Methods for separation of particles
First Claim
1. A method of separating first particles and second particles having different sedimentation velocities, comprising:
- rotating a fluid chamber about an axis of rotation;
passing, into the fluid chamber, a first liquid carrying the first and second particles;
forming, in the fluid chamber, a saturated fluidized bed including the first particles, to thereby retain the second particles in the fluid chamber;
flowing into the fluid chamber a second liquid, the second liquid having a density less than that of the first and second particles so that the second liquid reduces an overall density of substances separated in the fluid chamber and thereby limits Coriolis jetting of at least one of the first and second liquid in the fluid chamber, wherein the flowing of the second liquid includes flowing the second liquid into the fluid chamber when the saturated fluidized bed is in the fluid chamber; and
allowing the first liquid, the second liquid, and at least a portion of the first particles to flow from the fluid chamber.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method are disclosed for separating particles having different sedimentation velocities. The system includes a fluid chamber for separating the particles form one another. Conduits are provided for flowing liquid carrying particles to the fluid chamber and for mixing the liquid with a diluting liquid. Structure is also provided for separating particles from the liquids after the particles are separated in the fluid chamber. The disclosed methods include forming a saturated fluidized bed of first particles to retain second particles in the fluid chamber. A diluting liquid having a density less than that of the particles is mixed with the liquid carrying particles to reduce overall density of substances in the fluid chamber and thereby reduce Coriolis jetting of liquids in the fluid chamber.
-
Citations
30 Claims
-
1. A method of separating first particles and second particles having different sedimentation velocities, comprising:
-
rotating a fluid chamber about an axis of rotation; passing, into the fluid chamber, a first liquid carrying the first and second particles; forming, in the fluid chamber, a saturated fluidized bed including the first particles, to thereby retain the second particles in the fluid chamber; flowing into the fluid chamber a second liquid, the second liquid having a density less than that of the first and second particles so that the second liquid reduces an overall density of substances separated in the fluid chamber and thereby limits Coriolis jetting of at least one of the first and second liquid in the fluid chamber, wherein the flowing of the second liquid includes flowing the second liquid into the fluid chamber when the saturated fluidized bed is in the fluid chamber; and allowing the first liquid, the second liquid, and at least a portion of the first particles to flow from the fluid chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
-
-
10. A method of separating tumor cells from a cell suspension, comprising:
-
rotating a fluid chamber about an axis of rotation; flowing a cell suspension including at least a first liquid, first cells, and tumor cells into the fluid chamber; forming, in the fluid chamber, a saturated fluidized bed including at least the first cells, the saturated fluidized bed retaining tumor cells in the fluid chamber; mixing a second liquid and the first liquid, the second liquid having a density less than that of the cell suspension so that the second liquid reduces overall density of substances separated in the fluid chamber and thereby limits Coriolis jetting of at least one of the first liquid and the second liquid in the fluid chamber, wherein the mixing includes mixing the first and second liquids when the saturated fluidized bed is in the fluid chamber; and allowing at least the first liquid, the second liquid, and at least a portion of the first cells to flow from the fluid chamber. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 29, 30)
-
-
19. A method of reducing particle adhesion in a particle separation procedure, comprising:
-
rotating a fluid chamber about an axis of rotation; flowing liquid carrying particles into the fluid chamber; separating particles in the fluid chamber according to differences in sedimentation velocity; adding, to the liquid, a polymer having the chemical formula HO--(CH2 CH2 O)A --(CHCH3 CH2 O)B --(CH2 CH2 O)A --H, wherein A satisfies the expression 0≦
A≦
150 and B satisfies the expression 0≦
B≦
100, the polymer reducing adherence of at least some of the particles to improve separation of the particles; andallowing at least some of the particles to flow from the fluid chamber. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
-
Specification