Method and apparatus for isolating and detecting biological and other particles

A method for isolating particles in a sample, the method comprising:

• a. providing a first elongated container having a port through a sealed proximal end for delivering a sample into the container having a separation medium disposed adjacent a meltable material, the meltable material positioned on the bottom and side surface of the distal end of the container above and an orifice at the distal end of the container;
• b. concentrating the particles by exposing it to centrifugal force to pass it through the separation medium and rest the concentrate on the meltable material;
• c. heating the meltable material and flushing it through the container out the orifice into a chamber in fluid communication with the container;
• and
• d. activating an electrode in the chamber for attracting and holding subject particles in the sample to the electrode.

A system for isolating particles comprising:

• a. a first container having a sealed access port at the proximal end through which sample may be delivered into the container through a hollow tube;
• b. a gel disposed above the distal end of the container in temporary fluid blocking position to an orifice disposed at the distal end of the container;
• c. a separation medium having lower electrical conductivity and higher physical density than the sample disposed adjacent the gel on the proximal side of the gel within the container through which the sample may pass;
• d. the gel adapted to receive a concentrate of the sample through the separation medium when the container is exposed to a centrifugal force;
• e. a heating element for melting the gel and removing it from the fluid blocking position for fluid flow through the container out the orifice;
• and
• f. a second container having a microchamber with at least two activatable electrode arrays downstream of the first container orifice, the microchamber disposed in fluid communication with the container through the orifice for pressurized flow of a biological material in the presence of a first activatable electrode array for a pre-determined period of time to attract and hold subject particles against the first activatable electrode array followed by either fluid flow and/or centrifugal force past a second activatable electrode array for attracting and holding subject particles to the second activatable electrode array.