Flexible Conduit Magnetic Cell Sorting With Mechanical Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing magnetic separator devices for biological objects face limitations in efficiently extracting and recovering magnetically labeled cells from sample fluids while minimizing contamination and maintaining high throughput, particularly in continuous flow systems, due to issues with remanent magnetization, magnetic stability of clumped cells, and inefficient detachment from conduit walls.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a magnetic sorting process using a flexible conduit with a magnetic assembly to deposit magnetically labeled cells on the conduit wall, followed by mechanical deformation of the conduit to loosen and recover the cells, combined with mechanical agitation and magnetic means to enhance detachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If magnetically labeled cells are collected on the conduit wall using a magnetic field, then sorting efficiency is improved, but cell detachment becomes difficult due to remanent magnetization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesorting efficiencyVSAvoidcell detachment

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a periodic magnetic field that alternates between attracting and releasing cells. During the attracting phase, cells are collected on the conduit wall; during the releasing phase, the magnetic field reverses to reduce remanent magnetization and enable cell detachment. This dynamic field application resolves the contradiction by making the magnetic interaction time-dependent rather than static.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses periodic magnetic field pulses to alternately capture and release magnetically labeled cells. The periodic action creates cycles of cell accumulation followed by controlled detachment, allowing continuous sorting operation while overcoming the remanent magnetization problem that would otherwise prevent efficient cell recovery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Productivity

If strong magnetic field is applied to collect cells, then cell collection efficiency is improved, but cell damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecell collection efficiencyVSAvoidcell damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The periodic magnetic field application allows cells to be exposed to strong magnetic forces only during brief collection intervals, followed by low-field or reverse-field periods that prevent excessive magnetic stress accumulation. This temporal modulation of magnetic field strength maintains collection efficiency while reducing harmful effects on cell viability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The dynamic magnetic field protocol adjusts field strength and direction over time, applying strong fields only when needed for cell capture and using reduced or reversed fields during detachment phases. This dynamic control optimizes the balance between collection efficiency and cell integrity by avoiding sustained exposure to high magnetic stresses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If magnetic beads are used for labeling cells, then magnetic sorting capability is improved, but contamination risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemagnetic sorting capabilityVSAvoidcontamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the magnetic beads from the final sorted cell population by using periodic magnetic fields that selectively retain beads on the conduit wall while allowing labeled cells to be washed away during detachment phases. This separation removes the potential contamination source (magnetic beads) from the recovered cell sample while preserving the magnetic sorting capability during the process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

Enhances the efficiency of cell recovery by effectively dislodging cells from the conduit wall, reducing contamination, and maintaining high throughput without damaging the cells, thereby improving the overall sorting process.

Implementation Method 1

applying a magnetic field generated by a magnetic assembly to a flexible conduit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

collect the magnetically labeled biological objects on a conduit wall

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Implementation Method 3

mechanically deforming the flexible conduit to loosen the magnetically labeled biological objects collected on the conduit wall

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS12544769B2Method and apparatus for magnetically sorting biological objects

Publication Date: 2026.02.10 APPL CELLS INC

AI summary

A process for magnetically sorting biological objects includes the steps of applying a magnetic field generated by a magnetic assembly to a flexible conduit; flowing a sample fluid containing magnetically labeled biological objects through the flexible conduit to collect the magnetically labeled biological objects on a conduit wall; removing the magnetic field from the flexible conduit; and mechanically deforming the flexible conduit to loosen the magnetically labeled biological objects collected on the conduit wall.