Immunivest Corporation

Gerald J Dolan

Leon W M M Terstappen

Paul A Liberti

Leon W Terstappen

Gerald V Doyle

Leon M M Terstappen

Leon Wmm Terstappen

Separation apparatus and method for separating magnetic and/or magnetically-labeled particles from a test medium. Test medium within a reaction chamber is caused to flow past a collecting surface, and a high-gradient magnetic field is applied to the surface to capture magnetically responsive particles in the test medium. The particles are deflected toward the collection surface by baffles, a spinner, or a sprayer, or are funneled past the surface by a plunger operable to be displaced into close proximity to the surface to provide a narrow flow path for the particle-laden test medium. The particles normally suspended in the medium are separated out of suspension by adhesion to the collection surface. The particles may be resuspended by removal of the surface from the high-gradient field, or removal of the high-gradient field from the surface. The collection surface is a thin-walled non-magnetic material having a plurality of magnetic pole faces positioned therearound.

Apparatus and methods for magnetic separation

Apparatuses and methods for separating, immobilizing, and quantifying biological substances from within a fluid medium. Biological substances are observed by employing a vessel () having a chamber therein, the vessel comprising a transparent collection wall (). A high internal gradient magnetic capture structure may be on the transparent collection wall (), magnets () create an externally-applied force for transporting magnetically responsive material toward the transparent collection wall (). The magnetic capture structure comprises a plurality of ferromagnetic members and has a uniform or non-uniform spacing between adjacent members. There may be electrical conductor means supported on the transparent collection wall () for enabling electrical manipulation of the biological substances. The chamber has one compartment or a plurality of compartments with differing heights. The chamber may include a porous wall. The invention is also useful in conducting quantitative analysis and sample preparation in conjunction with automated cell enumeration techniques.

Magnetic separation apparatus and methods

Apparatuses and methods for separating, immobilizing, and quantifying biological substances from within a fluid medium. Biological substances are observed by employing a vessel ( ) having a chamber therein, the vessel comprising a transparent collection wall ( ). A high internal gradient magnetic capture structure may be on the transparent collection wall ( ), magnets ( ) create an externally-applied force for transporting magnetically responsive material toward the transparent collection wall ( ). The magnetic capture structure comprises a plurality of ferromagnetic members and has a uniform or non-uniform spacing between adjacent members. There may be electrical conductor means supported on the transparent collection wall ( ) for enabling electrical manipulation of the biological substances. The chamber has one compartment or a plurality of compartments with differing heights. The chamber may include a porous wall. The invention is also useful in conducting quantitative analysis and sample preparation in conjunction with automated cell enumeration techniques.

Apparatuses and methods for separating, immobilizing, and quantifying biological substances from within a fluid medium. Biological substances are observed by employing a vessel having a chamber therein, the vessel comprising a transparent collection wall. A high internal gradient magnetic capture structure may be on the transparent collection wall, magnets create an externally-applied force for transporting magnetically responsive material toward the transparent collection wall. The magnetic capture structure comprises a plurality of ferromagnetic members and has a uniform or non-nonuniform spacing between adjacent members. There may be electrical conductor means supported on the transparent collection wall for enabling electrical manipulation of the biological substances. The chamber has one compartment or a plurality of compartments with differing heights. The chamber may include a porous wall. The invention is also useful in conducting quantitative analysis and sample preparation in conjunction with automated cell enumeration techniques.

Separation apparatus and method for separating magnetic and/or magnetically-labeled particles from a test medium in a reaction chamber which incorporates baffles, a spinner, a stirrer, or a plunger operable to be displaced along a collection surface to define a narrow flow path through which the particle-laden test medium must flow. The collection surface is a thin-walled non-magnetic material having a plurality of magnetic pole faces positioned therearound. Test medium within a reaction chamber is caused to flow past a collecting surface, and a high-gradient magnetic field is applied to the surface to capture magnetically responsive particles in the test medium. The particles are deflected toward the collection surface in the flow path for the test medium. The narrow flow path assures that substantially all of the particles pass within the high-gradient magnetic field along the collection surface. The particles are normally suspended in the medium, and are separated out of suspension by adhesion to the collection surface. The particles may be resuspended by removal of the surface from the high-gradient field, or removal of the high-gradient field from the surface.

An apparatus for observation of magnetically labeled cells comprises an arrangement of magnets that are configured in confrontation across a horizontal gap. The magnets are further configured to produce a substantially uniform vertically-directed gradient in the gap. A sample vessel containing a fluid sample is positioned in the gap in order to allow the vertical gradient to cause collection of magnetically-labeled species on the interior upper surface of the vessel. The vessel is preferably transparent to allow observation of the collected species.

Magnetic devices and sample chambers for examination and manipulation of

The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for separating, immobilizing, and quantifying biological substances from within a fluid medium. Biological substances are observed by employing a high internal gradient magnetic capture structure formed within a vessel, in conjunction with an externally-applied force for transporting magnetically responsive material toward the capture structure. The invention is also useful in conducting quantitative analysis and sample preparation in conjunction with automated cell enumeration techniques.

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Philadelphia, PA, United States of America

Gerald J Dolan