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Method and apparatus for separating magnetic particles from a solution

  • US 5,647,994 A
  • Filed: 06/20/1994
  • Issued: 07/15/1997
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/21/1993
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method of separating magnetic particles from a first solution containing said particles and of transferring said particles to a second solution comprising the steps of:

  • providing a tubular member defining a separation chamber serially connected to a jet channel, wherein said jet channel defines a flow port at a free end of said tubular member and said jet channel has a diameter that is less than a diameter of said separation chamber;

    providing a magnetic element for generating a magnetic field;

    drawing said first solution through said jet channel via said flow port into said separation chamber, said separation chamber being defined by a tubular separation wall of said tubular member having an inner side of which comes into contact with said first solution and an outer side;

    disposing said magnetic element at one of a first location adjacent an outer side of said separation wall and a second location within said separation chamber;

    activating said magnetic element such that said particles under the influence of said field of said magnetic element will collect on the side of said first solution onto one of the inner side of said separation wall when disposed in said first location and a collection surface of said magnetic element when disposed in said second location;

    removing said first solution through the jet channel via said flow port after the step of activating said magnetic element;

    drawing said second solution into said container through said flow port via said jet channel after the step of removing said first solution;

    deactivating said magnetic element such that the magnetic field of said magnetic element no longer keeps said particles on one of the inner surface of said separation wall when disposed in said first location and on said collection surface when disposed in said second position after the step of drawing said second solution.

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