Theoretical analysis of ferromagnetic microparticles in streaming liquid under the influence of external magnetic forces

The microsphere based detoxification system (MDS) is designed for high specific toxin removal in extracorporeal blood purification using functionalized microparticles. A thin wall hollow fiber membrane filter separates the microparticle–plasma suspension from the bloodstream. For patient safety, it is necessary to have a safety system to detect membrane ruptures that could lead to the release of microparticles into the bloodstream. A non-invasive optical detection system including a magnetic trap is developed to monitor the extracorporeal venous bloodstream for the presence of released microparticles. For detection, fluorescence-labeled ferromagnetic beads are suspended together with adsorbent particles in the MDS circuit. In case of a membrane rupture, the labeled particles would be released into the venous bloodstream and partly captured by the magnetic trap of the detector. A physical model based on fluidic, gravitational and magnetic forces was developed to simulate the motion and sedimentation of ferromagnetic particles in a magnetic trap. In detailed simulation runs, the concentrations of accumulated particles under different applied magnetic fields within the magnetic trap are shown. The simulation results are qualitatively compared with laboratory experiments and show excellent accordance. Additionally, the sensitivity of the particle detection system is proofed in a MDS laboratory experiment by simulation of a membrane rupture.