The current invention relates to the method and apparatus to magnetically separate biological entities with magnetic labels from a fluid sample. The claimed magnetic separation device removes biological entities with magnetic labels from its fluidic solution by using a soft-magnetic center pole with two soft-magnetic side poles. The claimed device further includes processes to dissociate entities conglomerate after magnetic separation.

A target substance is collected from a composition by using magnetically responsive particles and a magnetic transfer probe. The composition may be prepared, e.g., by introducing magnetically responsive particles to a sample. The particles selectively bind to a target substance of the composition. The target substance and the particles are collected from the sample by using the magnetic transfer probe, which comprises a probe magnet. The probe magnet is a permanent magnet, which comprises a cylindrical portion and a convex bottom portion adjoining the cylindrical portion. The particle collection region of the magnetic transfer probe is at a low position, which allows collecting the particles from a small amount of the prepared composition.

A target substance is collected from a composition by using magnetically responsive particles and a magnetic transfer probe. The composition may be prepared, e.g., by introducing magnetically responsive particles to a sample. The particles selectively bind to a target substance of the composition. The target substance and the particles are collected from the sample by using the magnetic transfer probe, which comprises a probe magnet. The probe magnet is a permanent magnet, which comprises a cylindrical portion and a convex bottom portion adjoining the cylindrical portion. The particle collection region of the magnetic transfer probe is at a low position, which allows collecting the particles from a small amount of the prepared composition.

A ferromagnetic material sequestering device for separating metals from a waste stream generated by a vacuum includes a shell, which has a bottom and a top. The bottom is open and a hole is positioned in the shell proximate to the top. A connector is engaged to the shell proximate to the hole engages a hose that is operationally engaged to a vacuum generator so that the vacuum generator is in fluidic communication with the shell. The vacuum generator is positioned to suction a mixture of objects through the shell. A magnet is engaged to the shell and magnetically engages ferromagnetic materials in the mixture of objects. The ferromagnetic materials thus are sequestered within the shell and can be reclaimed.

A ferromagnetic material sequestering device for separating metals from a waste stream generated by a vacuum includes a shell, which has a bottom and a top. The bottom is open and a hole is positioned in the shell proximate to the top. A connector is engaged to the shell proximate to the hole engages a hose that is operationally engaged to a vacuum generator so that the vacuum generator is in fluidic communication with the shell. The vacuum generator is positioned to suction a mixture of objects through the shell. A magnet is engaged to the shell and magnetically engages ferromagnetic materials in the mixture of objects. The ferromagnetic materials thus are sequestered within the shell and can be reclaimed.

Methods are provided for separating magnetically responsive beads from a droplet in a droplet actuator. Droplet operations electrodes and a magnet are arranged in a droplet actuator to manipulate a bead-containing droplet and position it relative to a magnetic field region that attracts the magnetically responsive beads. The droplet operations electrodes are operated to control the droplet shape and transport it away from the magnetic field region to form a concentration of beads in the droplet. The continued transport of the droplet away from the magnetic field causes the concentration of beads to break away from the droplet to yield a small, concentrated bead-containing droplet immobilized by the magnet.

Methods are provided for separating magnetically responsive beads from a droplet in a droplet actuator. Droplet operations electrodes and a magnet are arranged in a droplet actuator to manipulate a bead-containing droplet and position it relative to a magnetic field region that attracts the magnetically responsive beads. The droplet operations electrodes are operated to control the droplet shape and transport it away from the magnetic field region to form a concentration of beads in the droplet. The continued transport of the droplet away from the magnetic field causes the concentration of beads to break away from the droplet to yield a small, concentrated bead-containing droplet immobilized by the magnet.

A cell purification module, configured to purify multiple cells from a fluid sample is provided. The cell purification module includes a hollow column, multiple hollow fiber membranes, at least one first magnetic component, a fluid sample inlet end, and a fluid sample outlet end. The hollow column has a first opening, a second opening, and an accommodating space connecting the first opening and the second opening. The hollow fiber membranes are disposed in the accommodating space and each hollow fiber membrane has multiple pores. The first magnetic component is disposed at a periphery of the hollow column. The fluid sample inlet end and the fluid sample outlet end are respectively disposed at two ends of the hollow column. The hollow fiber membranes extend in an axial direction of the hollow column, and are arranged in a radial direction of the hollow column. A cell purification system is also provided.

A magnetic separating apparatus and magnetic sorting method can precisely and efficiently separate magnetic and non-magnetic material with a simple structure. The apparatus includes a granular mixture supply portion that supplies a granular mixture so as to naturally fall; a rotating drum having a part of an outer surface located on a falling path of the granular mixture, the rotating drum being rotationally driven in an opposite direction relative to the falling direction of the granular mixture; a first magnet that imparts a magnetic attractive force to a certain area defined by rotation in the opposite direction with a sorting area as a starting point; a naturally falling area to which the granular mixture that has come into contact with the rotating drum naturally falls; and a conveyed falling area to which the granular mixture naturally falls after being magnetically attracted to and conveyed by the rotating drum.

A magnetic separating apparatus and magnetic sorting method can precisely and efficiently separate magnetic and non-magnetic material with a simple structure. The apparatus includes a granular mixture supply portion that supplies a granular mixture so as to naturally fall; a rotating drum having a part of an outer surface located on a falling path of the granular mixture, the rotating drum being rotationally driven in an opposite direction relative to the falling direction of the granular mixture; a first magnet that imparts a magnetic attractive force to a certain area defined by rotation in the opposite direction with a sorting area as a starting point; a naturally falling area to which the granular mixture that has come into contact with the rotating drum naturally falls; and a conveyed falling area to which the granular mixture naturally falls after being magnetically attracted to and conveyed by the rotating drum.