Abstract
This paper presents a comprehensive review of the development of the optical stretcher, a powerful optofluidic device for single cell mechanical study by using optical force induced cell stretching. The different techniques and the different materials for the fabrication of the optical stretcher are first summarized. A short description of the optical-stretching mechanism is then given, highlighting the optical force calculation and the cell optical deformability characterization. Subsequently, the implementations of the optical stretcher in various cell-mechanics studies are shown on different types of cells. Afterwards, two new advancements on optical stretcher applications are also introduced: the active cell sorting based on cell mechanical characterization and the temperature effect on cell stretching measurement from laser-induced heating. Two examples of new functionalities developed with the optical stretcher are also included. Finally, the current major limitation and the future development possibilities are discussed.
Highlights
During the last decades, the technologies that were initially developed and carefully optimized for microelectronic device fabrications widely expanded into other scientific research fields
Cell sorting naturally requires more than one output, the microfluidic design has to be obviously different with respect to that of a standard OS, and the optical section requires some modification
The microchips generally realized by the followed by Chemical Etching (FLICE) technique have the big advantage of being monolithic and compact, the internal surface of the microfluidic channel may be quite rough, causing imaging distortion and hindering imaging quality, which is fundamental for an appropriate cell contour recognition and for a correct deformation evaluation
Summary
The technologies that were initially developed and carefully optimized for microelectronic device fabrications widely expanded into other scientific research fields. Luo, Martinez Vazquez et al [18,19,20] developed a microfluidic chips with small constriction channels and applied them to the analysis of cell migratory capabilities, allowing to study both active and passive cell mechanical properties. Some of these techniques can only access and probe a small portion of the cell, and most of them need a direct physical-contact between the studied cell and the device, which could modify cell’s natural behavior and even damage it during the measurement. Several new developments and findings from recent studies are described
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
