Description

CENTRIFUGE

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a centrifuge capable of separating a large amount of a substance, and more particularly, to a centrifuge which separates a substance based on the particle size and flow of the substance. Background Art

[2] A centrifuge separates a substance using a centrifugal force generated when an object spins. Centrifuges can be classified into a variety of types according to the amount of a sample, a rotational speed, and a rotor.

[3] Nowadays, plastic surgery is widely used for health purposes and for changing the appearance and function of a person's body. For example, liposuction and fat grafting are commonly employed techniques, and in such cases, prevention of germ contamination is very important. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[4] To prevent germ contamination, impurities included in fat tissues need to be removed. In this regard, fat grafting using a centrifuge method, a washing method, and a seal type fat grafting method have been developed. Also, a method for separating a layer having a large amount of a cell component using high speed centrifugation has been developed.

[5] Recently, the use of techniques to separate a large amount of fat over 300 cc in breast augmentation or hip augmentation using fat has increased. A conventional centrifuge is not suitable for this purpose because it has a limit in separating a small amount of fat using only a test tube. Also, when the conventional centrifuge is used for separating a large amount of fat, a cleaning step to remove impurities is time consuming and germ contamination by exposure to air is possible. Technical Solution

[6] To solve the above and/or other problems, the present invention provides a centrifuge capable of separating a large amount of a substance.

[7] The present invention provides a centrifuge which can separate a large amount of a substance at once so that the separation time is reduced, thereby reducing the possibility of germ contamination.

[8] The present invention provides a centrifuge having a gravity inclined plane and a centrifugal inclined plane intended to use the flow of a substance and a filter for separating a substance according to a particle size, thereby being capable of separating

a large amount of fat.

[9] According to an aspect of the present invention, a centrifuge comprises a rotating body having an accommodation portion guiding a substance contained in the accommodation portion to move toward a top side due to a centrifugal force according to a rotation of the rotating body, a filter installed at the top side of the accommodation portion and allowing a part of the substance moving to the top side of the accommodation portion to pass through the filter, and a rotating body cover installed above the filter, covering the top side of the accommodation portion, and guiding the substance passing through the filter to be discharged to the outside.

[10] The accommodation portion has a shape such that a section of the accommodation portion decreases from the top side to a bottom side to allow the substance contained in the accommodation portion to flow toward the top side due to the centrifugal force.

[11] The accommodation portion has a conic shape having a section decreasing from the top side to the bottom side.

[12] The accommodation portion has at least one converging portion where the centrifugal force acts is maximum on a horizontal section and the substance contained in the accommodation portion moves along the accommodation portion due to the centrifugal force and gathers at the converging portion.

[13] The accommodation portion has different distances from a center of rotation of the rotating body on an edge of a horizontal section and the substance contained in the accommodation portion converges at the farthest position from the center of rotation of the rotating body by moving along the accommodation portion due to the centrifugal force.

[14] The surface of the accommodation portion is coated to reduce a surface friction generated when the contained substance moves.

[15] The rotating body includes a collecting container encompassing the accommodation portion and collecting the substance discharged from the accommodation portion, the rotating body cover includes an outlet through which the substance passing through the filter is discharged to the outside, and the outlet and the collecting container are connected by a connection pipe guiding the substance discharged through the outlet to the collecting container.

[16] An exit through which the collected substance is discharged to the outside is formed in the collecting container and a valve controlling the discharge of the substance collected in the collecting container is installed at the exit.

[17] The valve comprises an elastic member coupled to the collecting container and an opening/closing member supported by the elastic member and opening/closing the exit by the interaction between the centrifugal force due to the rotation of the rotating body and an elastic force of the elastic member.

[18] The centrifuge further comprises an inner case encompassing the outside of the rotating body and accommodating the substance discharged from the collecting container.

[19] The centrifuge further comprises a storing tank connected to the inner case and sucking in the substance contained in the inner case via a negative pressure formed in the storing tank by using a pump. The term of 'negative pressure' indicates a pressure lower than the air pressure, or vacuum pressure.

[20] A first magnetic body is installed at an inner side of the inner case and a second magnetic body is installed at an outer side of the rotating body, and the rotating body and the inner case maintain a constant gap from each other via a repulsive force between the first and second magnetic bodies during the rotation of the rotating body.

[21] The centrifuge further comprises an outer case encompassing the outside of the inner case, a case cover coupled to the outer case to cover the top side of the inner case and the rotating body, and an injection pipe connected to the inside of the accommodation portion of the rotating body by penetrating the case cover and the rotating body cover from the outside, discharging the substance contained in the accommodation portion of the rotating body to the outside, and injecting a new substance from the outside into the accommodation portion of the rotating body. Advantageous Effects

[22] According to the conventional centrifuge, a small amount of a substance is contained in a test tube and the substance is separated according to the specific gravity of the substance. However, in the centrifuge according to the present invention, since the substance is separated based on the particle size and flow of the substance regardless of the specific gravity of the substance, a large amount of the substance can be easily separated.

[23] According to the conventional centrifuge, since fats separated in a test tube have small amounts, fats should be cleaned separately or together so that a lot of time is spent for cleaning and the possibility of germ contamination is high. However, according to the present invention, since a large amount of fat can be centrifuged at once, the time for cleaning is shortened and the possibility of germ contamination is reduced as a contact time with air is shortened. Description of Drawings

[24] The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings in which:

[25] FlG. 1 is a perspective view of a centrifuge according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[26] FlG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the centrifuge of FlG. 1 ;

[27] FlG. 3 is a side sectional view of the centrifuge of FlG. 1 ;

[28] FlG. 4 is a perspective view of a part of the upper portion of the centrifuge of FlG. 1 ;

[29] FlG. 5 is a side sectional view of the valve of the centrifuge of FlG. 1 ;

[30] FlG. 6 is a side sectional view of the valve of FlG. 5 in an operation state; and

[31] FlG. 7 is a side sectional view of a centrifuge according to another embodiment of the present invention. Best Mode

[32] FlG. 1 is a perspective view of a centrifuge according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FlG. 1 and FlG. 2, the centrifuge according to the present embodiment can separate a large amount of fat at once and includes a rotating body 10, a filter 25, and a rotating body cover 20 installed above the rotating body 10.

[33] The rotating body 10 accommodates a substance to be centrifuged and rotates. An inner case 40 is installed outside the rotating body 10. The inner case 40 encompasses the rotating body 10 and maintains a stop state with an outer case 70 during the rotation of the rotating body 10.

[34] Fat taken from a human body can be the substance accommodated in the rotating body 10. The centrifuge separates and discharges other fluids such as an injection fluid, body fluids, and free fat from the taken fat, and separates fatty tissue mass except for the cell units.

[35] The inner case 40 and the rotating body 10 are accommodated in the outer case 70. A case cover 80 is coupled to the outer case 70 and covers the inner case 40 and the rotating body 10 from the above.

[36] An injection pipe 81 is installed at the case cover 80. The injection pipe 81 penetrates the case cover 80 and the rotating body cover 20 coupled to the upper side of the rotating body 10 and is inserted in the inside of the rotating body 10. The injection pipe 81 extends toward the rotating body 10. The injection pipe 81 is connected to a hose 82 coupled to the upper side of the case cover 80. Thus, the injection pipe 81 is inserted inside the rotating body 10 to inject a new substance into the inside of the rotating body 10 or discharges an internal substance from the rotating body 10 to the outside.

[37] FlG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the centrifuge of FlG. 1. FlG. 3 is a side sectional view of the centrifuge of FlG. 1. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the rotating body 10 includes an accommodation portion 11 accommodating a substance therein, and a collecting container 15 collecting the substance discharged from the accommodation portion 11. The collecting container 15 encompasses the accommodation portion 11 and is integrally coupled to the accommodation portion 11. Thus, the collecting container 15 performs a rotational motion for centrifugation with the accommodation portion 11.

[38] A variety of methods can be used to rotate the rotating body 10, but in the present embodiment the rotating body 10 is rotated by a drive motor 71. Since the rotating body 10 is coupled to a drive shaft 72 of the drive motor 71, the rotating body 10 performs a rotational motion around the drive shaft 72.

[39] The accommodation portion 11 accommodates a substance to be centrifuged therein and also guides the substance to move upward due to a centrifugal force during the rotation of the rotating body 10. The collecting container 15 collects the substance discharged from the accommodation portion 11.

[40] The accommodation portion 11 has a shape such that the section thereof becomes narrower from the top side to the bottom side to make the substance flow toward the top side due to the centrifugal force. Thus, the inner wall of the accommodation portion 11 forms an inclined plane with respect to the direction of gravity (hereinafter, referred to as the 'gravity inclined plane').

[41] In the present embodiment, the section of the accommodation portion 11 in the vertical direction is a reverse triangle so that the gravity inclined plane corresponding to a side of a triangle forms a straight line. However, the gravity inclined plane in the centrifuge of the present embodiment is not limited to the above-described shape and can be curved inwardly or outwardly.

[42] The gravity inclined plane of the accommodation portion 11 guides the flow of a substance to move toward the top side. That is, when the rotating body 10 rotates and the centrifugal force acting on a fluid increases, the fluid overcomes the gravity and flows toward the top side along the gravity inclined plane.

[43] The accommodation portion 11 has at least one converging portion 12 where the centrifugal force is maximum on a horizontal section thereof. In the present embodiment, the horizontal section of the accommodation portion 11 is formed of two circular arcs convexed outwardly and coupled to each other. Accordingly, the converging portion 12 is formed at both end portions where the two circular arcs meet. Since the converging portion 12 is located at a position that is the farthest from the center of the accommodation portion 11, the centrifugal force is maximum at the converging portion 12.

[44] In the present embodiment, although the horizontal section of the accommodation portion 11 has a combined shape of the two circular arcs, the present invention is not limited thereto and can be modified to a variety of shapes having a converging portion such as a star or a diamond.

[45] Since the centrifugal force acts on the substance in the accommodation portion 11 when the rotating body 10 rotates, the flow of the substance on the horizontal section of the accommodation portion 11 is formed along the inner wall of the accommodation portion 11. The substance moving along the inner wall of the accommodation portion

11 converges into the converging portion 12. Since the inner inclined plane of the accommodation portion 11 having a horizontal section guides the flow of the substance in a horizontal direction, the inner inclined plane is referred to as the 'centrifugal force inclined plane'.

[46] The surface of the accommodation portion 11 can be coated with fluoric resin such as

Teflon to minimize the surface friction generated by an inner wall surface of the accommodation portion 11 when the substance moves. Thus, when the centrifugal force acts on the substance contained in the accommodation portion 11, the substance is guided by the gravity inclined plane and the centrifugal force inclined plane so as to be smoothly moved toward the top side of the accommodation portion 11. Unlike the present embodiment, the accommodation portion 11 may have a conic shape in which a section thereof decreases toward the bottom side and a horizontal section thereof is circular.

[47] FlG. 4 is a perspective view of a part of the upper portion of the centrifuge of FlG. 1 , in which the rotating body cover 20 is separated from the accommodation portion 11. Referring to FlG. 4, the filter 25 and the rotating body cover 20 are installed at an upper opening of the accommodation portion 11. The rotating body cover 20 includes an outlet 21. The filter 25 filters the substance moved to the top side of the accommodation portion 11 and the substance filtered by the filter 25 is discharged to the outside of the accommodation portion 11 through the outlet 21. Although the filter 25 shown in FlG. 4 is installed to cover all of the upper opening of the accommodation portion 11, the filter 25 can be installed on the outlet 21 of the rotating body cover 20 by modifying the same.

[48] The filter 25 includes a plurality of small holes through which liquids such as blood corpuscle, blood plasma, drugs, and free oil or other impurities having a small size. For this purpose, the size of a mesh of the filter 25 can be 1 m m through 200 m m.

[49] The outlet 21 can be formed at the rotating body cover 20 corresponding to the converging portion 12 of the accommodation portion 11. A connection pipe 22 is installed at the outer side of the rotating body cover 20. One end of the connection pipe 22 is connected to the outlet 21 and the other end thereof is inserted in the collecting container 15. The connection pipe 22 guides the substance discharged from the accommodation portion 11 through the outlet 21 to the collecting container 15. Thus, the substance moving to the top side of the accommodation portion 11 and passing through the filter 25 consecutively passes through the outlet 21 of the rotating body cover 20 and the connection pipe 22 and is collected in the collecting container 15.

[50] The cover 20 and the filter 25 can be a flat shape or curved toward the top side as in the embodiment. The rotating body cover 20 and the filter 25 which are curved toward the top side guide the substance moved to the top side in the accommodation portion

11 to move toward the converging portion 12.

[51] FlG. 5 is a side sectional view of the valve of the centrifuge of FlG. 1. FlG. 6 is a side sectional view of the valve of FlG. 5 in an operation state. FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a magnified view of portion A of FlG. 3. The right sides in FIGS. 5 and 6 correspond to the inside of the collecting container 15.

[52] A valve 30 is installed at the collecting container 15. The valve 30 is installed at an exit 16 formed in the collecting container 15 and opens or closes the exit 16. The valve 30 discharges the substance contained in the collecting container 15 to the outside of the collecting container 15.

[53] A valve operated according to an external signal can be used to open/close the exit

16 of the collecting container 15. In the present embodiment, however, a valve that is automatically operated and supported by a spring 31, that is, an elastic member, is used.

[54] The value 30 includes the spring 31 and an opening/closing member 32. The opening/closing member 32 is elastically supported by the spring 31 and installed capable of moving in the exit 16. FlG. 5 illustrates the initial state in which the exit 16 is open by the valve 30. Since the valve 30 is elastically supported by the spring 31 toward the inside of the collecting container 15, when the rotating body 10 is stopped and the centrifugal force does not act on the opening/closing member 32, the exit 16 is open.

[55] When the rotating body 10 rotates, the centrifugal force acts on the opening/closing member 32 installed in the exit 16 and capable of sliding. When the centrifugal force acting on the opening/closing member 32 increases, the opening/closing member 32 overcomes the elastic force of the spring 31 and moves to the outside of the collecting container 15 so that the exit 16 is closed as shown in FlG. 6. Thus, the valve 30 closes the exit 16 during the rotation of the rotating body 10 and opens the exit 16 when the rotating body 10 stops.

[56] When the centrifugation is complete and the rotating body 10 is stopped, the substance discharged from the accommodation portion 11 and contained in the collecting container 15 is discharged to the outside of the collecting container 15 through the exit 16 that is open.

[57] The inner case 40 accommodates the substance discharged from the exit 16 of the collecting container 15. The inner case 40 is installed to encompass the outside of the rotating body 10. Since the drive shaft 72 rotating the rotating body 10 is connected to the rotating body 10 by penetrating the inner case 40, the inner case 40 maintains a stop state during the rotation of the rotating body 10.

[58] The inner case 40 has a bottom surface that is inclined such that the depth increases toward the outside. The inclination of the bottom surface of the inner case 40 helps the

substance discharged from the collecting container 15 to be collected at the outside of the bottom surface of the inner case 40. Since the outer side of the bottom surface of the inner case 40 is connected to a storing tank 60, the substance of the inner case 40 can be discharged to the storing tank 60. The storing tank 60 is connected to a pump 50 and a negative pressure is formed in the storing tank 60. Thus, the substance contained in the inner case 40 can be easily moved to the storing tank 60. The 'negative pressure' indicates a pressure lower than air pressure, or vacuum pressure.

[59] A first magnetic body 41 is installed on the inner surface of the inner case 40 while a second magnetic body 23 is installed on the outer surface of the rotating body 10. The first magnetic body 41 has a ring shape extending along the inner circumference of the inner case 40 while the second magnetic body 23 has a ring shape extending along the outer circumference of the rotating body 10 corresponding to the first magnetic body 41. The first and second magnetic bodies 41 and 23 are formed of permanent magnets whose surfaces facing each other have the same polarity so that they generate a repulsive force against each other.

[60] According to the above structure of the first and second magnetic bodies 41 and 23, even when the rotating body 10 rotates at a high speed, since the first and second magnetic bodies 41 and 23 generate the repulsive force against each other, a constant gap between the rotating body 10 and the inner case 40 is maintained. Thus, the rotating body 10 can maintain a stable rotation motion without shaking.

[61] In the operation of the centrifuge configured as above, a substance to be centrifuged is injected into the accommodation portion 11 of the rotating body 10. Since the case cover 80 is coupled to the outer case 70 capable of being open/closed, the case cover 80 is open by turning upward. Then, the rotating body cover 20 is separated from the top side of the accommodation portion 11 and fat taken from a human body is injected into the accommodation portion 11. In addition to the above method, the substance can be injected into the accommodation portion 11 using the injection pipe 81 connected to the hose 82.

[62] When the injection of the substance into the accommodation portion 11 is completed, the rotating body cover 20 and the case cover 80 are closed to seal the accommodation portion 11 and the outer case 70 and the centrifuge is operated. When the case cover 80 is open or closed, the length of the injection pipe 81 installed at the case cover 80 is reduced. Although the injection pipe 81 is inserted inside the accommodation portion 11 by passing through through holes 24 and 26 formed in the center of each of the rotating body cover 20 and the filter 25, the length of the injection pipe 81 is reduced to prevent interference between the injection pipe 81 and the through holes 24 and 26 during the opening/closing of the case cover 80.

[63] When the rotating body 10 rotates, no interference between the injection pipe 81 and

the rotating body cover 20 exists, and also the substance in the accommodation portion 11 does not leak out at the top side. For this purpose, the injection pipe 81 passes through a bearing (not shown) installed at the through holes 24 and 26 formed at the center of each of the rotating body cover 20 and the filter 25 and is inserted into the inside of the accommodation portion 11. Also, a sealing (not shown) having a ring shape can be installed at the through holes 24 and 26 formed at the center of each of the rotating body cover 20 and the filter 25.

[64] When the drive motor 71 is operated and the rotating body 10 starts a rotational motion, a centrifugal force acts on the substance contained in the accommodation portion 11. The accommodation portion 11 has a shape such that the section thereof decreases from the top side toward the bottom side and the gravity inclined plane is formed therein. Accordingly, as the centrifugal force increases, the substance moves toward the top side overcoming the gravity.

[65] The converging portion 12 is formed at a position where the centrifugal force becomes maximum on the section in the horizontal direction of the accommodation portion 11. Since the centrifugal force inclined plane guiding the movement of the substance in the horizontal direction of the centrifugal force is formed, the substance moves along the centrifugal force inclined plane and gathers at the converging portion 12.

[66] The substance moving to the top side and gathering at the converging portion 12 in the accommodation portion 11 passes through the filter 25. The filter 25 allows particles smaller than a predetermined size to pass therethrough. Thus, other fluids such as the injected liquid, body fluids, and free oil pass through the filter 25 and are discharged to the collecting container 15 by passing through the outlet 21 of the rotating body cover 20 and the connection pipe 22. Then, only fat tissues except for the other fluids passing through the filter 25 are left in the accommodation portion 11.

[67] Since the exit 16 is closed when the opening/closing member 32 moves overcoming the elastic force of the spring 31 by the operation of the centrifugal force, the substances discharged to the outside of the accommodation portion 11 are accommodated in the collecting container 15. When the rotating body 10 is stopped, since the exit 16 of the collecting container 15 is open by the operation of the valve 30, the substance contained in the collecting container 15 is discharged to the inner case 40.

[68] Since the bottom surface of the inner case 40 is inclined toward the outer side, the substance flows along the bottom surface and gathers at the outer side of the inner case 40. Since the outer side of the bottom surface of the inner case 40 is connected to the storing tank 60, the substance of the inner case 40 flows into the storing tank 60 where a negative pressure is formed by the pump 50.

[69] When the separation of the substance in the accommodation portion 11 is totally completed, the operation of the drive motor 71 is stopped. When the rotating body 10 is stopped, the fat tissues left in the accommodation portion 11 can be discharged to the outside to be collected by applying a pressure to the hose 82 and the injection pipe 81.

[70] The centrifuge according to the present embodiment can separate a substance based on the particle size and flow of the separated substance. That is, when the substance in the accommodation portion 11 overcomes the gravity of the substance and moves to the top side by the gravity inclined plane and the centrifugal force inclined plane formed on the accommodation portion 11, the separation of the substance according to the size of a particle is performed by the filter 25 of the rotating body cover 20. Mode for Invention

[71] FlG. 7 is a side sectional view of a centrifuge according to another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FlG. 7, the centrifuge according to the present embodiment includes a rotating body 110, a filter 125, and a rotating body cover 120 installed at the top side of the rotating body 110. In the present embodiment, since a collecting container is not installed at the rotating body 110, the substance exhausted from the rotating body cover 120 is scattered and accommodated in the outer case 70.

[72] The rotating body 110 is coupled to the drive shaft 72 of the drive motor 71 and rotates around the drive shaft 72. An accommodation portion 111 accommodating the substance is formed in the rotating body 110. The accommodation portion 111 not only accommodates the substance but also guides the substance to move to the top side by the centrifugal force.

[73] The accommodation portion 111 has a shape in which a section thereof decreases from the top side to the bottom side to allow the substance to flow toward the top side due to the centrifugal force. Thus, the inner wall of the accommodation portion 111 forms a gravity inclined plane. When the rotating body 110 rotates and the centrifugal force acting on the substance increases, the substance overcomes the gravity and moves toward the top side of the accommodation portion 111 along the gravity inclined plane.

[74] The accommodation portion 111 includes at least one converging portion 112 at the position on the horizontal plane where the centrifugal force is formed at its maximum. In the present embodiment, the horizontal section of the accommodation portion 111 is formed of two circular arcs, convexed outwardly and coupled to each other. Accordingly, the converging portion 112 is formed at both end portions where the two circular arcs meet. The horizontal section of the accommodation portion 111 can be modified to have a variety of shapes having a converging portion such as a star or a diamond.

[75] The filter 125 and the rotating body cover 120 are installed in the opening of the top

side of the accommodation portion 111. The rotating body 120 includes an outlet 121. The outlet 121 is formed at the rotating body cover 120 to correspond to the converging portion 112 of the accommodation portion 111.

[76] The filter 125 filters the substance moving to the top side of the accommodation portion 111. The substance filtered by the filter 125 is discharged to the outside of the accommodation portion 111 through the outlet 121. The filter 125 of FlG. 7 is installed to cover all the opening of the top side of the accommodation portion 111. However, the filter 125 can be installed at the outlet 121 of the rotating body cover 120.

[77] The filter 125 includes a plurality of small holes through which liquids such as blood corpuscle, blood plasma, drugs, and free oil or other impurities having a small size. For this purpose, the size of a mesh of the filter 125 can be 1 m m through 200 m m. When the rotating body 110 rotates, the substance in the accommodation portion 111 flows along the inner wall of the accommodation portion 111 and gathers at the converging portion 112.

[78] The gravity inclined plane formed in the accommodation portion 111 guides the flow of the substance in the horizontal direction. The surface of the accommodation portion 111 can be coated with fluoric resin such as Teflon to minimize the surface friction generated by an inner wall surface of the accommodation portion 111 when the substance moves.

[79] The rotating body 110 is accommodated in the outer case 70. The case cover 80 is coupled to the top side of the outer case 70 to cover the rotating body 110 from the top side. The injection pipe 81 connected to the hose 82 is installed at the case cover 80. The injection pipe 81 is inserted in the accommodation portion 111 by penetrating the rotating body cover 120 and the filter 125. The injection pipe 81 injects an external substance in the accommodation portion 111 through the hose 82 or discharges the substance in the accommodation portion 111 to the outside.

[80] As described above, in the centrifuge according to the present invention, since a substance is separated based on the particle size and flow of the substance regardless of the specific gravity of the substance, a large amount of the substance can be easily separated. Also, since a large amount of fat can be centrifuged at once, the time for cleaning is shortened and the possibility of contamination of germs is reduced.

[81] While this invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Industrial Applicability

[82] The present invention relates to a centrifuge capable of separating a large amount of a substance, and more particularly, to a centrifuge which separates a substance based

on the particle size and flow of the substance.