Fiber sensing scientists at Shenzhen College have developed a compact fiber optical nanomechanical probe (FONP) for measuring in vivo biomechanical properties of tissue and even single cells.

Publishing within the journal Worldwide Journal of Excessive Manufacturing, the researchers from Shenzhen College utilized femtosecond laser-induced two‐photon polymerization expertise to manufacture a fiber-tip microprobe with ultrahigh mechanical precision right down to 2.1 nanonewton.

This high-precision mechanical sensing system allows the measurement of in vivo biomechanical properties of tissue, single cell, and different varieties of delicate biomaterials. The findings might have a widespread influence on the longer term growth of all-fiber Atomic Pressure Microscopy for biomechanical testing and nanomanipulation.

One of many lead researchers, Professor Yiping Wang, commented, “The biomechanical properties of various tissues within the human physique vary extensively with seven orders of magnitude, from the softest cells to the stiffest bones. We have now developed a versatile technique that might design and fabricate the fiber-tip microprobes with probably the most fitted spring fixed for the correct in vivo biomechanical measurement of just about all of the tissues within the human physique.”

Atomic Pressure Microscopy (AFM) is without doubt one of the few applied sciences that might carry out delicate biomechanical measurements. Nonetheless, there are typical limitations of bench-top AFM system in its measurement and complicated suggestions system. It additionally requires sure geometry of the samples to be measured, which additional limits its utility in biomechanical measurement in vivo.

First creator Dr. Mengqiang Zou claimed, “Our work achieved a new technology of all-fiber AFM with the versatile methodology to realize one of the best design of the fiber-tip microprobe for each in vivo take a look at, which was turned out to be dependable and likewise way more miniaturized.”

Professor Changrui Liao has pioneered fiber-tip microdevices fabricated by femtosecond laser-induced two-photon polymerization expertise for fuel sensing. Right here his group has developed the expertise to realize varied fiber-tip microstructures, particularly by way of microcantilevers with extra topological design, to realize microprobes with a collection of spring constants.

This growth permits the “all-fiber AFM” to grow to be a next-generation software for primary analysis involving the in vivo biomechanical measurement of varied varieties of tissues.

The workforce utilized the finite factor methodology and topological idea to optimize the design of fiber-tip microcantilever probes. The best microprobe might attain a dependable measuring functionality right down to 2.1 nanonewton.

Professor Sandor Kasas mentioned, “This can be a milestone achievement and it is just the start. We anticipate this method to grow to be a robust software for in vivo biomechanical examine of human tissue and cells, to additional perceive the basics of biomechanical modifications associated with ailments resembling most cancers, and likewise within the crucial processes of developmental biology.”