Magnetic separation rack for diagnostic assays

• US 4,895,650 A
• Filed: 02/25/1988
• Issued: 01/23/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gen-Probe Incorporated (Hologic Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Gen-Probe Incorporated (Hologic Incorporated)
• Inventors: Wang, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Jones, W. Gary
• Assistant Examiner(s): Savage, Matthew O.
• Application Number:
  US07/160,551
• Time in Patent Office: 698 Days
• Field of Search: 210/222, 210/223, 210/695, 422/101, 422/104, 436/177, 436/525, 436/526, 436/809, 436/810, 335/305
• US Class Current: 210/222
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 9/06 Test-tube stands; Test-tube holders
• CPC Class Codes: B03C 1/0332 using permanent magnets
• CPC Class Codes: B03C 1/288 disposed at the outer circumference of a recipient
• 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 or biological applications
• 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: Y10S 436/809 Multifield plates or multicontainer arrays

Abstract

A magnetic separation rack and method for separating magnetically attractable particles used in an assay technique such as a heterogeneous diagnostic assay. The rack has a plurality of test tubes holders and a series of magnets positioned so that each test tube has one and only one magnetic immediately adjacent thereto. The magnet is on the side of the test tube at an upper position thereof without extending to the bottom. The particles are then attracted to the side of the test tube permitting removal or rinsing of the medium.

Claims

1. A magnetic separation rack for holding a plurality of containers, said rack comprising:

a base;

a top surface parallel to said base and having a plurality of apertures therethrough, said apertures arranged in rows and configured to accept and hold a top portion of the containers, the apertures holding each container in a position perpendicular to said top surface with a bottom portion of each container near said base; and

a series of magnets positioned immediately adjacent to one side of the position for each container without extending to said base,

wherein the position for each container has only one magnet immediately adjacent thereto,

wherein said magnets are arranged between every other row of the apertures.

2. A magnetic separation rack according to claim 1 wherein said magnets are positioned with their magnetic axes parallel to said base.

3. A magnetic separation rack for holding a plurality of test tubes, said rack comprising:

a base portion;

a plurality of test tubes;

a removable top portion having a series of apertures therethrough, said apertures configured to accept and hold the test tubes;

a magnetic means immediately adjacent a side of each test tube and extending from near said removeable top portion along the length of each test tube without extending to a bottom of the test tubes,

wherein each test tube has only one magnetic means immediately adjacent thereto,

wherein said apertures are arranged in rows having aisles therebetween and wherein said magnetic means are positioned in alternating aisles.

4. A magnetic separation rack according to claim 3 wherein said magnetic means are positioned with their magnetic axes parallel to said base.