Methods, Systems and Devices for Separating Tumor Cells
First Claim
1. A separation device for capturing CTCs from a bodily fluid also at least containing leukocytes, the device comprising a filter configured to capture a majority percentage of the CTCs contained in the bodily fluid and pass a majority percentage of the leukocytes through the filter, wherein the vitality of substantially all of the passed leukocytes is preserved.
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Abstract
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to the separation/capture of specific cells and/or contaminants, as well as the determination, monitoring, and treatment of cancer. Moreover, some embodiments are directed to methods, systems and devices for removing cancer, stem and/or tumor cells in vivo or in vitro from a bodily fluid to prevent or impede the proliferation of a cancer. Some embodiments provide a blood-compatible filter comprising, for example, a membrane provided with a number of openings (preferably precise) which yield minimal detrimental effect both quantitatively and qualitatively on cells present in the bodily fluid during the separation process. For example, in some embodiments, a majority percentage of circulating tumor cells are captured by a filter while a majority percentage of leukocytes, for example, are allowed to pass, where the passed leukocytes retain their vitality.
39 Citations
36 Claims
- 1. A separation device for capturing CTCs from a bodily fluid also at least containing leukocytes, the device comprising a filter configured to capture a majority percentage of the CTCs contained in the bodily fluid and pass a majority percentage of the leukocytes through the filter, wherein the vitality of substantially all of the passed leukocytes is preserved.
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35. A method for separating CTCs from a bodily fluid while preserving leukocytes contained in the bodily fluid, the method comprising:
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providing a filter having a flow capacity; flowing a bodily fluid including at least a plurality of CTCs and a plurality of leukocytes through the filter; capturing, by the filter, a majority percentage of the CTCs contained in the bodily fluid; and passing a majority percentage of the leukocytes through the filter, wherein the vitality of substantially all of the passed leukocytes is preserved. - View Dependent Claims (36)
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Specification