Cell Screening Device Using Acoustic Radiation Force for Enclosed Sorting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cell sorting methods using electrostatic fields are not suitable for fully enclosed sample detection and can cause damage to cells during the sorting process.
Innovation Solution
A cell screening device with at least two flow channels, a communicating path, a detection unit, and a screening actuator that generates a driving force to push cells into adjacent flow channels, allowing for fully enclosed detection with minimal cell damage and lower costs, using a hot-injection actuator to generate bubbles for cell transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional electrostatic field-based cell sorting is used, then cell sorting can be achieved, but fully enclosed detection cannot be performed and cell damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional electrostatic field-based mechanical sorting system with a microfluidic-based system using acoustic radiation force. The acoustic field acts as a non-contact, non-invasive force field that can manipulate cells within an enclosed microchannel environment, eliminating the need for electrostatic charging and deflection plates that cause cell damage and prevent enclosed detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes acoustic waves (a form of mechanical wave propagation through fluid) to generate radiation force on cells. The acoustic field propagates through the fluid medium in the microchannel, creating standing waves that exert force on cells to achieve sorting without physical contact or electrostatic fields, enabling fully enclosed detection while preventing cell damage.
2Productivity
If conventional cell sorting systems with deflection devices are used, then cell separation can be achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates complex mechanical deflection devices (such as electrostatic deflectors and mechanical sorters) by using acoustic radiation force. The acoustic field can be precisely controlled through electronic means to direct cells into different collection channels, achieving the same separation function with significantly reduced mechanical complexity and lower cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter used for cell manipulation from electrostatic charge to acoustic radiation force. By adjusting acoustic frequency, amplitude, and phase, the system can control cell positioning and sorting without requiring complex mechanical deflection devices or charging systems, thereby simplifying the overall device structure and reducing costs.
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
Enables fully enclosed cell detection with reduced cell damage and lower costs, eliminating the need for conventional deflection devices and electrostatic charging.
Implementation Method 1
the screening actuator generates bubbles that push cells in the cell-containing solution into the adjacent flow channel via the communicating path
Implementation Method 2
The laser 203 irradiates the droplet 201 with laser light
Implementation Method 3
If the fluorescence analyzer 204 detects that the droplet emits fluorescence corresponding to the fluorescent dye
Implementation Method 4
the ultrasonic pressure crystal device, installed on the cell flow chamber, generates vibration of high frequency while being energized, so that micro droplets 201 are generated in the cell flow chamber 200
Implementation Method 5
the liquid droplets are charged so that they can fall to the left or to the right under the traction of the high voltage electrostatic field through the deflecting plate 205
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a cell screening device and a cell screening method, for use in performing screening on different cells. The cell screening device is provided with: at least two flowing channels, used for allowing a solution containing cells to flow through; a communicating path, used for allowing the adjacent flowing channels to communicate with each other; a detection unit, used for detecting the types of cells in the solution flowing in the flowing channels; and a screening actuator, generating push force according to the detection result of the detection unit, so as to push cells in the solution flowing in the flowing channel to flow into the adjacent flowing channel through the communicating path.