Optoelectronic Tweezers Platform for Label‐Free and Automated Multidimensional Sperm Manipulation

Abstract Approximately 17.5% of adults globally face infertility, with male factors accounting for 50% of cases. Current sperm selection and manipulation technologies are limited in precision, throughput, and biosafety. Here, an intelligent sperm manipulation platform based on optoelectronic tweezers integrating multiphysics modeling and automated algorithms is presented for label‐free, high‐precision, multidimensional selection and collective manipulation of sperm cells. COMSOL simulations elucidate the polarization response of sperm under optically induced dielectrophoresis, identifying optimal parameters (10–15 Vpp, 1–10 kHz, 20–40 µm light pattern diameter), which theoretically generate effective driving forces exceeding 2.7 pN. Experimental validation demonstrates manipulation accuracy of <20 µm for single sperm, enabling 3D selection based on morphology (head area), motility (>15 µm s −1 ), and viability (live/dead fluorescence markers). By integrating a YOLOv8‐based object detection model with a path‐planning algorithm, the system achieves collision‐free queuing of four sperm within 27 s (spacing error <2.25%), enriches low‐concentration samples by 120‐fold, and directs transport of sperm populations (velocity 10 µm s −1 , escape rate <1%). Post‐manipulation analyses confirm maintained motility (16.4 ± 1.7 µm s −1 ) and DNA integrity, demonstrating the non‐invasive nature of the technique. This technology addresses the “precision‐throughput‐damage” trade‐off in reproductive cell engineering and offers a transformative approach for standardizing assisted reproductive technologies.

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Publication Details

Journal
Advanced Materials Technologies
Published
2025-09-19
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/admt.202501167
Primary Topic
Microfluidic and Bio-sensing Technologies
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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article

Optoelectronic Tweezers Platform for Label‐Free and Automated Multidimensional Sperm Manipulation

Zijin Zeng, Yanfei Guo, Shunxiao Huang, Zaiyang Chen et al.
Advanced Materials Technologies
Microfluidic and Bio-sensing Technologies
article

Optoelectronic Tweezers Platform for Label‐Free and Automated Multidimensional Sperm Manipulation

Zijin Zeng, Yanfei Guo, Shunxiao Huang, Zaiyang Chen, Chunyuan Gan, Hongyi Xiong, Kai Hong, Lei Huang, Wenxin Niu, Lin Feng, Bo Chen, Chan Li, Ao Wang, Hongyan Sun, Jiawei Zhao, Jingwen Ye
article en

Abstract

Abstract Approximately 17.5% of adults globally face infertility, with male factors accounting for 50% of cases. Current sperm selection and manipulation technologies are limited in precision, throughput, and biosafety. Here, an intelligent sperm manipulation platform based on optoelectronic tweezers integrating multiphysics modeling and automated algorithms is presented for label‐free, high‐precision, multidimensional selection and collective manipulation of sperm cells. COMSOL simulations elucidate the polarization response of sperm under optically induced dielectrophoresis, identifying optimal parameters (10–15 Vpp, 1–10 kHz, 20–40 µm light pattern diameter), which theoretically generate effective driving forces exceeding 2.7 pN. Experimental validation demonstrates manipulation accuracy of <20 µm for single sperm, enabling 3D selection based on morphology (head area), motility (>15 µm s −1 ), and viability (live/dead fluorescence markers). By integrating a YOLOv8‐based object detection model with a path‐planning algorithm, the system achieves collision‐free queuing of four sperm within 27 s (spacing error <2.25%), enriches low‐concentration samples by 120‐fold, and directs transport of sperm populations (velocity 10 µm s −1 , escape rate <1%). Post‐manipulation analyses confirm maintained motility (16.4 ± 1.7 µm s −1 ) and DNA integrity, demonstrating the non‐invasive nature of the technique. This technology addresses the “precision‐throughput‐damage” trade‐off in reproductive cell engineering and offers a transformative approach for standardizing assisted reproductive technologies.

Advanced Materials TechnologiesVol. 11(1)
Peking University (CN), Beijing Chang'an Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital (CN), Peking University Third Hospital (CN), Beijing Advanced Sciences and Innovation Center (CN), Beihang University (CN)
Openalex Percentile: Top 76%
Microfluidic and Bio-sensing Technologies
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