Cohn centrifuge bowls

Cohn centrifuge bowls

Centrifuges

Haemonetics Research Institute

Arthur D. Little, Inc.

Cohn, Edwin J. (Edwin Joseph), 1892-1953

After World War II, Harvard researcher Edwin Joseph Cohn (1892-1953) devised a small centrifuge in which a donor's blood could be quickly separated into its components and stored more efficiently. The centrifugal force employed divides the heavier red blood cells from the lighter plasma.

Beginning in October 1948, weekly meetings of the Formed Elements Group of Cohn's laboratory staff and associates were held to discuss research and developments in plasma fractionation and blood preservation and storage. These meetings resulted in the establishment of the Blood Characterization and Preservation Laboratory in January, 1951.

While the first bowls for the Cohn centrifuge were made of glass, the examples here show later refinements, the one made of stainless steel, the other a single use, disposable bowl, developed by Allen D. Latham, Jr.

Latham Bowl, Plastic, Single-Use, 1972-2007. Two clear and white plastic components. The largest is a bulbous plastic bell-shaped body. The body appears to have two main pieces: an exterior clear plastic shell and a white plastic interior bulb. The second piece of the unit is a clear plastic drum with a long metal cylinder threaded through its center.

Cohn Centrifuge, stainless steel, 1952-1972. Two metal components. The majority of the piece is composed of a bulbous metal body that tampers to a circular flat end. The widest point of the body has a thick metal band around its diameter. The body's hallow interior has several distinct chambers. The second piece of the cell separator inserts into the larger body. It is composed of a circular metal drum from which extends a thin cylinder with a plastic tip. When inserted into the body only the base of the drum is visible.

Haemonetics Research Institute

Arthur D. Little, Inc.

1952 and 1973, circa

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Warren Anatomical Museum (WAM 20168-20169)

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2 centrifuge bowls

WAM 20168

WAM 20169

Transferred from the Immune Disease Institute to the Warren Anatomical Museum, 2008