Method for separating viable cells from cell suspensions

1. Method of separating viable mammalian or insect cells from cell suspensions, wherein the cell suspension is introduced, by way of an inlet device, tangentially into the cylinder space of at least one hydrocyclone and is allowed to flow in a downwardly directed, spirally circling course through the cone of the hydrocyclone, a suspension of increased cell concentration being collected at the bottom run-off outlet device of the hydrocyclone, located at the bottom end of the cone, and a suspension of decreased cell concentration being collected at the top run-off outlet device, which is arranged centrally in, and extends into, the cylinder space, and the pressure drop between the inlet device and the top run-off outlet device being at most 4 bar, the hydrocyclone having the following features of construction:

cylindrical portion:

length 2 to 12 mm

diameter 5 to 15 mm

conical portion:

angle of taper 5 to 20°

inlet device:

diameter 0.5 to 4 mm

top run-off outlet device:

diameter 1 to 5 mm

depth of introduction 1 to 6 mm

bottom run-off outlet device:

diameter 0.5 to 7 mm.

2. Method according to claim 1 , wherein the pressure drop between the inlet device and the top run-off outlet device is 2 bar.

3. Method according to claim 2 , wherein the hydrocyclone has the following features of construction:

cylindrical portion:

length 2 to 12 mm

diameter 10 mm

conical portion:

angle of taper 5 to 20°

inlet device:

diameter 2 mm

top run-off outlet device:

diameter 1 to 5 mm

depth of introduction 1 to 6 mm

bottom run-off outlet device:

diameter 0.5 to 7 mm.

4. Method according to claim 1 , wherein a plurality of identical or different hydrocyclones arranged in parallel or in series are operated discontinuously or continuously.

5. Method according to claim 1 , wherein the mammalian cells are blood cells or hybridoma cells.