Optical Trapping, Cell Manipulation, And Robotics

Abstract

A new type of analytical and preparative cytometric instrument was developed. fie instrument ccxnbines image analysis and machine vision with single cell and chromosome manipulation by means of optical trapping. A proof-of-@nciplc instrument, OCAM, has the ability to locate and analyze biological particles inside an exlosed manipulation chamber, as well as the ability to move and position particIes =card.ing to prcprogmmm ed pocols.Prelimirlfu-y results and potential biologicaJ applications of such a microrobcx are discussed.

Implementing both short- and long-working-distance optical trappings into a commercial microscope

“…Trapping can be simply achieved using not one, but a couple of counterpropagating beams. The concept, which has been explored in the 1970s, [2][3][4]17 and later used in a few applications, [5][6][7][8] is illustrated in Figs. 1͑b͒ and 1͑c͒.…”

“…[5][6][7][8] Much more widespread is the so-called "optical tweezer" geometry, 9 based on a single tightly focused beam. In comparison to the two-beam concept, the single-beam trap has the twofold advantage of simplicity and size independence; i.e., particles with sizes ranging from less than 1 m up to about 20 m can be trapped with the same setup, without any adjustment except that of the beam power.…”

“…They are recombined inside a kind of Sagnac interferometer and are focused by identical objectives, 5,14 in faceto-face configuration. Such setups are built from separate parts, and, apart from the primary function of optically trapping particles, do not offer the image quality and numerous observation tools of commercial microscopes.…”

Laser induced cell fusion in combination with optical tweezers: The laser cell fusion trap

“…One can Furthermore, this method may be amenable to automation. An example is the instrument described by Buican et al (6,7), using a computer-controlled optical trap system for cell manipulation and robotics.…”

“…Biological particles such as Exoli, lymphocytes, red blood cells, and macrophages could be trapped successfully, introducing the "optical tweezer" into the field of biological micromanipulation (3)(4)(5)(6)(7)17). The physical principles of optical trapping have been described in detail (1,2).…”