Frequency-dependent nanomechanical profiling for medical diagnosis

Abstract

Atomic force microscopy (AFM), developed in the early 1980s, has become a powerful characterization tool in micro- and nanoscale science. In the early 1990s, its relevance within biology and medicine research became evident, although its incorporation into healthcare applications remains relatively limited. Here, we briefly explore the reasons for this low level of technological adoption. We also propose a path forward for the incorporation of frequency-dependent nanomechanical measurements into integrated healthcare strategies that link routine AFM measurements with computer analysis, real-time communication with healthcare providers, and medical databases. This approach would be appropriate for diseases such as cancer, lupus, arteriosclerosis and arthritis, among others, which bring about significant mechanical changes in the affected tissues.

Experimental validation of contact resonance AFM using long massive tips

“…The colloidal probe is another form of large, massive-tip sensor, widely used by the AFM community [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] to probe samples that might be damaged from an ultra-sharp tip. The ability to probe the nanomechanical properties of biological samples is essential for using the AFM in medical diagnostics and healthcare [25][26][27]. With CR-AFM's capability to measure accurate nanomechanical properties, and the AFM's capability to probe biological samples using non-traditional sensors, a suitable CR model is required for the analysis of CR measurements performed using sensors with long, massive tips.…”

Contact resonance atomic force microscopy using long elastic tips

“…The successful use of nano-needles and qPlus sensors in trolling mode, along with new theoretical CR models, paves the way for contact resonance trolling mode (CRTM). CRTM will allow advanced measurements of biological samples in situ, and will further improve AFM's current and successful use for health-care applications [22][23][24]. With the decreasing diameter of the tip, to allow for high spatial resolution imaging, and the extended length, to allow in-liquid measurements and perform invasive cell manipulation [25][26][27], the contribution of the flexibility of the tip becomes significant.…”