Realistic visual and haptic feedback simulator for real-time cell indentation

Comprehensive and training simulators that provide realistic visual and haptic feedback during cell indentation tasks are currently investigated. Complex cell geometry inherent to biological cells and intricate mechanical properties drive the need for precise mechanical and numerical modeling to assure accurate cell deformation and force calculations. Advances in alternative finite element formulation, such as mass-tensor approach, have reached the state where they are applicable to model soft cell deformation in real time. The geometrical characteristics and the mechanical properties for different cells are determined with AFM indentation. A real-time, haptics-enabled simulator for cell centered indentation has been developed which utilizes the atomic force microscopy data (mechanical and geometrical properties of embryonic stem cells (mESC)) to accurately replicate the indentation task and predict the cell deformation during indentation in real-time. This tool can be used as a mechanical marker to characterize the biological state of the cell. The operator is able to feel in real-time the change in the stiffness during cell deformation between fixed and live cells. A comparison study with finite element simulations using a commercial software and the experimental data demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed physically-based model.