Pinching and releasing of cellular aggregate by microfingers using PDMS pneumatic balloon actuators

Micro manipulator for three dimensional cell cultures such as a cellular aggregate will be presented. We recently reported on a catcher device to manipulate and transport a cellular aggregate in a microwell by using flow control. This paper proposes microfingers to pinch and release a spherical cellular aggregate (φ200 μm). We have studied pneumatic balloon actuator which is featured by its small, soft and safe characteristics suitable for biomedical applications. This paper will present microfingers and their operation, followed by design, fabrication, and characterization. This paper will also show the significance of surface treatment of a fingertip. A series of operations demonstrated on a real cellular aggregate by using newly developed microfingers will be successfully demonstrated.