Method and apparatus for separating particles, cells, molecules and particulates
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus comprising:
- a microfluidic flow cell having an upstream end and a downstream end, the flow cell including;
a separation channel;
a first inlet at the upstream end to introduce a first fluid containing particles into the separation channel;
a second inlet at the upstream end to introduce a second fluid into the separation channel in laminar flow with the first fluid;
a first outlet at the downstream end for receiving the first fluid;
a second outlet at the downstream end for receiving the second fluid,wherein the first inlet and first outlet are formed in a first plane, and the second inlet and the second outlet are formed in a second plane parallel to the first plane;
a magnetic housing including;
a stage for positioning the microfluidic flow cell;
a plate positioned opposite the stage for applying a magnetic field gradient across the separation channel; and
a magnetic source for creating the magnetic field gradient across the plate and the stage.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for continuously separating or concentrating particles that includes flowing two fluids in laminar flow through a magnetic field gradient which causes target particles to migrate to a waste fluid stream, and collecting each fluid stream after being flowed through the magnetic field gradient.
118 Citations
30 Claims
-
1. An apparatus comprising:
-
a microfluidic flow cell having an upstream end and a downstream end, the flow cell including; a separation channel; a first inlet at the upstream end to introduce a first fluid containing particles into the separation channel; a second inlet at the upstream end to introduce a second fluid into the separation channel in laminar flow with the first fluid; a first outlet at the downstream end for receiving the first fluid; a second outlet at the downstream end for receiving the second fluid, wherein the first inlet and first outlet are formed in a first plane, and the second inlet and the second outlet are formed in a second plane parallel to the first plane; a magnetic housing including; a stage for positioning the microfluidic flow cell; a plate positioned opposite the stage for applying a magnetic field gradient across the separation channel; and a magnetic source for creating the magnetic field gradient across the plate and the stage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 24, 25, 26, 27)
-
-
18. An apparatus comprising:
-
a microfluidic flow cell having an upstream end and a downstream end, the flow cell including; a separation channel; a first inlet at the upstream end to introduce a first fluid containing particles into the separation channel; a second inlet at the upstream end to introduce a second fluid into the separation channel in laminar flow with the first fluid; a first outlet at the downstream end for receiving the first fluid from the separation channel; and a second outlet at the downstream end for receiving the second fluid from the separation channel; wherein the first inlet and first outlet are formed in a first plane, and the second inlet and the second outlet are formed in a second plane parallel to the first plane; and a magnetic housing including; a stage for positioning the microfluidic flow cell; a magnetic element positioned proximate to the separation channel the stage for applying a magnetic field gradient across the separation channel.
-
-
19. A method for separating particles from a fluid comprising:
-
inserting a flow cell into a magnetic housing; flowing a first fluid containing particles into a separation channel included in of the flow cell; flowing the second fluid into the separation channel in laminar flow with the first fluid; applying a magnetic field gradient across the separation channel perpendicular to the direction of flow of the first fluid and the second fluid, whereby at least a portion of particles in the first fluid are caused to migrate into the second fluid; flowing a portion of the first fluid from the separation channel through a first outlet placed to receive the first fluid; flowing a portion of the second fluid from the separation channel through a second outlet placed to receive the second fluid, wherein the first inlet and second inlet are formed substantially in a first plane, and the second inlet and the second outlet are formed substantially in a second plane parallel to the first plane; and removing the flow cell from the magnetic housing. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30)
-
Specification