Noninvasive holographic sensor system for measuring stiffness of soft micro samples
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Significance: Measuring cell stiffness is essential in cellular biomechanics, particularly in understanding disease progression, including cancer metastasis and tissue mechanics. However, conventional techniques such as atomic force microscopy and optical stretching present limitations, including invasiveness, low throughput, and complex sample preparation. These factors restrict their applicability in dynamic and sensitive biological environments.
Aim: This study introduces a noninvasive holographic sensor system for evaluating the stiffness of soft microscale samples.
Approach: The proposed system integrates holographic imaging with acoustic stimulation using an off-axis Mach–Zehnder interferometer combined with bulk acoustic waves. This setup allows for label-free, high-throughput measurements while preserving sample integrity. The system was validated with polyacrylamide beads engineered to mimic cellular stiffness, ensuring precise and repeatable stiffness assessments.
Results: Measurement errors caused by spatial variations were minimized through a structured imaging approach and a calibration strategy, improving uniformity across different regions. These corrections enhanced the consistency and reliability of stiffness assessments. Experimental validation demonstrated stable stiffness measurements regardless of sample size variations. Repeatability tests further confirmed the system’s robustness, producing consistent results across multiple trials.
Conclusion: The findings highlight the potential of this holographic sensor system in advancing cell biomechanics research, cancer diagnostics, and mechanobiology. By offering a noninvasive, high-throughput alternative for mechanical property assessments in biological samples, this method contributes to improved characterization of cellular stiffness in biomedical applications.
Aim: This study introduces a noninvasive holographic sensor system for evaluating the stiffness of soft microscale samples.
Approach: The proposed system integrates holographic imaging with acoustic stimulation using an off-axis Mach–Zehnder interferometer combined with bulk acoustic waves. This setup allows for label-free, high-throughput measurements while preserving sample integrity. The system was validated with polyacrylamide beads engineered to mimic cellular stiffness, ensuring precise and repeatable stiffness assessments.
Results: Measurement errors caused by spatial variations were minimized through a structured imaging approach and a calibration strategy, improving uniformity across different regions. These corrections enhanced the consistency and reliability of stiffness assessments. Experimental validation demonstrated stable stiffness measurements regardless of sample size variations. Repeatability tests further confirmed the system’s robustness, producing consistent results across multiple trials.
Conclusion: The findings highlight the potential of this holographic sensor system in advancing cell biomechanics research, cancer diagnostics, and mechanobiology. By offering a noninvasive, high-throughput alternative for mechanical property assessments in biological samples, this method contributes to improved characterization of cellular stiffness in biomedical applications.
Date Issued
2025-03-01
Date Acceptance
2025-02-19
Citation
Journal of Biomedical Optics, 2025, 30 (03)
ISSN
1083-3668
Publisher
SPIE
Journal / Book Title
Journal of Biomedical Optics
Volume
30
Issue
03
Copyright Statement
© The Authors. Published by SPIE under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Distribution or reproduction of this work in whole or in part requires full attribution of the original publication, including its DOI. [DOI: 10.1117/1.JBO.30.3.036501]
License URL
Identifier
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40093760
PII: 240312GR
Subjects
acousto-holographic measurement
cancer diagnostics
cell stiffness
holographic reconstruction
mechanobiology
Holography
Reproducibility of Results
Equipment Design
Interferometry
Biomechanical Phenomena
Humans
Acrylic Resins
Publication Status
Published
Coverage Spatial
United States
Article Number
036501
Date Publish Online
2025-03-14