US 10,780,444 B2Granted

System and method for detection of cells

AssigneeMicrosensor Labs, LLC

InventorPeng Liu

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Abstract

A system and method for detection of cells is disclosed. Target cells, such as circulating tumor cells (CTCs), may be of interest. Magnetic beads may be bound to the target cells. After which, the target cells (with the magnetic beads attached thereto) may be identified using an applied magnetic field. In one example, magnetic sensors may be used to detect movement of the target cells responsive to an applied magnetic field. In another example, an optical sensor (such as a camera) may be used to detect movement of the target cells responsive to an applied magnetic field. Further, separate from identification of the target cells, the target cells may be sorted using an applied magnetic field. In this way, a magnetic field may be used in either or both of target cell identification or target cell sorting in order to detect target cells of interest.

Claims18

Dependent claims

An apparatus configured to determining whether a magnetic bead labeled to a target cell is present in a fluid, the apparatus comprising

a well configured to house the fluid containing particles including free beads that are unbound to any cell and the magnetic bead labeled to the target cell;
a magnetic field generator configured to generate a magnetic field to at least a part of the well;
one or more sensors configured to generate sensor data;
and
at least one processor in communication with the magnetic field generator and the one or more sensors, the processor configured to:
control the magnetic field generator in order for the magnetic field generator to generate the magnetic field to the at least a part of the well by:
sending a first command to the magnetic field generator in order for the magnetic field generator to generate a first magnetic field, the first magnetic field configured to move the free beads within the well but not configured to move the magnetic bead labeled to the target cell;
and
after controlling the magnetic field generator in order for the magnetic field generator to generate the first magnetic field, sending a second command to the magnetic field generator in order for the magnetic field generator to generate a second magnetic field, the second magnetic field configured to move the magnetic bead labeled to the target cell;
receive sensor data from the one or more sensors, the sensor data being sensed after the generated second magnetic field is applied to the at least a part of the well and indicative of whether there is movement of at least one particle in the fluid from a first region of the well to a second region of the well responsive to the generated second magnetic field;
determine, based on the sensor data, whether there is movement of the at least one particle in the fluid from the first region of the well to the second region of the well;
and
responsive to determining that there is movement of the at least one particle in the fluid from the first region of the well to the second region of the well, determine that the magnetic bead labeled to the target cell is present in the fluid.

10 more elements

A method for determining that a magnetic bead labeled to a target cell is present in a fluid, the method comprising:

introducing the fluid containing particles, including free beads that are unbound to any cell and the magnetic bead labeled to the target cell, into a well;
controlling generation of a magnetic field such that the magnetic field is applied to different parts of the well at different times by:
sending a first command to a magnetic field generator in order for the magnetic field generator to generate a first magnetic field, the first magnetic field moving the free beads within the well but not moving the magnetic bead labeled to the target cell;
and
sending a second command to the magnetic field generator in order for the magnetic field generator to generate a second magnetic field, the second magnetic field moving the magnetic bead labeled to the target cell;
receiving sensor data from one or more sensors, the sensor data being sensed after the generated second magnetic field is applied to the at least a part of the well and indicative of whether there is movement of at least one particle in the fluid from a first region of the well to a second region of the well responsive to the generated second magnetic field;
determining, based on the sensor data, whether there is movement of the at least one particle in the fluid from the first region of the well to the second region of the well;
and
responsive to determining that there is movement of the at least one particle from the first region of the well to the second region of the well, determining that the magnetic bead labeled to the target cell is present.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 15/862,394Filed 4 Jan 2018 · us provisional application
Priority: 5 Jan 2017
Published: US 2018/0185854 A15 Jul 2018
Granted: 22 Sep 2020
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification23 codes

B03C 1/005
Magnetic separation: pretreatment specially adapted for magnetic separation
A61M 1/3403
Filtering material out of the blood by passing it through a membrane, i.e. hemofiltration or diafiltration: regulation parameters
B01L 3/502761
By integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g.…
C12M 1/266
Inoculator or sampler: magnetic separators