초록 ▼

In a blood serum separator tube for separating blood into a lighter phase and a heavier phase, the thixotropic gel material initially disposed in the container lower end of the tube is protected from contact with any atmosphere contained in the tube, thus preventing separation of silicone oil from t

In a blood serum separator tube for separating blood into a lighter phase and a heavier phase, the thixotropic gel material initially disposed in the container lower end of the tube is protected from contact with any atmosphere contained in the tube, thus preventing separation of silicone oil from the silica-silicone fluid gel material during manufacture or storage. The gel material may be microencapsulated, or contained in a smaller number of larger capsules, or a single capsule. Alternatively, the gel material may be sealed in the tube under a curable elastomeric material, or under a water soluble material which dissolves upon contact with the blood being separated.

대표청구항 ▼

A method of separating blood into a lighter phase and a heavier phase comprising the steps of: providing a container having an upper end and a lower end, gel material initially disposed in the container lower end, the gel material being thixotropic and chemically inert to the lighter and heavier pha

A method of separating blood into a lighter phase and a heavier phase comprising the steps of: providing a container having an upper end and a lower end, gel material initially disposed in the container lower end, the gel material being thixotropic and chemically inert to the lighter and heavier phases and having a specific gravity intermediate the specific gravities of the heavier and lighter phases, the container having energizer means having a lower portion initially partially submerged the gel material for causing the gel material to flow toward the container upper end, under the influence of centrifugal force, along an inner wall of the container in a space between the inner wall and the energizer means, in response to movement of the energizer means toward the container lower end, and pouring a curable searing means having a specific gravity at least as great as the specific gravity of the gel material initially on top of the gel material in the space between the inner wall and the energizer means for preventing contact between the gel and any atmosphere in the upper end of the container; placing an amount of blood to be separated in the container after the sealing means has been cured; and centrifuging the container so as to cause movement of the energizer means toward the lower end of the container, thus breaking the cured sealing means and causing the gel material to migrate in the blood toward the upper end of the container to a location intermediate the lighter phase and the heavier phase.