Diagnosis of diseases by sound

A team of scientists at Penn State University has recently created an ultrasound chip capable of accurately observing cell-level objects without invasion, promising numerous applications in medical research. basic biology.

This device consists of probes attached to a piezoelectric substrate (a solid that is capable of producing electricity). The transducers convert the vibrations from the object into a special sound wave. Then the sound wave will create the pressure in the liquid medium containing the object. In addition, the ultrasonic chisel also has electronic equipment to accurately adjust the sound waves that can hold or move specimens.

Electronic schematic of ultrasonic tweezers (Photo: Livescience)

Using this mechanism of action, researchers used ultrasound chips to observe the life cycle from the embryo and control small specimens such as C. elegans, a multicellular organism that was applied. a lot in medical research. By observing based on the recording, this device is the first technology that can observe C.elegans without touching it.

Despite some aspects, ultrasonic chips can not be compared to optical chips (lasers and nanoparticle-based chips to capture small objects). But ultrasound chips are simple, cheap and less bulky. Moreover, because of the low energy density of 10,000 times the optical chip, ultrasonic chips will also cause less damage to biological objects.

Researchers are planning to use ultrasound chips in a series of biomedical experiments in the future, such as blood cell classification, cancer cells, cell research, or whole-body observations. as well as the interactive environment of the objects as they did with C.elegans worms. From there, we developed a compact and cheap tool for doctors who specialize in blood chemistry, classifying and diagnosing cancer cells.

References: Livescience