Patent ID: 7622046

Claim:
A magnetic transfer method for sorting, collecting, concentrating, transferring or dosing micro-particles ( 22 ) or magnetic particles either in the same liquid ( 23 ) or from one liquid ( 23 a ) into another ( 23 b ) by using a magnetic field, according to which method said particles are treated using a magnet unit ( 10 ) comprising a magnet ( 13 ) covered with a protective cover or coating ( 21 ) and a ferromagnetic tube ( 12 ), the magnet ( 13 ) and the ferromagnetic tube ( 12 ) being axially movable relative to each other for adjusting the magnetic field, the particles ( 22 ) are collected by using the magnet ( 13 ) covered with a protective cover or coating ( 21 ) so that when at least a part of the magnet is immersed in a liquid ( 23 ) the particles will gather on the surface of a protective cover or coating in an area ( 18 ) of a magnetic pole ( 24 ) of the magnet by means of magnetic field, the particles ( 22 ) are dosed by diminishing or removing the magnetic field by moving the magnet ( 13 ) inwards into the ferromagnetic tube ( 12 ) or moving the ferromagnetic tube over the magnet, said method being characterized as comprising using as said magnet, a magnet is selected from the group consisting of a magnet, which is provided with at least one magnet magnetized in the transverse direction of the longitudinal axis of ferromagnetic tube ( 12 ), a magnet ( 13 ), which is provided with at least one magnet magnetized in the direction of the longitudinal axis of ferromagnetic tube ( 12 ), a magnet, which is comprising several magnetic poles ( 24 ) in the same body, and a magnet ( 13 ), which is provided with individual magnets connected to each other or via suitable ferromagnetic or non-ferromagnetic adapters; adjusting the collection surface area ( 18 ) on the surface of the protective cover or coating ( 21 ) by adjusting the length of the part of the magnet ( 13 ), which is protruding out from the ferromagnetic tube ( 12 ), when collecting the particles ( 22 ), at least one magnet ( 13 ) is used having at least two poles ( 24 a , 24 b ) partly or completely outside the ferromagnetic tube ( 12 ) and below the surface ( 25 ) of the liquid ( 23 ), causing the particles to gather on the protective cover or coating ( 21 ) in the areas ( 18 ) close to the poles of the magnet or magnets, and when releasing or dosing the particles ( 22 ) the poles ( 24 a , 24 b ) of the magnet ( 13 ) are partly or completely inside the ferromagnetic tube ( 12 ).