Method and apparatus for wash, resuspension, recollection and localization of magnetizable particles in assays using magnetic separation technology
US5888835A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 10, 1996 |
| Grant date | Mar 30, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 10, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T436/113332
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Method and apparatus for enabling resuspension wash and magnetic localization of sample components bound to particles with magnetic properties in reaction vessels during separation and wash for enhanced chemiluminescent signal generation in biomedical assays. The assays involve moving reaction vessels past magnetic arrays that partially localized the particles prior to passing a gap where washing occurs, with or without resuspension, after separating out the unbound components and liquid. The band of particles is further localized by a focusing magnet at the end of the array prior to dosing the vessel with acid for chemiluminescent purposes. A block of soft magnetic material is employed in place of a magnet in the gap to minimize magnetic strength at the gap. Trimmed magnets adjacent the gap cause left, then right, particle shifting that localizes the magnetizable particles. The gap enables improved resuspension by wash, whereas the localized particles enable more efficient resuspension by reagent.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.