Scientists invent 3D printed fiber microprobe for measuring in vivo biomechanical properties of tissues

Fiber sensing scientists at Shenzhen College have developed a compact fiber optical nanomechanical probe (FONP) for measuring in vivo biomechanical properties of tissue and even single cells.

Publishing within the journal Worldwide Journal of Excessive Manufacturing, the researchers from Shenzhen College utilized femtosecond laser-induced two‐photon polymerization expertise to manufacture a fiber-tip microprobe with ultrahigh mechanical precision all the way down to 2.1 nanonewton.

This high-precision mechanical sensing system allows the measurement of in vivo biomechanical properties of tissue, single cell, and different kinds of delicate biomaterials. The findings may have a widespread impression on the long run improvement of all-fiber Atomic Power Microscopy for biomechanical testing and nanomanipulation.

One of many lead researchers, Professor Yiping Wang, commented, “The biomechanical properties of various tissues within the human physique vary extensively with seven orders of magnitude, from the softest cells to the stiffest bones. Now we have developed a versatile technique that would design and fabricate the fiber-tip microprobes with essentially the most fitted spring fixed for the correct in vivo biomechanical measurement of just about all of the tissues within the human physique.”

Atomic Power Microscopy (AFM) is among the few applied sciences that would carry out delicate biomechanical measurements. Nevertheless, there are typical limitations of bench-top AFM system in its dimension and complicated suggestions system. It additionally requires sure geometry of the samples to be measured, which additional limits its software in biomechanical measurement in vivo.

First writer Dr. Mengqiang Zou claimed, “Our work achieved a new technology of all-fiber AFM with the versatile methodology to realize the very best design of the fiber-tip microprobe for each in vivo check, which was turned out to be dependable and likewise rather more miniaturized.”

Professor Changrui Liao has pioneered fiber-tip microdevices fabricated by femtosecond laser-induced two-photon polymerization expertise for gasoline sensing. Right here his group has developed the expertise to realize numerous fiber-tip microstructures, particularly when it comes to microcantilevers with extra topological design, to realize microprobes with a collection of spring constants.

This improvement permits the “all-fiber AFM” to change into a next-generation device for fundamental analysis involving the in vivo biomechanical measurement of assorted kinds of tissues.

The staff utilized the finite aspect technique and topological idea to optimize the design of fiber-tip microcantilever probes. The best microprobe may attain a dependable measuring functionality all the way down to 2.1 nanonewton.

Professor Sandor Kasas stated, “It is a milestone achievement and it’s only the start. We anticipate this system to change into a strong device for in vivo biomechanical examine of human tissue and cells, to additional perceive the basics of biomechanical adjustments associated with illnesses similar to most cancers, and likewise within the essential processes of developmental biology.”