Micro-size aperture surface acoustic wave generator for cell lysis

The breakage of the cellular membrane for releasing intracellular material is the starting point for several diagnostics or treatment processes. Surface acoustic waves can provide a novel and chemical-free approach by inducing acoustic streaming generating high shear stress inside a droplet containing cells. However, the power required to achieve an efficient cell lysis can lead to the displacement of the droplet and even the nebulization of the droplet. This effect is aggravated as the droplet size is reduced. In this work, we demonstrate the possibility overcoming the mentioned issue by a micro-size aperture surface acoustic wave generator operating at high frequency. By reducing the aperture of the surface acoustic wave generator to a fraction of the diameter of the deposited droplet, the localized acoustic streaming can lead to high shear stress while not exceeding the adhesion force of the droplet preventing droplet motion or nebulization. This concept can lyse AC16 human cardiomyocyte cells with efficiencies of 80% comparable to a chemical lysis method in 60 s of exposure time.