Patent ID: 7713733
Filing Date: 2010-05-11
Classification: C12M,G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A device for detecting at least two analytes of interest either produced or consumed by a plurality of cells, comprising: (a) a body portion having a first end, an opposite second end, a central axis running through the center of the body portion from the first end to the second end, and a planar axis perpendicular to the central axis, wherein the body portion is configured to have a recess proximate to the second end; (b) a substrate for covering the recess of the body portion to define a chamber proximate to the second end, for receiving a plurality of cells therein, and further defining an optical window for allowing optical communication; (c) an insert placed into the chamber, containing the plurality of cells; (d) an inlet channel formed in the body portion and in fluid communication with the chamber for introducing a medium into the chamber; (e) an outlet channel formed in the body portion and in fluid communication with the chamber for introducing a medium away from the chamber; (f) means for simultaneously detecting at least two analytes of interest either produced or consumed by the plurality of cells in the chamber; (g) a membrane positioned over the optical window of the substrate and between the substrate and the second end of the body portion, wherein the membrane is at least partially transparent; and (h) a controller in communication with the simultaneously detecting means and comprising a means for storing, processing, and analyzing at least one detected signal, wherein the inlet channel and the outlet channel are formed substantially in parallel to the central axis of the body portion, wherein the substrate is formed substantially perpendicular to the central axis of the body portion and substantially in parallel to the planar axis of the body portion, and wherein the simultaneously detecting means comprises a first electrode to detect one of the at least two analytes of interest and a second electrode to detect another of the at least two analytes of interest, the first electrode and the second electrode positioned apart from each other, and wherein the controller is programmed to cause the simultaneously detecting means to cause the first electrode to detect the one of the at least two analytes of interest and generate a first corresponding signal and to cause the second electrode to detect the other of the at least two analytes of interest and generate a second corresponding signal, and wherein the controller is further programmed to measure at least one physical quantity associated with physiological activities of the at least one cell based on the detected signal from each of the first electrode and second electrode.