Differential blood cell separation using a high gradient magnetic field.

A technique for the separation of erythrocytes from whole blood is described which exploits the magnetic property of haemoglobin in the reduced state. The technique is characterized by the use of a filter consisting of a cylinder, containing stainless steel wire mesh, placed between the jaws of an electro magnet. When activated, the electromagnet induces a magnetic field gradient in the vicinity of each of the constituent wires, sufficient to attract and trap erythrocytes in suspension. The number of erythrocytes captured varies with the applied field (0-1.4 Tesla in these experiments) and flow rate (1.9-12.9 x 10(-4) m s-1). The capture process does not cause haemolysis or observable surface damage to the erythrocytes and neither leucocytes nor platelets are retained by the filter.