Apparatus for cell separation

A fluid control system in combination with a cell separator having a column assembly, the column assembly including a column for collecting target cells from a sample fluid, the column assembly also including a fluid collection bag for receiving the target cells after being released from the column, said cell separator comprising:

• column sensor means for providing a column signal indicative of the optical density of fluid flowing out of the column and into the fluid collection bag;
• column valve means responsive to a column valve control signal for selectively enabling the fluid coming out of the column to flow into the fluid collection bag;
• and
• data processor means for controlling the operation of the fluid control system, said data processor means being responsive to said column signal for providing said column valve control signal to prevent inadequate concentrations of the target cells from being collected.

A cell separator including a column assembly for separating target cells from a sample fluid, the column assembly including a column, a sample fluid supply bag and a fluid collection bag wherein the column is provided for receiving the sample fluid from the sample fluid supply bag and for separating the target cells from the sample fluid and retaining the target cells, and wherein the fluid collection bag is provided for receiving the target cells after being released from the column, said cell separator comprising:

• agitation means for agitating the contents of the column to assist in releasing the sample cells retained in the column, said agitation means being responsive to a drive signal for varying amount of agitation of the contents of the column to vary the rate at which the sample cells are released;
• column sensor means for providing a column signal indicative of the optical density of fluid flowing out of the column and into the fluid collection bag;
• column valve means responsive to a column valve control signal for selectively enabling the fluid coming out of the column to flow into the fluid collection bag;
• and
• data processor means for controlling the operation of the cell separator, said data processor means being responsive to said column signal for providing said drive signal and said column valve control signal to prevent inadequate concentrations of the target cells from being collected.

A cell separator for use with a column and a pre-column for separating target cells from unwanted cells, the column including fluid tubing separated into a plurality of tube sets for coupling the column between a plurality of fluid bags, the plurality of fluid bags including a sample fluid supply bag, a plurality of fluid collection bags, and a wash fluid source bag, the column further including a magnetic stirbar said cell separator comprising:

• a frame having a base and a support tower, said support tower including a top and a bottom with said bottom of said support tower fixed to said base, said base being constructed for resting on a substantially horizontal surface such that said support tower extends upright from said base;
• a pivotal bag holder for receiving the sample fluid supply bag, said bag holder including a support rod pivotally mounted to said top of said support tower for movement between an upright position wherein said support rod is substantially aligned with said support tower to a pivoted position wherein said support rod is angled with respect to said support tower, said bag holder further including a support beam fixed to said support rod and positioned substantially transverse to said support tower, said support beam including a sample hook for receiving the sample fluid supply bag;
• a fixed bag holder mounted to said support tower opposite said base, said fixed bag holder including a protruding hook for receiving the wash fluid source bag;
• a pre-column holder for receiving the pre-column, said pre-column holder being fixed to said support tower intermediate said top and bottom thereof;
• a stirplate assembly fixed to said support tower intermediate said pre-column holder and said bottom of said bottom of said support tower, said stirplate assembly including a column holder for receiving the column, said stirplate assembly including a stirplate magnet for providing a drive force to the magnetic stirbar, said stirplate magnet being positioned to be magnetically coupled to the magnetic stirbar when the column is positioned in said column holder so that the magnetic stirbar rotates in response to rotation of said stirplate magnet, said stirplate further including drive means responsive to a drive signal for rotating said stirplate magnet and position sensor means for providing a stirbar position signal indicative of the speed of rotation of the magnetic stirbar, said position sensor means being coupled to said column holder in a manner to provide magnetic coupling between said position sensor means, said stirplate magnet, and the magnetic stirbar of the column;
• fluid flow sensor means for sensing changes in optical density of fluid flowing in the fluid tubing, said fluid flow sensor means including a sample sensor for providing a sample signal indicating the change in density of fluid flowing from the sample fluid supply bag and a column sensor for providing a column signal indicating the change in density of fluid flowing from the column, said sample sensor and said column sensor each including an optical transmitter positioned for transmitting light to an optical receiver and separated by a tube channel constructed for receiving the fluid tubing of the column;
• peristaltic pump means for pumping fluid between the plurality of fluid bags through the fluid tubing, said peristaltic pump means being responsive to a pump control signal for increasing and decreasing the rate at which fluid is pumped through the fluid tubing, said peristaltic pump means being further constructed for providing a pump speed signal indicative of the rate at which fluid is being pumped through the fluid tubing;
• fluid flow control means for controlling the path that the fluid flows through the fluid tubing, said fluid flow control means including a plurality of valves each including a solenoid and a plunger separated by a valve channel sized to receive the fluid tubing of the column, each said valve being responsive to a respective valve control signal for displacing said plunger to collapse the fluid tubing and prevent the flow of fluid therethrough, said plurality of valves being positioned to receive respective ones of the plurality of tube sets thereby to define a plurality of fluid flow paths between the sample fluid supply bag, the wash fluid source bag, and the plurality of collection bags;
• and
• data processor means for controlling the operation of the cell separator, said data processor means including a user interface for providing information to and receiving information from a user of the cell separator, said data processor means being responsive to said stirbar position signal and the user provided input for providing said drive signal to control the speed of rotation of said stirplate magnet and thereby control the speed of rotation of the magnetic stirbar, said data processor means being further responsive to said pump speed signal and the user provided information for providing said pump control signal to control the rate at which said peristaltic pump means pumps fluid through the fluid tubing, said data processor means being responsive to said sample signal for determining when the sample fluid supply bag is substantially empty and for providing a respective valve control signal to prevent substantial amounts of air from being introduced to the fluid tubing, said data processor means being responsive to said column signal for determining the concentration of target cells being collected and for providing a respective valve control signal to prevent inadequate concentrations of the target cells from being collected, said data processor means being further responsive to the user provided input for providing the respective valve control signals to wash the column and pre-column prior to introducing the sample fluid thereto.