ROD ASSEMBLY AND A METHOD FOR THE EXTRACTION OF MAGNETIZABLE PARTICLES FROM SOLUTIONS

• US 20100288705A1
• Filed: 05/12/2010
• Published: 11/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stratec Es
• Original Assignee: Stratec Biomedical Systems AG
• Inventors: Griebel, Ralf
• Granted Patent: US 8,454,825 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 210/695
• CPC Class Codes: B03C 1/0332 using permanent magnets
• CPC Class Codes: B03C 1/286 disposed at the inner circumference of a recipient, e.g. magnetic drain bolt
• CPC Class Codes: B03C 2201/18 Magnetic separation whereby the particles are suspended in a liquid
• CPC Class Codes: B03C 2201/26 for use in medical applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/0098 involving analyte bound to insoluble magnetic carrier, e.g. using magnetic separation magnetic particles used in immunoassays G01N33/54326; magnetic separation in general B03C
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/10 Devices for transferring samples or any liquids to, in, or from, the analysis apparatus, e.g. suction devices, injection devices G01N35/0099 takes precedence

Abstract

A rod assembly for the extraction of magnetizable particles from solutions is described. The rod assembly includes at least one guide element. A rod element is insertable into the at least one guide element and moveable in a direction substantially parallel to the at least one guide element. A magnet element is moveable to a distal magnet element position; wherein the distal magnet element position is located on a distal end section of the at least one guide element; wherein the at least one guide element includes an opening at a distal end. A method for the extraction of magnetizable particles from solutions is also described, as well as a magnet element for the extraction of magnetizable particles from solutions.

Claims

1. A rod assembly for the extraction of magnetizable particles from solutions in at least one cavity, the rod assembly comprising:

at least one guide element, moveable to a distal guide element position;

at least one rod element, wherein the rod element is insertable in the at least one guide element and is moveable in a direction substantially parallel to the at least one guide element;

a magnet element arranged on a distal end portion of the at least one rod element, whereby the magnet element is movable to a distal magnet element position and whereby the distal magnet element position is present on a distal end section of at least one guide element; and

wherein the at least one guide element comprises an opening at a distal end.

2. The rod assembly according to claim 1, wherein the magnet element is moveable through the opening at the distal end of the guide element in a distal exposed magnet element position.

3. The rod assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one guide element is also moveable between a proximal guide element position and the distal guide element position.

4. The rod assembly according to claim 1, wherein the magnet element is also moveable between a proximal magnet element position and the distal magnet element position.

5. The rod assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one rod element relative to the at least one guide element is moveable between a proximal rod position and a distal rod position.

6. The rod assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one guide element is independently moveable of the magnet element.

7. The rod assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one rod element is independently moveable of the at least one guide element.

8. The rod assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one guide element and the magnet element are moveable together along the direction substantially parallel to the at least one guide element.

9. The rod assembly according to claim 1, wherein a mobility of the at least one guide element includes a mobility of the at least one guide element with a disposition of the magnet element in the distal magnet element position.

10. The rod assembly according to claim 1, wherein a mobility of the at least one guide element includes a mobility of the at least one guide element with the disposition of the magnet element in the proximal magnet element position.

11. The rod assembly according to claim 1, wherein the mobility of the at least one guide element comprises a mobility of the magnet element to a distal end and beyond of the at least one guide element so that the magnet element of the at least guide element is spaced apart and the at least one guide element does not follow the movement of the magnet element.

12. The rod assembly according to claim 1, wherein there is fixed to the at least one guide element a guide element mechanism for the movement of the at least one guide element.

13. The rod assembly according to claim 12, wherein the guide element mechanism comprises at least one guide element cross beam.

14. The rod assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one guide element comprises of substantially non-magnetic materials.

15. The rod assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one guide element comprises a beam-like guide element.

16. The rod assembly according claim 1, wherein the at least one guide element comprises a cylindrical tube.

17. The rod assembly according to claim 16, wherein the cylindrical tube comprises a thin walled cylindrical tube.

18. The rod assembly according to claim 1 further comprising a rod element mechanism connected to the at least one rod element to enable movement of the at least one rod element.

19. The rod assembly according to claim 18, wherein the rod element mechanism allows a movement of the at least one rod element in substantially an axis parallel direction to that at least one guide element.

20. The rod assembly according claim 1, wherein the at least one rod element comprises substantially non-magnetic material.

21. The rod assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one rod element comprises a cylindrical tube.

22. The rod assembly according to claim 21, wherein the cylindrical tube comprises a thin walled cylindrical tube.

23. The rod assembly according to claim 1, wherein the opening at the distal end of the at least one guide element is closable.

24. The rod assembly according to claim 1, wherein the opening at the distal end of the at least one guide element is closable though a closable element.

25. The rod assembly according to claim 24, wherein the closable element comprises of substantially non-magnetic material.

26. The rod assembly according claim 1, wherein the at least one guide element exhibits a proximal opening, wherein the proximal opening is adapted to receiving the at least one rod element.

27. The rod assembly according to claim 1 further comprising a sheath, which is adapted to close the distal end portion of the at least one guide element.

28. The rod assembly according to claim 27, wherein the at least one guide element is removable from the sheath.

29. The rod assembly according to claim 27, wherein a holder connecting the at least one guide element and the sheath is removable.

30. The rod assembly according to claim 13, wherein the at least one guide element cross beam is moveable in at least one direction substantially perpendicular to the at least one guide element.

31. The rod assembly according claim 20, wherein the at least one rod element cross beam is moveable in at least one direction substantially perpendicular to the at least one guide element.

32. The rod assembly according to claim 13 further comprising a first drive means for moving the at least one guide element cross beam in a direction substantially parallel to the at least one guide element.

33. The rod assembly according to claim 20 further comprising a second drive means for moving the at least one rod element cross beam in a direction substantially parallel to the at least one guide element.

34. The rod assembly according to claim 13 further comprising a third drive means for moving the at least one guide element cross beam in a direction substantially perpendicular to the at least one guide element.

35. The rod assembly according claim 20, further comprising a fourth drive means for moving the at least one rod element cross beam in a direction substantially perpendicular to the at least one guide element.

36. The rod assembly according to claim 1, wherein the magnet element comprises a plurality of magnetic rods.

37. The rod assembly according to claim 36, wherein the plurality of magnetic rods comprise short magnetic rods.

38. The rod assembly according to claim 36, wherein two or more of the plurality of magnetic rods are arranged with regards to each other in a direction substantially parallel to the at least one guide element with repulsive poles.

39. The rod assembly according to claim 37, wherein two or more of the plurality of magnetic rods are arranged with regards to each other in a direction substantially parallel to the at least one guide element with repulsive poles.

40. The rod assembly according to claim 36, wherein between each one of the plurality of magnetic rods is located at least one spacer element.

41. The rod assembly according to claim 40, wherein the at least one spacer element comprises of substantially non-magnetic material.

42. The rod assembly according to claim 37, wherein a length of the magnet element and a liquid quantity are coordinated in at least a cavity such that that during the extraction of the magnetizable particle from the solution a climbing height of the solution is at least the same or larger than the length of the magnet element.

43. A method for the extraction of magnetizable particles from solutions in at least one cavity, the method comprising:

receiving from a sheath and/or closable element from an at least one guide element; and

collecting the magnetizable particles;

using an opening at a distal end of an at least one guide element.

44. The method according to claim 43, further comprising:

mixing the solutions.

45. The method according to claim 43, further comprising:

examining whether transporting of the magnetizable particles to a further cavity is intended, and if necessary transporting the magnetizable particles to the further cavity;

otherwise transporting the magnetizable particles to a desired cavity.

46. The method according to claim 45, further comprising:

separating the magnetizable particles from the sheath;

moving the at least one guide element in a proximal guide element position; and

separating the sheath from the at least one guide element.

47. The method according to claim 44, wherein the mixing further comprises:

moving the magnet elements in the proximal magnet element position;

moving the at least one guide element in a distal guide element position; and

moving the at the least one guide element in a proximal guide element position.

48. The method according to claim 47 further comprising:

examining the need for a further mixing step.

49. The method according to claim 43, wherein the collecting the magnetizable particles further comprises:

moving the at least one guide element to the distal guide element position, provided that the at least one guide element is not already at the distal guide element position,

moving the magnet element in a distal magnet element position, provided that the magnet element is not already in the distal magnet element position, wherein the distal magnet element position is fixed at a distal end of the guide element,

moving the at least one guide element into the proximal guide element position, whereby the magnet element remains in the distal magnet element position; and

moving the at least one guide element in the distal guide element position, whereby the magnet element remains in the distal magnet element position.

50. The method according to claim 49, wherein the moving of the magnet element further comprises:

moving the magnet element into a distal exposed magnet element position, whereby at least a section of the magnet element penetrates the opening.

51. The method according to claim 49, wherein the collecting of the magnetizable particles further comprises:

examining a necessity for a further step of collecting.

52. A magnet element for the extraction of magnetizable particles from solutions, wherein the magnet element comprises:

a plurality of magnetic rods, wherein at least two of the plurality of magnetic rods are arranged in the direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the magnet elements with repulsive poles.

53. The magnet element according to claim 52, wherein the plurality of magnetic rods comprise at least one short magnetic rod.

54. The magnet element according to claim 52, wherein between the plurality of magnetic rods is arranged at least one spacer element.

55. The magnet element according to claim 54, wherein at least one spacer element comprises substantially of a non-magnetic material.