Paramagnetic capture mode magnetophoretic microseparator for high efficiency blood cell separations

This paper presents the characterization of continuous single-stage and three-stage cascade paramagnetic capture (PMC) mode magnetophoretic microseparators for high efficiency separation of red and white blood cells from diluted whole blood based on their native magnetic properties. The separation mechanism for both PMC microseparators is based on a high gradient magnetic separation (HGMS) method. This approach enables separation of blood cells without the use of additives such as magnetic beads. Experimental results for the single-stage PMC microseparator show that 91.1% of red blood cells were continuously separated from the sample at a volumetric flow rate of 5 mu l h(-1). In addition, the three-stage cascade PMC microseparator continuously separated 93.5% of red blood cells and 97.4% of white blood cells from whole blood at a volumetric flow rate of 5 mu l h(-1).