Acoustophoresis devices having conductive electrodes and methods

An assembly, comprising:

• a support substrate;
• and
• an acoustophoresis device attached to the support substrate, the acoustophoresis device comprising:
• a sample vessel having an outer surface, a microchannel within 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, such that a blood sample is insertable through the first port into the microchannel, the sample vessel having conductive traces on the outer surface;
• and
• a piezo transducer mounted to the outer surface of the sample vessel to form a monolithic structure, the piezo transducer configured to generate acoustic standing waves inside the blood sample in the microchannel.

An analyzer, comprising:

• an acoustophoresis device, comprising:
• a sample vessel having an outer surface, a microchannel within 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, such that a sample is insertable through the first port into the microchannel, the sample vessel having conductive traces on the outer surface;
• and
• a piezo transducer attached to the outer surface of the sample vessel to form a monolithic structure, the piezo transducer configured to generate ultrasonic waves inside the sample in the microchannel and configured to vibrate the sample vessel such that shear forces are induced within the microchannel;
• an absorbance spectrophotometer comprising a transmitter and a receiver positioned adjacent to the sample vessel, the transmitter positioned to emit a light beam through the microchannel, and a receiver positioned to receive at least a portion of the light beam after the portion of the light beam has passed through the microchannel;
• a fluidic distribution system having an outlet connected to the first port, and an inlet connected to the second port;
• and
• a controller electrically connected to the piezo transducer and configured to provide electrical signals to the piezo transducer that when received by the piezo transducer cause the piezo transducer to emit ultrasonic waves and cause the piezo transducer to contract and elongate.