Magnetic particle and method
AssigneeCambridge Enterprise Limited
InventorsJeroen Verheyen, Tarun Vemulkar, Russell Cowburn
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A magnetic particle (30, 70) has a layered structure (6, 56) between a top surface of the particle and an opposed bottom surface of the particle. Layers of the structure include one or more non-magnetic layer(s) and one or more magnetized layer(s). The ratio of a lateral dimension of the one or more magnetized layers to the aggregate thickness of the magnetized layer or layers is greater than 500. A plurality of such magnetic particles (30, 70) can be functionalised and marked with readable codes (16, 66) corresponding to the functionalisation, for use for performing assays such as bioassays.
Claims18
A method for performing an assay, comprising:
- providing a magnetic particle with a functionalised surface to a liquid assay sample, in which the magnetic particle comprises a layered structure between a top surface of the magnetic particle and an opposed bottom surface of the magnetic particle, the layers including one or more magnetized layers, in which that ratio of lateral dimension of the one or more magnetized layers to a thickness or aggregate thickness of the magnetized layer or layers is greater than 500;
- allowing the functionality of the magnetic particle to interact with the assay sample;
- applying a magnetic field to steer the magnetic particle to a reading position;
- and
- obtaining an assay result by measuring the interaction of the functionality of the magnetic particle with the assay sample.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.