Ferromagnetic separation process and material

• US 3,985,649 A
• Filed: 11/25/1974
• Issued: 10/12/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Roy T. Eddelman
• Original Assignee: Roy T. Eddelman
• Inventors: Eddelman, Roy T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jenkins, Robert W.
• Application Number:
  US05/526,787
• Time in Patent Office: 687 Days
• Field of Search: 259/1 R, 259/DIG. 46, 259/72, 23/252 R, 428/329, 310/98, 310/104, 310/103, 310/105, 210/222, 210/23, 210/24, 210/223, 210/42, 206/818, 424/8
• US Class Current: 210/695
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 35/06 Filters making use of electricity or magnetism ultrafiltration, microfiltration B01D61/14; electrodialysis, electro-osmosis B01D61/42; devices comprising filters and magnetic separators B03C1/30
• CPC Class Codes: B03C 1/01 by addition of magnetic adjuvants
• CPC Class Codes: B03C 2201/18 Magnetic separation whereby the particles are suspended in a liquid
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 3/085 Fluidized beds
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 3/10 Packings; Fillings; Grids packing elements in general B01J19/30, B01J19/32
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/54326 Magnetic particles
• 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: Y02W 10/10 Biological treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25375 Liberation or purification of sample or separation of material from a sample [e.g., filtering, centrifuging, etc.]

Abstract

A method of carrying out a solid phase chemical reaction or a filtration step to remove a solid from a liquid utilizing ferromagnetic particles. The particles may have a porous or otherwise bondable solid support material having adsorbed or chemically bonded thereon a biologically active substance to make them biologically active. Alternatively, the particles may act as an inert medium to convey a solid precipitate out of a liquid. The process involves the addition of the ferromagnetic particles to a potentially reactive fluid. After the fluid has reacted either as a result of contact with the biologically active material or by a process causing a precipitate in the fluid, the particles may be separated from the fluid by bringing the particles into close proximity with a magnet such as an electromagnet. When sufficient particles are held in an elongated container and a magnetic force is exerted to hold the particles in a porous mass across the container, the particles may be moved through the liquid to filter solid particles from the liquid. A second container may be placed over a portion of the elongated container on the particles and any entrapped precipitate may be removed from the elongated container. The particles may alternatively have a bondable surface capable of adsorption or chemical coupling of biologically active materials. Polymer and ceramic biomaterial supports and particular combinations with ferromagnetic materials are disclosed. A valve formed from the ferromagnetic particles is also disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A process of conveying a solid from one container to another comprising:

placing a plurality of particles of a ferromagnetic substance in a test tube;

moving a magnet near the outer surface of the first tube near the bottom end thereof;

placing a collar over the open end of the tube; and

moving the magnet upwardly along the tube to a point above the upper opening of the tube whereby the particles of a ferromagnetic substance and any substance entrapped thereby are moved into the collar.

2. The process of claim 1 wherein the diameter of said particles is between about one-tenth and 10 millimeters.

3. The process of claim 1 wherein the diameter of said particles is about one-half millimeter.

4. The process of claim 1 wherein said ferromagnetic material consists essentially of iron.

5. The process of claim 1 wherein said magnet is an electromagnet.

6. The process of claim 1 wherein said magnet is a permanent magnet.

7. The process of claim 1 wherein said particles have a biomaterial support affixed thereto.

8. The process of claim 1 wherein said collar is a portion of a second elongated container.

9. The process of claim 1 wherein said liquid contains a solid material and said particles are moved through said liquid thereby entrapping said solid material and removing it from said liquid.

10. The process of claim 1 wherein the test tube contains a liquid to which a filter aid has been added.

11. A process for conveying a solid from one container to another comprising:

placing a plurality of particles of a ferromagnetic substance in a first test tube;

moving a magnet near the outer surface of the first test tube near the bottom thereof;

placing a second tube over the open end of the first tube; and

moving the magnet upwardly along the first tube to a point above the upper opening of the first tube whereby the magnetic particles and any substance entrapped thereby are moved into the second tube.