Patent ID: 6312950
Filing Date: 2001-11-06
Classification: A61M,B01D

Abstract:
A method of isolating and recovering an objective cell by using a device comprising a filtering member which is formed of a porous body and capable of changing the porosity thereof, a first line for feeding a priming liquid to said filtering member, and a second line for feeding a liquid to be treated containing the objective cell to said filtering member, a third line provided with a storage container for storing the priming liquid that has been passed through the filtering member, a fourth line for discharging a waste liquid such as the liquid to be treated that has passed through the filtering member, a first connector for connecting the second line and the third line to communicate the second and third lines with the filtering member, and a second connector for connecting the first line and fourth line to communicate the first and fourth lines with the filtering member; said method comprising;performing a priming by feeding said priming liquid through said first line thereby impregnating said filtering member with said priming liquid, while allowing an excessive quantity of said priming liquid that has passed through said filtering member to be stored in the storage container;isolating said objective cell by feeding said liquid to be treated through said second line so as to pass said liquid to be treated through said filtering member under a condition where the porosity of said filtering ember is set to a first porosity which enables said objective cell to be captured, thereby performing the isolation of said objective cell;washing said filtering member by causing said priming liquid stored in said storage container during said priming step to pass through said filtering member again; andrecovering said objective cell captured in said filtering member by causing a recovery liquid to pass through said filtering member under a condition where the porosity of said filtering member is set to a second porosity which is larger than said first porosity.