We automate, integrate and simplify sample preparation.
At MicroAcoustiX, we are developing the next-generation of cell, plasma and biomarker separation - beyond expensive, bulky and work-intensive centrifuges. We aim to simplify the complex and time-consuming preparation of body fluid samples for sophisticated biomarker-based diagnostics.
Our CleanPlasma technology overcomes the hurdles of conventional centrifugation techniques with a completely new approach. In our small microfluidic chips we use gentle sound waves - instead of high mechanical forces - to separate blood cells and obtain a highly pure plasma sample.
The chip-based CleanPlasma process is fully automatable, so sample preparation can be integrated seamlessly into existing diagnostic equipment to create an interruption-free diagnostics process chain.
Gentle handling
The gentle sound-wave based separation ensures cells and biomarkers are not exposed to high shear forces, preserving their integrity.
Time efficiency
CleanPlasma enables efficient sample handling in a single-step process, avoiding time-consuming manual handling.
Automation
Our chip-based technique allows for a full automation of the separation process, delivering precise and user-independent results.
Integration
Our chip modules can be seamlessly fitted into your existing diagnostic device to significantly enhance process integration.
Chip-based blood plasma separation
CleanPlasma is a chip-based microfluidic technology for the preparation of high-quality blood plasma samples for diagnostic purpose, using the so-called acoustofluidic separation technique.
​High-frequency sound waves (surface acoustic waves, SAW) are generated on our CleanPlasma acoustofluidic chips, creating a pressure field within an integrated microchannel. The pressure differences influence the behavior of the cells in a downstreaming blood sample and enables the continuous purification of the liquid blood components (plasma with biomarkers) by separation from the solid components (blood cells including the platelets) - automated, gentle and efficient. ​
Real-time video showing separated blood stream within acoustofluidic channel (microscope image)
CleanPlasma creates blood plasma samples with a comparably high purity (low cell concentration) as conventional centrifugation protocols, however, our samples shows no measurable signs of platelet activation or hemolysis.
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​Thus, our CleanPlasma chip has the potential to replace the existing laboratory centrifuges and can even be directly integrated into diagnostic devices to enable a fully automated process flow.
CleanPlasma acoustofluidic chip
High-purity blood plasma sample (middle)
Experimental setups and lab devices
Our CleanPlasma blood cell separation system is built using miniaturized components, providing significant advantages over conventional techniques for cell separation. We consequently reduced the size of electrical periphery, pumps, and connectors leading to a very small footprint in your setup. Furthermore, we designed a small optical microscopy modul with high resolution for R&D applications. The system's small size allows for increased portability and ease of use e.g. in field studies, as well as reduced costs for reagents and disposables. Furthermore, the system's small size allows for increased control over the microenvironment, resulting in improved consistency and reproducibility of results. Altogether, CleanPlasma offers a highly convenient and efficient solution for cell handling in your research and diagnostic applications.
Blood plasma separation
Integrated chip cartridge
MicroLab modular experimental setup
Coming soon: CleanPlasmaSorter lab device (design concept)
Benefit from our award-winning technology.
We are proud to announce that MicroAcoustiX CleanPlasma technology won the IQ Innovation Award 2022 (Life Science Cluster).
Publications
Blood platelet enrichment in mass-producible surface acoustic wave (SAW) driven microfluidic chips
Cynthia Richard, Armaghan Fakhfouri, Melanie Colditz, Friedrich Striggow, Romy Kronstein-Wiedemann, Torsten Tonn, Mariana Medina-Sánchez, Oliver G. Schmidt, Thomas Gemming and Andreas Winkler
Lab on a Chip, 2019, 19, 4043–4051
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/C9LC00804G
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