Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and method for high-throughput single cell stretching with the hydrodynamic force for assessing cellular mechanical properties. In an aspect of the invention, there is provided a uniquely designed microfluidic channel flowing with viscoelastic fluids, sensing electrodes integrated with the microchannel and a high-speed imaging and processing system. Cells are continuously pumped in the device, aligned and stretched. The arrival of individual cells prior to the cell stretching site can be detected by the electrical sensing unit, which produces a triggering signal to activate a high-speed camera for on-demand imaging of the cell motion and deformation. Cellular mechanical properties including cell size and cell deformability are extracted from the analysis of these captured single cell images.

Abstract: There is provided a microfluidic device for single cell processing including: a substrate; a fluidic channel provided in the substrate; and a plurality of electrodes arranged adjacent to the fluidic channel for determining a position of a cell in the fluidic channel, the plurality of electrodes comprising a pair of sensing electrodes comprising a first sensing electrode and a second sensing electrode, wherein at least the first sensing electrode of the pair of sensing electrodes extends in a first direction, the pair of sensing electrodes is configured to measure a differential electrical signal across a sensing region as the cell flows through the sensor portion of the fluidic channel; and a biasing electrode arranged between the first sensing electrode and the second sensing electrode, the biasing electrode being configured to receive a biasing voltage.

Abstract: A microfluidic device includes a substrate and a microfluidic channel, wherein the microfluidic channel is configured to form a fluid pathway for allowing a fluid sample comprising particles to flow along the microfluidic channel; and a single transducer provided on the substrate for producing an acoustic travelling wave that propagates on the substrate surface towards an interaction region associated with the microfluidic channel as the fluid sample is flowing through the microfluidic channel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the microfluidic sorting, separating and/or manipulation of particles, preferably circulating tumor cells (CTCs). In an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for sorting, separating or manipulating particles in a fluid suspension, the device comprising: (a) at least one inlet for introducing the fluid suspension; (b) at least one outlet for discharging the fluid suspension containing particles of a desired size; and (c) a channel in fluid communication with and intermediate the at least one inlet and the at least one outlet, a portion of the main channel is curved to form at least one curved unit, the curved unit is shaped to form a profile of a wave having a crest, a lip that curls over a trough, and a face, wherein the crest, lip, face and trough of the curved unit each forms a semicircular arc segment, the fluid suspension travels through the curved unit from the semicircular arc segment of the crest to the semicircular arc segment of the trough.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of acoustic waves for the manipulation and sorting of particles and cells. In an embodiment, there is provided a microfluidic device for manipulating a particle in a fluid suspension, the device comprising: (a) a substrate; (b) a channel defined in the substrate, the channel having an inlet for receiving the fluid suspension and an outlet for discharging the fluid suspension; and (c) an acoustic source configured to deliver a travelling surface acoustic wave transverse the flow of the fluid suspension in the channel, wherein the acoustic source is an interdigital transducer (IDT), the IDT comprises a plurality of concentric circular arcs having a tapered end directed at the channel, and the tapered end has an aperture of between 4 ?m and 150 ?m. In an alternative embodiment, the device comprises a second channel disposed intermediate the first channel and the acoustic source wherein the first and second channels are connected by a pumping channel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the manipulation and, more particularly, to the sorting of particles. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to the use of acoustic waves, including surface acoustic waves, for the manipulation and sorting of particles. In an example, the present invention may be used for the sorting of cells. In an aspect of the invention, there is provided a device for manipulating a particle in a fluid suspension, the device comprising: (a) a substrate having a surface; (b) an acoustic source configured to generate and deliver an acoustic wave within a region of the substrate surface; and (c) a pillar disposed on the surface of the substrate and the pillar is configured to receive a channel, the channel configured to receive the fluid suspension, wherein the acoustic wave delivered within the region of the substrate surface is delivered to the fluid suspension in the channel through the pillar. A method using the device of the invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of acoustic waves for the manipulation and sorting of particles and cells. In an embodiment, there is provided a microfluidic device for manipulating a particle in a fluid suspension, the device comprising: (a) a substrate; (b) a channel defined in the substrate, the channel having an inlet for receiving the fluid suspension and an outlet for discharging the fluid suspension; and (c) an acoustic source configured to deliver a travelling surface acoustic wave transverse the flow of the fluid suspension in the channel, wherein the acoustic source is an interdigital transducer (IDT), the IDT comprises a plurality of concentric circular arcs having a tapered end directed at the channel, and the tapered end has an aperture of between 4 ?m and 150 ?m. In an alternative embodiment, the device comprises a second channel disposed intermediate the first channel and the acoustic source wherein the first and second channels are connected by a pumping channel.