Patent ID: 7713752

Claim:
A process to emulate mixing a sample solution with 1° recognition molecule coated magnetic beads, comprising the steps of: inserting 1° recognition molecule coated magnetic beads into a non-magnetic confinement region when an exit end is closed, said non-magnetic confinement region defined by a non-magnetic cylindrical tube, said non-magnetic cylindrical tube including an entrance end, said exit end and an axis, said cylindrical tube being oriented vertically and said entrance end being positioned vertically above said exit end; generating a magnetic field coaxial with said axis of said non-magnetic cylindrical tube to agglomerate said 1° recognition molecule coated magnetic beads into a porous mass that fills at least a substantial portion of the cross-section of said cylindrical tube, said step of generating a magnetic field including applying an electric current through a helical path about said axis of said non-magnetic cylindrical tube; depositing said sample solution onto said porous mass while maintaining said magnetic field and said porous mass in a fixed position to allow said sample solution to seep through said porous mass due to the effect of gravity wherein portions of said sample solution stick to respective 1° recognition molecule coated magnetic beads to form a 1° recognition molecule/sample complex on said beads; and withdrawing said magnetic field to de-agglomerate said 1° recognition molecule coated magnetic beads.