Rotating shielded magnetic actuator
Systems configured to isolate particles in a fluid assay are disclosed. Methods for collecting a sample of magnetic particles from a liquid are also disclosed. In certain embodiments, the disclosed systems and methods include a magnetic actuator coupled to a chassis, where the magnetic actuator comprises at least one shielded rotatable magnet.
1. A system configured to isolate particles in a fluid assay comprising:
a chassis;
a magnetic actuator coupled to the chassis, the magnetic actuator having rotatable shielded magnets, wherein each of the rotatable shielded magnets comprises:
a top surface;
a bottom surface; and
a shield, wherein the shield covers the bottom surface and is directly coupled to the rotatable shielded magnet;
a tub coupled to the chassis; and
a well plate coupled to the tub and comprising a plurality of wells arranged in columns and rows;
where the tub is configured to support the well plate such that each shielded magnet is adjacent to at least one column of wells.
2. The system of claim 1 where:
a rotatable shielded magnet is configured to rotate from a first position to a second position;
the rotatable shielded magnet exerts a first magnetic field on the well plate in the first position;
the rotatable shielded magnet exerts a second magnetic field on the well plate in the second position; and
the first magnetic field is greater than the second magnetic field.
3. The system of claim 2 where:
at least one well comprises a plurality of magnetic microspheres;
the first magnetic field is sufficient to move the plurality of magnetic microspheres; and
the second magnetic field is not sufficient to move the plurality of magnetic microspheres.
4. The system of claim 1 , where each rotatable shielded magnet is adjacent to two columns of wells.
5. The system of claim 1 , where:
each rotatable shielded magnet comprises a permanent magnet;
the shield is coupled to and covers a portion of the permanent magnet; and
each rotatable shielded magnet has a thickness, a length, and an axis of rotation.
6. The system of claim 5 where the axis of rotation is an eccentric axis of rotation.
7. The system of claim 5 , where the shield comprises a magnetic permeable material, the permanent magnet comprises a rare earth material, and the permanent magnet is magnetized through its thickness.
8. The system of claim 1 , further comprising an agitator motor and a link coupled to the tub, where the agitator motor and the link are configured to agitate the tub and the well plate during operation.