Abstract: A method for separating target molecules or particles from a fibrinogen containing sample comprises: (a) trapping the said target molecules or particles in a fibrin network by converting at least partially the fibrinogen contained in the sample into fibrin; (b) retracting the said fibrin network to form a fibrin clot; (c) separating the said fibrin clot from the surrounding sample medium.

Abstract: A magnetic particle based separation and assaying method uses at least two sets of magnetic particles placed in solution within a container and characterized respectively by a coercive field e1 and e2, wherein e1 is greater than e2. The first magnetic particles with a larger coercive field e1 will be used as carrier to handle the second affinity magnetic particles having a lower coercive field e2. A magnetic particles handling method includes the step of applying an external magnetic field having a polarity and amplitude that varies with time to cause the said carrier magnetic particles to be in relative motion within the container driving thereby the affinity particles to form an homogenous suspension of particles in perpetual relative movement with the respect to the liquid.

Abstract: A magnetic particle based separation and assaying method uses at least two sets of magnetic particles placed in solution within a container and characterized respectively by a coercive field e1 and e2, wherein e1 is greater than e2. The first magnetic particles with a larger coercive field e1 will be used as carrier to handle the second affinity magnetic particles having a lower coercive field e2. A magnetic particles handling method includes the step of applying an external magnetic field having a polarity and amplitude that varies with time to cause the said carrier magnetic particles to be in relative motion within the container driving thereby the affinity particles to form an homogenous suspension of particles in perpetual relative movement with the respect to the liquid.

Abstract: A fluidic assay system assembly comprising: (a) a disposable fluidic cartridge (1) comprising at least one reaction chamber (3) connected to a network of fluidic channels (2) with at least one inlet channel and one outlet channel. The said inlet and outlet channels end at the down side of the fluidic cartridge with at least two connecting pores (4), (4?); (b) a disposable vessel (5) comprising a connection tube (22) immersed in a sample container (6) and ended at the cap of the vessel with an external connection pore (7); (c) a fluidic manifold (8) that is interdependent with the bulk system (12) comprising a fluidic network connected (9) to active fluidic parts (10), (11). The said channel network ends at the top side of the fluidic manifold with at least one connecting pore (13). Wherein the first and the second pores of the fluidic cartridge are interfaced by direct physical contact with the sample container and the manifold pores, respectively.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of handling and mixing magnetic particles within a reaction chamber that is part of a microfluidic device and that contains the said particles in suspension. More particularly, the invention concerns a method of handling magnetic particles in a way to improve the mixing of the particles with the surrounding liquids medium and where the liquid is carried by a fluid flow as part of an automated system. Further, the invention describes the use of the method for conducting biological and chemical assays.

Abstract: A device for manipulating and mixing magnetic particles (3) in a surrounding liquid medium, comprises at least one couple of magnetic poles (1,1?) facing each other across a gap, the facing poles diverging from a narrow end of the gap to a large end of the gap, the poles (1,1?) forming part of an electromagnetic circuit and being arranged to provide a magnetic field gradient in the gap region; and a reaction chamber (2) that is a part of a fluidic network for containing the said magnetic particles in suspension and placed in the gap of the said electromagnets poles (1,1?). The reaction chamber (2) preferably has at least one part which has a diverging cavity, arranged co-divergently in the diverging gap between the poles.

Abstract: A device for manipulating and mixing magnetic particles (3) in a surrounding liquid medium, comprises at least one couple of magnetic poles (1,1?) facing each other across a gap, the facing poles diverging from a narrow end of the gap to a large end of the gap, the poles (1,1?) forming part of an electromagnetic circuit and being arranged to provide a magnetic field gradient in the gap region; and a reaction chamber (2) that is a part of a fluidic network for containing the said magnetic particles in suspension and placed in the gap of the said electromagnets poles (1,1?). The reaction chamber (2) preferably has at least one part which has a diverging cavity, arranged co-divergently in the diverging gap between the poles.

Abstract: A fluidic assay system assembly comprising: (a) a disposable fluidic cartridge (1) comprising at least one reaction chamber (3) connected to a network of fluidic channels (2) with at least one inlet channel and one outlet channel. The said inlet and outlet channels end at the down side of the fluidic cartridge with at least two connecting pores (4), (4?); (b) a disposable vessel (5) comprising a connection tube (21) immersed in a sample container (6) and ended at the cap of the vessel with an external connection pore (7); (c) a fluidic manifold (8) that is interdependent with the bulk system (12) comprising a fluidic network connected (9) to active fluidic parts (10), (11). The said channel network ends at the top side of the fluidic manifold with at least one connecting ore (13). Wherein the first and the second pores of the fluidic cartridge are interfaced by direct physical contact with the sample container and the manifold pores, respectively.

Abstract: A device for manipulating and mixing magnetic particles (3) in a surrounding liquid medium, comprises at least one couple of magnetic poles (1,1?) facing each other across a gap, the facing poles diverging from a narrow end of the gap to a large end of the gap, the poles (1,1?) forming part of an electromagnetic circuit and being arranged to provide a magnetic field gradient in the gap region; and a reaction chamber (2) that is a part of a fluidic network for containing the said magnetic particles in suspension and placed in the gap of the said electromagnets poles (1,1?). The reaction chamber (2) preferably has at least one part which has a diverging cavity, arranged co-divergently in the diverging gap between the poles.

Abstract: A method for separating target molecules or particles from a fibrinogen containing sample comprises: (a) trapping the said target molecules or particles in a fibrin network by converting at least partially the fibrinogen contained in the sample into fibrin; (b) retracting the said fibrin network to form a fibrin clot; (c) separating the said fibrin clot from the surrounding sample medium.

Abstract: Bio-functionalized magnetic particles have a non-magnetic material matrix which supports core/shell magnetic elements composed from a ferromagnetic core material and a shell material. The shell material can be chosen either among an antiferromagnetic material, a ferromagnetic material of a kind different from the core ferromagnetic material or a metal material. By a proper choice of materials and dimension tuning of both the core and the shell as well as the amount and the concentration of the magnetic elements within the non-magnetic matrix, the bio-functionalized magnetic particles is tailored to exhibit an enhanced magnetic energy. When subjected to an alternating magnetic field, the magnetic particles exhibit specific rotational dynamics in correspondence with the amplitude and the frequency of the applied magnetic filed. Aggregation structures of the magnetic particles are controlled and manipulated by the alternating magnetic field.