Patent ID: 6096550
Filing Date: 2000-08-01
Classification: B82Y,G01N

Abstract:
A method of testing a material without the use of animals to determine the potential of the material to harm human or animal tissue, said method comprising the steps of:forming a biomembrane comprised of at least one biofilm layer by depositing at least one biofilm layer on a substrate, said at least one biofilm layer having physical characteristics of human or animal tissue and including at least some constituent matter of human or animal tissue;applying a quantity of material to said biomembrane;maintaining said biomembrane and said quantity of material in contact for a period of time after applying said quantity of material to said biomembrane; andmonitoring the condition of the biomembrane during said period of time to detect any change in at least one physical characteristic of said biomembrane caused by said quantity of material during said period of time, said step of monitoring the condition of the biomembrane comprising measuring any chances in the thickness of said biomembrane occurring during said period of time.