초록 ▼

The present invention relates to apparatus and method for separating, by centrifugation, blood lymphocytes from other leukocytes in a blood sample. Small dense particles, either wetted or suspended in a physiological, hydrophilic medium, and a chemically inert hydrophobic barrier material are initia

The present invention relates to apparatus and method for separating, by centrifugation, blood lymphocytes from other leukocytes in a blood sample. Small dense particles, either wetted or suspended in a physiological, hydrophilic medium, and a chemically inert hydrophobic barrier material are initially located in a suitable container. When the blood sample is added to the container, the particles are phagocytized by the monocytes and granulocytes, so as to increase their specific gravities. Upon centrifugation, the barrier material, whose specific gravity is only slightly greater than the specific gravity of the lymphocytes and less than the respective specific gravities of the phagocytic cells which have ingested particles and of the erythrocytes (red blood cells) in the blood sample, forms a rigid barrier therebetween, allowing harvesting of the lymphocytes, substantially free of contamination.

대표청구항 ▼

A method for separating lymphocytes from other leukocytes in an anticoagulated blood samples, comprising: introducing a hydrophobic, chemically inert barrier material into an open-ended container, so as to be located at the bottom of said container; introducing phagocytizable inert particles into sa

A method for separating lymphocytes from other leukocytes in an anticoagulated blood samples, comprising: introducing a hydrophobic, chemically inert barrier material into an open-ended container, so as to be located at the bottom of said container; introducing phagocytizable inert particles into said container over said barrier material, said barrier material having a specific gravity greater than said lymphocytes but less than the specific gravity of said particles and of erythrocytes in said blood sample; wetting said particles with a hydrophilic material, such that said particles remain over and do not intermix with said barrier material; introducing said blood sample into said container to mix with said particles; incubating said mixture, whereby at least a portion of said particles are phagocytized by phagocytic leukocytes in said sample; centrifuging said container to cause said barrier layer to migrate between said lymphocytes and said leukocytes containing phagocytized particles, unphagocytized particles, and erythrocytes in said sample; and harvesting said lymphocytes following centrifugation of said container.