A diagnostic system for determining the presence of a target in a sample liquid that includes a diagnostic reader and a microfluidic strip having a microfluidic channel network therein. An actuator within the reader modifies the pressure of a gas in gaseous communication with a liquid-gas interface of a sample liquid within the microfluidic channel network to move and/or mix the sample liquid. The pressure modifications may be continuous and/or oscillatory.

A microfluidic-based device and system is disclosed for the high-throughput intracellular delivery of biomolecular cargo to cells (eukaryotic or prokaryotic) or enveloped viruses. Cargo integration occurs due to transient membrane permeabilization by exposure to bulk acoustic waves (BAWs) transduced from surface acoustic waves (SAWs) generated by a rapidly oscillating piezoelectric substrate. In this approach, temporary pores are established across the cellular membrane as cells are partially deformed and squeezed or subject to shearing forces as they travel through the vibrational modes created within the microfludic channel(s) of the device.

Focused acoustic radiation, referred to as tonebursts, are applied to a volume of liquid to generate a set of droplets. In one embodiment, a first toneburst is applied to temporarily raise a mound or protuberance on a free surface of the fluid. After the mound has reached a certain state, at least two additional toneburst can be applied to the protuberance to sequentially eject multiple bursts of multiple droplets. In one embodiment, the state of the mound can be maintained by a sustained acoustic signal, during which time multiple additional tonebursts can be applied to sequentially eject multiple bursts of multiple droplets from the mound.

Aspects of the present disclosure include an acoustic separator for acoustically separating components of a sample, such as a biological sample. Acoustic separators according to certain embodiments include an acoustic field generator soldered to a flow channel having a fluid flow path where the acoustic field generator produces an acoustic field in the fluid flow path. Methods of soldering an acoustic field generator to a flow channel having a fluid flow path are also described. Methods for acoustically separating components of a sample as well as systems and kits, including one or more acoustic separators, suitable for practicing the subject methods are also provided.

Transfer of genetic and other materials to cells is conducted in a hands-free, automated and continuous process that includes flowing the cells between electroporation electrodes to facilitate delivery of a payload into the cells, while acoustophoretically focusing the cells. Also described is a control method for the acoustophoretic focusing of cells that includes detecting locations of cells flowing through a channel, such as with an image analytics system, and modulating a drive signal to an acoustic transducer to change the locations of the cells flowing in the channel. Finally, an electroporation driver module is described that uses a digital to analog converter for generating an electroporation waveform and an amplifier for amplifying the electroporation waveform for application to electroporation electrodes.

Devices for sorting components (e.g., cells) contained in a liquid sample are provided. In certain aspects, the devices include a magnetic separation device and an acoustic concentrator device fluidically coupled to magnetic separation device. Aspects of the invention further include methods for sorting cells in a liquid sample, and systems, and kits for practicing the subject methods.

The present disclosure provides methods, microfluidic devices, and systems for isolating target particles from a sample containing or suspected of containing the target particles. The methods, microfluidic devices, and systems disclosed herein facilitate affinity-based isolation of target particles in a microfluidic channel by translating the target particles to the side walls of the microfluidic channel where capture agents that bind to the target particles are immobilized.

Improved sub-assemblies and methods of control for use in a diagnostic assay system adapted to receive an assay cartridge are provided herein. Such sub-assemblies include: a brushless DC motor, a door opening/closing mechanism and cartridge loading mechanism, a syringe and valve drive mechanism assembly, a sonication horn, a thermal control device and optical detection/excitation device. Such systems can further include a communications unit configured to wirelessly communicate with a mobile device of a user so as to receive a user input relating to functionality of the system with respect to an assay cartridge received therein and relaying a diagnostic result relating to the assay cartridge to the mobile device.

Lysis devices, methods, and systems are disclosed including a lysis device comprising a sample vessel having an outer surface, a microchannel within the confines of the outer surface, a first port extending through the outer surface to the microchannel, and a second port extending through the outer surface to the microchannel; and an acoustic transducer bonded to the outer surface of the sample vessel to form a monolithic structure, the acoustic transducer configured to emit ultrasonic acoustic waves into and/or to induce shear forces into a blood sample within the microchannel, thereby rupturing the blood cells.

Provided are devices, systems and methods for evaluation of hemostasis. Also provided are sound focusing assemblies.