Method for Specific or Non-Specific Separation of Cells and/or Viruses from Liquid Media and Its Use

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This invention provides a method for separating and isolating cells or viruses from liquid (typically aqueous) environments using specially treated carrier materials. These carriers—made from polymers, ceramics, or glass—are activated (chemically or physically) and then specially functionalised on their surfaces to enable reversible or non-reversible binding of biological particles via chemical interactions. The captured cells or viruses can then be recovered, separated, and analyzed for both quantity and identity. The method can be applied broadly to many types of biological samples and species.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Medical diagnostics for isolating specific cells or viruses from body fluids such as blood, urine, or saliva.
• Food and beverage quality control by separating microbes from water or liquid food products.
• Environmental monitoring to detect and analyze microorganisms or viruses in water sources.
• Research laboratories for sorting, collecting, and studying various cell types or genetically modified cells.
• Biotechnology applications such as harvesting cells from cultures or bioreactors.
• Forensic science, where cells might need to be isolated from liquid or partially-liquid evidence.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Works with a wide variety of carrier materials and biological targets (cells and viruses, both prokaryotic and eukaryotic).
• Versatile activation and functionalization of carrier surfaces allows selective binding based on application needs.
• Can significantly reduce time and complexity compared to filtration, centrifugation, or antibody-based capture methods.
• Potentially lower cost—does not always require expensive antibodies for targeting.
• Enables both quantitative and qualitative analysis of separated cells or viruses.
• Applicable to complex, viscous, or contaminated liquids that often challenge standard separation technologies.
• Easily adaptable for either specific or broad (non-specific) separation tasks.

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The invention relates to a method for the specific or unspecific separation of cells and/or viruses from aqueous media, which is based on the absorption of the species on a corresponding functionalised carrier material. The inventive method can also be used for parting and separating any cells and species of viruses.