Phase contrast imaging in acoustophoresis platforms for biological applications

Acoustophoresis devices are popular tools for manipulation and diagnostic in microfluidic environments. They offer the opportunity for contactless manipulation of cells. We demonstrate that the combination of acoustic manipulation and holographic imaging provides a suitable system for the simultaneous handling and of biological matter. We employ an acoustofluidic device with a transparent piezo element, to enable optical investigation through the channel. The holographic imaging is thus employed to observe and analyze the behavior of Red Blood Cells during the application of ultrasound radiation. The flexible refocusing, and quantitative phase imaging of single cells and RBCs clusters is reported.