CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a non-provisional patent application of and claims the benefit of co- pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62/157,309, that was filed on 05/05/2015, and the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to apparatuses, systems and methods for supporting a tube or conduit for directing fluids into a centrifuge system.

BACKGROUND

Centrifuges are used to separate a fluid into a plurality of fluid constituents by inducing a density gradient within the fluid. One known centrifuge configuration uses a disposable that includes a centrifuge bowl and a drive tube that extends from the top of the centrifuge bowl, where a plurality of separate conduits are disposed within this drive tube. Fluid may be directed into the centrifuge bowl through one of these conduits, and various fluid constituents may be removed from the centrifuge bowl through one or more of these conduits. In any case, this centrifuge bowl may be secured relative to a rotating frame, and the drive tube may be clamped or otherwise secured to the rotating frame during centrifuging.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The principals and operations of the devices, methods and systems, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, may be better understood with reference to the drawings, and the following description. These drawings are given for illustrative purposes only and are not meant to be limiting. The figures illustrate various embodiments.

Figures 1 A-D are illustrations of a bearing support and/or clamp in cross-section, exploded front, exploded iso, and exploded side views, respectively, according to some embodiments.

Figures 2A-C are illustrations of a bearing support and/or clamp in cross-section, exploded front, and exploded iso views, respectively, according to some embodiments.

Figures 3A-C are illustrations of a bearing support and/or clamp in cross-section, exploded front, and exploded iso views, respectively, according to some embodiments. Figures 4A-C are illustrations of a bearing support and/or clamp in cross-section, exploded iso, and exploded front views, respectively, according to some embodiments.

Figures 5A-C are illustrations of a bearing support and/or clamp in cross-section, exploded front, and exploded iso views, respectively, according to some embodiments.

Figures 6A-C are illustrations of a bearing support and/or clamp in front, exploded iso, and exploded side views, respectively, according to some embodiments.

Figures 7A-D are illustrations of a bearing support and/or clamp in cross-section, exploded iso, and exploded front and exploded side views, respectively, according to some embodiments.

Figure 8A is a side view of another embodiment of a bearing support.

Figure 8B is an end view of a loading end of the bearing support of Figure 8A.

Figures 8C-8E are perspective views of the loading end of the bearing support of Figure 8A, illustrating a bearing slot and/or magnet aperture that are located within a receiving area of the bearing support.

Figure 8F is a perspective view of a non-loading end of the bearing support of Figure 8A.

Figure 9 is an isometric view of a centrifuge system according to some embodiments.

Figure 9A is another perspective view of a centrifuge system in accordance with Figure 9.

Figure 9B is a cutaway view of additional components of a centrifuge system in accordance with Figure 9. SUMMARY

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a support (and/or clamp) for receiving a cylindrical element is provided, which may comprise a base, a pair of opposed receiving members projecting from the base and spaced apart from one another to establish a receiving area configured with a size and shape to receive at least one of a circular, cylindrical and spherical object therein, and at least one of a detent and magnet arranged within at least a portion of the receiving area, the detent and/or magnet configured to at least one of retain the object within the receiving area and establish a sound associated with the receiving of the object.

Some embodiments may include one and/or another of the following features/functionality:

the receiving area of such a support may be configured to removably

receive the object;

upon the at least one of the detent and magnet being configured to retain the object within the receiving area, such configuration corresponds to

temporary retention of the object within the receiving area;

a lockout means, where, in some embodiments, the lockout means comprises a locking arm configured to substantially bridge the distance between the two

receiving members upon the object being received, such that the object is locked within the receiving area;

the locking arm, noted above, may removably lock the object within the

the receiving area;

the locking arm, noted above, may include a first end which pivots relative to one of the receiving members and a second end which removably locks in or on the other of the receiving members;

a circumferential support member configured to surround at least a portion of

at least one of the base and one and/or another of the receiving members; at least one of a chamfer and ramp provided on at least one of the base, and one and/or another of the receiving members, the chamfer and

ramp being configured to aid in the loading of the object in the receiving area;

the object may be a bearing;

the base may include or comprise a post configured for being received in an opening;

a recess arranged within the base to receive a guide pin; and

a guide pin projecting from the base for receipt within a recess of a structure.

In some embodiments, a centrifuge system is provided which may comprise a centrifuge bowl configured to spin along a central axis, a tube projecting from the center of the centrifuge bowl initially along the central axis, at least one bearing arranged along the tube, where the tube is configured to be arranged within the center of the bearing, a support arm or structure surrounding at least a portion of the container, and at least one support according to one and/or another of embodiments and arranged on at least the support arm. Each of the at least one supports is configured to receive at least one of the tube and bearing such that, upon rotation of bowl, the tube rotates within the bearing, the outer portion of the bearing being affixed to the support.

In some embodiments, a method for connecting a tube within a centrifuge system is provided and comprises providing a centrifuge system having a centrifuge bowl, providing a tube having arranged thereon at least one bearing arranged thereon, providing a support in accordance with the foregoing, aligning each bearing to the side of the ramp and/or chamfer of the support, and pushing and/or pulling each bearing into the receiving area, such that, a side of the bearing rides along the ramp and/or chamfer until the edge of the bearing is received within the receiving area.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figures 1A-D illustrate various views of a bearing support 10 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown, the bearing support 10 generally includes a base 12, along with a pair of opposed and spaced projections 14 which establish a receiving area 16 therebetween. The bearing support 10 has a post or mounting post 18 which is received in a structural member (or other housing element) of a centrifuge (for example), and can include fixation means comprising a detent 24, screw or frictional fit (for example).

The base 12 of the bearing support 10 can also include a dowel pin 20 which is affixed in a recess

(alternatively, a projection can be machined/formed into the base 12), which is then received by the structural member to which the bearing support 10 is mounted (this can be used to allow the bearing support 10 to pivot a certain amount around a linear axis of the mounting post 18).

A load bearing area 28 may be recessed such that an edge of a bearing is received therein. Other features which enable the efficient and speedy mounting of a bearing and/or tube-bearing combinations include one or more chamfers 26 and one or more "ramps", which may facilitate directing the bearing and/or tube into the receiving area 16 of the bearing support 10. The noted detent 24 (e.g., ball detent) may be used to aid in locking/retaining the bearing in place within the bearing support 10, and may be disposed within a detent aperture 22 of the bearing support 10.

Figures 2A-C, 3A-C, and 4A-C, illustrate some embodiments of the present disclosure. In these embodiments, like those in Figures 1 A-D, there is a post, two projections which create a receiving area, and a dowel pin/functionality. In addition, the embodiments include an arm which bridges the opening between the two projections and the receiving area (in some embodiments, it substantially bridges the opening). The arm may pivot on one projection, by means of a pin which is received in an opening on the projection, and may also be spring loaded via a spring (affixed via a bolt/rivet). Further features include a magnet which can be used to both help guide a bearing into the receiving area (and/or bearing recess therein), but may also provide an audible "click" which assures that the bearing is properly in place (the ball detent 24 noted above can perform a similar function). In the embodiments of Figures 2A-C, the bearing support 30 generally includes a base 32, a pair of opposed and spaced projections 34 which establish a receiving area 36 therebetween, along with the above-noted arrangement of a post 18 and pin 20. The bearing support 30 further includes a retaining arm 42 which bridges the opening or space between the upper portion of the two projections 34 and the receiving area 36. The retaining arm 42 may pivot on one projection 34, by means of a pin 48 which is received in an opening on the upper end of one of the projections 34, and may also be spring loaded via a spring 46 (affixed via an appropriate fastener 50). The bearing support 30 further includes a magnet aperture 38 in which a magnet 40 is positioned.

Such embodiments as disclosed in Figures 3A-C, and 4A-C, may also include a spring/arm lock, which insures that the arm bridging the receiving area is at least substantially locked into place. So as to be able to move the arm to, say, remove the bearing from the support, a release pin may also be included, which, when pressed (or pulled, depending upon how the pin is set up), releases the spring lock and allows the arm to open. Various aspects of such embodiments are illustrated in Figures 4A-C.

The bearing support 30' in accordance with the embodiments of Figures 3A-C includes corresponding features to those discussed above in relation to Figures 2A-C, along with a spring lock 52 that may be secured to one of the projections 34 by an appropriate fastener 54, and which insures that the retaining arm 42 bridging the receiving area 36 is at least substantially locked into place. So as to be able to move the retaining arm 42 to, say, remove a bearing from the bearing support 30', a release pin 56 may also be included, which, when pressed (or pulled, depending upon how the pin 56 is set up), releases the spring lock 52 and allows the retaining arm 42 to open.

The bearing support 30" in accordance with the embodiments of Figures 4A-C includes corresponding features to those discussed above in relation to Figures 2A-C, along with a different mechanism (from that disclosed in Figures 3A-C) to retain the retaining arm 42 in a closed position, and that is in the form of a locking arm 52', associated fastener 54', and locking pin release 56'.

Figures 5A-C illustrate yet other embodiments of the present disclosure. In such embodiments, similar to those described and illustrated earlier, the bearing support 60 includes a base 62, two projections 64 housing a receiving area 66, and a load bearing area 68, where these projections 64 again are disposed in opposing relation and are spaced from one another. The bearing support 60 also utilizes the above- noted arrangement of a post 18 and pin 20. However, in these embodiments, both a ball detent 24 (associated detent aperture 22) and a magnet 40 (associated magnet aperture 38) may be included, which either or both can serve to both guide and/or substantially affix the bearing in place within the bearing support 60, and/or may also be used for audible confirmation that the bearing is received.

The embodiments shown in Figures 6A-C are yet further embodiments of the support and include similar features and functionality as those described in earlier embodiments. In such embodiments, similar to those described and illustrated earlier, the bearing support 70 includes a base 72 and two projections 74 housing a receiving area 76, where these projections 74 again are disposed in opposing relation and are spaced from one another. The bearing support 70 also utilizes the above-noted arrangement of a post 18 and pin 20, along with magnet 40 and an associated magnet aperture 38. Additionally, these embodiments help illustrate a circumferential base support 78 which is configured to surround at least a portion of at least one of the projections 74. Additionally, in these embodiments, a bearing 90 is illustrated (which may be the same type, shape, and form of a bearing as may be used in earlier embodiments).

Figures 7A-D show yet further embodiments according to the present disclosure. These embodiments are similar to those of Figures 5A-C and 6A-C. In this regard, the bearing support 80 includes a base 82 and two projections 84 housing a receiving area 86, where these projections 84 again are disposed in opposing relation and are spaced from one another. The bearing support 80 also utilizes the above-noted arrangement of a post 18 and pin 20, along with magnet 40 and an associated magnet aperture 38. The bearing support 80 also incorporates a ramp 88 (and/or a chamfer) which may be used to help guide the bearing 90 into the receiving area 86/bearing recess/ring.

Figures 8A-8E illustrate yet another embodiment of a bearing support and that is identified by reference numeral 100. The bearing support 100 includes a base 102 and a pair of projections 104 that extend upwardly from the base 102 and that are spaced from one another in opposing relation to define a receiving area 112 for the bearing 90. The bearing support 100 also includes the above-noted

arrangement of a post 106 and pin 108.

The bearing support 100 is configured to require the bearing 90 to be positioned in the receiving area 112 only through an open loading end 110 of the bearing support 100. The bearing 90 cannot be directed into the receiving area 112 through the space between the upper portions of the projections 104 (e.g., the spacing between the upper portions of the projections 104 is smaller than the outer diameter of the bearing 90 for which the bearing support 100 is configured). The bearing 90 also cannot be directed into the receiving area 112 through an open non-loading end 120 of the bearing support 100 (the loading end 110 and the non-loading end 120 being directly opposite of one another). In this regard, the bearing support 100 includes a protrusion or ledge 122 that is inwardly extending and that precludes the bearing 90 from being installed through the non-loading end 120.

The loading end 110 of the bearing support 100 includes a pair of chamfered surfaces or ramps 118 (e.g., spherically-shaped). Generally, the ramps 118 are oriented to facilitate directing the bearing 90 into the receiving area 112 in alignment with a slot 114 that receives a lower portion of the bearing 90. These ramps 118 are subject to a number of characterizations. The ramps 118 may be described as at least generally converging toward each other progressing in the direction of the bearing slot 114, the receiving area 112, and/or the non-loading end 120. The ramps 118 may be described as being sloped in the direction of the bearing slot 114.

An end surface of each projection 104 may include a ramp 118 as described. These ramps 118 may be characterized as collectively defining an aperture. Based upon the configuration/orientation of the ramps 118, the effective diameter of this aperture is progressively reduced proceeding in the direction of the receiving area 112, the bearing slot 114, and/or the non-loading end 120. The ramp 118 on one projection 104 may be characterized as sloping in the direction of the opposite projection 104 proceeding in the direction of the bearing slot 114, the receiving area 112, and/or the non-loading end 120. A reference axis 124 may extend through a center of the loading end 110 and the non-loading end 120, and may be disposed parallel to the projections 104. Each ramp 118 may be characterized as converging toward this reference axis 124 proceeding in the direction of the receiving area 112, the bearing slot 114, and/or the non-loading end 120.

A magnet aperture 116 (and thereby the magnet 40) is disposed below a portion of the bearing slot

114 (e.g., a central portion of the bearing slot 114). As such, the magnet aperture 116 may be

characterized as intersecting the bearing slot 114. The magnet 40 is positioned within this magnet aperture 116 and should generate a sufficient attractive force to pull the bearing 90 into the bearing slot 114 if the bearing 90 is not properly seated within the bearing slot 114 (e.g., when the bearing 90 is at least partially aligned with the bearing slot 114, but not properly seated within the bearing slot 114). A boundary for the receiving area 112 may be defined by interior surfaces of the two projections 104 and the surface that extends between the two projections 104 (collectively a "perimeter surface"). The bearing slot 114 and the magnet aperture 116 each may be characterized as intersecting this perimeter surface. Moreover, each of the bearing slot 114 and the magnet aperture 116 may be characterized as projecting toward the receiving area 112. When the bearing 90 is disposed within the bearing slot 114, only a lower portion of the bearing 90 is actually disposed within the bearing slot 114 - an upper portion of the bearing 90 is disposed outside of the bearing slot 114 (e.g., the upper portion of the bearing 90 is not restrained within a slot). However, the portion of the bearing 90 that extends above the bearing slot 114 may be disposed against the ledge 122.

The bearing support 100 of Figures 8A-8F may be installed on a rotating frame of a centrifuge system as will be discussed in more detail below. In the event that the bearing 90 is not properly seated within the bearing slot 114 when centrifuging is initiated, the resulting centrifugal forces experienced by the bearing support 100 and the ramps 118 may cooperate to direct the bearing 90 to the bearing slot 114. The magnet 40 should then exert a pulling force on the bearing 90 so as to become properly seated within the bearing slot 114.

Figure 9 illustrates use of a bearing support/clamp according to some embodiments. Figure 9 may be characterized as being illustrative of a centrifuge system 200 that includes a frame 202 (e.g., a pair of drive tube arms), a bowl holder or bowl holding plate 204, and a centrifuge bowl 210 that is secured relative to the bowl holder 204 and that is rotated by a collective rotation of the frame 202 and bowl holder 204. A drive tube 208 extends from the top portion of the centrifuge bowl 206 and extends along a portion of the frame 202 (e.g., one of its drive tube arms). As shown, one or more supports/clamps 210 (e.g., in accordance with any of the foregoing bearing support embodiments) are positioned on the frame 202 (e.g., one of its drive-tube arms). A pair of bearings are mounted on the drive tube 208, and each of these bearings is received by the receiving area of the corresponding bearing support 210. The outer part of the bearing is held in place, while the inner part of the bearing may rotate with the drive tube 208 as the centrifuge bowl 206 spins or rotates.

Figures 9A and 9B present additional views relating to the centrifuge bowl system from Figure 9. The centrifuge system 200 may include a centrifuge chamber 230 that is located within a casting or outer housing 220 of the centrifuge system 200. A rotational drive 240 is used to rotate the centrifuge bowl 206 about an axis 250 and when appropriately positioned in the centrifuge chamber 230. The rotational drive 240 may be of any appropriate type/configuration, for instance one capable of utilizing 1 -omega 2-omega spin technology.

The above-noted bracket or frame 202 and bowl holding plate 204 are both disposed within the centrifuge chamber 230 and are rotated by the rotational drive 240. The lower portion of the centrifuge bowl 206 is disposed within and is detachably secured to the bowl holding plate 204. The noted conduit or drive tube 208 extends out of the upper portion of the centrifuge bowl 206, is secured to and rotates with the frame 202, and extends through the lower portion of the housing 220 and then out of the centrifuge chamber 230. Certain lines or tubes of a disposable photopheresis kit may be disposed within this drive tube 208 (e.g., a tube for directing whole blood into the centrifuge bowl 206; a tube for directing a lower density blood component, such as plasma and buffy coat, out of the centrifuge bowl 206; a tube for directing a higher density blood component, such as red blood cells, out of the centrifuge bowl 206). The rotational drive 240 rotates the frame 202 and the bowl holding plate 204, which in turn rotates the centrifuge bowl 206 relative to the housing 220 for the centrifuge chamber 230. Rotation of the centrifuge bowl 206 separates whole blood (within the centrifuge bowl 206) into a plurality of blood components within the centrifuge bowl 206, for instance plasma, buffy coat, and red blood cells.

Any and all references to publications or other documents, including but not limited to, patents, patent applications, articles, webpages, books, etc., presented anywhere in the present application, are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Example embodiments of the devices, systems and methods have been described herein. As may be noted elsewhere, these embodiments have been described for illustrative purposes only and are not limiting. Other embodiments are possible and are covered by the disclosure, which will be apparent from the teachings contained herein. Thus, the breadth and scope of the disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described embodiments but should be defined only in accordance with claims supported by the present disclosure and their equivalents. Moreover, embodiments of the subject disclosure may include methods, systems and devices which may further include any and all elements/features from any other disclosed methods, systems, and devices, including any and all features corresponding to bearing support. In other words, features from one and/or another disclosed embodiment may be interchangeable with features from other disclosed embodiments, which, in turn, correspond to yet other embodiments.

Furthermore, one or more features/elements of disclosed embodiments may be removed and still result in patentable subject matter (and thus, resulting in yet more embodiments of the subject disclosure). Also within the scope of some of the embodiments of the present disclosure is the specific lack of one or more features that may be present in the prior art. In such embodiments, patentable claims may include one or more negative limitations to indicate such lack of one or more featured taught in the prior art in, for example, any one or more of certain disclosed apparatuses, systems, and methods.