Patent ID: 6051422
Filing Date: 2000-04-18
Classification: C12M,G01N

Abstract:
An apparatus comprising:a monolithic device including an array of planar microelectrodes disposed on a substrate, the array of microelectrodes being connected to a conductive pattern having contact points connected thereto;a cell culture chamber in which the integrated device is disposed, the cell culture chamber being configured to contain a medium for cultured cells in a volume surrounding the respective surfaces of the microelectrodes, wherein cells are introduced into the cell culture chambers and a portion of the cells adhere to respective surfaces of the microelectrodes,wherein the diameter of a cell is larger than the diameter of a microelectrode;a reference electrode disposed within the cell culture chamber;means electrically connected to the contact points connected to the array of microelectrodes for selectively applying an electrical signal between each of the microelectrodes and the reference electrode;means for detecting signals resulting from the application of the signal between each of the microelectrodes and the reference electrode;a phase detector electrically connected to the signal detecting means; andmeans for monitoring characteristics of cells which adhere to the respective surfaces of the microelectrodes based on impedance values derived from the resulting signals, the characteristics being selected from the group consisting of impedance, action potential parameters, cell membrane capacitance, cell membrane conductance, and cell/substrate seal resistance.