Sheathless microflow cytometer utilizing two bulk standing acoustic waves

Abstract

In recent years, microflow cytometry has become a popular research field because of its potential to provide low‐cost and disposable chips for complex cell analyses. Herein, we demonstrate a sheathless microflow cytometer which integrates a bulk standing acoustic wave based microchip capable of three dimensional cell focusing. Flow cytometry was successfully demonstrated using this system with a coefficient of variation (CV) of 2.16% with standard calibration beads. The sensitivities calibrated by rainbow beads are 518 MEFL in fluorescein Isothiocyanate (FITC) channel and 264 MEPE in P‐phycoerythrin (PE) channels, respectively. The linearities are more than 99% in both channels. The capability of the proposed microflow cytometer is further demonstrated by immunologically labeled leukocytes differentiation in blood. This acoustic‐based microflow cytometer did not require any sheath flows or complex structures and can be mass produced. Because of the simple fluid channel, the chip can be easily made pipeless, disposable for applications requiring no cross contamination. Moreover, with the gentle and bio‐compatible acoustic waves used, this technique is expected to maintain the viability of cells and other bioparticles.

Sheathless acoustic based flow cell sorter for enrichment of rare cells

“…Cells are continuously injected into the chip through the sample inlet. Particles are then three‐dimensionally aligned in the “focusing zone” by two pairs of piezoelectric transducers [50]. One pair of piezoelectric transducers (with thickness resonance of 4.5 MHz) are continuously actuating the microfluidic channel at 4.38 MHz (half wavelength in width direction, Y direction), resulting in a standing wave with one lateral pressure node at the channel width center.…”

Microfluidic flow cytometry for blood-based biomarker analysis

“…The detection capability of MFCMs is dependent on samples being precisely streamwise positioned such that they are able to pass the interrogation chamber in a single line. Optical scattering-based approaches have typically been used to identify and analyse focused samples [71][72][73][74][75][76][77][78][79][80] (Fig. 3a).…”

A mini review of recent development of flow cytometry in China

“…Li et al [13] have recently reported their development of three-dimensional (3D) hydrodynamic focusing system with on-chip optical design to enable white blood cell analysis with a microfluidic cytometer. Wang et al [14] reported their development of 3D cell focusing system with standing acoustic waves on a sheathless microflow cytometer. The on-chip capture and isolation of cells, and long-term in situ imaging, were demonstrated by Huang's group [15].…”