In Vivo Optofluidic Switch for Controlling Blood Microflow

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Optofluidics
• Cardiovascular Research

Background:

• Precise control of blood microflow is vital for treating blood disorders and cardiovascular diseases.
• Current methods often involve invasive synthetic materials, leading to biological incompatibility.
• A need exists for noninvasive, biocompatible solutions for blood microflow management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a label-free, noninvasive, and biocompatible device for controlling blood microflow in vivo.
• To utilize natural red blood cells (RBCs) as components of an optofluidic switch.
• To demonstrate the device's capability for targeted switching and dynamic redirection of microflow.

Main Methods:

• Constructed a device using natural red blood cells (RBCs).
• Employed scanning optical tweezers for optical manipulation, arrangement, and rotation of RBCs.
• Utilized a streamline tracking method to measure response time and regulation precision in zebrafish.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated RBCs functioning as an optofluidic switch for targeted switching, directional enrichment, dynamic redirecting, and rotary actuation of blood microflow.
• Achieved single-cell level regulation precision.
• Measured a response time of approximately 200 ms.

Conclusions:

• Developed a novel in vivo optofluidic switch using natural RBCs.
• This biofriendly device enables noncontact and noninvasive control of blood microflow.
• Potential applications in exploring blood microenvironments and developing new therapies for blood disorders.