Macro-scale cell manipulation using bulk ultrasonic standing waves for biopharmacy and cellular therapy applications

Acoustic standing wave fields are widely used in MEMS applications to manipulate micron sized particles in fluids with typical fluid channel dimensions of half a wavelength. This report presents three novel acoustofluidic platforms for particle separation and/or manipulation at macroscale, i.e., tens to hundreds of wavelengths. The first platform uses multidimensional standing waves which generate lateral radiation forces that trap and tightly cluster suspended fluid or particulate, enhancing the gravitational settling effect that results in continuous, macroscale separation. The second platform employs acoustic radiation forces generated near the edge of an acoustic standing wave to hold back particles and generate a wall type separation effect. The third platform uses the acoustic radiation forces generated by a macroscale, angled standing wave to deflect particles in a controlled fashion for particle manipulation and/or differentiation. Applications are focused in biopharmacy and cellular and gene ther...