A method and system are provided for extracting a target analyte from a sample using acoustic ejection technology. The method involves applying focused acoustic energy to a fluid reservoir housing a fluid composition that contains a target analyte and comprises an upper region and a lower region, where the concentration of the target analyte in the upper region differs from that in the lower region. The focused acoustic energy is applied in a manner that is effective to result in the ejection of a fluid droplet from from the fluid composition into a droplet receiver, wherein the concentration of the analyte in the droplet corresponds to either the concentration of the analyte in the upper region or the concentration of the analyte in the lower region, and wherein the concentration of the analyte is substantially uniform throughout the droplet. The fluid composition may comprise an ionic liquid, used in the extraction of ionic target analytes. Related methods and an acoustic extraction system are also provided.

A microparticle and/or nanoparticle separation, filtration and/or enriching device. The device comprises a flow passage through which can be directed a liquid suspension supporting microparticles and/or nanoparticles therein, and at least one packed bed of particles physically retained within the flow passage through which can pass therethrough the liquid suspension. The device further comprises an ultrasonic actuation system for mechanically activating the or each packed bed during passage therethrough of the liquid suspension.

An apparatus and method are disclosed for modifying the position of particles distributed in a fluid flow in a channel, comprising a channel formed by two substrates, each of the two substrates being on opposite sides of the channel, each substrate having a preselected periodic profile pattern along a length of the channel, and a transducer, wherein one of the substrates is between the transducer and the channel, the transducer to generate an acoustic standing wave within the channel with at least one node or antinode positioned within the channel.

Provided herein is generally tubular container, preferably including a plurality of reservoirs defined therein. The container can be adapted for acoustic ejection of a fluid disposed within at least one of the reservoirs of the plurality of reservoirs. Alternatively, the container can be adapted for extraction of a fluid disposed within at least one of the reservoirs of the plurality of reservoirs using a non-acoustic liquid handling method.

Electroacoustic device having a transducer including a piezoelectric substrate, first and second electrodes of inverse polarity having respective first and second tracks provided on said substrate, the first and second tracks spiraling around a same center (C), the transducer being configured for generating a swirling ultrasonic surface wave in the substrate.

1. A method of performing an acoustophoretic operation comprises the steps of: i. providing a fluid, ii. positioning the fluid in a microfluidic cavity, iii. subjecting at least one portion of the fluid, in the microfluidic cavity, to an acoustic wave, and iv. providing, in at least one first region of the at least one portion, a thermal inhomogeneity whereby the temperature of the fluid in the at least one first region differs from the temperature of the fluid in at least one second region of the remainder of the at least one portion. A microfluidic system is also disclosed.

An assay cartridge for detecting a target component in a liquid sample is provided. The cartridge comprises: a sample collection unit configured to introduce the liquid sample into the cartridge; a fluid pathway commencing at its proximal end at the sample collection unit and extending distally through the cartridge including: one or more capture components immobilised within the fluid pathway; one or more detection reagents provided within the diffusion distance of the capture components.

A microfluidic method and system for the recovery of particles; while a sample is fed along a plurality of channels, some particles of a given type are trapped at the segments of the channels; keeping a fluid flow flowing along the channels further particles of different type are moved away and unloaded through an outlet; at this point, a movement device, for example provided with a dielectrophoresis system, directly exerts a force on each particle of given type and selectively conveys it to a collection area.

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.

Devices and methods for proximity detection based on sound are provided. According to an embodiment, an acoustic probe includes a sound generator and an acoustic sensor, and at least one of the sound generator or the acoustic sensor is disposed within the dispense chamber portion. According to an embodiment, the liquid dispenser includes a sound generator and an acoustic sensor, and further includes one or more side conduits, where at least one of the sound generator or the acoustic sensor is disposed within a cavity of a respective one of the one or more side conduits, wherein the cavity and a connector of each of the one or more side conduits are free from resonance within a frequency range of the sound sensed by the acoustic sensor.