The use of high gradient magnetic separation for the preparation of leucocyte- and platelet-free red cell suspensions

Abstract

The preparation of a leucocyte- and platelet-free red cell suspension produced by the use of high gradient magnetic separation (HGMS) is described. 0.5ml of whole blood is required for the production of 1.6 × 10⁹ washed red cells and removal of 98.4% of leucocytes and 99.7% of platelets is achieved within 15 minutes. The technique also achieves a high degree of reproducibility. The red cells isolated are shown to be representative of the original population and show no preferential selection.

High gradient magnetic separation represents an efficient, effective, yet simple method for the separation of erythrocytes from whole blood.