Patent ID: 8921093
Filing Date: 2014-12-30
Classification: B01L,C12M,G01N

Abstract:
1. Apparatus for online measurement of samples from a cell culture space, the samples containing soluble analytes and dissolved gases, the apparatus comprising a substrate, at least one sensor provided with at least one operating circuit, a membrane, the substrate supporting the at least one sensor and the membrane so as to form a sample analysis space between the at least one sensor and the membrane, the membrane being removably attachable with respect to the at least one sensor by a coupling mechanism so as to enable detachment of the membrane and the cell culture space defined thereby with respect to the at least one sensor in order to expose the sample analysis space formed between the at least one sensor and the membrane, and a spacer interposed between the coupling mechanism and the at least one sensor so that the spacer is positioned directly beneath the membrane and adjacent the at least one sensor and beyond a terminal portion of the coupling mechanism, said terminal portion of the coupling mechanism extending toward a center of the apparatus when said apparatus is viewed in cross-section so that said spacer is positioned proximal the center of the apparatus and nearer thereto than said terminal portion of the coupling mechanism, a portion of the spacer distal the center of the apparatus being abutted with the coupling mechanism when the coupling mechanism couples the membrane with respect to the at least one sensor, the membrane being biocompatible or bioinert and communicable with the cell culture space, the sample analysis space being fillable with a transfer medium and integratable with a fluidic system, and the at least one operating circuit being couplable to downstream electronics.