Claims
- 1. A method for removing a preselected thermophilic cell population from a fluid sample having a variety of cells therein, the method comprising the steps of:
- determining a temperature gradient required for producing a migration of the preselected thermophilic cell population toward and onto a source of heat;
- cooling the sample to a temperature below an ambient temperature of the sample;
- introducing a source of heat comprising at least one stainless steel pin extending into the cooled sample, said pin being provided on a cover for a container for the sample wherein said cover includes circuitry therein for producing heating of the pin;
- warming the source of heat to produce the determined temperature gradient to cause said thermophilic cells to migrate toward and bind thereto; and
- removing the source of heat with thermophilic cells clinging thereto from the sample after a predetermined time period.
- 2. The method of claim 1 wherein said container is provided with a cooling coil.
- 3. The method of claim 2 wherein said cooling coil is functionally engaged to a source of power.
- 4. The method of claim 3 further including the step of heating the sample back to an ambient temperature for the sample by turning off said cooling coil and turning on a warming device of the container.
- 5. The method of claim 2 wherein said container is made of stainless steel and wherein said cooling coil is electrically isolated from said container.
- 6. The method of claim 5 wherein said source of heat is electrically isolated from said container.
- 7. The method of claim 4 wherein the warming device is functionally engaged to a source of power.
- 8. The method of claim 7 wherein the warming device is electrically isolated from said container.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/822,883 filed Mar. 24, 1997, now abandoned.
US Referenced Citations (2)
Number |
Name |
Date |
Kind |
RE32350 |
Bhattacharya |
Feb 1987 |
|
4911806 |
Hofmann |
Mar 1990 |
|
Continuation in Parts (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
822883 |
Mar 1997 |
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