Magnetic field separation and analysis system

Claim 1

An apparatus for magnetic separation of materials comprising: first and second opposed magnetic pole members spaced so as to define at least one gap region therebetween; a fluid flow chamber means detachable from the pole members including: first and second substantially planar members positioned so as to form a fluid pathway defining a selected flow direction adapted for passing an associated fluid through the magnetic field propagated about the pole members; receiving means in association with the fluid flow chamber means and in fluid communication with the fluid pathway; a sample container in fluid communication with the receiving means; and securing means for securing the fluid flow chamber means in a selected position with respect to the at least one gap region such that the selected flow direction is disposed at a non-parallel angle tangent to the at least one gap region, whereby the associated fluid flowing in the fluid pathway is exposed to a varying amount of magnetic flux.

Claim 2

An apparatus for magnetic separation of materials comprising: first and second opposed magnetic pole members spaced so as to define at least one gap region therebetween; a fluid flow chamber means detachable from the pole members including: first and second substantially planar members positioned so as to form a fluid pathway defining a selected flow direction adapted for passing an associated fluid through the magnetic field propagated about the pole members; receiving means in association with the fluid flow chamber means and in fluid communication with the fluid pathway; a sample container in fluid communication with the receiving means; and securing means for securing the fluid flow chamber means in a selected position with respect to the at least one gap region such that the selected flow direction is disposed at a non-parallel angle tangent to the at least one gap region, whereby the associated fluid flowing in the fluid pathway is exposed to a varying amount of magnetic flux.

Claim 7

A method of performing magnetic separation of fluids comprising the steps of: (a) defining a surface exteriorly to at least one gap formed between first and second pole members of a magnet; (b) securing a substantially planar fluid pathway to said surface at a selected, non-parallel angle tangent to the at least one gap, whereby fluid flowing in the substantially planar fluid pathway is exposed to varying amounts of magnetic flux; (c) passing magnetically sensitive fluid through the substantially planar fluid pathway, the pathway being of such dimensions so as to promote flow of the magnetically sensitive fluid therethrough; (d) exposing the magnetically sensitive fluid in the substantially planar fluid pathway to a magnetic field whereby the fluid is exposed to varying strengths of magnetic fields dependent upon the angle at which the fluid pathway is secured; and (e) removing the magnetically sensitive fluid from the substantially planar fluid pathway after passage thereof through the magnetic field.

Claim 8

A method of performing magnetic separation of fluids comprising the steps of: (a) defining a surface exteriorly to at least one gap formed between first and second pole members of a magnet; (b) securing a substantially planar fluid pathway to said surface at a selected, non-parallel angle tangent to the at least one gap, whereby fluid flowing in the substantially planar fluid pathway is exposed to varying amounts of magnetic flux; (c) passing magnetically sensitive fluid through the substantially planar fluid pathway, the pathway being of such dimensions so as to promote flow of the magnetically sensitive fluid therethrough; (d) exposing the magnetically sensitive fluid in the substantially planar fluid pathway to a magnetic field whereby the fluid is exposed to varying strengths of magnetic fields dependent upon the angle at which the fluid pathway is secured; and (e) removing the magnetically sensitive fluid from the substantially planar fluid pathway after passage thereof through the magnetic field.

Claim 9

A method of performing magnetic separation of fluids comprising the steps of: (a) passing magnetically sensitive fluid through a substantially planar fluid pathway, the fluid pathway being of such dimensions so as to promote flow in a selected direction of the fluid therethrough; (b) passing the magnetically sensitive fluid at a selected, non-parallel angle tangent to an intersection of first and second pole members of a magnet from which the magnetic field emanates; (c) exposing the magnetically sensitive fluid in the fluid pathway to a magnetic field; and (d) removing the magnetically sensitive fluid from the fluid pathway by absorbing the magnetically sensitive fluid from the fluid pathway into an absorbent material after passage thereof through the magnetic field.

Claim 10

A method of performing magnetic separation of fluids comprising the steps of: (a) passing magnetically sensitive fluid through a substantially planar fluid pathway, the fluid pathway being of such dimensions so as to promote flow in a selected direction of the fluid therethrough; (b) passing the magnetically sensitive fluid at a selected, non-parallel angle tangent to an intersection of first and second pole members of a magnet from which the magnetic field emanates; (c) exposing the magnetically sensitive fluid in the fluid pathway to a magnetic field; and (d) removing the magnetically sensitive fluid from the fluid pathway by absorbing the magnetically sensitive fluid from the fluid pathway into an absorbent material after passage thereof through the magnetic field.

Claim 12

An apparatus for magnetic separation of an associated fluid comprising: magnet means for supplying a magnetic field at a substantially linear gap region defined between first and second pole members thereof; the magnet means including a substantially planar member substantially parallel to the substantially linear gap; the substantially planar member being positioned so as to have a vertical component, whereby gravitational acceleration will be present along a surface of the substantially planar member; fluid pathway means for passing an associated fluid through the magnetic field associated with the magnet means with a substantially linear direction of propagation wherein fluid flow is promoted by capillary action; communicating means for communicating the associated fluid onto the fluid pathway means; means for securing the fluid pathway means to the magnet means such that the substantially linear direction of propagation is not parallel to the substantially linear gap and on a plane tangent to the substantially linear gap so as to allow for passage of the associated fluid through the magnetic field; a container means detachable from the communicating means for holding the associated fluid securely separated from the fluid pathway means, and containing means to sensitize the associated fluid; means for securing the fluid pathway means at an angle to the substantially linear gap whereby an amount of the fluid pathway means which is exposed to the substantially linear gap region is dependent upon the angle at which the fluid pathway means is secured; and absorption means associated with the fluid pathway means for removing the associated fluid from the fluid pathway means after passage thereof through the magnetic field.

Claim 13

An apparatus for magnetic separation of an associated fluid comprising: magnet means for supplying a magnetic field at a substantially linear gap region defined between first and second pole members thereof; the magnet means including a substantially planar member substantially parallel to the substantially linear gap; the substantially planar member being positioned so as to have a vertical component, whereby gravitational acceleration will be present along a surface of the substantially planar member; fluid pathway means for passing an associated fluid through the magnetic field associated with the magnet means with a substantially linear direction of propagation wherein fluid flow is promoted by capillary action; communicating means for communicating the associated fluid onto the fluid pathway means; means for securing the fluid pathway means to the magnet means such that the substantially linear direction of propagation is not parallel to the substantially linear gap and on a plane tangent to the substantially linear gap so as to allow for passage of the associated fluid through the magnetic field; a container means detachable from the communicating means for holding the associated fluid securely separated from the fluid pathway means, and containing means to sensitize the associated fluid; means for securing the fluid pathway means at an angle to the substantially linear gap whereby an amount of the fluid pathway means which is exposed to the substantially linear gap region is dependent upon the angle at which the fluid pathway means is secured; and absorption means associated with the fluid pathway means for removing the associated fluid from the fluid pathway means after passage thereof through the magnetic field.