| 摘要 |
A method and apparatus for effecting depletion of selected cells from a mixture of cells is disclosed. The device includes a plurality of vertically oriented binding chambers, each capable of containing biologically active receptor material such as polystyrene-fiber pads having "receptor" antibodies covalently bound to the fibers. A valve system is employed which allows the user of the device to route the cell mixture and rinsing fluids into and out of the binding chambers according to a preselected sequence. The flow of the cell mixture is such that it flows from the bottom of each chamber to the top of the chamber, pushed upward by hydrostatic pressure. Automatic cut-off means, such as hydrophobic valves, automatically terminate the flow of the cell mixture into the binding chambers when the level of the cell mixture reaches a predetermined point in the binding chambers. A rinse material, such as phosphate buffered saline, is selectively routed into the binding chambers from the top of the chambers. Optimal results are achieved by introducing the rinse fluid to the chambers at a specific flow rate. The first binding step is performed on cellular material of relatively high concentration and the second binding step is performed after substantially diluting the depleted cellular material produced during the first binding step. |
