A novel ultrasonic micro-dissection technique for biomedicine

Ultrasonics. 2006 Dec 22:44 Suppl 1:e255-60. doi: 10.1016/j.ultras.2006.06.010. Epub 2006 Jun 30.

Abstract

Molecular techniques are transforming our understanding of cellular function and disease. However, accurate molecular analysis methods will be limited if the input DNA, RNA, or protein is not derived from pure population of cells or is contaminated by the wrong cells. A novel Ultrasonic Vibration Micro-dissection (UVM) method was proposed to procure pure population of targeted cells from tissue sections for subsequent analysis. The principle of the ultrasonic vibration cutting is analyzed, and a novel micro-tool is designed. A multilayer piezoelectric actuator is used to actuate a sharp needle vibrating with high frequency and low amplitude (approx. 16-50 kHz, and 0-3 microm) to cut the tissue. Contrast experiment was done to test the feasibility of UVM method. Experimental results show that the embedded tissue can be quickly and precisely cut with the ultrasonic vibration micro-dissection method.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Separation / instrumentation*
  • Cell Separation / methods
  • Equipment Design
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Microdissection / instrumentation*
  • Microdissection / methods
  • Transducers*
  • Ultrasonics*