| abstract |
The present application is directed to the separation of—a solid fraction from a fluid sample particularly a therapeutic cellular fraction from a biological sample such as a bone marrow sample by a porous filter ( 2 ) which separates a filtration unit ( 1 ) into an upper pre-filtration chamber ( 3 ) into which a fluid sample ( 4 ) requiring cell separation is introduced and a lower post-filtration chamber ( 5 ) into which a fluid ( 6 ) capable of transmitting an acoustic standing wave is introduced. An acoustic element ( 8 ) is coupled to a substrate ( 7 ) which is located within and at the bottom of the lower chamber ( 5 ) and which resonates in response to the acoustic generating element ( 8 ) and generates a standing wave through the two fluid phases and the filter to agitate the sample ( 4 ). Simultaneously, a cyclic process of vacuum draw ( 9 ). causes movement of the sample ( 4 ) downwards through the filter ( 2 ). Vacuum pressure, fluid flow rate and frequency of vibration are controlled from a remote unit housing appropriate pumps and valves. |