Cell Separation Cartridge Using Magnetic Beads and Centrifugation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for isolating rare stem, progenitor, or immune cells from blood or bone marrow are inefficient due to the presence of abundant unwanted cells, requiring complex and costly instrumentation, and often expose cells to chemical agents or risk microbiological contamination, with low throughput and low efficiency in target cell isolation.
Innovation Solution
A cell separation system comprising a cartridge with reversible closing devices and a control module that uses buoyant reagents and centrifugation to stratify and sequester target cells within a functionally closed system, maintaining aseptic conditions and achieving high recovery, viability, and purity of target cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual isolation methods using density gradient mediums are used, then target cells can be separated, but the process requires highly skilled operators, complex instrumentation, and has low throughput
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical density gradient separation systems with a magnetic field-based separation system. Magnetic beads conjugated to antibodies capture target cells, and a magnetic field directs them to the collection chamber, eliminating the need for complex centrifugation equipment and skilled manual operation while maintaining separation precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the separation mechanism from density-based physical parameters to magnetic field interaction parameters. By using magnetically susceptible beads conjugated to cell-specific antibodies, the system achieves separation based on magnetic responsiveness rather than density gradients, simplifying the instrumentation required.
2Manufacturing precision
If complex purification instrumentation and reagents are used, then target cells can be purified, but the cost increases and throughput decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential purification function into a single integrated cartridge containing magnetic beads and antibody conjugates. This eliminates the need for multiple sequential purification steps and expensive specialized reagents, enabling high-throughput processing while maintaining purification precision through the specific magnetic capture mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic bead-based system serves multiple functions within a single platform: cell capture, separation, and concentration. The same cartridge can process different cell types by changing the antibody conjugate, providing universal applicability across various purification needs without requiring multiple specialized instruments.
3Ease of operation
If functionally open systems are used, then cell processing can be performed, but the risk of microbiological contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a sealed cartridge system with flexible membranes that maintain sterility while allowing magnetic field penetration. The closed system prevents microbiological contamination during processing, yet the magnetic beads can still interact with target cells through the sealed environment, combining ease of operation with reliable sterility maintenance.
4Manufacturing precision
If chemical agents are used for cell separation, then target cells can be isolated, but the cells may be exposed to undesirable effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical-based separation methods with magnetic field-based mechanical separation. Magnetic beads conjugated to antibodies physically capture target cells without exposing them to chemical agents, maintaining isolation precision while preserving cell viability through non-chemical interaction mechanisms.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system significantly enhances the recovery, viability, and purity of target cells, achieving greater than 90% recovery efficiency and 95% viability, while maintaining aseptic conditions and reducing the need for complex instrumentation and chemical agents.
Implementation Method 1
The controller is configured to control operation of the first and second reversible closing devices based on information from the at least one detector
Implementation Method 2
A cell separation system comprising a cartridge with reversible closing devices and a control module that uses buoyant reagents and centrifugation to stratify and sequester target cells
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed herein are cell separation devices, methods and systems, as well as compositions and reagents for use in cell separation methods.