Self-Focusing Acoustic Transducer for Contactless Cell Extraction

The patent replaces manual mechanical extraction tools (pipette, scoop, knife) with a focused ultrasound system that uses acoustic waves to detach and eject cells. The FUS transducer generates focused ultrasonic waves that create mechanical resonance and cavitation in the liquid medium, enabling precise cell extraction without physical contact. This substitution of mechanical manual operations with acoustic field-based automation achieves high precision while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.

The patent utilizes parameter changes in the ultrasound field (frequency, intensity, focal depth) to precisely control cell extraction. By adjusting the focal depth of the ultrasound waves and controlling the acoustic pressure parameters, the system can selectively target and extract specific cells at different layers of the cell monolayer with high precision, transforming the extraction process from manual approximation to parameter-controlled precision.

The patent employs periodic pulsed ultrasound actuation to extract multiple cells in rapid succession. The FUS system can be activated in a pulsed manner, with each pulse ejecting a droplet containing extracted cells. This periodic action enables high-throughput extraction by continuously producing droplets at rapid rates, dramatically improving productivity compared to single-cell micromanipulation methods while maintaining precision through controlled pulsed delivery.

The patent replaces time-consuming manual micromanipulation operations with automated acoustic field-based extraction. The focused ultrasound system can simultaneously process multiple cells across a large area of the cell monolayer, extracting cells in parallel rather than sequentially. This substitution of manual sequential operations with automated parallel acoustic processing achieves high throughput and reduces extraction time significantly.

The patent replaces complex laser-based optical systems with a simpler acoustic field-based FUS system. Instead of using lasers for capture and mechanical tools for dissection, the system uses focused ultrasonic waves to directly detach and eject cells in a single automated step. This substitution of complex optical-mechanical laser systems with simpler acoustic field generation achieves high productivity while reducing device complexity and cost.

The patent extracts the essential function of cell extraction from complex multi-step laser capture microdissection procedures. By using focused ultrasound, the system directly extracts cells from the monolayer in a single action, eliminating the need for separate laser capture and mechanical dissection steps. This extraction approach maintains high throughput while significantly simplifying the overall system architecture.

The patent applies local quality by focusing ultrasound energy at a specific focal depth where the cell monolayer is located. The FUS transducer generates a highly localized acoustic field that concentrates energy precisely at the target depth, enabling selective extraction of cells at that layer while leaving surrounding cells at different depths unaffected. This localized energy application maintains cell integrity by avoiding excessive energy distribution throughout the entire sample.

The patent uses liquid droplets as an intermediary medium between the ultrasound field and the cells. The FUS waves first act on the liquid medium, which then transfers the acoustic energy to the cells, causing them to detach and be ejected in droplet form. This intermediary liquid medium protects the cells from direct exposure to high-intensity acoustic energy, reducing mechanical damage while still achieving effective extraction.