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. 2008 Nov 17;105(47):18165–18170. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0809795105

Fig. 1.

Fig. 1.

MT-MACS separation architecture. (A) (Step A) The sample contains an excess of nontarget cells and 2 different target cells (target 1 and target 2) that are labeled with 2 different magnetic tags (tag 1 and tag 2) by specific surface markers. (Step B) The sample is continuously pumped into the device where the 2 target cell types are sorted into spatially-segregated independent outlets. Separation occurs in 2 regions of high magnetic field gradient generated by the microfabricated ferromagnetic strip (MFS) 1 and MFS 2. (Step C) After sorting, the eluted fractions from each outlet are analyzed via flow cytometry. (B) A free-body diagram showing the balance of forces at the MFS structures. At MFS 1 (θ1 = 15°), tag 1-labeled target 1 cells are deflected and elute through outlet 1 because Fm1 > Fd1 sin(θ1). This is not the case for tag 2-labeled target 2 cells, which are instead deflected at MFS 2 (θ2 = 5°) because Fm2 > Fd2 sin(θ2), and elute through outlet 2. Nontarget cells are not deflected by either MFS and elute through the waste outlet. (C) Optical micrographs (magnification = 100×) of the tags being separated at the 2 MFS structures at a total flow rate of 47 mL/h (sample = 5 mL/h, buffer = 42 mL/h). (Left) Tag 1 is deflected by the steep angled MFS 1. (Right) Tag 2 is deflected by MFS 2.