Separation using angled acoustic waves

Abstract

Methods and systems for processing material in a host fluid use an acoustophoresis device. These methods and systems can deflect material (e.g., a second fluid, cells, beads or other particles, exosomes, viruses, oil droplets) in host fluid streams at high flow rates.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for processing fluid, comprising:
 a fluid chamber for containing the fluid;   an ultrasonic transducer coupled to the fluid chamber for generating an acoustic wave in the fluid chamber at an acute angle to a direction of mean flow through the fluid chamber;   at least one inlet in fluid communication with the fluid chamber;   at least one outlet in fluid communication with the fluid chamber; and   at least one pump engaged with one or more of the at least one inlet or the at least one outlet and configured to control one or more of the fluid entering the fluid chamber via the at least one inlet or the fluid exiting the fluid chamber via the at least one outlet, such that the at least one pump can influence a fluid stream that passes through the acoustic wave in the fluid chamber.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one pump further comprises a first pump and a second pump. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one inlet further comprises a first inlet and a second inlet, the first pump being engaged with the first inlet and the second pump being engaged with the second inlet, whereby a flow rate in the first inlet and a flow rate in the second inlet can be controlled independently with the first pump and with the second pump, respectively. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the first pump and the second pump are configured to control the flow rate in one or more of the first inlet or the second inlet to contribute to separation of material entrained in the fluid stream in the fluid chamber. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one outlet further comprises a first outlet and a second outlet, the first pump being engaged with the first outlet and the second pump being engaged with the second outlet, whereby a flow rate in the first outlet and a flow rate in the second outlet can be controlled independently with the first pump and with the second pump, respectively. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the first pump and the second pump are configured to control the flow rate in one or more of the first outlet or the second outlet to contribute to separation of material entrained in a fluid stream in the fluid chamber. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising the at least one pump being configured to control flow velocity of the fluid in one or more of the at least one inlet or the at least one outlet. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising a first control for controlling the ultrasonic transducer and a second control for controlling the at least one pump. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the first control and the second control are configured to influence a ratio of acoustic radiation force produced by the acoustic wave to viscous drag force, such that material entrained in a fluid stream in the fluid chamber is deflected at a predetermined angle. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid chamber comprises an internal dimension that is at least 10 times the wavelength of the acoustic wave. 
     
     
         11 . A method for processing fluid, comprising:
 controlling, with at least one pump, one or more of a fluid provided to at least one inlet to a fluid chamber or a fluid exiting at least one outlet of the fluid chamber;   generating an acoustic wave in the fluid chamber with an ultrasonic transducer, such that the acoustic wave propagates in a direction that is at an acute angle to a direction of mean fluid flow through the fluid chamber; and   controlling the at least one pump to influence a fluid stream that passes through the acoustic wave in the fluid chamber.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one pump further comprises a first pump and a second pump. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one inlet further comprises a first inlet and a second inlet, the first pump being engaged with the first inlet and the second pump being engaged with the second inlet; and
 controlling a flow rate in the first inlet and a flow rate in the second inlet independently with the first pump and with the second pump, respectively.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising controlling the first pump and the second pump to control the flow rate in one or more of the first inlet or the second inlet to contribute to separation of material entrained in a fluid stream in the fluid chamber. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one outlet further comprises a first outlet and a second outlet, the first pump being engaged with the first outlet and the second pump being engaged with the second outlet; and
 controlling a flow rate in the first outlet and a flow rate in the second outlet independently with the first pump and with the second pump, respectively.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising controlling the first pump and the second pump to control the flow rate in one or more of the first outlet or the second outlet to contribute to separation of material entrained in a fluid stream in the fluid chamber. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising controlling the at least one pump to control flow velocity of the fluid in one or more of the at least one inlet or the at least one outlet. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising controlling the ultrasonic transducer and the at least one pump to influence a ratio of acoustic radiation force produced by the acoustic wave to viscous drag force, such that material entrained in a fluid stream in the fluid chamber is deflected at a predetermined angle. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the fluid chamber comprises an internal dimension that is at least 10 times the wavelength of the acoustic wave. 
     
     
         20 . A system for processing fluid, comprising:
 a fluid chamber for containing the fluid;   an ultrasonic transducer coupled to the fluid chamber for generating an acoustic wave in the fluid chamber at an acute angle to a direction of mean flow through the fluid chamber;   at least two inlets in fluid communication with the fluid chamber;   at least two outlets in fluid communication with the fluid chamber; and   a first pump engaged with one or more of the at least two inlets to control fluid entering the fluid chamber via the one or more inlets to which the first pump is engaged; and   a second pump engaged with one or more of the at least two outlets to control fluid exiting the fluid chamber via the one or more outlets to which the second pump is engaged;   wherein the first pump and the second pump are configured to influence a fluid stream that passes through the acoustic wave in the fluid chamber.