Blood cell sorting methods and systems
AssigneeThe General Hospital Corporation
InventorsDenise Faustman, Douglas Burger
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention relates to methods of isolating white blood cells (WBCs) from a sample, e.g., whole blood, using magnetic particles that specifically bind to WBCs and a series of specific steps and conditions. The methods can include one or more of decreasing the viscosity of the sample prior to WBC isolation, agitating the sample at specified frequencies, and/or using a sample container arranged such that all of the sample is placed in close proximity (e.g., within 5, 2, 1, or 0.5 mm) to the source of the magnetic field. The new methods provide for isolation of WBC preparations with high yield, purity, and viability. The methods are designed for compatibility with automation protocols for rapid processing of multiple samples.
Claims21
A method of isolating white blood cells from a sample, the method comprising:
- (a) obtaining a sample comprising whole blood or a blood fraction comprising white blood cells;
- (b) decreasing viscosity of the sample;
- (c) contacting the sample with a magnetic particle that binds specifically to white blood cells or a subset of white blood cells to provide a white blood cell/magnetic particle complex;
- (d) isolating the white blood cell/magnetic particle complex by subjecting the white blood cell/magnetic particle complex to a magnetic field at a strength and for a time sufficient to achieve a final cell yield of greater than 80%;
- and
- (e) removing the magnetic particles from the complex, thus isolating white blood cells with a cell yield of greater than 80%.
A method of isolating white blood cells from a sample, the method comprising:
- (a) obtaining a sample comprising whole blood or a blood fraction comprising white blood cells;
- (b) contacting the sample with a magnetic particle that binds specifically to white blood cells or a subset of white blood cells, while agitating the blood or blood fraction at 700-900 rpm to provide a white blood cell/magnetic particle complex;
- (c) isolating the white blood cell/magnetic particle complex by subjecting the white blood cell/magnetic particle complex to a magnetic field at a strength and for a time sufficient to achieve a final cell yield of greater than 80%;
- and
- (d) removing the magnetic particles from the complex, thus isolating white blood cells with a cell yield of greater than 80%.
A method of isolating white blood cells from a sample, the method comprising:
- (a) obtaining a sample comprising whole blood or a blood fraction comprising white blood cells;
- (b) decreasing viscosity of the sample by washing the sample with an isotonic solution comprising a proteinaceous additive;
- (c) contacting the sample with a magnetic particle that binds specifically to white blood cells or a subset of white blood cells, while agitating the sample at 700-900 rpm to provide a white blood cell/magnetic particle complex;
- (d) isolating the white blood cell/magnetic particle complex by subjecting the white blood cell/magnetic particle complex to a magnetic field at a strength and for a time sufficient to achieve a final cell yield of greater than 80%;
- and
- (e) removing the magnetic particles from the complex while agitating the white blood cell/magnetic particle complex at 700-900 rpm, thus isolating white blood cells with a cell yield of greater than 80%.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.