Utilizing Tissues Self-Assembled in Fiber Optic-Based "Chinese Guzheng Strings" for Contractility Sensing and Drug Efficacy Evaluation: A Practical Approach

Abstract

Recent advances in drug design and compound synthesis have highlighted the increasing need for effective methods of toxicity evaluation. A specialized force sensor, known as the light wavelength-encoded “Chinese guzheng” is developed. This innovative sensor is equipped with optical fiber strings and utilizes a wavelength-encoded fiber Bragg grating (FBG) that is chemically etched to reduce its diameter. This design allows the sensor to detect minimal forces as low as l µN. This sensor is successfully applied to monitor human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived human-engineered heart tissue (hEHT) models that can self-assemble and contact optical fiber-based strings. The sensor detects micro newton contraction forces in real-time by measuring the wavelength drift resulting from hEHT contractions. In addition, the sensor is precise and durable, exhibiting a fatigue resistance of up to 800 000 cycles, making it suitable for long-term monitoring. The device effectively measured the contractile force of the hEHTs under various physiological conditions, including natural contraction, electrical stimulation, and stretching. Moreover, multichannel detection enables the study and demonstration of short- and long-term effectiveness of multiple drugs. This breakthrough sensor addresses the critical need for high-precision real-time monitoring in drug evaluation and provides a solid foundation for screening drugs to treat cardiomyopathy.