Challenge of Noncontact Quality Evaluation of Oocyte with Noncontact 3D Attitude Control Using Vibration-induced Flow

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K13909
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Intelligent mechanics/Mechanical systems
• Research Institution: Nagoya University
• Principal Investigator: Arai Fumihito 名古屋大学, 工学(系)研究科(研究院), 教授 (90221051)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: マイクロ・ナノデバイス / 超精密計測 / マイクロマシン / 機械力学・制御 / 細胞・組織

Outline of Final Research Achievements

To measure the mechanical properties of oocytes non-invasively, we focused on the attitude control of an oocyte on a chip. Micro-pillars are fabricated on a surface of microfluidic chip, and the vibration is applied to them. The local flow is generated around pillars. We call it vibration-induced flow. We used vibration-induced flow to transport the target cell to the measurement point and to control its attitude. We succeeded in transportation, positioning and 3D rotation of mouse oocytes. We integrated a pair of a probe and a force sensor in the microfluidic chip for measurement of the mechanical properties of oocyte. The reactive force of target cell was measured with its deformation ratio. We succeeded in measurement of Young’s modulus of mouse oocytes by using the robot integrated microfluidic chip. We confirmed the feasibility of basic principles of the microrobot system for the quality evaluation based on mechanical characteristics of oocyte.

Free Research Field

知能機械学・機械システム