Microfluidic chip for acoustic separation of biological objects

A microfluidic device for sorting biological objects comprising:

• a microfluidic chip including:
• a planar substrate having first and second planar surfaces, the planar substrate including first and second networks of channels recessed respectively from the first and second planar surfaces and directly connected by first, second, third, and fourth through-holes in the planar substrate;
• a first lid attached to the first planar surface of the planar substrate and covering the first network of channels;
• and
• a second lid attached to the second planar surface of the planar substrate and covering the second network of channels;
• and
• one or more first piezoelectric transducers attached to an exterior surface of the first lid, opposite to an interior surface of the first lid facing the first network of channels, and configured to generate a first acoustic standing wave having a first wavelength in a first linear channel of the first network of channels,
• wherein the first network of channels includes:
• the first linear channel having upstream and downstream ends and a first width;
• a first port opened to the second planar surface by way of the first through-hole;
• a first pair of side channels connecting the first port to the first linear channel at the upstream end thereof;
• a second port opened to the second planar surface by way of the second through-hole;
• a first center channel connecting the second port to the first linear channel at the upstream end thereof;
• a third port opened to the second planar surface by way of the third through-hole;
• a second pair of side channels connecting the third port to the first linear channel at the downstream end thereof;
• and
• a fourth port opened to the second planar surface by way of the fourth through-hole and fluidically connected to the first linear channel at the downstream end thereof,
• wherein the second network of channels includes:
• a second linear channel having upstream and downstream ends and a second width;
• a fifth port opened to the first planar surface by way of the first through-hole;
• a third pair of side channels connecting the fifth port to the second linear channel at the upstream end thereof;
• a sixth port opened to the first planar surface by way of the second through-hole;
• a second center channel connecting the sixth port to the second linear channel at the upstream end thereof;
• a seventh port opened to the first planar surface by way of the third through-hole;
• a fourth pair of side channels connecting the seventh port to the second linear channel at the downstream end thereof;
• and
• an eighth port opened to the first planar surface by way of the fourth through-hole and fluidically connected to the second linear channel at the downstream end thereof, and
• wherein each of the first, second, third, and fourth through-holes is independently opened to the exterior surface of the first lid or an exterior surface of the second lid, opposite to an interior surface of the second lid facing the second network of channels.

A microfluidic device for sorting biological objects comprising:

• a microfluidic chip including:
• a planar substrate having first and second planar surfaces, the planar substrate including first and second networks of channels recessed respectively from the first and second planar surfaces and directly connected by a through-hole in the planar substrate;
• a first lid attached to the first planar surface of the planar substrate and covering the first network of channels;
• and
• a second lid attached to the second planar surface of the planar substrate and covering the second network of channels,
• wherein the first network of channels includes:
• a first linear channel having upstream and downstream ends and a first width;
• a first port opened to an exterior surface of the first lid, opposite to an interior surface of the first lid facing the first network of channels;
• a first pair of side channels connecting the first port to the first linear channel at the upstream end thereof;
• a second port opened to the exterior surface of the first lid and fluidically connected to the first linear channel at the upstream end thereof;
• and
• a third port opened to the second planar surface by way of the through-hole and fluidically connected to the first linear channel at the downstream end thereof, and
• wherein the second network of channels includes:
• a second linear channel having upstream and downstream ends and a second width;
• a fourth port opened to the first planar surface by way of the through-hole and fluidically connected to the second linear channel at the upstream end thereof;
• a fifth port opened to an exterior surface of the second lid, opposite to an interior surface of the second lid facing the second network of channels;
• a second pair of side channels connecting the fifth port to the second linear channel at the downstream end thereof;
• and
• a sixth port opened to the exterior surface of the second lid and fluidically connected to the second linear channel at the downstream end thereof;
• and
• one or more first piezoelectric transducers attached to the exterior surface of the first lid and configured to generate a first acoustic standing wave having a first wavelength in the first linear channel,
• wherein the planar substrate, the first lid, and the second lid have a barbell planar shape that is characterized by two wide end sections and a narrow center section interposed therebetween.