The invention features an apparatus for producing a fluid stream having plurality of nanoparticles in the fluid stream. The apparatus includes a source configured to provide a fluid stream having a first randomly sized distribution of a plurality of nanoparticles a flow control zone configured to receive the fluid stream from the source and to control the fluid stream to produce a controlled fluid stream having a selected flow rate a separation zone configured to receive and to separate the selectively controlled fluid stream into at least one separated fluid stream having a non-randomly sized distribution of nanoparticles and a collection zone capable of receiving the separated fluid stream according to at least one non-random sized distribution of nanoparticles to produce at least one collected stream. The apparatus is configured for a continuous flow of the fluid stream. A size of a nanoparticle can be related to an intrinsic core diameter, a hydrodynamic diameter, and a combination of intrinsic core diameter and hydrodynamic diameter measurements. The nanoparticles can include non-magnetic nanoparticles, partially magnetic nanoparticles, magnetic nanoparticles, superparamagnetic nanoparticles, and a combination of at least two different nanoparticle types. The invention also features methods for producing said fluid streams. The invention further features apparatus and methods for cancer confirmation and targeted therapeutic drug development.
