Development of micro heater array system for cell manipulation

This paper reports on the novel three-dimensional micromanipulation method by simple micro-heater array with thermoresponsive gel. Furthermore, control method for a 4×4 micro-heater array device was reported. These devices can be applied to construction of micro object. In here, micro-heater array device that can be heated with regional selectively are fabricated using micro electromechanical systems (MEMS) technology. By combination between this device and a thermoresponsive gel, two-dimensional gel structure with arbitrary shape can be generated. A number of micro size target objects were trapped in thermoresponsive gel with arbitrary shape. Furthermore, micro-heater array device integrated to three-dimensional micromanipulator realize manipulation (trap, move, release) of a number of target objects. At first, we demonstrate this concept with simple 2×2 device and system. And then, we try to apply developed 4×4 devices. This device has an advantage of simple design, however, there is a problem. The problem is that current flows some heating points around the target points while the target point is heated. These small current flow cause weak heat. Therefore, we also developed the control method for a micro-heater array device to solve weak heat problems.