A research team at Cornell University in the United States has developed a novel vibration-driven microfluidic chip that can automate the removal of cumulus cells in assisted reproductive technology (ART). The research findings were published in the journal Lab on a Chip and are expected to significantly improve the efficiency and accessibility of fertility treatments.
The device features an open-surface chip design that uses vibration-induced flow to separate cumulus cells from oocytes. A spiral array of micropillars inside the chip generates a whirling flow field when vibrated, directing the smaller cumulus cells toward collection pores while safely retaining the larger oocytes in the loading chamber. The team tested the technology using mouse oocytes, which share genetic similarities with human eggs, and confirmed that the chip can simultaneously process up to 23 oocytes without causing damage.
Alireza Abbaspourrad, associate professor in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, said: "This platform could be a game-changer for the industry. It reduces the need for highly skilled technicians, lowers the risk of contamination, and ensures consistent results." Experimental data showed that the fertilization rate of oocytes processed by the device reached 93.1%, comparable to the 90.7% achieved with manual operation. The blastocyst formation rates were 43.1% and 50.0%, respectively.
The technology significantly reduces reliance on precision manual equipment, and its disposable nature helps control costs. Doctoral student Amirhossein Favakeh noted: "This method makes fertility treatments more accessible by decreasing dependence on expensive equipment and highly trained personnel." The research team plans to conduct further experiments with human oocytes and optimize the chip design to expand its applications in biomedicine.
This innovation not only provides a new solution for assisted reproductive technology, but its particle-sorting principle can also be applied to other medical fields such as cancer cell separation, offering important significance for regions with limited medical resources.
