IP Library › Patent Application 12719786
Patent Application
App. No. 12/719,786

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SUSPENDING MAGNETIC MICROPARTICLES

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
12/719,786
Abstract

A method includes applying ultrasound to a container having a plurality of magnetic particles contacted with a fluid sample having a biological material capable of binding to the magnetic particles, in an amount effective to suspend the magnetic particles in the fluid.

Claims (26)

1 . A method comprising;

applying ultrasound to a container having a plurality of magnetic particles contacted with a fluid sample having a biological material capable of binding to the magnetic particles, in an amount effective to suspend the magnetic particles in the fluid.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the ultrasound is approximately 30 to 50 kHz.

3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the ultrasound is approximately 35 to 45 kHz.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the magnetic particles comprise iron.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the magnetic particles are microparticles.

6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the particles have a diameter of about 0.05 to about 50 microns.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the fluid sample comprises nucleic acid.

8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the nucleic acid comprises RNA or DNA.

9 . The method of claim 1 , further including prior to applying the ultrasound, applying the magnetic field to the container in an amount and at a distance that concentrates the magnetic particles in the container and washing the fluid sample in the container.

10 . The method of claim 9 , comprising repeating applying the magnetic field and washing the fluid sample.

11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the ultrasound is applied to the container in the absence of a magnetic field capable of attracting the magnetic particles.

12 . A method of processing a plurality of magnetic microparticles within a container comprising:

providing a container having a plurality of magnetic microparticles and a fluid sample suspected of having a moiety that binds to the microparticles;

applying a magnetic field to the container so as to concentrate the plurality of magnetic microparticles in a portion of the container;

removing the fluid from the container

washing the container with a fluid while applying the magnetic field; and

applying ultrasound to the container under conditions that resuspend the magnetic microparticles in the container.

13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the sample is an aqueous fluid sample.

14 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the ultrasound is approximately 30 to 50 kHz.

15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the ultrasound is approximately 35 to 45 kHz.

16 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the magnetic particles comprise Fe.

17 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the particles have a diameter of about 0.05 to about 50 microns.

18 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the fluid sample comprises nucleic acid.

19 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the fluid sample comprises lysed cells.

20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the cells are eukaryotic cells.