Apparatus and method for separating whole cells from a mixture, e.g., including liquid, other cell types, nucleic acid material, or other components. Focused acoustic energy may be used to move whole cells in a chamber so that the cells exit the chamber via a first outlet rather than a second outlet. A filter may, or need not, be used to assist in separation.

Aspects of the present disclosure include methods for characterizing particles of a sample in a flow stream. Methods according to certain embodiments include generating frequency-encoded fluorescence data from a particle of a sample in a flow stream; and calculating phase-corrected spatial data of the particle by performing a transform of the frequency-encoded fluorescence data with a phase correction component. In certain embodiments, methods include generating an image of the particle in the flow stream based on the phase-corrected spatial data. Systems having a processor with memory operably coupled to the processor having instructions stored thereon, which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to calculate phase-corrected spatial data from frequency-encoded fluorescence data of a particle a flow stream are also described. Integrated circuit devices (e.g., field programmable gate arrays) having programming for practicing the subject methods are also provided.

The present disclosure provides apparatuses, systems, and methods for performing particle analysis through flow cytometry at comparatively high event rates and for gathering high resolution images of particles.

This relates to acoustic microfluidic systems that can generate emulsions/droplets or encapsulate particles of interest (including mammalian cells, bacteria cells, or other cells) into droplets upon detection of the particles of interest flowing in a stream of particles. The systems operate on the detect/decide/deflect principle wherein the deflection step, in a single operation, not only deflects particles of interest from a stream of particles but also encapsulates the particles of interest in an emulsion droplet. The microfluidic systems have an abrupt transition in the channel geometry from a shorter channel to a taller channel (i.e., in the shape of a ‘step’) to break the stream of the dispersed phase into a droplet upon acoustic actuation. When there is no acoustic wave present, no droplets/emulsions are generated and the stream of particles proceeds uninterrupted. The rapid actuation and post-actuation recovery employed by the microfluidic systems taught herein ensure that the vast majority of selected particles are properly deflected, that few or no empty droplets are produced, and that total throughput remains high.

The present disclosure provides apparatuses, systems, and methods for performing particle analysis through flow cytometry at comparatively high event rates and for gathering high resolution images of particles.

Cell-separation systems and methods utilizing cell-specific microbubble tags and ultrasound-based separation are described. The methods are useful for simplification of time-consuming and costly cell purification procedures and real time apoptosis detection.

The invention relates to a device and a system comprising the device for bunching of sample particles. The device comprises a body, a fluid channel extending through the body, an acoustic wave guide embedded in the body, and an acoustic wave condenser embedded in the body. The fluid channel forms a fluid path the body, such that the fluid channel is configured to guide a flow of a sample fluid, in which sample particles are distributed, through the fluid channel along the fluid path. The wave guide is configured to guide an acoustic reference wave to an application region of the fluid channel. The wave condenser is configured to generate a standing acoustic wave in the application region from the reference wave for bunching the particles.

Systems and methods for wireless location are disclosed. In one aspect, a method for wireless location includes collecting signal strength values from one or more nodes (e.g., mobile devices) in an area over a time interval. The nodes receive wireless signals from one or more other transmitting nodes, where the signal strength values are representative of the signal strengths of the wireless signals. The method further includes normalizing the collected signal strength values and evaluating respective locations within the area of the nodes based on the normalized signal strength values. In a further aspect, the evaluated locations of the nodes may be used to execute an automated light show over the area, by instructing the nodes to display certain color or pattern at their locations in the area.

The present invention relates to a fluorescence sensor for measuring microalgae and a method of operating the same. The fluorescence sensor for measuring the microalgae includes a fluorescence measurement unit including a light emitter configured to irradiate excitation light onto a measurement region and a detector configured to measure fluorescence emitted from the measurement region, an algae control unit configured to form a node and an antinode of an ultrasonic standing wave in the measurement region to control an algal density, and a signal processing unit configured to calculate the algal density using fluorescence intensity signals according to an operation mode of the algae control unit.

Provided are, inter alia, flow centration components that can be used in flow cytometers and other applications. A flow centrator can define central axis, a proximal end, and a distal end, and having a central bore extending within the flow centration component in the direction of the central axis; the flow centration component defining a splined outer surface that defines a plurality of circumferentially arranged bypass flute channels, the plurality of bypass flute channels extending in the direction of the central axis, and each of the bypass flute channels having a depth and a length. Also provided are related methods that utilize the disclosed components.