Abstract: Compositions and methods for the isolation of naive, untouched target cells of interest are disclosed.

Abstract: Method consists of placing a flexible container within a rigid frame and expanding the container by pneumatic or hydraulic pressure such that the walls of the container conform to the inside walls of the rigid frame thus forming a well-defined chamber. The system has the capability of reducing the volume of the chamber by adjusting the distance between the walls of the rigid container. The methods and systems so described are applicable to closed sterile systems that employ immunomagnetic isolation or purging of components from blood products. By providing a fixed volume and at least one surface upon which targeted entities can be magnetically deposited, target cells in the case of positive isolations can be magnetically held, flushed with wash buffers over them to remove entrapped cells and finally the recovery of product of extremely high purities and at high yields.

Abstract: Devices and methods for immunomagnetic separation having a flexible inflatable processing chamber and magnetic array.

Abstract: Method consists of placing a flexible container within a rigid frame and expanding the container by pneumatic or hydraulic pressure such that the walls of the container conform to the inside walls of the rigid frame thus forming a well-defined chamber. The system has the capability of reducing the volume of the chamber by adjusting the distance between the walls of the rigid container. The methods and systems so described are applicable to closed sterile systems that employ immunomagnetic isolation or purging of components from blood products. By providing a fixed volume and at least one surface upon which targeted entities can be magnetically deposited, target cells in the case of positive isolations can be magnetically held, flushed with wash buffers over them to remove entrapped cells and finally the recovery of product of very high purifies and at high yields.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are provided for the magnetic separation of target bioentities. The apparatus includes a fluid chamber and a magnetic element for drawing target bioentities toward a collection surface of the fluid chamber. The apparatus may include a positioning assembly operable to variable change the position and orientation f the fluid chamber relative to the magnetic element.

Abstract: Method consists of placing a flexible container within a rigid frame and expanding the container by pneumatic or hydraulic pressure such that the walls of the container conform to the inside walls of the rigid frame thus forming a well-defined chamber. The system has the capability of reducing the volume of the chamber by adjusting the distance between the walls of the rigid container. The methods and systems so described are applicable to closed sterile systems that employ immunomagnetic isolation or purging of components from blood products. By providing a fixed volume and at least one surface upon which targeted entities can be magnetically deposited, target cells in the case of positive isolations can be magnetically held, flushed with wash buffers over them to remove entrapped cells and finally the recovery of product of very high purifies and at high yields.

Abstract: This invention relates to the static or continuous magnetic separation of specific entities from mixtures where the separation of target entities is clone in a one-step process. It is universally applicable to the harvest or removal of such entities for processing of biological molecules, cells of all types, virus particles, and the like, and for small- to large-scale separations of the same. By manipulation of the scientific principles that underlie this invention, specific targets can be conveniently captured for analysis, harvested or subjected to further processing on a collection surface free of bystander components. The principles employed and the methods disclosed completely obviate the need for washing of targeted entities such as cycles of resuspension and magnetic separation for removal of contaminating substances in the case of static separation or complex cycles of sample introduction and harvest to perform continuous processing.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to methods for purifying, activating, and expanding T cells, and subsets thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are provided for the magnetic separation of target bioentities. The apparatus include a fluid chamber and a magnetic element for drawing target bioentities toward a collection surface of the fluid chamber. The apparatus may include a positioning assembly operable to variable change the position and orientation of the fluid chamber relative to the magnetic element.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the rapid and efficient separation of target bioentities.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for separation of rare cells of interest from a biological sample are provided. The present methods and apparatus effectively reduce fragile rare cell exposure to manipulations that adversely impact cell integrity and collection.

Abstract: Disclosed is a high gradient magnetic separation apparatus for recovering magnetic ally labeled target entities from viscous and/or complex test media. The target entities are captured on a ferromagnetic element in which a magnetic field gradient is induced by a magnetic field source. The apparatus is designed to perform various operations on captured target entities. Methods of using the apparatus are also disclosed, e.g., for isolation of circulating tumor cells.

Abstract: A family of space savings storage devices for hanging, storing and removal of any item that can be hung in a vertical plane from an appropriate hanger hook is disclosed. The devices consist of a pair of downwardly diverging legs forming either an inverted V-shaped or U-shaped receiver. The fixed angle of divergence of the legs ranges from 60 to 120 degrees. In one embodiment that angle can be varied. On the undersides of the legs are attached sockets from which items can be hung using appropriate hooks attached to the body of a hanger. The spacing of the sockets can be equal or variable. Increased spacing on the lower segments of the legs for the inverted U-shaped receiver, where the legs are nearly vertical, prevents hung items which are generally bulkier at the top, or hanger components which also can be bulky from interfering with each other as the spacing can be adjusted to allow such parts to lay one above the other.

Abstract: A method and device for hanging long or short pants or any other similar articles of clothing that contains a waistband are disclosed. The device, an asymmetric hanger, hangs folded pants from the waist and is composed of a finger adapted to insert into the top of a pair of trousers engaging the inside of the waistband along with a clamp that clasps the waistband from the outside near the opposite end of the folded pants and that exerts a force away from the finger. The device can be adapted to hang pants from a simple clothes pole to a variety of novel designs that display pants and facilitate removal or hanging.

Abstract: A highly sensitive assay is disclosed which combines immunomagnetic enrichment with multiparameter flow cytometric and immunocytochemical analysis to detect, enumerate and characterize carcinoma cells in the blood. The assay can detect one epithelial cell or less in 1 ml of blood and has a greater sensitivity than conventional PCR or immunohistochemistry by 1-2 orders of magnitude. In addition, the assay facilitates the biological characterization and staging of carcinoma cells.

Abstract: Separation apparatus and method for separating magnetic and/or magnetically-labeled particles from a test medium. Test medium within a reaction chamber is caused to flow past a collecting surface, and a high-gradient magnetic field is applied to the surface to capture magnetically responsive particles in the test medium. The particles are deflected toward the collection surface by baffles, a spinner, or a sprayer, or are funneled past the surface by a plunger operable to be displaced into close proximity to the surface to provide a narrow flow path for the particle-laden test medium. The particles normally suspended in the medium are separated out of suspension by adhesion to the collection surface. The particles may be resuspended by removal of the surface from the high-gradient field, or removal of the high-gradient field from the surface. The collection surface is a thin-walled non-magnetic material having a plurality of magnetic pole faces positioned therearound.

Abstract: A highly sensitive assay is disclosed which combines immunomagnetic enrichment with multiparameter flow cytometric and immunocytochemical analysis to detect, enumerate and characterize carcinoma cells in the blood. The assay can detect one epithelial cell or less in 1 ml of blood and has a greater sensitivity than conventional PCR or immunohistochemistry by 1-2 orders of magnitude. In addition, the assay facilitates the biological characterization and staging of carcinoma cells.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are disclosed which enhance the microscopic observation and analysis of biological entities such as cells, bacteria and viruses by eliminating interfering magnetic clusters created by naturally occurring aggregators of colloidal magnetic particles. Additionally means for significantly enhancing the magnetic isolation of low antigen density target cells from biological samples are disclosed.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are disclosed which enhance the microscopic observation and analysis of biological entities such as cells, bacteria and viruses by eliminating interfering magnetic clusters created by naturally occurring aggregators of colloidal magnetic particles. Additionally means for significantly enhancing the magnetic isolation of low antigen density target cells from biological samples are disclosed.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are disclosed which enhance the microscopic observation and analysis of biological entities such as cells, bacteria and viruses by eliminating interfering magnetic clusters created by naturally occurring aggregators of colloidal magnetic particles. Additionally means for significantly enhancing the magnetic isolation of low antigen density target cells from biological samples are disclosed.