Patent Document ID: 20120045828
Application ID: 13284482
Patent Flag: 0

Claim One:
1. A device for capturing and isolating cells comprising: (a) a sample vessel for holding a sample solution comprising rare target cells and contaminant cells, wherein at least some of the rare target cells are bound to magnetically responsive particles; (b) a magnetic member having a non-adherent sleeve preventing direct contact of the magnetic member with the cells; (c) a recovery vessel for holding a recovery solution; (d) an actuator for causing continuous relative movement of the magnetic member (i) between vessels, (ii) into and out of the sample vessel and recovery vessel, and (iii) in at least two directions within the sample vessel to provide continuous relative motion between the magnetic member and the sample solution and to provide selective capture of magnetically responsive particles having bound rare cells; and (e) a mechanism for producing a magnetic field from the magnetic member across the non-adherent sleeve while the magnetic member is in the sample solution, and for substantially removing the magnetic field across the non-adherent sleeve while the non-adherent sleeve is in the recovery solution.