Acoustophoresis-based biomedical device applications

Abstract Acoustophoresis is a very attractive, gentle label-free and noncontact method of particles and cell manipulation/separation due to its induced motion when subjected to an acoustic field. It is the migration of cells or particles with sound. On exposure to an acoustic wave field, radiation force affects particles. In this technology, particles are affected by radiation force toward nodes or antinodes, and its movement depends upon physical properties like size, density, or compressibility of particles. Depending on the purpose it serves, this technology is applicable to biomedical and clinical applications. This chapter covers in detail the acoustic phenomena and acoustophoresis. Different types of acoustic control as well as the measurement of acoustic energy density and motion of particles under acoustic fields is explained. A detailed methodology of fabrication of experimental devices is also discussed here. This chapter will explain how acoustic radiation force, based on the property of particles, efficiently performs manipulation and separation of cells without affecting cell viability. Hence, it will explain how acoustophoresis now has become an interesting process to improve conventional cell processing modes. A wide range of applications of acoustophoresis in bioengineering will cover all the recent findings.