In situ tumor cells detection using nanotube-functionalized & microfluidic-controlling multiresonance optical fiber

Abstract

In situ and highly sensitive monitoring of tumor cells provides a fundamental understanding of the valuation of cancer diagnosis. However, existing techniques are largely unable to rapidly capture and precisely quantify the tumor cells. To address this, we propose a novel approach based on a nanotube-functionalized & microfluidic-controlling multiresonance optical fiber sensor. The sensor consists of a tilted fiber Bragg grating (TFBG) inscribed in the fiber core and specially designed halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) coated over the fiber surface. In particular, the HNTs are arranged in an orderly manner along the fiber surface to form slit-like patterned layers for enhanced the interaction with tumor cells, resulting in more effective capture of tumor cells. Such a sensor provides a powerful light scattering sensing ability. Based on the spectral area interrogation method, normal cells and tumor cells can be unambiguously discriminated within a few minutes, providing high sensitivity (limit of detection of 10 cells/mL), and a linear response for a large cell concentration range (10 ∼ 105 cells/mL). Meanwhile, by integrating the fiber sensor with a well-designed microfluidic chip, rapid and precise measurement of different tumor cell samples with low consumption (sub-microliter volumes) can be achieved, which provides a potential tool for cancer diagnosis and treatment.