Structure and method for handling magnetic particles in biological assays

• US 8,728,311 B2
• Filed: 06/01/2012
• Issued: 05/20/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Abbott Laboratories Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Abbott Laboratories Incorporated
• Inventors: Safar, Scott G., Galitz, Charles M., Herchenbach, Stephen L., Dunn, Chadwick M., McDowell, Larry L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Reifsnyder, David A
• Application Number:
  US13/486,143
• Publication Number:
  US 20120269702A1
• Time in Patent Office: 718 Days
• Field of Search: 210/222, 210/695, 422/527, 422/552, 422/553, 436/526, 436/809
• US Class Current: 210/222
• 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: B01L 2300/0848 Specific forms of parts of containers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5082 Test tubes per se
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5085 for multiple samples, e.g. microtitration plates
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 9/06 Test-tube stands; Test-tube holders
• CPC Class Codes: B03C 1/02 acting directly on the substance being separated
• 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 applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00564 Handling or washing solid phase elements, e.g. beads
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/103 using disposable tips
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/11 Automated chemical analysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/113332 with conveyance of sample along a test line in a container or rack
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25375 Liberation or purification of sample or separation of material from a sample [e.g., filtering, centrifuging, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

Magnetic handling structure comprising a retractable magnet and a probe for the manipulation of magnetic particles in biological samples and methods of handling magnetic particles in biological samples.

Claims

1. An apparatus for isolating magnetic particles from a fluid, the apparatus comprising:

an array of magnets, said array comprising at least n columns and at least m rows, wherein n is at least 1, and m is at least 3; and

an array of at least n+1 containers positioned adjacent to the array of magnets such that each container is adjacent to only one pole of a magnet in the array of magnets.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein n is at least 3 and m is at least 6.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the number of columns in the array of magnets is one-half the number of columns in the array of containers.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least m rows in the array of magnets alternate between every other row in the array of at least n+1 containers.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each magnet in the array of magnets comprises a pair of opposing broad sides and a pair of opposing narrow sides, wherein the broad sides form the poles of each magnet.

6. An apparatus for isolating an item of interest in a sample, comprising:

an array of magnets, said array comprising at least n columns and at least m rows, wherein n is at least 1, and m is at least 3; and

an array of at least n+1 containers positioned adjacent to the array of magnets such that each container is adjacent to only one pole of a magnet in the array of magnets or only one pole of one row or column of magnets in the array of magnets, wherein a line drawn through the center of each magnet in the row of magnets does not intersect the circumference defining the open end of the container.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein n is at least 3 and m is at least 6.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the at least m rows in the array of magnets alternate between every other row in the array of at least n+1 containers.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein each magnet in the array of magnets comprises a pair of opposing broad sides and a pair of opposing narrow sides, wherein the broad sides form the poles of each magnet.

10. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a holder adapted to hold a container comprising a sample near the magnet in the array of magnets.

11. An apparatus for isolating magnetic particles from a fluid, the apparatus comprising:

an array of magnets, said array comprising at least 1 column and at least 3 rows; and

an array of containers positioned adjacent to the array of magnets such that each container is adjacent to only one pole of a magnet in the array of magnets.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein a line drawn through the center of each magnet in the row of magnets does not intersect the circumference defining the open end of the container.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the array of magnets comprises at least 3 columns and at least 6 rows.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the number of columns in the array of magnets is one-half the number of columns in the array of containers.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the at least 3 rows in the array of magnets alternate between every other row in the array of containers.

16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein each magnet in the array of magnets comprises a pair of opposing broad sides and a pair of opposing narrow sides, wherein the broad sides form the poles of each magnet.

17. An apparatus for isolating magnetic particles from a fluid, the apparatus comprising:

an array of magnets, said array comprising at least n columns and at least m rows, wherein n is at least 1, and m is at least 3; and

an array of at least n+1 container holders positioned adjacent to the array of magnets such that each container holder is adjacent to only one pole of a magnet in the array of magnets.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein n is at least 3 and m is at least 6.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the number of columns in the array of magnets is one-half the number of columns in the array of container holders.

20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the at least m rows in the array of magnets alternate between every other row in the array of at least n+1 container holders.

21. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein each magnet in the array of magnets comprises a pair of opposing broad sides and a pair of opposing narrow sides, wherein the broad sides form the poles of each magnet.