Apparatus, microfluidic chip and method for separating particles using isomagnetophoresis

A method for separating fine particles using isomagnetophoresis, which comprises the steps of:

• (1) introducing two or more fluids having different magnetic susceptibilities from each other into a microfluidic channel to form a magnetic susceptibility gradient therein,
• wherein each of said two or more fluids is introduced through respective inlets and each of said two or more fluids comprises no fine particles;
• (2) introducing fine particles to be measured into the microfluidic channel through an inlet different from said respective inlets for said two or more fluids;
• (3) applying a magnetic field to the microfluidic channel in a direction perpendicular to the microfluidic channel so as to move the fine particles to respective positions at which fluids having the same magnetic susceptibilities as those thereof are present;
• and
• (4) allowing the fine particles which have passed through the microfluidic channel to be discharged through different pathways depending on their magnetic susceptibilities,
• wherein the method is implemented by using a system comprising:
• inlets for introducing said two or more fluids, having different magnetic susceptibilities, and specific fine particles;
• a microfluidic channel through which the introduced fluids and fine particles move;
• a magnetic energy source for applying a magnetic field in a direction perpendicular to the flow direction of the fine particles in the microfluidic channel;
• a ferromagnetic microstructure for amplifying a magnetic flux density gradient applied by the magnetic energy source;
• and
• an outlet for discharging the fine particles which have passed through the microfluidic channel,
• wherein the fluids moving after being introduced flow with a magnetic susceptibility gradient in the microfluidic channel, the magnetic energy source forms a magnetic field in the microfluidic channel to magnetize the introduced fine particles, and the magnetized fine particles move to respective positions at which the fluids having magnetic susceptibilities identical to those thereof are present.