Design and Optimisation of a Microgripper: Demonstration of Biomedical Applications Using the Manipulation of Oocytes

Solano, B.P.; Gallant, A.J.; Wood, D.

Abstract

We present a bidirectional electrothermal microgripper for the advanced manipulation of single large cells. The device demonstrates excellent performance, and shows great potential as a supporting microtool for different biomedical procedures such as oocyte selection or electrofusion of cells. In particular, we focus on the operation of the device in real environments, i.e. integrated in a standard biological micromanipulation station and entirely submerged in a biological fluid, for the handling and transportation of ‘live’ specimens (in our case mice oocytes). A clamping mechanism is included in the design that limits the pressure exerted over the biological specimen to an approximate maximum of 40 μN, whilst maintaining a robust grip, with a force up to 300 μN, between the arms of the microgripper.

Citation

Solano, B., Gallant, A., & Wood, D. (2009, May). Design and Optimisation of a Microgripper: Demonstration of Biomedical Applications Using the Manipulation of Oocytes. Presented at DTIP 2009: SYMPOSIUM ON DESIGN, TEST, INTEGRATION AND PACKAGING OF MEMS/MOEMS, Rome, Italy

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (published)
• Conference Name: DTIP 2009: SYMPOSIUM ON DESIGN, TEST, INTEGRATION AND PACKAGING OF MEMS/MOEMS
• Online Publication Date: May 12, 2009
• Publication Date: May 12, 2009
• Deposit Date: Oct 1, 2010
• Publisher: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
• Pages: 61-65
• Book Title: Symposium on Design, Test, Integration and Packaging of MEMS/MOEMS (DTIP), Rome, Italy, 1-3 April 2009.
• Keywords: Microgripper, Electrothermal
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1158661
• Publisher URL: http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/4919504/