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An Acoustic Device for Ultra High-Speed Quantification of Cell Strain During Cell-Microbubble Interaction
Oliver Pattinson1, Sara B Keller2, Nicholas D Evans1
1Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton, University Road, Southampton SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom.
ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering
|September 25, 2023
Summary
Researchers developed a new method to visualize microbubble and cell interactions using ultra-high-speed imaging. This technique allows for better understanding of how microbubbles create therapeutic effects on cells with ultrasound.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cellular Mechanics
- Acoustic Imaging
Background:
- Microbubbles under ultrasound induce therapeutic effects via mechanical cell stimulation.
- Characterizing cell-microbubble interactions at therapeutic frequencies is challenging due to technical limitations in imaging.
- Existing methods lack sufficient frame rates and resolution to quantify cellular responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel methodology for high-resolution imaging of cell-microbubble interactions at high frame rates.
- To overcome technical limitations in quantifying the mechanical response of cells to oscillating microbubbles.
- To enable a deeper understanding of the mechanisms behind ultrasound-mediated microbubble therapies.
Main Methods:
- Designed a compact acoustic device compatible with ultra-high-speed cameras (Shimadzu HPV-X).
- Utilized microbubbles (DSPC- and cationic DSEPC-) and osteosarcoma cells.
- Captured microbubble oscillations at 5 million frames per second (FPS) with high spatial resolution.
- Applied digital image correlation for single-cell strain quantification.
Main Results:
- Confirmed successful cell culture and microbubble attachment to osteosarcoma cells.
- Observed microbubble oscillations at ultra-high speeds, validating the acoustic field and imaging setup.
- Revealed observable cell deformation post-microbubble oscillation.
- Demonstrated the first use of digital image correlation for quantifying strain in single cells during these interactions.
Conclusions:
- The novel acoustic device significantly improves spatial resolution for imaging cell-microbubble interactions.
- This methodology facilitates the study of mechanical forces at the cellular level during ultrasound exposure.
- Provides a foundation for understanding the mechanisms of microbubble-induced therapeutic effects.
