Transillumination lab-on-a-chip cytometer with silicon/glass membrane for image-based porcine oocyte deformation characterisation

Transillumination microscopes, often with a simple lens-free optical configuration, combined with lab-on-a-chip devices are useful tools for the characterisation of various biological samples. A key issue with these devices is light transparency across a lab-on-a-chip structure. In this work we achieved this by embedding a glass window in a silicon membrane. Despite light transmission, the membrane could be pressure actuated. A second key issue is software analysis of the images due to the holographic nature of the captured images. In this paper, the technology of the silicon/glass membrane and results of porcine oocyte imaging during deformation are presented and compared with our previous micro-electro-mechanical system cytometer working with a reflective microscope. Thus, a unique device that deforms cells and allows deformation measurements with transillumination was developed.