Abstract: A device for performing the manipulation of particles suspended in a fluid is disclosed. The device comprises a duct for the flow of a fluid in which particles are suspended, an acoustic transducer, and a reflector for establishing an acoustic standing wave field across the width of the duct. It has been unexpectedly found that optimum performance of the device occurs when the spacing between the transducer and a reflector is 300 microns or less. The device seeks to overcome prior engineering difficulties that prevented one from observing the individual particle bands or separating the individual particle bands from the duct.

Abstract: A novel microfluidic substrate assembly and method for making same are disclosed. The substrate assembly comprises a multi-layer laminated substrate defining at least one fluid inlet port and at least one microscale fluid flow channel within the multi-layer substrate in fluid communication with the inlet port for transport of fluid. The substrate assembly may optionally comprise additional components and elements located within the substrate assembly or attached to the substrate assembly.

Abstract: An actuator for a component such as a valve or pump comprises a chamber or capsule (30) of a flexible material, which chamber or capsule (30) is mounted on a substrate (18). Within the capsule (30) is a quantity of thermopneumatic material (32) (i.e. material which expands in volume upon heating). Also disposed within the capsule (30) is an infrared radiation absorbing layer (16). In use, infrared radiation is applied to the capsule (30) at or close to the location of the infrared radiation absorbing layer (16), thereby causing the thermopneumatic material (32) within the capsule (30) to be heated. As the thermopneumatic material (32) is heated, it expands in volume and causes movement of the flexible material forming the capsule (30), i.e. it causes mechanical movement thereof. As the thermopneumatic material (32) cools, it returns to its original volume and the flexible material of the capsule returns to its original position accordingly.

Abstract: Fluid-handling methods and devices for ultrasonic manipulation of fluid-borne particles comprise a fluid-handling manifold and an ultrasonic particle manipulator defining an ultrasonic cavity within the manifold. Fluid-borne particles introduced into the manifold are manipulated by controlling ultrasonic standing waves at the ultrasonic cavity. Cavities having non-uniform configurations, asymmetric standing waves and/or multiple ultrasonic cavities within the manifold are operative to control the movement of the fluid-borne particles, optionally including collecting and holding such particles, transferring particles through an intersection from one channel to another, etc. Solid phase extraction (SPE) particles, biological particles and other fluid-borne particles can be manipulated within the fluid-handling manifold.

Abstract: A device for performing the manipulation of particles suspended in a fluid is disclosed. The device comprises a duct for the flow of a fluid in which particles are suspended, an acoustic transducer, and a reflector for establishing an acoustic standing wave field across the width of the duct. It has been unexpectedly found that optimum performance of the device occurs when the spacing between the transducer and a reflector is 300 microns or less. The device seeks to overcome prior engineering difficulties that prevented one from observing the individual particle bands or separating the individual particle bands from the duct.

Abstract: A novel microfluidic substrate assembly and method for making same are disclosed. The substrate assembly comprises a multi-layer laminated substrate defining at least one fluid inlet port and at least one microscale fluid flow channel within the multi-layer substrate in fluid communication with the inlet port for transport of fluid. The substrate assembly may optionally comprise additional components and elements located within the substrate assembly or attached to the substrate assembly.

Abstract: A device for performing the manipulation of particles suspended in a fluid, comprises a chamber forming a duct for the flow of the fluid, and an acoustic transducer (10) and a reflector (12) for establishing an acoustic standing wave field across the width of the duct the spacing between the transducer and reflector is 300 microns or less. With such a small spacing, the device is particularly effective at concentrating the particles and lower operating voltages are required.

Abstract: An apparatus which manipulates particles suspended in a fluid includes a duct for the flow of the fluid in which the particles are suspended, and a mechanism for establishing an acoustic standing wave field across the width of the duct, the duct being formed with an expansion in width downstream of the standing wave field. In use, the particles in the fluid are displaced into a series of parallel bands by the acoustic standing wave field. The particles remain in these bands as the fluid flows downstream from the section in which the standing wave field is present. When the fluid reaches the expansion of the duct, the stream of fluid expands accordingly in width and, in so doing, the bands of particles are spread further apart, so increasing the spacing between adjacent bands. The bands can then be observed or separated from the duct.