Oocyte mechanical caractrization by robot integrated microfluidic chip for high-throughput quality evaluation

We presents a mechanical characterization of oocyte for high-throughput quality evaluation. In order to achieve the biomedical disposable applications, our characterization system consists of only four parts: a sensing part, an actuation part, a flow-control part, and a robot integrated microfiuidic chip (Robochip) as a disposable part. Robochip has advantages of both of micromechanical manipulator and Lab-on-a-Chip devices, which are, briefly, high-accuracy with high-output-force and high-throughput abilities. Robochip contains a pair of a width-tunable-wall and a force sensor. The mechanical characterization was based on the stress relaxation phenomena. The analytical model of the oocyte was expressed using Maxwell model, we assumed the shape of the deformation follows the Hertz's contact theory. The mechanical characterization was demonstrated, and the results shows that the elastic and viscoelastic characters were measured. Moreover, experimental and simulated values are good agreement.