Methods for separating suspensions using single-use centrifuge containers

Abstract

A method for separating a suspension includes dispensing a liquid suspension into a compartment of a first bag assembly. The first bag assembly is then rotated using a centrifuge so as to at least partially separate the suspension, the first bag assembly being disposed within a first insert that is housed within a first cavity of a rotor of the centrifuge, the first insert having an annular lip portion that freely projects out of the first cavity of the rotor by a distance of at least 1 cm.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for separating a suspension, the method comprising:
 dispensing a liquid suspension into a compartment of a first bag assembly; and   rotating the first bag assembly using a centrifuge so as to at least partially separate the suspension, the first bag assembly being disposed within a first insert that is housed within a first cavity of a rotor of the centrifuge, the first insert having an annular lip portion that freely projects out of the first cavity of the rotor by a distance of at least 1 cm.   
     
     
         2 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first bag assembly comprises a collapsible bag comprised of one or more sheets of flexible film. 
     
     
         3 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the rotor comprises a swinging-bucket rotor and the first cavity is formed on a bucket of the swinging-bucket rotor. 
     
     
         4 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first bag assembly is positioned within the first cavity of the rotor by first inserting the first bag assembly within a cavity of the first insert and then placing the first insert within the first cavity of the rotor. 
     
     
         5 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the annular lip portion of the first insert freely projects out of the first cavity of the rotor by a distance of at least 2 cm. 
     
     
         6 . A method for separating a suspension, the method comprising:
 dispensing a liquid suspension from a first container, through a manifold, and into a compartment of each of a plurality of bag assemblies that are each fluid coupled with the manifold;   separating the manifold from the first container;   placing each of the plurality of bag assemblies fluid coupled with the manifold into one or more cavities of a rotor of a centrifuge; and   activating the centrifuge so as to at least partially separate the liquid suspension within the compartment of each of the plurality of bag assemblies fluid coupled with the manifold.   
     
     
         7 . The method as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the first container comprises a fermenter or bioreactor. 
     
     
         8 . The method as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the liquid suspension is comprised of cells or microorganisms. 
     
     
         9 . The method as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the step of placing each of the plurality of bag assemblies comprises:
 placing each of the plurality of bag assemblies into a cavity of a corresponding insert; and   placing each insert into a corresponding cavity of the rotor.   
     
     
         10 . The method as recited in  claim 6 , further comprising dispensing at least a portion of the at least partially separated liquid suspension that is within one of the plurality of bag assemblies through the manifold and into a container connected to the manifold. 
     
     
         11 . A method for separating a suspension, the method comprising:
 rotating a first bag assembly using a centrifuge so that a liquid suspension disposed within a compartment of the first bag assembly separates into a pellet and a liquid supernatant;   transferring at least a portion of the liquid supernatant out of the compartment of the first bag assembly while the pellet is retained within the compartment of the first bag assembly;   dispensing a liquid into the compartment of the first bag assembly after transferring the at least a portion of the liquid supernatant out of the compartment; and   mixing the liquid with the pellet in the compartment of the first bag assembly to form a secondary suspension.   
     
     
         12 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the liquid suspension is comprised of cells or microorganisms. 
     
     
         13 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , forming a seal across the first bag assembly so as to separate the compartment of the first bag assembly into an upper compartment that houses at least a portion of the supernatant and a lower compartment that houses the pellet, the upper compartment being sealed closed from the lower compartment. 
     
     
         14 . The method as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the step of forming the seal comprises applying a clamp across the first bag assembly. 
     
     
         15 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising rotating the first bag assembly containing the secondary suspension to separate the secondary suspension into a secondary pellet and a secondary supernatant. 
     
     
         16 . A method for separating a suspension, the method comprising:
 dispensing a liquid suspension into a compartment of a first bag assembly, the first bag assembly comprising a first sheet of polymeric film overlying a second sheet of polymeric film so that the compartment is bound between the first sheet and the second sheet, the first sheet being sealed to the second sheet by a seam line that at least partially encircles the compartment, a first port being mounted on the first sheet at a location spaced apart from the seam line and communicating with the compartment; and   rotating the first bag assembly using a centrifuge so as to at least partially separate the liquid suspension within the compartment, the first bag assembly being disposed within a first insert that is housed within a first cavity of a rotor of the centrifuge so that the first port is facing an interior surface of the first insert.   
     
     
         17 . The method as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the first insert has an annular lip portion that encircles an opening to a cavity of the first insert, the first bag assembly being disposed within the cavity of the first insert so that the first port is disposed within the cavity of the first insert at an elevation lower than the annular lip portion. 
     
     
         18 . The method as recited in  claim 16 , further comprising a second port being mounted on the first sheet at a location spaced apart from the seam line and communicating with the compartment. 
     
     
         19 . The method as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the second port is disposed lateral to the first port when the first bag assembly is disposed within the first cavity of the rotor. 
     
     
         20 . The method as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the second port is disposed lower than the first port when the first bag assembly is disposed within the first cavity of the rotor.