Granted Patent B2

US 12,704,509 · App. 17/554,956 · Granted Aug 11, 2026

Inventor: Hur Koser (Wallingford, CT)

Assignee: ANCERA INC.

G01N33/54366B01L3/50273B01L3/502753B01L3/502761B03C1/01B03C1/288B03C1/32G01N15/1404G01N15/1459G01N15/1484G01N33/54313B01L2200/0647B01L2300/06B01L2300/0654B01L2400/043B03C2201/18B03C2201/20B03C2201/26G01N2015/1415G01N2015/1486G01N15/149G01N27/44786G01N35/0098

Abstract

Claims (33)

1 . A method for extracting a target particle from a mix of particles, comprising:

suspending a plurality of non-magnetic beads in a ferrofluid; the non-magnetic beads being functionalized with at least one predetermined first molecule configured to bind with a target particle;

mixing or otherwise exposing the ferrofluid to a plurality of particles forming a mix, wherein one or more target particles of the plurality of particles bind with at least some of the non-magnetic beads;

flowing the mix through at least one microfluidic channel; and

applying a magnetic field to at least a portion of the at least one channel, wherein the magnetic field is configured to exert an indirect force on the non-magnetic beads to separate the non-magnetic beads from the ferrofluid, and

flowing the separated non-magnetic beads over at least one receptor region provided along the channel, wherein the target particles bind to the molecules of the receptor region.

2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising extracting the non-magnetic beads from the mix.

3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising detecting the target particles after at least one of separation and extraction via detection means.

4 . A method for assaying a target particle, comprising:

suspending a plurality of non-magnetic beads in a ferrofluid;

mixing or otherwise exposing the ferrofluid to a plurality of particles forming a mix, the plurality of particles including one or more target particles;

flowing the mix such that the ferrofluid carries the non-magnetic beads; and

capturing the one or more target particles.

5 . A bead-based assay ferrofluid apparatus comprising:

a ferrofluid including a sample containing a mixture of particles and functionalized beads;

a pump;

a channel inlet;

a fluidic channel; and

a magnetic field source comprising at least one of one or more planar electrodes, an electromagnet and a permanent magnet.

6 . The apparatus of claim 5 , further comprising a receptor region.

7 . The apparatus of claim 5 , further comprising a detection means.

8 . The method of claim 5 , wherein capturing the one or more target particles is via a receptor region.

9 . A system for extracting a target molecule from a mix of molecules, comprising:

a plurality of non-magnetic beads suspended in a ferrofluid, the non-magnetic beads being functionalized with at least one predetermined first molecule configured to bind with a target particle;

a plurality of particles, wherein the plurality of particles arc mixed with the ferrofluid containing the non-magnetic beads resulting in a ferrofluid mix; and

a microfluidic device comprising at least one microfluidic channel, the device configured to dynamically and/or statically receive an amount of the mix;

magnetic field means configured to:

apply a magnetic field to at least a portion of the at least one channel to exert an indirect force on the non-magnetic beads in the ferrofluid mix,

separate the non-magnetic beads from the ferrofluid, and

direct the non-magnetic beads to at least one receptor region.

10 . The system of claim 9 , further comprising at least one outlet.

11 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the magnetic field source includes at least one of planar electrodes, electromagnets or a magnet array.

12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the ferrofluid includes a plurality of magnetic nanoparticles and the magnetic field is further configured to drive the magnetic nanoparticles in a first direction opposite a second direction in which the non-magnetic beads are driven.

Assignments (5)

Continuity (4)

References Cited (316)