Acoustofluidic devices in manipulation from cell-level to tissue-level for precision biomedicine

Zhang, Xiaoyan 2025. Acoustofluidic devices in manipulation from cell-level to tissue-level for precision biomedicine. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University. Item availability restricted.

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Abstract

Acoustofluidic devices, which utilize acoustic energy to manipulate microparticles and fluids, have been widely used in biomedical studies due to their high biocompatibility (do not measurably compromise cell viability, morphology, or function). Based on the acoustic waves employed, these devices are generally divided into surface acoustic wave (SAW)-based and bulk acoustic wave (BAW)-based technologies. SAW-based devices can provide higher manipulation precision by using higher frequencies, while BAW-based devices can achieve manipulation with easier setup requirements. In this thesis, we first fabricate the Multi-View Acoustofluidic Rotation Cytometry (MARC) device for cell-level manipulation. MARC can pattern cells into two traces and rotate them in-situ simultaneously within the microchannel. By enabling single-cell observation from multiple angles during the rotation process, MARC exhibits better sensitivity for cell morphology differentiation. Using MARC, we identify the nuclear-to cytoplasm (N/C) ratio as the most sensitive cytomorphological parameter during rotation, and show that rotation-based N/C analysis more clearly (i) distinguishes cancer cells from healthy cells and (ii) distinguishes different cancer cell types. We then build the Acoustic Droplets Activated Permeation (ADAP) device for tissue-level manipulation-perturb skin tissue and enhance transdermal drug delivery. By dispensing intensive droplets onto the skin surface, ADAP induces opening of the stratum corneum (SC) layer to facilitate transdermal permeation. Testing with various drug molecules shows that ADAP significantly improves delivery efficiency compared with passive diffusion. Then in-vivo hypoglycemic mouse models demonstrate that ADAP can achieve effective transdermal delivery of glucose solution for blood-glucose recovery in a non-invasive manner. Finally, we summarise our achievements based on the two research works and outline future directions for advancing these studies and developing improved acoustofluidic manipulation technologies.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Date Type:	Completion
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Schools > Engineering
Uncontrolled Keywords:	1. Acoustofluidic 2. Cell Manipulation 3. Cell Rotation 4. Cytopathology 5. Transdermal Drug Delivery
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	11 March 2026
Last Modified:	11 Mar 2026 14:53
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/185461

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