Smart microrobots for mechanical cell characterization and cell convoying

IEEE Trans Biomed Eng. 2007 Aug;54(8):1536-40. doi: 10.1109/TBME.2007.891171.

Abstract

This paper deals with the effective design of smart microrobots for both mechanical cell characterization and cell convoying for in vitro fertilization. The first microrobotic device was developed to evaluate oocyte mechanical behavior in order to sort oocytes. A multi-axial micro-force sensor based on a frictionless magnetic bearing was developed. The second microrobotic device presented is a cell convoying device consisting of a wireless micropusher based on magnetic actuation. As wireless capabilities are supported by this microrobotic system, no power supply connections to the micropusher are needed. Preliminary experiments have been performed regarding both cell transporting and biomechanical characterization capabilities under in vitro conditions on human oocytes so as to demonstrate the viability and effectiveness of the proposed setups.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biomechanical Phenomena / instrumentation
  • Biomechanical Phenomena / methods
  • Cell Culture Techniques / instrumentation*
  • Cell Culture Techniques / methods
  • Cell Separation / instrumentation*
  • Cell Separation / methods
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Equipment Design
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Humans
  • Micromanipulation / instrumentation*
  • Micromanipulation / methods
  • Miniaturization
  • Oocytes / classification
  • Oocytes / cytology
  • Oocytes / physiology*
  • Physical Stimulation / instrumentation*
  • Physical Stimulation / methods
  • Robotics / instrumentation*
  • Robotics / methods