Patent ID: 9636689
Date: 2017-05-02
CPC Classifications: B03C

Claim:
1. A magnetic actuator configured to isolate particles in a fluid assay, the magnetic actuator comprising: a first magnet magnetized in a first direction, a second magnet magnetized in a second direction, a third magnet magnetized in a third direction, and a fourth magnet magnetized in a fourth direction, wherein the directions are not identical and each direction is either parallel or orthogonal to the other directions such that a Halbach effect is induced on one side of the magnets; a motor configured to rotate at least two of the first, second, third and fourth magnets; a lateral support member configured to support the motor, the first magnet, the second magnet; the third magnet, and the fourth magnet; and a first linear magnet array comprising the first magnet, the second magnet, the third magnet, and the fourth magnet, where each of the first, second, third and fourth magnets is adjacent to at least one other of the first, second, third and fourth magnets; wherein the motor is configured to rotate at least two of the first, second, third and fourth magnets in the linear magnet array approximately 180 degrees about an axis through the first magnet, the second magnet, the third magnet, and the fourth magnet.