Patent ID: 8535541

Claim:
A method for separating immunomagnetic bead labeled particulates with a carrier board that forms at least one flow channel structure thereon, each flow channel structure comprising an inner reservoir having at least one fluid inlet opening, an outer reservoir arranged adjacent to the inner reservoir, and at least one micro flow channel communicating between the inner reservoir and the outer reservoir, the method comprising the steps of: (a) in a sample fluid containing target particulates and non-target particulates, labeling the target particulates with immunomagnetic beads having a predetermined bonding molecule; (b) conducting the sample fluid through the fluid inlet opening into the inner reservoir; (c) applying a magnetic attraction force having a predetermined distribution of intensity to cover the inner reservoir and retain the target particulates at predetermined positions; (d) applying a driving force to drive the sample fluid to flow, wherein the driving force is applied according to a driving strength modulation mode, the driving strength modulation mode including: (d1) applying a driving force at a first driving strength to separate the target particulates from the sample fluid within the inner reservoir; and (d2) adjusting the driving force to a second driving strength exceeding the first driving strength to drive the sample fluid to flow from the inner reservoir to the outer reservoir; (e) allowing the non-target particulates not labeled with the immunomagnetic beads to be driven by the driving force to entrain the sample fluid through the micro flow channel for being separated and collected in the outer reservoir; and (f) retaining the target particulates labeled with the immunomagnetic beads within the inner reservoir at the predetermined positions with the magnetic attraction force applied.