A system and method for determining a trajectory parameter of particles, comprising receiving a plurality of particles at a microfluidic channel, applying a force to each particle of the microfluidic channel, acquiring a dataset of each particle, measuring a trajectory of the particle, and determining a trajectory parameter of the particles.

A system for deforming and analyzing a plurality of particles carried in a sample volume includes a substrate defining an inlet, configured to receive the sample volume, and an outlet; and a fluidic pathway fluidly coupled to the inlet and the outlet. The fluidic pathway includes a delivery region configured to receive the plurality of particles from the inlet and focus the plurality of particles from a random distribution to a focused state, a deformation region defining an intersection located downstream of the delivery region and coupled to the outlet, and wherein the deformation region is configured to receive the plurality of particles from the delivery region and to transmit each particle in the plurality of particles into the intersection from a single direction, a first branch fluidly coupled to the deformation region and configured to transmit a first flow into the intersection, and a second branch fluidly coupled to the deformation region and configured to transmit a second flow, substantially opposing the first flow, into the intersection, wherein the first flow and the second flow are configured to induce extension of one or more particles in the plurality of particles.

In a method of investigating cell deformations, a sample fluid including cells suspended in a suspending medium is provided. A flow of the sample fluid through a focusing microchannel is established. The suspending medium is a non-Newtonian fluid having viscoelastic properties such that cells that enter the focusing microchannel are focused towards a center of the focusing microchannel due to the viscoelastic properties of the suspending medium, causing the cells to exit the focusing microchannel in single file. Subsequently, the sample fluid that has exited the focusing microchannel is caused to flow through a deformation microchannel arranged downstream of the focusing microchannel to cause a deformation of cells that have exited the focusing microchannel and have entered the deformation microchannel, the deformation being caused by a flow pattern created by interaction of the fluid flow with the deformation microchannel.

The present invention is to facilitate analysis of a plurality of analysis items. A cell analysis method for analyzing cells is provided in which data for analysis of cells contained in a sample are generated, and an artificial intelligence algorithm to be the input destination of the generated analysis data is selected from among a plurality of artificial intelligence algorithms, data indicating the properties of the cells are generated based on the analysis data via the artificial intelligence algorithm.

The disclosure notably relates to methods, devices, programs and other data structures related to machine-learning an artificial neural network function configured for analyzing microscope images of microalgae culture samples with respect to one or more biological attributes. The one or more biological attributes comprise a category among a predetermined set of categories which includes a plurality of microalgae species and/or genera and at least one non-algae micro-organism category. The one or more biological attributes further comprise a physiological state among a predetermined set of microalgae physiological states. The artificial neural network function forms an improved solution for analyzing microalgae culture sample.

A system for deforming and analyzing a plurality of particles carried in a sample volume includes a substrate defining an inlet, configured to receive the sample volume, and an outlet; and a fluidic pathway fluidly coupled to the inlet and the outlet. The fluidic pathway includes a delivery region configured to receive the plurality of particles from the inlet and focus the plurality of particles from a random distribution to a focused state, a deformation region defining an intersection located downstream of the delivery region and coupled to the outlet, and wherein the deformation region is configured to receive the plurality of particles from the delivery region and to transmit each particle in the plurality of particles into the intersection from a single direction, a first branch fluidly coupled to the deformation region and configured to transmit a first flow into the intersection, and a second branch fluidly coupled to the deformation region and configured to transmit a second flow, substantially opposing the first flow, into the intersection, wherein the first flow and the second flow are configured to induce extension of one or more particles in the plurality of particles.

A system for deforming and analyzing a plurality of particles carried in a sample volume includes a substrate defining an inlet, configured to receive the sample volume, and an outlet; and a fluidic pathway fluidly coupled to the inlet and the outlet. The fluidic pathway includes a delivery region configured to receive the plurality of particles from the inlet and focus the plurality of particles from a random distribution to a focused state, a deformation region defining an intersection located downstream of the delivery region and coupled to the outlet, and wherein the deformation region is configured to receive the plurality of particles from the delivery region and to transmit each particle in the plurality of particles into the intersection from a single direction, a first branch fluidly coupled to the deformation region and configured to transmit a first flow into the intersection, and a second branch fluidly coupled to the deformation region and configured to transmit a second flow, substantially opposing the first flow, into the intersection, wherein the first flow and the second flow are configured to induce extension of one or more particles in the plurality of particles.

Embodiments of a system and method for deforming a can include a substrate including an inlet module and an outlet module; a fluidic pathway coupled to the inlet module and the outlet module, and including a sample branch operable to transmit the sample fluid; one or more sheath fluid branches flanking the sample branch and operable to transmit sheath having a sheath fluid viscosity higher than a sample fluid viscosity of the sample fluid; a delivery region initiating at a junction between the sample branch and the one or more sheath fluid branches, and operable to transmit a co-flow comprising the sample fluid and the sheath fluid; and a deformation region located downstream of the delivery region and operable to deform the one or more particles of the sample fluid based upon a reduced velocity of the sheath fluid with respect to the sample fluid in the co-flow.

A system and method for determining a trajectory parameter of particles, comprising receiving a plurality of particles at a microfluidic channel, applying a force to each particle of the microfluidic channel, acquiring a dataset of each particle, measuring a trajectory of the particle, and determining a trajectory parameter of the particles.

Presented herein are methods of using ferrofluid droplets as mechanical actuators that work across length scales of nanometers to millimeters. These novel actuators and methods of using them can be used to determine mechanical properties of soft materials. The actuators allow calculation of a soft material's viscosity, elastic modulus, and other mechanical properties. The methods and devices of the invention may be employed in biological materials, including live cells and tissues, and may be used to profile the mechanical properties of such living materials or to manipulate biological processes therein.