Theoretical Framework of Radiation Force in Surface Acoustic Waves for Modulated Particle Sorting

Abstract

Sorting specific target entities from sample mixtures is commonly used in many macroscale laboratory processing, such as disease diagnosis or treatment. Downscaling of sorting systems enables less laboratory space and fewer quantities of sample and reagent. Such lab-on-a-chip devices can perform separation functions using passive or active sorting methods. Such a method, acoustic sorting, when used in microfluidics, offers contactless, label-free, non-invasive manipulation of target cells or particles and is therefore the topic of active current research. Our phase-modulated sorting technique complements traditional time-of-flight techniques and offers higher sensitivity separation using a periodic signal. By cycling of this periodic signal, the target entities are gradually displaced compared to the background debris, thereby achieving sorting. In this paper, we extend the knowledge on phase-modulated sorting techniques. Firstly, using numerical simulations, we confirm the sorting role of our proposed primary acoustic radiation force within surface wave devices. Secondly, a threefold agreement between analytical, numerical and experimental sorting trajectories is presented.

Novel Approaches Concerning the Numerical Modeling of Particle and Cell Separation in Microchannels: A Review

“…Microfluidics-based cell/particle manipulation technologies have shown great potential due to the low sample and reagent volume consumption, low waste generation, high product purity, high sensitivity and selectivity, ease of use, and short isolation time, in addition to being able to perform particle/cell analysis at the single-cell level [8][9][10][11][12][13]. Moreover, downscaling of sorting systems enables less laboratory space, and the integration of multiple tasks and operations within the same device is possible, which not only increases the precision of the analysis but also improves the accuracy, reliability, and reproducibility of sample preparation procedures [14,15]. Thus, controlling the motion and position of these materials within fluids in microchannels possesses great importance in the previous fields, especially for the development of low-cost and portable diagnostic tools that can be used at the point of need [16][17][18].…”

“…Among the different approaches developed to separate and manipulate particles and cells, the use of active forces (i.e., magnetophoresis, dielectrophoresis, or acoustophoresis) presents several advantages over passive techniques. Passive techniques are usually restricted to separating the material based on size or compressibility, which may cause cell damage or channel obstruction; they require complex microchannels that lack reconfigurability to suit various target entities, large device footprints, long operation times, and low accuracy [14,19,20]. Due to these limitations, active sorting techniques are widely investigated as potential alternatives.…”

“…Due to these limitations, active sorting techniques are widely investigated as potential alternatives. Active sorting methods utilize an external field to manipulate the particles; the target material is selectively trapped (or displaced laterally) based on a field-dependent physical property inside the channel (or collected at the target outlet) [14,21]. These techniques pose many benefits.…”

“…These techniques pose many benefits. On the one hand, they are relatively fast and accurate, able to manipulate particles and cells within simple and low-cost microchannels, and at the same time, they are non-invasive (contactless), label-free (as in most cases it is not needed to use antibodies or beads), and exhibit high biocompatibility such that the integrity, functionality, and viability of cells and biological compounds can be kept preserved during the process [14,16,19]. The main disadvantage of active systems is that they require, in some cases, power and control [8].…”

Method of Reference Signals Creating in Non-Destructive Testing Based on Low-Speed Impact

“…However, the shape of  © Eremenko V.S., Babak V.P., Zaporozhets A.O., 2021 ORCID ID: * https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4330-7518 ; ** https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9066-4307 ; *** https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0704-4116 the information signal, i.e. the function of changing it over time provides much more information about the technical state of the research sample and therefore provides more opportunities for its diagnosis [8].…”