Ultrasound-induced release of micropallets with cells

Separation of selected adherent live cells attached on an array of microelements, termed micropallets, from a mixed population is an important process in biomedical research. We demonstrated that adherent cells can be safely, selectively, and rapidly released from the glass substrate together with micropallets using an ultrasound wave. A 3.3-MHz ultrasound transducer was used to release micropallets (500 μm × 500 μm × 300 μm) with attached HeLa cells, and a cell viability of 92% was obtained after ultrasound release. The ultrasound-induced release process was recorded by a high-speed camera, revealing a proximate velocity of ∼0.5 m/s.