3D printed biaxial stretcher compatible with live fluorescence microscopy

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Cell Biology
• Microscopy

Background:

• Mechanical characterization of biological tissues is crucial for understanding material properties.
• Simultaneous tensile testing and fluorescence microscopy of cells is technically challenging.
• Existing commercial cell/tissue stretchers are often costly, inflexible, and incompatible with advanced imaging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a low-cost, customizable biaxial stretching system for live cell fluorescence microscopy.
• To overcome the limitations of current commercial stretching devices.
• To facilitate real-time monitoring of cellular changes during mechanical stress.

Main Methods:

• Designed and 3D printed an Open source Biaxial Stretcher (OBS) using readily available hardware and software.
• Integrated a motorized system with high precision (10 ± 0.5 μm accuracy) and 4.5 cm XY travel.
• Incorporated a touchscreen control panel, heated platform, and sample bath for cell viability.
• Developed adaptable tissue mounts and clamps for diverse sample types.
• Engineered a low-profile design for direct microscope stage mounting.

Main Results:

• The OBS provides precise, motorized biaxial stretching compatible with upright and inverted microscopes.
• The system maintains a constant field of view during coordinated stretching, enabling real-time tracking.
• Integrated heating and sample bath ensure cell and tissue viability during experiments.
• The open-source nature allows for customization and cost-effectiveness.

Conclusions:

• The 3D-printed Open source Biaxial Stretcher (OBS) is an effective, affordable solution for mechanical characterization of biological samples.
• This system significantly enhances capabilities for live cell fluorescence microscopy during mechanical testing.
• The OBS facilitates advanced research in tissue mechanics and cell biology by enabling real-time imaging and analysis.