A magnetic particle separation system includes a magnetic field generating device having an upper surface with a receiving area formed thereon; and a magnetic field generating element disposed beneath the upper surface, the magnetic field generating element being configured to produce a magnetic field above the upper surface. A container assembly is disposed on the upper surface and includes: a flexible container having an outer wall with an interior surface that at least partially bounds an internal compartment, the outer wall having a front side and an opposing back side with the internal compartment disposed therebetween; a fluid inlet extending through the outer wall at the front side; a fluid outlet extending through the outer wall at the front side; and a first partition projecting into the internal compartment from the front side between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet.

Methods of separating magnetic particles from a fluid include introducing a fluid mixture that includes a liquid media, a biological component, and magnetic particles into an internal compartment of a container through an inlet, allowing at least a portion of the mixture to travel around a partition formed within the internal compartment and then exit the internal compartment through an outlet on the opposite side of the partition, and applying a magnetic field to the mixture in the internal compartment so that the magnetic particles are retained within the container or internal compartment thereof by the magnetic field. The partition is formed by permanently or reversibly securing upper and lower container walls together, such as by welding or pressing, between the inlet and the outlet such that the media and biological component must flow around the partition and through the magnetic field to exit the internal compartment through the outlet.

A system and method for detection of cells is disclosed. Target cells, such as circulating tumor cells (CTCs), may be of interest. Magnetic beads may be bound to the target cells. After which, the target cells (with the magnetic beads attached thereto) may be identified using an applied magnetic field. In one example, magnetic sensors may be used to detect movement of the target cells responsive to an applied magnetic field. In another example, an optical sensor (such as a camera) may be used to detect movement of the target cells responsive to an applied magnetic field. Further, separate from identification of the target cells, the target cells may be sorted using an applied magnetic field. In this way, a magnetic field may be used in either or both of target cell identification or target cell sorting in order to detect target cells of interest.

Methods of using magnetic display cells to replace secondary antibodies and magnetic beads in any cell manipulation methods. Cells displaying ligands for target cells are magnetized, and then used to bind the target cells. The complex can then be collected in a magnetic field, and thereby manipulated according to the application needs.

Methods of separating magnetic particles from a fluid include introducing a fluid mixture that includes a liquid media, a biological component, and magnetic particles into an internal compartment of a container through an inlet, allowing at least a portion of the mixture to travel around a partition formed within the internal compartment and then exit the internal compartment through an outlet on the opposite side of the partition, and applying a magnetic field to the mixture in the internal compartment so that the magnetic particles are retained within the container or internal compartment thereof by the magnetic field. The partition is formed by permanently or reversibly securing upper and lower container walls together, such as by welding or pressing, between the inlet and the outlet such that the media and biological component must flow around the partition and through the magnetic field to exit the internal compartment through the outlet.

A system and method for detection of cells is disclosed. Target cells, such as circulating tumor cells (CTCs), may be of interest. Magnetic beads may be bound to the target cells. After which, the target cells (with the magnetic beads attached thereto) may be identified using an applied magnetic field. In one example, magnetic sensors may be used to detect movement of the target cells responsive to an applied magnetic field. In another example, an optical sensor (such as a camera) may be used to detect movement of the target cells responsive to an applied magnetic field. Further, separate from identification of the target cells, the target cells may be sorted using an applied magnetic field. In this way, a magnetic field may be used in either or both of target cell identification or target cell sorting in order to detect target cells of interest.

A magnetic particle separation system includes a magnetic field generating device having an upper surface with a receiving area formed thereon; and a magnetic field generating element disposed beneath the upper surface, the magnetic field generating element being configured to produce a magnetic field above the upper surface. A container assembly is disposed on the upper surface and includes: a flexible container having an outer wall with an interior surface that at least partially bounds an internal compartment, the outer wall having a front side and an opposing back side with the internal compartment disposed therebetween; a fluid inlet extending through the outer wall at the front side; a fluid outlet extending through the outer wall at the front side; and a first partition projecting into the internal compartment from the front side between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet.

A magnetic particle separation system includes a magnetic field generating device having an upper surface with a receiving area formed thereon; and a magnetic field generating element disposed beneath the upper surface, the magnetic field generating element being configured to produce a magnetic field above the upper surface. A container assembly is disposed on the upper surface and includes: a flexible container having an outer wall with an interior surface that at least partially bounds an internal compartment, the outer wall having a front side and an opposing back side with the internal compartment disposed therebetween; a fluid inlet extending through the outer wall at the front side; a fluid outlet extending through the outer wall at the front side; and a first partition projecting into the internal compartment from the front side between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet.