Cell washing device and method

Abstract

A cell washer is disclosed. The cell washer includes a vessel configured to hold cells. The vessel includes an elongated body including an opening, an inner surface, and a pocket defined by a first inner surface portion of the inner surface disposed between and radially outward relative to a second inner surface portion and a third inner surface portion of the inner surface, and a cavity. The vessel also includes an actuating device capable of causing the vessel to spin about an axis.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A method of washing cells from a sample including cells suspended in a liquid, the method comprising:
 a) dispensing the sample into a vessel including a body defining a cavity and a pocket, the pocket extending radially outward relative to an inner wall surface defining the cavity;   b) rotating the vessel about an axis of the vessel at a first speed;   c) displacing the cells into the pocket;   d) sedimenting the cells within the pocket; and   e) withdrawing at least part of the liquid.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein washed cells are formed after step e) and wherein the step of displacing includes: 
 adding a first aliquot of a wash liquid through a conduit extending into the vessel and terminating below the pocket, and wherein the step of withdrawing includes aspirating through the conduit.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 f) adding a second aliquot of the wash liquid through the conduit.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising resuspending the washed cells. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the step of resuspending includes adding a resuspension liquid to the vessel and stopping rotating. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the step of resuspending includes reversing a direction of rotation of the vessel. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the cavity has a volume below the pocket, and the sample has a sample volume less than the volume below the pocket. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the sample volume is less than about 0.7 times the volume below the pocket. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the resuspension liquid has a resuspension volume less than the sample volume. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising rotating the vessel at a second speed during the withdrawing step. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein rotating the vessel at a second speed produces a force in the pocket of at least 25 x g. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein rotating the vessel at the first speed produces a force in the pocket of at least about 100 x g. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising repeating steps e) and f). 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising g) cleaning the vessel. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein step g) includes:
 i. adding a rinse liquid;   ii. rotating the vessel at a third speed; and   iii. aspirating the rinse liquid through the conduit.   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the step of cleaning the vessel includes varying a speed of rotation during the step of aspirating the rinse liquid. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the wash liquid or the resuspension liquid includes about 5 mM EDTA. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 adding a rinse liquid into the vessel using a dispense probe terminating within the vessel.   
     
     
         34 . Method of  claim 33 , further comprising, aspirating at least part of the rinse liquid using an aspiration probe terminating within the vessel. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the aspiration probe terminates at a lower point within the vessel than the dispense probe. 
     
     
         36 - 39 . (canceled)