Patent ID: 6291249
Filing Date: 2001-09-18
Classification: B01L,B03C,G01N,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of separating a sample containing blood cells into a cell-containing portion and a cell-depleted portion comprising:receiving the sample in a vessel, wherein the vessel retains the sample within a plurality of confining walls, and wherein at least one of the confining walls is flexibleproviding an additive and magnetic particles, wherein the additive binds to the cells and the magnetic particles and wherein the magnetic particles bind to the cells and the additive;combining the sample, the additive, and the magnetic particles to produce a cell-containing network; andseparating the network within the plurality of confining walls from the cell-depleted portion by applying a first and a second force, wherein the first force is a magnetic force and the second force is an automatic mechanical force that is transmitted through at least one of the confining walls.