Expanded Bed Affinity Selection
AssigneeFloDesign Sonics, Inc.
InventorsRui Tostoes, Bart Lipkens, Kedar Chitale, Benjamin Ross-Johnsrud, Walter M. Presz, JR., Jack Saloio
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Abstract
Separation of materials is achieved using affinity binding and acoustophoretic techniques. A column provided with a fluid mixture of materials for separation and support structures may be used with acoustic waves to block flow of the support structures. The support structures can have an affinity for one or more materials in the fluid mixture. By blocking flow of the support structures, materials bound or adhered to the support structure are also blocked.
Claims20
A separation system, comprising:
- an expanded bed column with an opening on each end to permit a fluid flow therethrough;
- and
- an acoustic transducer on one end of the column for generating an acoustic standing wave in the column;
- and
- the acoustic transducer being configured to generate the acoustic standing wave to block or permit passage of material entrained in the fluid flow.
A method for separating materials, comprising:
- providing support structures in an expanded bed column for binding with a first material;
- flowing a fluid mixture that includes the first material into the column;
- and
- generating an acoustic standing wave with an acoustic transducer near an end of the column to block the support structures from leaving the column with the fluid flow.
An acoustic affinity separation method, comprising:
- providing affinity beads in a fluid to a column;
- generating an acoustic standing wave with an acoustic transducer near an end of the column;
- flowing a cellular material fluid mixture in the column and through the acoustic standing wave;
- configuring the acoustic standing wave to prevent the affinity beads from passing through the acoustic standing wave.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.