A novel force sensing platform using passive magnetic springs for mechanical characterisation of human oocytes

Abstract

This article presents a novel low cost force sensing platform for the mechanical characterisation of human oocytes. This platform is compatible with the specific context of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). The oocyte is placed inside a standard Petri dish filled with a culture medium. It is immobilized using a holding pipette. The disposable parts used to mechanically test each oocyte are made of glass. This configuration is very similar to the one used in IntraCytoplasmic Sperm Injection protocol excepted that the injection pipette is replaced by a glass indenter. This platform uses two passive and linear magnetic springs to measure the nanoforce applied to the oocyte. The stabilisation of the unstable magnetic springs is passively achieved using the reaction force generated by the compressed oocyte. Some preliminary results obtained with an experimental platform are presented. The global magnetic stiffness of the indenter, evaluated by simulation and experimentally identified, is about 0.0013 N.m −1 .

Sensing Cell Membrane Biophysical Properties for Detection of High Quality Human Oocytes

“…20,21 Thus, the mechanical characterizations can be used for oocyte selection. 22 In a recent study, Yenez et al found that there is a difference between the viscoelastic properties of viable and nonviable fertilized oocytes. 23 They also demonstrated that the mechanical stiffness of mouse embryo is a decisive criterion for detecting embryo quality.…”

“…24,25 A nanoforce sensor and a new force sensing platform using passive magnetic springs were presented to measure mechanical characteristics of oocytes. 22,26 It should be pointed out that these studies require complex equipment and are dependent on the experimental environment. 22,26 More recently, the genetic screening method was reported to optimize oocyte development rate and embryo quality.…”

“…22,26 It should be pointed out that these studies require complex equipment and are dependent on the experimental environment. 22,26 More recently, the genetic screening method was reported to optimize oocyte development rate and embryo quality. 27−29 However, the cost of genetic screening is high, and the process is complicated.…”

“…Apart from that morphological method, there are some new investigations, − wherein optical spectroscopy appears to evaluate the oocyte quality. , Vidberg et al presented a simple optical microsystem for measuring the transmission spectra of oocytes to determine its maturation degree . Another prospective method focuses on the mechanical characteristics of oocyte; investigations proved that there is a link between the stiffness of oocytes and their biological properties. , Thus, the mechanical characterizations can be used for oocyte selection . In a recent study, Yenez et al found that there is a difference between the viscoelastic properties of viable and nonviable fertilized oocytes .…”

“…To select high-quality oocytes by the mechanical characteristics, diverse devices were developed. Liu et al and Wacogne et al developed a system that compresses the oocyte against several flexible beams by a holding pipet to detect oocyte quality. , A nanoforce sensor and a new force sensing platform using passive magnetic springs were presented to measure mechanical characteristics of oocytes. , It should be pointed out that these studies require complex equipment and are dependent on the experimental environment. , More recently, the genetic screening method was reported to optimize oocyte development rate and embryo quality. − However, the cost of genetic screening is high, and the process is complicated . Currently, the permeability parameter measurement has become an effective way to assess the viability and function of cells or tissues, , especially using microfluidic techniques. − This may be a novel way to detect high-quality oocytes.…”