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Time‐resolved scanning acoustic microscopy (SAM) equipped with time‐resolved signal analysis offers unique possibilities for studying the mechanical properties of cells in vitro. The method is nondestructive and noninvasive on a cellular level, which enables real‐time measurements on living cells. The ultrasonic attenuation coefficients and sound speeds of MCF 10A normal breast cells and MCF 7 weakly invasive cancerous cells were measured and compared using a time‐resolved SAM operating at 0.86 GHz center frequency and with 5 ns pulse duration. The attenuation coefficients of MCF 10A and MCF 7 cells were found to be 126 ± 67 and 443 ± 129 dB, respectively, while the sound speeds of the same cells were 1583 ± 24 and 1736 ± 61 m/s, respectively. Both the attenuation coefficient and sound speed of MCF 7 cells were higher than those of MCF 10A cells. In particular, the difference in the attenuation coefficients was pronounced. The relative differences in sound speed and attenuation coefficient could be utilized to differentiate normal cells from cancerous cells. [Weiss et al. IEEE Trans. Ultrasonics, Ferroeletrics, and Freq. Contrl. 54, 2257–2271 (2007)] [Work supported by Korean Science and Engineering Foundation.] |
