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Development of a High-Throughput Magnetic Separation Device for Malaria-Infected Erythrocytes

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Abstract

This study describes a non-dilutive high-gradient magnetic separation (HGMS) device intended to continuously remove malaria-infected red blood cells (iRBCs) from the circulation. A mesoscale prototype device with disposable photo-etched ferromagnetic grid and reusable permanent magnet was designed with a computationally-optimized magnetic force. The prototype device was evaluated in vitro using a non-pathogenic analog for malaria-infected blood, comprised of 24% healthy RBCs, 6% human methemoglobin RBCs (metRBCs), and 70% phosphate buffer solution (PBS). The device provided a 27.0 ± 2.2% reduction of metRBCs in a single pass at a flow rate of 77 μL min−1. This represents a clearance rate over 380 times greater throughput than microfluidic devices reported previously. These positive results encourage development of a clinical scale system that would economize time and donor blood for treating severe malaria.

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Acknowledgments

Funding was provided by National Institutes of Health (Grant No R01 HL089456).

Conflict of interest

No benefits in any form have been or will be received from a commercial party related directly or indirectly to the subject of this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Scott Hall 4N201, 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA

    A. Blue Martin, Wei-Tao Wu & James F. Antaki

  2. McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, 450 Technology Drive, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, USA

    Marina V. Kameneva

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  1. A. Blue Martin
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  2. Wei-Tao Wu
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  4. James F. Antaki
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Correspondence to A. Blue Martin.

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Associate Editor Umberto Morbiducci oversaw the review of this article.

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Blue Martin, A., Wu, WT., Kameneva, M.V. et al. Development of a High-Throughput Magnetic Separation Device for Malaria-Infected Erythrocytes. Ann Biomed Eng 45, 2888–2898 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-017-1925-2

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