1.) During collection, a moderately applied electric waveform dielectrophoretically excludes large particulates and debris from the device entrance and traps particles in size-specific zones of the device containing a high-volume, non-uniform array of insulating posts, while other solutes and water flow unimpeded to a waste stream.

2.) Trapped particles within a selected size range are released in a concentrate to a medium-volume array having a different applied waveform frequency and DC offset. Particles are re-trapped in zones of this secondary device that are specific to the internal physique of the particles. This trapping behavior should distinguish between living cells, dead cells, and inert matter in the same size range.

3.) Selected particles are then released to a tertiary low-volume dielectrophoretic sieve bearing an electric-field-generated conductivity gradient to further filter and select particles that physically respond to osmolality and conductivity, a live-particle signature.

4.) A sharply pulsed electric field lyses the selected cells, releasing their contents to a canonical microfluidic separation channel.