Blood cell separation magnet device and method

Abstract

The invention discloses a blood cell separation magnet device and method, and belongs to the technical field of cell separation. The magnet device comprises a plurality of pole heads which are symmetrically arranged, and runway coils are arranged outside the pole heads; the central axis position of a gap defined by the runway coils is a working area, the working area is a uniform magnetic field capturing area, and magnetized target cells in blood cells are stably separated by using a uniform magnetic field; the width of the working area ranges from 8 mm to 15 mm, and the length of the working area ranges from 200 mm to 500 mm. Through cooperation of the runway coil and the pole head, a linear or planar working area which is small in space body, high in strength, large in gradient and uniform in magnetic field distribution is formed, and compared with an existing point-shaped or small-area high gradient, magnetized cells flowing through a sample in the area can be captured more efficiently and more thoroughly, and the recovery rate and the purity are remarkably improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of cell separation technology, and specifically relates to a blood cell separation magnet device and method. Background Technology

[0002] Magnetic cell separation technology (such as MACS) has become a key tool in modern biological research and clinical diagnosis. This technology typically requires binding target cells to superparamagnetic microbeads, followed by separation under the influence of an external magnetic field. Currently, commonly used separation magnets are mostly permanent magnets or large electromagnets, which have the following limitations: The conflict between size and field strength: While permanent magnets are easy to carry, their central magnetic field strength is limited, and the magnetic field gradient is fixed, thus limiting separation efficiency and purity. To obtain high field strength, existing electromagnets are often large and bulky, making them inconvenient to move and operate on laboratory benches or at clinical bedsides.

[0003] Inconvenient to operate: Traditional magnets have a closed structure, and the separation column or sample tube can only be inserted or removed from one end of the magnet. The operation process is cumbersome, especially when multiple samples need to be changed or processed quickly, which is inefficient.

[0004] Heat dissipation issues: High-power electromagnets generate a large amount of Joule heat when they are working. Improper cooling can damage the coil or affect the activity of temperature-sensitive cells.

[0005] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a dedicated magnetic separation magnet that combines high field strength, small size, flexible operation, and good heat dissipation. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To address the aforementioned issues, this application provides a blood cell separation magnet device and method.

[0007] The first objective of this application is to provide a blood cell separation magnet device, comprising: a plurality of symmetrically arranged pole heads, wherein a raceway coil is provided outside the pole heads; The central axis of the gap formed between several of the runway coils is the working area, which is a uniform magnetic field capture area, and the uniform magnetic field is used to stably separate magnetized target cells in blood cells. The width of the working area is 8~15mm and the length is 200~500mm.

[0008] In a specific embodiment of this application, the runway coils are fixed in several deployment areas, and the number of runway coils in each deployment area is equal.

[0009] In a specific embodiment of this application, the outer periphery of the deployment area is provided with a shell, and the shells of several deployment areas are combined to form a complete box, and the shells that make up the box are openable and closable.

[0010] In a specific embodiment of this application, a locking mechanism is provided on adjacent openable shells in the assembled complete box.

[0011] In a specific embodiment of this application, the locking mechanism is a quick lock, selected from any one of an electromagnetic lock, an eccentric cam lock, a pneumatic lock, or a manual lock.

[0012] In a specific embodiment of this application, a heat dissipation mechanism is provided around the runway coil.

[0013] In a specific embodiment of this application, the heat dissipation mechanism is a liquid cooling plate or a heat sink.

[0014] In a specific embodiment of this application, the runway coil is electrically connected to an adjustable DC power supply.

[0015] In a specific embodiment of this application, the runway coil is made of copper wire or copper tube.

[0016] In a specific embodiment of this application, the number of pole heads is two or more even numbers, and the number of runway coils is two or more even numbers; The number of pole heads is two, and the number of runway coils is two. One runway coil is arranged around the periphery of one pole head to form a layout area, and another runway coil is arranged around the periphery of the other pole head to form another layout area.

[0017] In a specific embodiment of this application, the work area contains several containers; The work area is equipped with a detachable sample holder, and the container is fixed in the work area by the sample holder; The magnetic field strength in the working area is greater than or equal to 0.5 T.

[0018] The second objective of this application is to provide a method for separating blood cells using a magnetic separator, comprising: Place the container containing blood cells in the work area; The runway coil is energized to create a uniform magnetic field in the working area. The uniform magnetic field is used to separate the magnetized target cells in the blood cells and capture them on the inner wall of the container. Disconnect the power supply to the runway coil and remove the container.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, this application has the following advantages: First, superior separation performance: Through the combination of the raceway coil and the electrode head, a linear or planar working area with a very small volume, high intensity, large gradient, and uniform magnetic field distribution is formed. Compared with existing point-like or small-area high gradient, it can capture magnetized cells in the sample flowing through the area more efficiently and thoroughly, significantly improving recovery rate and purity.

[0020] Secondly, ease of operation: The openable structure combined with the linear or planar working area facilitates sample placement, allowing operators to easily push or remove multiple separation containers horizontally, just like placing test tubes on a shelf, without the need for alignment or vertical insertion into the deep cavity, greatly simplifying the operation and reducing sample processing time, making it particularly suitable for automated integration and high-throughput screening. Thirdly, optimized heat dissipation and compact design: This application utilizes the regularity of the runway coil shape, which makes it easy to couple efficiently with a planar water cooling system, resulting in a short heat dissipation path and high efficiency; this allows the magnet to achieve higher operating current and field strength in a smaller volume and weight, making equipment movement and deployment extremely convenient; Fourth, it offers exceptional flexibility and compatibility: the linear or planar (flat) working area can accommodate various sizes of separation consumables, from single-pillar to perforated plate forms. The adjustable magnetic field gradient provides users with the flexibility to optimize separation conditions.

[0021] Other features and advantages of this application will be set forth in the description which follows, and will be apparent in part from the description, or may be learned by practicing the application. The objectives and other advantages of this application may be realized and obtained by means of the structures pointed out in the description, claims and drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0022] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0023] Figure 1 This application shows one of the structural schematic diagrams of a blood cell separation magnet device according to certain embodiments; Figure 2 A perspective view of a blood cell separation magnet device according to an embodiment of this application in an open state is shown; Figure 3 A perspective view of a blood cell separation magnet device according to an embodiment of this application in a closed working state is shown; In the diagram: 1. First housing; 2. Second housing; 3. Hinge; 4. Raceway coil; 5. Heat dissipation mechanism; 6. Piping; 7. Locking mechanism; 8. Working area; 9. Pole head; 10. Container. Detailed Implementation

[0024] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0025] like Figure 1 As shown, a blood cell separation magnet device according to certain embodiments of this application includes: a plurality of symmetrically arranged pole heads 9, and a racetrack coil 4 is provided outside the pole heads 9 (see details). Figure 2 ); The runway coil 4 refers to a coil whose planar shape consists of two parallel long straight sides and two semi-circular arc ends connecting the long straight sides; The central axis of the gap formed between the runway coils 4 is the working area 8; This application utilizes the racetrack-shaped coil in conjunction with the pole head 9 to make the working area 8 a uniform magnetic field capture area, and to make the working area 8 located at the central axis of the narrow gap formed by several racetrack coils 4, thereby achieving a miniaturized magnetic volume design. The uniform magnetic field is used to separate magnetized target cells in blood cells. Furthermore, this application utilizes the long straight side section design of the racetrack-shaped coil to make the working area 8 a linear or planar uniform magnetic field capture area, and to make the working area 8 a longitudinally penetrating, flat sample operation channel. The working area 8 allows multiple standard cell separation pipes or microfluidic chips to be placed side by side and simultaneously subjected to high-intensity magnetic fields, thus achieving true high-throughput parallel processing. In this application, the dimensions of the working area 8 are: a width of 8~15mm and a length of 200~500mm.

[0026] In some embodiments of this application, the magnetic field strength of the working area 8 is greater than or equal to 0.5 T by adjusting the DC current in the runway coil 4, so as to achieve efficient capture of magnetized cells flowing through the working area 8.

[0027] In some embodiments of this application, the runway coil 4 and the pole head 9 are fixed in several layout areas, and the number of runway coil 4 and the number of pole heads 9 in each layout area are equal, so as to facilitate the installation and assembly of the magnet device.

[0028] In some embodiments of this application, the outer periphery of the deployment area is provided with a shell, and the shells of several deployment areas are combined to form a complete box. The shells that make up the box are openable and closable to facilitate the placement and removal of the container 10 containing blood cells in the working area 8.

[0029] In some embodiments of this application, a locking mechanism 7 is provided on the adjacent openable shells in the assembled complete box to improve the stability of the positions of the runway coil 4 and the pole head 9, that is, to stabilize the magnetic field formed after energization.

[0030] In some embodiments of this application, the locking mechanism 7 is a quick lock. For example, the quick lock is selected from any one of an electromagnetic lock, an eccentric cam lock, or a pneumatic lock.

[0031] In some embodiments of this application, a heat dissipation mechanism 5 is provided around the runway coil 4.

[0032] In some embodiments of this application, the heat dissipation mechanism 5 is, for example, a liquid cooling plate or a heat sink.

[0033] In some embodiments of this application, for example, the heat dissipation mechanism 5 is a copper water-cooled plate with microchannels, and the copper water-cooled plate is connected to an external circulating cooler through a pipe 6.

[0034] In some embodiments of this application, the runway coil 4 is electrically connected to an adjustable DC power supply, thereby linearly controlling the magnetic field gradient intensity to adapt to the separation requirements of different magnetic bead-cell complexes.

[0035] In some embodiments of this application, the runway coil 4 is made of copper wire or copper tube.

[0036] In some embodiments of this application, the number of pole heads 9 is two or more even numbers, and the number of runway coils 4 is two or more even numbers.

[0037] In some embodiments of this application, such as Figure 2 As shown, there are two pole heads 9 and two runway coils 4; One of the pole heads 9 has a runway coil 4 arranged around its periphery, forming a layout area (with a housing, such as the first housing 1, outside the layout area). Another runway coil 4 is arranged around the periphery of the other pole head 9, forming another layout area (with a housing, such as the second housing 2, outside the layout area). The first housing 1 and the second housing 2 are connected by a hinge 3; When the first housing 1 and the second housing 2 are combined to form a complete box, the first housing 1 and the second housing 2 are connected by the locking mechanism 7, as detailed below. Figure 3 .

[0038] In some embodiments of this application, the work area 8 contains a plurality of containers 10.

[0039] In some embodiments of this application, the working area 8 is provided with a detachable sample holder, and the container 10 is fixed in the working area 8 by the sample holder.

[0040] In some embodiments of this application, the operation method of the blood cell separation magnet device includes: During the separation operation, open the quick-lock mechanism and unfold the magnet device like opening a book. Place the container 10, already loaded with blood cells, horizontally into the working area 8, then close and lock the magnet device. Activate the control unit (i.e., energize the raceway coil 4) and set the desired magnetic field strength. The magnetic field immediately acts on the container 10, and the magnetized cells are quickly captured on the inner wall of the container 10. After the non-magnetic components have flowed out, turn off the magnetic field to elute the captured magnetized cells. Open the magnet, and the separation column can be easily removed horizontally for elution / replacement; the entire process is smooth and convenient.

[0041] A blood cell magnet separation method according to certain embodiments of this application, employing the aforementioned blood cell separation magnet device, includes: Place the container 10 containing blood cells in work area 8; The runway coil 4 is energized to form a uniform magnetic field in the working area 8. The uniform magnetic field is used to capture the magnetized target cells in the blood cells on the inner wall of the container 10. After the non-magnetic cells flow out, the power supply to the runway coil 4 is disconnected and the container 10 is removed.

[0042] Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A blood cell separation magnet device, characterized in that, include: A number of symmetrically arranged pole heads (9) are provided with a runway coil (4) outside the pole head (9); The central axis of the gap formed between several of the runway coils (4) is the working area (8), which is a uniform magnetic field capture area, and uses the uniform magnetic field to stably separate magnetized target cells in blood cells; The working area (8) has a width of 8~15mm and a length of 200~500mm.

2. The blood cell separation magnet device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The runway coils (4) are fixed in several deployment areas, and the number of runway coils (4) in each deployment area is equal.

3. The blood cell separation magnet device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The outer periphery of the deployment area is provided with a shell, and several shells of the deployment areas are combined to form a complete box, and the shell of the box is openable and closable.

4. The blood cell separation magnet device according to claim 3, characterized in that, A locking mechanism (7) is provided on the adjacent openable shells in the assembled complete box.

5. A blood cell separation magnet device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The locking mechanism (7) is a quick lock, which is selected from any one of electromagnetic lock, eccentric cam lock, pneumatic lock, or manual lock.

6. The blood cell separation magnet device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The runway coil (4) is provided with a heat dissipation mechanism (5) around its periphery.

7. A blood cell separation magnet device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The heat dissipation mechanism (5) is a liquid cooling plate or a heat dissipation block.

8. The blood cell separation magnet device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The runway coil (4) is electrically connected to a DC power supply.

9. A blood cell separation magnet device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The runway coil (4) is made of copper wire or copper tube.

10. A blood cell separation magnet device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The number of pole heads (9) is two or more even numbers, and the number of runway coils (4) is two or more even numbers; There are two pole heads (9) and two runway coils (4). One runway coil (4) is arranged around the two pole heads (9) to form one arrangement area, and another runway coil (4) is arranged around the other pole head (9) to form another arrangement area.

11. A blood cell separation magnet device according to any one of claims 1-10, characterized in that, The work area (8) contains several containers (10); The work area (8) is provided with a detachable sample holder, and the container (10) is fixed in the work area (8) by the sample holder; The magnetic field strength of the working area (8) is greater than or equal to 0.5 T.

12. A method for separating blood cells using magnets, characterized in that, The blood cell separation magnet device according to any one of claims 1-11 comprises: Place the container (10) containing blood cells in the work area (8); The runway coil (4) is energized to form a uniform magnetic field in the working area (8). The uniform magnetic field is used to separate the magnetized target cells in the blood cells and capture them on the inner wall of the container (10). Disconnect the power supply to the runway coil (4) and remove the container (10).

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