Device, system and method for washing and isolating magnetic particles in a continous fluid flow

A system for washing and isolating magnetic particles in a continuous fluid flow, said system comprising:

• at least one fluidic channel having an inlet at one end and an outlet at another end;
• and
• at least one magnetic source carrier arranged proximate to the at least one fluidic channel, wherein the at least one magnetic source carrier is moveable between a first position and a second position;
• said at least one magnetic source carrier comprising:
• at least one first magnetic source, and
• at least one second magnetic source,
• wherein a movement of the at least one magnetic source carrier to the first position places the at least one first magnetic source at a first spatial location along the at least one fluidic channel such that said at least one first magnetic source generates a maxima magnetic field at said first spatial location that attracts the magnetic particles from the continuous fluid flow and assembles said magnetic particles at said first spatial location;
• and
• wherein said at least one second magnetic source is arranged in a spatial arrangement with respect to the at least one first magnetic source, such that a movement of the at least one magnetic source carrier to the second position places the at least one first magnetic source distal from the first spatial location such that said magnetic field at said first spatial location is at a minima and the magnetic particles disperse from said first spatial location, and the movement of the at least one magnetic source carrier to the second position places the at least one second magnetic source at a second spatial location, which is downstream from the first spatial location, such that said at least one second magnetic source generates a maxima magnetic field at said second spatial location that attracts the magnetic particles from the continuous fluid flow and assembles said magnetic particles at said second spatial location.

A method of washing and isolating magnetic particles from a continuous fluid flow in at least one fluidic channel having an inlet at one end and an outlet at another end, said method comprising:

• applying a magnetic field from a first magnetic source at a first spatial location along the fluidic channel thereby attracting the magnetic particles from the continuous fluid flow and assembling said magnetic particles at the first spatial location;
• applying a magnetic field from a second magnetic source at a second spatial location, downstream from the first spatial location along the fluidic channel, thereby attracting the magnetic particles from the continuous fluid flow and assembling said magnetic particles at the second spatial location;
• moving the first magnetic source relative to the fluidic channel such that the magnetic field at said first spatial position decreases sufficiently to result in a dispersal of the assembled magnetic particles from the first spatial location back into the continuous fluid flow, and
• moving the second magnetic source relative to the fluidic channel such that the magnetic field at said second spatial position decreases sufficiently to result in a dispersal of the assembled magnetic particles from the second spatial location back into the continuous fluid flow.