Dynal As

Skatron A/s

Otto Sorensen

Gunnar Kvalheim

Harald B Steen

Eivind Siem

A method for increasing the intensity of the excitation light, and thereby the sensitivity, of flow cytometers. The initial part of the signal produced by each cell as it enters the excitation focus triggers a current pulse to the excitation light source, with a duration approximately similar to the time required for the cell to pass through the focus. This current pulse, which is superimposed on the constant operating current to the light source, causes an increase of the intensity of the excitation light during the period when the cell is passing through the excitation focus and thereby an increase of the sensitivity of the flow cytometer.

Pulse modulation of the excitation light source of flow cytometers

A method and device are provided for separating magnetized particles from biological fluids. Cells such as cancer cells coated with magnetized particles can be separated from uncoated healthy cells. A fluid mixture of cancer cells, healthy cells and magnetizable particles is introduced into a container such as a disposable blood bag which is attached in a cassette on an underlying plane magnetic plane that provides a magnetic field. Incubation is carried out during which the cancer cells become coated with the magnetizable particles. The magnetic field pulls the coated cells down towards the bottom of the bag and anchors them, and uncoated healthy cells are removed from the bag. The separated uncoated healthy cells may be advanced through a final separation unit where any loose magnetizable particles are removed. There is provided means for adjusting vertical distance between the cassette and the magnetic plane and for agitating fluid within the container attached to the cassette. A magnetic screen plate may be placed between the cassette and the magnetic plate to short circuit the magnetic field during incubation. The screen plate is removed to carry out separation.

Growing community of inventors

Oslo, Norway

Otto Sorensen