Apparatus for mixing magnetic particles
First Claim
1. Apparatus for mixing and separating magnetic particles in a plurality of containers with liquid and said particles therein, said apparatus comprising:
- a. first support means for holding said containers in substantially straight parallel rows which are spaced apart;
b. second support means for holding magnets in substantially straight parallel rows separated by sufficient distance to place said rows of containers there between to dispose magnets alternately on opposite sides of each container in close proximity wherein said rows of magnets are mounted on at least two separate supports which are independently moveable substantially upwardly or downwardly to alternately position said magnets on the opposite sides of said containers rows;
c. means for providing an oscillating movement to said two independent supports successively in substantially linear path in the vertical plane to dispose said magnets alternately on opposite sides of each container to disperse said magnetic particles in liquid inside said containers; and
d. means for stopping said motion in vertical plane and moving said two independent supports to position said magnets in said magnet rows in close proximity to each container of said container rows to aggregate said magnetic particles on the inner wall of said containers.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for carrying out the affinity separation of a target substance from a liquid test medium by mixing magnetic particles having surface immobilized ligand or receptor within the test medium to promote an affinity binding reaction between the ligand and the target substance. The test medium with the magnetic particles in a suitable container is removably mounted in an apparatus that creates a magnetic field gradient in the test medium. This magnetic gradient is used to induce the magnetic particles to move, thereby effecting mixing. The mixing is achieved either by movement of a magnet relative to a stationary container or movement of the container relative to a stationary magnet. In either case, the magnetic particles experience a continuous angular position change with the magnet. Concurrently with the relative angular movement between the magnet and the magnetic particles, the magnet is also moved along the length of the container causing the magnetic field gradient to sweep the entire length of the container. After the desired time, sufficient for the affinity reaction to occur, movement of the magnetic gradient is ended, whereby the magnetic particles are immobilized on the inside wall of the container nearest to the magnetic source. The remaining test medium is removed while the magnetic particles are retained on the wall of the container. The test medium or the particles may then be subjected to further processing.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. Apparatus for mixing and separating magnetic particles in a plurality of containers with liquid and said particles therein, said apparatus comprising:
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a. first support means for holding said containers in substantially straight parallel rows which are spaced apart;
b. second support means for holding magnets in substantially straight parallel rows separated by sufficient distance to place said rows of containers there between to dispose magnets alternately on opposite sides of each container in close proximity wherein said rows of magnets are mounted on at least two separate supports which are independently moveable substantially upwardly or downwardly to alternately position said magnets on the opposite sides of said containers rows;
c. means for providing an oscillating movement to said two independent supports successively in substantially linear path in the vertical plane to dispose said magnets alternately on opposite sides of each container to disperse said magnetic particles in liquid inside said containers; and
d. means for stopping said motion in vertical plane and moving said two independent supports to position said magnets in said magnet rows in close proximity to each container of said container rows to aggregate said magnetic particles on the inner wall of said containers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. Apparatus for mixing and separating magnetic particles in containers with liquid and said particles therein comprising;
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a. a first support means for mounting one or more containers in a ring configuration;
b. a second support means for mounting magnets in at least two concentric magnet rings spaced apart to position said container ring there between;
c. said first support means and said second support means aligned in the apparatus to make said container ring and said two magnet rings concentric on a common axis;
d. said two magnet rings constructed and configured to dispose a magnet of each ring alternately on opposites sides each container;
e. means for providing rotary motion to either said first support or said second support in the horizontal plane to alternately displace each magnet of said magnet rings at opposite sides of each container in said container ring to disperse said magnetic particles in liquid inside said containers; and
f. means for stopping said rotary motion to position each magnet in said two magnet rings in close proximity to each container of said container ring to aggregate said particles on the inner wall of said containers. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. Apparatus for mixing and separating magnetic particles comprising:
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a. at least one said container held in a fixed upright position in the said first support; and
b. at least two magnets mounted in orthogonal positions on two separate second supports facing each other and sufficiently spaced to position said container in the middle;
c. said two second supports rotatable in unison on a common axis by to successively dispose magnets on the opposite sides of said container; and
d. said container and the said two second supports being orientated in substantially vertical orientation. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification