Method and apparatus for separating particles in liquid suspension utilizing oscillating electric and magnetic fields
AssigneeBiotronics
InventorGunter A. Hofmann
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Small dielectric particles such as biological cells or DNA molecules are suspended in a quantity of liquid within a container. A pair of spaced apart electrodes are immersed in the liquid and a coil surrounds the region between the electrodes. First and second electric signals are applied to the electrodes and the coil, respectively, to thereby generate substantially orthogonal oscillating electric and magnetic fields which are at the same frequency but approximately ninety degrees out of phase. By selecting the frequency, particles having different polarization relaxation frequencies and sizes will migrate at different velocities and thereby sort into various fractions.
Claims20
A method of separating dielectric particles, comprising the steps of:
- supporting the particles in a fluid medium;
- subjecting the particles to oscillating electric and magnetic fields at substantially the same predetermined frequency;
- the fields being oriented substantially orthogonal to each other and being generated approximately ninety degrees out of phase;
- and
- the predetermined frequency being selected so that particles having different polarization relaxation frequencies will migrate unidirectionally at different velocities;
- whereby the particles will be sorted into different fractions.
A method of separating biological cells, comprising the steps of:
- supporting the cells in a liquid solution having a resistivity of at least 10,000 ohms per centimeter;
- subjecting the to cells to oscillating electric and magnetic fields at substantially the same predetermined frequency of between about 0.1 and 10,000 kilohertz;
- the fields being oriented substantially orthogonal to each other and being generated approximately ninety degrees out of phase;
- and
- the strength of the fields being selected so that the cells having different polarization characteristics will migrate unidirectionally at different velocities;
- whereby the cells will be sorted into different fractions.
An apparatus for separating particles in liquid suspension, comprising:
- a container for holding the liquid;
- a pair of spaced apart electrodes mounted in the container;
- a coil surrounding a region between the electrodes;
- and
- means for applying first and second electric signals to the electrodes and plates, respectively, to thereby generate substantially orthogonal oscillating electric and magnetic fields which are substantially at the same predetermined frequency but approximately ninety degrees out of phase.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.