Application of acoustic radiation pressure to align cells in a commercial flow cytometer

Abstract

Forces derived from acoustic radiation pressure can be used to replace or partly replace hydrodynamic forces to align cells and particles in flow cytometry. The ability to focus cells into a tight line without relying on hydrodynamic forces allows many new possibilities for sample delivery. Dilute samples can be processed quickly. Flow velocities can be varied allowing control of particle delivery parameters such as laser interrogation time and volumetric sample input rates. Recently, a commercial flow cytometer that directs particles into the laser interrogation region using acoustic radiation pressure in a 200 micron flow cell has been developed. In this talk, the application of acoustic radiation pressure in flow cytometry systems from fundamental principles to implementation details will be presented. Data will be shown for both the operational implementation of the acoustic focusing device as well as demonstrating its ability to perform for complex biological assays. © 2013 Acoustical Society of America.