Magnetic separation apparatus

A separation system, comprising:

• (a) a separation device comprising:
• (i) a separation column that connects by a first fluid pathway to a sample container wherein said separation column comprises a non-magnetic housing having an inlet port connected to said first fluid pathway, an outlet port, and defining a separation chamber disposed between said inlet port and said outlet port, said separation chamber having a diameter to length ratio of at least 0.2 to 1, and a fluid permeable matrix of ferromagnetic spheres disposed within said chamber;
• (ii) a distribution channel connected by a second fluid pathway to the outlet port of said separation chamber, wherein said distribution channel leads to
• (iii) a product collection container by a third fluid pathway,
• (iv) a wash waste container by a fourth fluid pathway, and
• (v) an unlabeled sample container by a fifth fluid pathway;
• and
• (vi) a buffer container connected to said first fluid pathway by a sixth fluid pathway, to said second fluid pathway by a seventh fluid pathway and to said distribution channel by an eight fluid pathway;
• and
• (b) a separation instrument, comprising a housing including:
• (i) a sample container holder;
• (ii) one or more valve means positioned so as to control fluid flow through one or more of said fluid pathways;
• (iii) a pump means to control the flow of fluid through said fluid pathways;
• (iv) a separation column holder;
• and
• (v) a magnetic field generating means for applying a magnetic field to said matrix of ferromagnetic spheres;
• wherein said separation device may be installed upon said separation instrument by positioning said fluid pathways on said valve means and said separation column on said separation column holder for the performance of a separation process and upon completion of the separation process the separation device may be removed.