3D-Printed Micro-Tweezers with a Compliant Mechanism Designed Using Topology Optimization
Yukihito Moritoki,
Taichi Furukawa,
Jinyi Sun,
Minoru Yokoyama,
Tomoyuki Shimono,
Takayuki Yamada,
Shinji Nishiwaki,
Tatsuto Kageyama,
Junji Fukuda,
Masaru Mukai,
Shoji Maruo
Affiliations
Yukihito Moritoki
Graduate School of Engineering Science, Yokohama National University, 79-5 Tokiwadai, Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama 240-8501, Japan
Taichi Furukawa
Faculty of Engineering, Yokohama National University, 79-5 Tokiwadai, Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama 240-8501, Japan
Jinyi Sun
Graduate School of Engineering Science, Yokohama National University, 79-5 Tokiwadai, Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama 240-8501, Japan
Minoru Yokoyama
Graduate School of Engineering Science, Yokohama National University, 79-5 Tokiwadai, Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama 240-8501, Japan
Tomoyuki Shimono
Faculty of Engineering, Yokohama National University, 79-5 Tokiwadai, Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama 240-8501, Japan
Takayuki Yamada
Department of Strategic Studies, Institute of Engineering Innovation, School of Engineering, the University of Tokyo, 2-11-16 Yayoi, Bunkyo–ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
Shinji Nishiwaki
Department of Mechanical Engineering and Science, Kyoto University, C3 Kyotodaigaku-katsura, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto 615-8540, Japan
Tatsuto Kageyama
Faculty of Engineering, Yokohama National University, 79-5 Tokiwadai, Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama 240-8501, Japan
Junji Fukuda
Faculty of Engineering, Yokohama National University, 79-5 Tokiwadai, Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama 240-8501, Japan
Masaru Mukai
Faculty of Engineering, Yokohama National University, 79-5 Tokiwadai, Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama 240-8501, Japan
Shoji Maruo
Faculty of Engineering, Yokohama National University, 79-5 Tokiwadai, Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama 240-8501, Japan
The development of handling technology for microscopic biological samples such as cells and spheroids has been required for the advancement of regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. In this study, we developed micro-tweezers with a compliant mechanism to manipulate organoids. The proposed method combines high-resolution microstereolithography that uses a blue laser and topology optimization for shape optimization of micro-tweezers. An actuation system was constructed using a linear motor stage with a force control system to operate the micro-tweezers. The deformation of the topology-optimized micro-tweezers was examined analytically and experimentally. The results verified that the displacement of the tweezer tip was proportional to the applied load; furthermore, the displacement was sufficient to grasp biological samples with an approximate diameter of several hundred micrometers. We experimentally demonstrated the manipulation of an organoid with a diameter of approximately 360 µm using the proposed micro-tweezers. Thus, combining microstereolithography and topology optimization to fabricate micro-tweezers can be potentially used in modifying tools capable of handling various biological samples.