Method and apparatus for producing CAR T cells

A method for producing a population of T cells that express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) comprising the steps of:

• providing a fluid sample including a population of T cells;
• labeling the population of T cells with magnetic beads;
• extracting the population of T cells from the fluid sample by flowing the fluid sample through a first conduit that passes through a first magnetic separator device;
• transducing or transfecting the population of T cells to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) by contacting the population of T cells with a population of lentivirus in a solution contained in an incubation container;
• and
• harvesting the population of T cells by flowing the solution through a second conduit that passes through a second magnetic separator device,
• wherein the first conduit, the incubation container, and the second conduit are fluidically connected by a network of fluidic lines, and
• wherein the first and second magnetic separator devices each comprise:
• a center magnetic flux guide including a center tip having a tapering shape and a center base;
• a first side magnetic flux guide including a first side tip and a first side base;
• a second side magnetic flux guide including a second side tip and a second side base, the first and second side magnetic flux guides being disposed on opposite sides of the center magnetic flux guide;
• a magnetic flux source generating magnetic flux in the center magnetic flux guide and the first and second side magnetic flux guides;
• and
• a floating magnetic flux guide that operably pushes the first or second conduit against the center tip and the first and second side tips.