Joint subarray acoustic tweezers enable controllable cell translation, rotation, and deformation

Area of Science:

• Biophysics
• Acoustic manipulation
• Microscale engineering

Background:

• Contactless microscale tweezers are crucial for bioparticle manipulation but offer limited control over all six fundamental motions.
• Existing technologies struggle with comprehensive manipulation, including simultaneous translation and rotation of single bioparticles.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a joint subarray acoustic tweezers (JSAT) platform for complete six-degree-of-freedom control of single bioparticles.
• To enable complex manipulation combining translational and rotational motions for bioparticles.
• To facilitate 3D imaging and mechanical property characterization of cells.

Main Methods:

• Leveraging acoustic radiation force and viscous torque for precise manipulation.
• Implementing a joint subarray acoustic tweezers system.
• Integrating standard microscopy with acoustic rotation for 3D imaging.

Main Results:

• Achieved full control over three translational and three rotational motions of single bioparticles.
• Demonstrated controllable cell deformation by gradually increasing acoustic load.
• Enabled 3D imaging of bioparticles using standard microscopy without confocal systems.

Conclusions:

• The JSAT platform offers unprecedented control over single bioparticle manipulation.
• This technology facilitates advanced bioparticle characterization, including mechanical properties and 3D structure.
• Potential applications span 3D imaging, tissue engineering, disease diagnostics, and drug testing.