Red and white blood cells separated by magnets

2007/01/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Anatomia/Fisiologia
• Fisika

A magnetic field can separate red and white blood cells from the blood, that is, a network of magnets. Red blood cells are paramagnetic, attracted by magnets, while whites are diamagnetic and repelled by magnets. That is why magnetic fields separate them. Currently they are separated by a centrifuge. The system is good, but if the blood components are needed as soon as possible, it is too slow, as the system takes 20 minutes. The disadvantage of the system with magnets is that the red blood cells must be free of oxygen, otherwise they are not paramagnetic.