Abstract:
A cellular diagnostic array has been developed that provides accurate and reproducible measurements of the physical parameters of individual cells en masse, including cell membrane surface area, cell volume, and excess membrane. Three differing patterns are employed. In the first design, a gradient array having rectangular shaped channels is used to capture cells and readily show the ratio of volume to surface area for the captured cell. The second silicone rubber array provided by the present invention employs an array of wedge shaped pipettes, each of which captures an individual cell. The position of the cell within a wedge is enough to rapidly determine the cell's actual surface area and volume. A third type of cellular diagnostic array according to the present invention employs an array of channels designed to deform a cell to study how well the cell responds to repeated deformations.
Abstract:
An imaging system according to an embodiment may include an ultrasonic oscillation part configured to apply ultrasonic waves to a sample, an image acquisition part configured to acquire a plurality of images of the sample deformed by the ultrasonic waves, and a computation part configured to compute a deformation rate on the basis of a change in thickness of the sample from the plurality of images, in which the computation part computes an elastic modulus of the sample on the basis of intensity of the ultrasonic waves and the deformation rate of the sample.
Abstract:
An example method for measuring deformability of a cell via a pressure field, consistent with the present disclosure, includes flowing a biologic sample containing a plurality of cells along a first fluidic channel and into an intersection between the first fluidic channel and a second fluidic channel of a microfluidic device. The method includes introducing a pressure field at the intersection and into the first fluidic channel via the second fluidic channel and a plurality of apertures in a channel wall disposed in the intersection. The method further includes measuring deformability of a cell among the plurality of cells responsive to the introduction of the pressure field.
Abstract:
Provided herein are systems and method for measuring cell stiffness. In particular, provided herein are microelectrode configuration and systems for measuring platelet deformation and stiffness.
Abstract:
The invention in some aspects relates to high throughput methods and devices for evaluating mechanical, morphological, kinetic, rheological or hematological properties of cells, such as blood cells under regulated gas conditions. In some aspects, the invention relates to methods and devices for diagnosing and/or characterizing a condition or disease in a subject by measuring a property of a cell from the subject, under controlled gas conditions.
Abstract:
A system is disclosed that enables the automated measurement of cellular mechanical parameters at high throughputs. The microfluidic device uses intersecting flows to create an extensional flow region where the cells undergo controlled stretching. Cells are focused into streamlines prior to entering the extensional flow region. In the extensional region, each cell's deformation is measured with an imaging device. Automated image analysis extracts a range of independent biomechanical parameters from the images. These may include cell size, deformability, and circularity. The single cell data that is obtained may then be used to in a variety of ways. Scatter density plots of deformability and circularity may be developed and displayed for the user. Mechanical parameters such as deformability and circularity may be gated or thresholded to identify certain cells of interest or sub-populations of interest. Similarly, the mechanical data obtained using the device may be used as cell signatures.
Abstract:
Apparatus and methods are provided for analysis of individual particles in a microfluidic device. The methods involve the immobilization of an array of particles in suspension and the application of experimental compounds. Such methods can also include electrophysiology studies including patch clamp recording, electroporation, or both in the same microfluidic device. The apparatus provided includes a microfluidic device coupled to a multi-well structure and an interface for controlling the flow of media within the microchannel device.
Abstract:
This invention provides new methods and apparatus for rapidly analyzing single bioparticles to assess their material condition and health status. The methods are enabled by a resonant cavity to measure optical properties related to the bioparticle size and refractive index. Refractive index measurements are useful for determining material properties and biomolecular composition of the bioparticle. These properties and composition are dependent on the health state of the bioparticle. Thus, measured optical properties can be used to differentiate normal (healthy) and abnormal (diseased) states of bioparticles derived from cells or tissues. The methods are illustrated with data obtained from a resonator with a gain medium. The invention also provides new methods for multiple measurements in a single device, analyzing and manipulating bioparticles that are much smaller than the wavelength of light, and provides a microfluidic transport chip to enable rapid single bioparticle analysis of large populations of bioparticles.
Abstract:
Deformability of blood cells is quantified in a short time. A blood fluidity measurement apparatus is provided with a TV camera which photographs a stream of blood in either two areas of the internal area, entrance area, and exit area of a gate, an image processing part which calculates the velocity of the blood cells contained in the blood from the image taken by the TV camera, and a deformability calculation means which calculates the deformability of the blood cells a blood fluidity from the velocity.
Abstract:
A system for deforming and analyzing a plurality of particles carried in a sample volume includes a substrate defining an inlet, configured to receive the sample volume, and an outlet; and a fluidic pathway fluidly coupled to the inlet and the outlet. The fluidic pathway includes a delivery region configured to receive the plurality of particles from the inlet and focus the plurality of particles from a random distribution to a focused state, a deformation region defining an intersection located downstream of the delivery region and coupled to the outlet, and wherein the deformation region is configured to receive the plurality of particles from the delivery region and to transmit each particle in the plurality of particles into the intersection from a single direction, a first branch fluidly coupled to the deformation region and configured to transmit a first flow into the intersection, and a second branch fluidly coupled to the deformation region and configured to transmit a second flow, substantially opposing the first flow, into the intersection, wherein the first flow and the second flow are configured to induce extension of one or more particles in the plurality of particles.