envisioned that two or more specific exemplified values for a given parameter may define endpoints for a range of values that may be claimed for the parameter. For example, if Parameter X is exemplified herein to have value A and also exemplified to have value Z, it is envisioned that Parameter X may have a range of values from about A to about Z. Similarly, it is envisioned that disclosure of two or more ranges of values for a parameter (whether such ranges are nested, overlapping, or distinct) subsume all possible combinations of ranges for the value that might be claimed using endpoints of the disclosed ranges. For example, if Parameter X is exemplified herein to have values in the range of 1-10, or 2-9, or 3-8, it is also envisioned that Parameter X may have other ranges of values including 1-9, 1-8, 1-3, 1-2, 2-10, 2-8, 2-3, 3-10, 3-9, and so on.

[0024] When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected, or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0025] Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer, or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer, or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.Attorney Docket No. 70676-02

[0026] Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the FIG. is turned over, elements described as “below”, or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

[0027] The centrifuge system 100 disclosed herein includes a housing body 104 with an access lid 102, a rotor 110, an annular channel 120, and a collection chamber 130, as shown in FIGS. 1-2. As shown in FIG. 3, the rotor 110 may be mounted on a central motor shaft 142 and may include a plurality of slots 112 configured to accept centrifuge tubes. As shown in FIGS. 5-6, the centrifuge tubes may include standard closed-bottom tubes and / or open-bottom wash adaptor tubes 150 designed to support spin columns. As shown in FIG. 4, each slot 112 incorporates a retention geometry — a slot bend 112b oriented toward the direction of rotation — that temporarily holds liquid effluent during centrifugation. As shown in FIG. 8, this bend 112b typically forms an acute first angle Al relative to the rotor’s radial axis RA, ranging from about 10° to about 45°, with approximately 30° being preferred for optimal retention and drainage performance. Each slot 112 may include a first portion FP configured to accept a centrifuge tube through an inlet 112a, and a second portion SP configured to direct liquid waste toward an outlet 112c. As shown in FIG. 7, the first portion FP and second portion SP may be coupled by the bend 112b forming a second angle A2 between 70° and 110°. The slot outlet 112c of each slot 112 may be positioned below the apex of the bend 112b to facilitate gravitational drainage when the rotor 110 stops. A raised lip 122 of the annular channel 120 may be disposed adjacent to the outlet 112c which may act as a containment barrier, limiting overflow and aerosolization during high-speed rotation.

[0028] The annular channel 120 may be disposed adjacent to the rotor 110 and may surround a central shaft 142 of the rotor 110 while maintaining clearance for motor components. A bottom surface of the annular channel 120 may be angled downward. For instance, as shown in FIG. 4, the bottom surface of the annular channel 120 may be disposed at a third angle A3 relative to a horizontal plane. In a specific example, the third angle A3 may be approximately 0.5° to 5° andAttorney Docket No. 70676-02 may direct liquid waste toward an arm 124 that connects to the collection chamber 130, enabling gravity-assisted flow of the liquid waste. The continuous raised lip 122 of the annular channel 120 may contain liquid during transient sloshing. Provided as a non-limiting example, the continuous raised lip 122 may be deeper than around ten millimeters, and deeper than a position of the outlet 112c. More specifically, the continuous raised lip 122 may extend above an opening of the outlet 112c. A flexible tubing 126 segment extends from the distal end of the arm 124 into a removable container 132 housed within the collection chamber 130. This container 132, typically fabricated from polypropylene or high-density polyethylene, is easily accessible for waste disposal and may incorporate quick-disconnect fittings and level indicators for operational convenience.

[0029] Materials for the rotor 110 and channel 120 are selected for chemical resistance and durability. Stainless steel grades such as 304 or 316 may be preferred for structural components, while surfaces contacting biological reagents may be lined or coated with polypropylene to enhance solvent resistance. Seals and flexible tubing 126 may be formed from silicone, PTFE, EPDM, or FKM to withstand exposure to common laboratory solvents, including ethanol, isopropanol, and guanidine-based buffers. The system 100 is designed to operate at centrifugal forces up to approximately 20,000 x g, with slot geometries and outlet dimensions optimized to avoid cavitation and ensure smooth drainage within around ten seconds of rotor deceleration.

[0030] The system 100 accommodates dual operational modes. For wash steps, spin columns are placed within open-bottom adaptor tubes 150, allowing effluent to pass through the column and accumulate in the slot bend 112b during rotation. Upon cessation of rotation, the retained liquid flows through the slot outlet 112c into the annular channel 120 and onward to the collection chamber 130 via the flexible tubing 126. This sequence eliminates manual removal of flow-through troughs and reduces contamination risk. For elution steps requiring retention of valuable fractions, the operator substitutes a closed-bottom microcentrifuge tube 160 for the wash adaptor tube 1 0 in the same slot 112; in this configuration, effluent remains in the tube and bypasses the drainage pathway. Mixed-mode operation is also contemplated, wherein some slots 112 are configured for continuous-flow drainage while others retain eluate, provided rotor balance is maintained. These steps collectively enable high-throughput, reproducible sample preparation with minimal manual intervention.Attorney Docket No. 70676-02

[0031] In operation, as shown in FIG. 9, a method of using the system 100 may include placing liquid onto a sample preparation column that is seated within an open-bottom wash adaptor tube 150 and positioning that assembly within a slot 112 of the rotor 110. The rotor 110 may then be spun at a protocol-appropriate speed; during rotation, the rotor 110 may retain liquid waste within a retention mechanism formed by the slot bend 112b oriented toward the direction of rotation, which may be integrally formed with the rotor body 110 and include a raised lip 122 adjacent the slot outlet 112c to limit overflow and splashing under centrifugal loads. While the rotor 110 is engaged, liquid waste may also reside transiently in one or more angled bends 112b of the annular channel disposed adjacent the rotor 110, the bend(s) 112b being oriented toward the rotational direction to receive effluent exiting the slot inlet(s) 112a. The system 100 may then be stopped or disengaged; upon cessation of rotation, the retained liquid may be released from the rotor’s retention geometry and may flow into the annular channel 120, which in certain embodiments surrounds the central motor shaft 142. The channel 120 may be fluidly coupled to the collection chamber 130 via a flexible tubing 126 portion, and the channel 120 may be angled downward toward the collection chamber 130 to enable gravity-assisted flow once rotation ceases. The collection chamber 130 may include a removable container 132 that receives accumulated liquid waste, and the channel 120 and rotor 110 components exposed to solvents may be constructed from solvent-resistant materials, such as stainless steel with polypropylene liners or coatings, to promote chemical durability and longevity. After drainage completes, the operator may repeat wash cycles, exchange the removable container 132 when a desired fill level is reached, or proceed to elution.

[0032] Optional variants include mixed-mode operation wherein certain rotor slots 112 hold closed-bottom tubes 160 to retain eluate while other slots 112 continue continuous-flow washing. In some embodiments, the retention mechanism includes a passive valve or opening that remains closed under centrifugal loading and opens automatically when rotational energy diminishes, thereby facilitating release into the annular channel 120 without user intervention. Additional optional steps may include monitoring the removable container 132 for liquid level, swapping containers via quick-disconnect fittings, and conducting successive wash or rinse spins with the raised lip 122 at the rotor outlet 112c militating against aerosol generation and overflow during rotation. Collectively, these steps may enable reproducible, high-throughput sample preparation: effluent is retained while the rotor 110 is engaged, released upon cessation, directedAttorney Docket No. 70676-02 through an annular channel 120 coupled via flexible tubing 126, and collected in an accessible collection chamber 130 — while maintaining compatibility with both self-draining and standard centrifugation workflows.

[0033] Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms, and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail. Equivalent changes, modifications and variations of some embodiments, materials, compositions, and methods can be made within the scope of the present technology, with substantially similar results.

Claims

Attorney Docket No. 70676-02CLAIMSWHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A centrifuge system comprising: a rotor configured to retain liquid waste during rotation and release the liquid waste upon cessation of rotation; a channel disposed adjacent to the rotor; and a collection chamber fluidly coupled to the channel.

2. The centrifuge system of claim 1, wherein the channel includes an angled bend oriented toward the direction of rotation.

3. The centrifuge system of claim 1, wherein the channel is annular and surrounds a central motor shaft.

4. The centrifuge system of claim 1, wherein the rotor includes a raised lip adjacent to an outlet to militate against overflow during centrifugation.

5. The centrifuge system of claim 1, wherein the channel is constructed from a solventresistant material.

6. The centrifuge system of claim 5, wherein the solvent-resistant material includes at least one of stainless steel and polypropylene.Attorney Docket No. 70676-027. The centrifuge system of claim 1, further comprising a flexible tubing portion coupling the channel to the collection chamber.

8. The centrifuge system of claim 1, wherein the collection chamber includes a removable container for liquid waste.

9. The centrifuge system of claim 1, wherein the rotor is configured for both self-draining workflows and standard centrifugation applications.

10. The centrifuge system of claim 1, wherein the channel is angled downward toward the collection chamber to facilitate gravity-assisted flow.

11. A method of operating a centrifuge system, the method comprising the steps of: loading liquid onto a sample preparation column disposed within an adaptor tube; spinning a rotor configured to retain liquid waste during rotation; stopping the rotor; releasing the liquid waste from the rotor into a channel; and collecting the liquid waste in a collection chamber.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising a step of retaining liquid waste in an angled bend of the channel during rotation.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the channel is annular and fluidly coupled to the collection chamber via a flexible tubing portion.-l iAttorney Docket No. 70676-0214. The method of claim 11, further comprising a step of disengaging the centrifuge system and allowing liquid waste to flow from the channel into the collection chamber.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the rotor includes a raised lip adjacent to an outlet.

16. A centrifuge rotor compri sing : a slot configured to accept a centrifuge tube; a channel having an angled bend oriented toward the direction of rotation; and a retention mechanism configured to hold liquid waste during rotation and release upon cessation of rotation.

17. The centrifuge rotor of claim 16, wherein the angled bend is formed integrally with the rotor body and includes a raised lip extending vertically above the outlet.

18. The centrifuge rotor of claim 16, wherein the retention mechanism includes one of a valve and an opening that activates upon cessation of rotation.

19. The centrifuge rotor of claim 16, wherein the channel is annular and surrounds a central axis of the rotor.

20. The centrifuge rotor of claim 16, wherein the rotor is configured for both self-draining workflows and standard centrifugation applications.

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