Magnetic sample purification
A method and apparatus for extracting magnetic particles from a sample includes placing the sample near a liquid carrier, which is immiscible with it, in a configuration stable under the influence of gravity. The magnetic particles are moved by a magnetic field from the sample and into the carrier. The magnetic particles are non-wetting with respect to the carrier and will therefore form agglomerates in the carrier.
1. A method for extracting magnetic particles from a liquid sample, the method comprising acts of:
mixing the liquid sample, the magnetic particles and a liquid carrier, the liquid carrier being immiscible with the liquid sample and having another mass density than the liquid sample;
ceasing of the mixing act to allow for a sedimentation of the liquid carrier under an influence of gravity; and
generating a magnetic field that moves the magnetic particles from the liquid sample into the liquid carrier.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the magnetic particles are further transferred from the liquid carrier into another material.
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the magnetic particles in the liquid carrier are aspirated by a transfer device.
4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein after the generating act the liquid sample that has not been moved into the liquid carrier is aspirated by a transfer device leaving behind the liquid carrier and the magnetic particles.
5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein at least a component of a movement of the magnetic particles from the liquid sample into the liquid carrier is parallel to a direction of gravity.
6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the magnetic particles can be moved by a magnetic field through the liquid carrier to a target zone.
7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid carrier has a higher mass density than the liquid sample.
8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid carrier comprises at least one component selected from the group consisting of halogenated oils, hydrocarbons, and alkanes.
9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the magnetic particles are non-wetting with respect to the liquid carrier.
10. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the magnetic particles can specifically bind components of the liquid sample.
11. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the halogenated oils are preferably at least one of a fluorocarbons, a perfluorocarbons and a silicone oils, and wherein the hydrocarbons are preferably at least one of an aliphatic hydrocarbon and an aromatic hydrocarbon.
12. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid carrier is at least one of a hydrocarbon oil and an alkane oil.
13. The method according to claim 1 , wherein a ratio of mass densities between the liquid sample and the liquid carrier is larger than at least one of 1 to 1.05, 1 to 1.15 and 1 to 1.3.
14. The method according to claim 1 , wherein moving the magnetic particles from the liquid sample into the liquid carrier via the generating of the magnetic field is independent of surface tension.