Polymer opto-mechanical transducer for abnormal cell contraction diagnostics

Abnormal cell contractile behavior is hallmark of cardiovascular diseases. Any study of single cell contractility requires a way to quantify mechanical forces in a precise, dynamic and reproducible manner with high fidelity and accuracy. A variety of cell-substrate mapping methods have been developed, such as bead tracking, wrinkle counting, and micro post bending, etc. All rely on tracking individual sensing units and deriving forces from their displacements. This paper presented a high sensitivity opto-mechanical transducer for real time cell contraction study. The structure consists of micro fabricated polymer sensor arrays that served as diffraction moiré grating lines and grids for supporting cells. Through carrier fringe analysis, the phase changes on moiré patterns with cell culture can provide real-time mapping of cell traction forces evolution without measuring the distortions on the substrates.