Acoustic Cell Sorting System for Label-Free Mechanical Property Measurement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for measuring cellular mechanical properties, such as atomic force microscopy and magnetic tweezers, have limitations including low throughput and the need for labeling, which restrict their application in cellular mechanics measurement.
Innovation Solution
A cellular mechanical property measurement and sorting system utilizing ultrasonic and non-contact methods, involving a first interdigital transducer to generate a standing wave acoustic field, a second interdigital transducer to create a focused acoustic field for cell deformation, and a cell sorting unit to separate cells based on their elastic moduli.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If existing methods such as atomic force microscopy and magnetic tweezers are used to measure cellular mechanical properties, then measurement precision can be achieved, but throughput is low and labeling is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical measurement systems (atomic force microscopy, magnetic tweezers) with an acoustic field-based system. Interdigital transducers generate surface acoustic waves that exert radiation pressure on cells, enabling label-free mechanical property measurement. This substitution achieves both high throughput and measurement precision by using acoustic fields instead of mechanical contact methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an acoustic field as an intermediary between the measurement system and cells. The acoustic field acts as a mediator that transfers momentum to cells through radiation pressure, enabling non-contact measurement of cellular mechanical properties. This intermediary approach eliminates the need for labeling while maintaining measurement accuracy and increasing throughput
2Measurement precision
If existing methods such as atomic force microscopy and magnetic tweezers are used to measure cellular mechanical properties, then measurement precision can be achieved, but labeling is required which complicates the process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical measurement systems with an acoustic field-based system. By using interdigital transducers to generate surface acoustic waves, the system achieves measurement precision without requiring labeling or complex mechanical contact apparatus, thereby reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The acoustic field-based system is self-sufficient and does not require external labeling of cells. The interdigital transducers directly generate acoustic fields that interact with cells' intrinsic mechanical properties, eliminating the need for additional labeling reagents or complex sample preparation procedures
3Productivity
If traditional contact-based measurement methods are used, then mechanical properties can be measured, but cell damage occurs and throughput is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces contact-based mechanical measurement methods with acoustic field-based measurement. Surface acoustic waves exert radiation pressure on cells without physical contact, eliminating mechanical damage while enabling high-throughput measurement of cellular mechanical properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes mechanical vibration in the form of surface acoustic waves generated by interdigital transducers. These vibrational acoustic fields exert radiation pressure on cells, enabling non-contact measurement that avoids cell damage while maintaining high throughput capability
Data Source
AI summary
A cellular mechanical property measurement and sorting method comprises: cells to be sorted being arranged in a straight line after passing through a standing wave acoustic field generated by a first interdigital transducer; the cells flowing through a focused acoustic field generated by a second interdigital transducer, and the focused acoustic field generating a radiation force on the cells, such that the cells are deformed; performing calculation according to information of the radiation force and deformation, so as to obtain elastic moduli of the cells; determining the positions of the cells, and selectively driving, with designed delay time, interdigital transducers in a cell sorting unit according to the moving speeds of the cells and the distances between the cells and the sorting unit, and triggering, according to the elastic moduli, a corresponding interdigital transducer to generate a planar acoustic field, so as to sort the cells.