Acoustophoretic Particle Separation with Flow Feedback Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing acoustophoresis techniques for particle separation in microchannels face challenges with flow rate control, leading to poor results and detrimental effects on target cell concentration measurements.
Innovation Solution
A device with at least two inlets and outlets, a chamber associated with a transducer generating bulk acoustic waves, and sensors to measure flow rate and concentration, allowing for optimized fluid flow and efficient separation of target particles without mechanical forces or filtration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional acoustophoresis techniques are used for particle separation, then particle separation can be achieved, but flow rate control is difficult leading to poor separation quality and detrimental effects on cell concentration measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by using flow sensors to monitor the flow rate through the chamber and using this information to adjust the flow rates at the inlets. This closed-loop control system maintains optimal flow conditions for separation quality while compensating for variations in the system, thereby resolving the contradiction between achieving high separation precision and ease of flow rate control.
2Manufacturing precision
If acoustic standing waves are used to trap and separate pathogens, then particle separation is achieved, but the system complexity increases with multiple components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a single transducer that generates bulk acoustic waves to perform multiple functions: separating particles, isolating target particles, and enabling concentration measurements. This multi-functional approach achieves high particle separation efficiency while avoiding the complexity of multiple separate components, as the same acoustic field serves multiple purposes in the system.
3Ease of operation
If flow rate is not controlled in acoustophoresis, then device operation is simple, but separation quality deteriorates and cell concentration measurements become inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-regulating flow control where flow sensors automatically monitor and provide feedback on the actual flow rate through the chamber. This allows the system to maintain optimal flow conditions for accurate cell concentration measurements without requiring manual intervention, thereby preserving ease of operation while ensuring measurement precision through automatic flow rate optimization.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device effectively separates and isolates target particles by deflecting them into a buffer solution, achieving a significant reduction in target particles in the suspension, ensuring high isolation efficiency and preserving fragile particles like cells.
Implementation Method 1
at least one transducer configured to generate bulk acoustic waves within the chamber
Implementation Method 2
at least one acoustic pressure node is created at a given position along a dimension (length, width or thickness) of a channel by creating a resonance condition for acoustic waves
Data Source
AI summary
A device for separating and/or isolating and/or washing target particles from a particles suspension. The device includes at least two inlets, at least two outlets, a container having a longitudinal axis and a chamber for fluid flow, being configured to be associated with a transducer, at least one transducer configured to generate bulk acoustic waves within the chamber, and at least one flow rate sensor configured to measure the flow rate of the fluid in the chamber. The inlets are located on one end of the container and the outlets are located on the other end along the longitudinal axis. The first and second inlet are each located on either side of the longitudinal axis, the first inlet and the second outlet are each located on either side of the longitudinal axis, and the second inlet and the first outlet are each located on either side of the longitudinal axis.