Patent ID: 7981649

Claim:
A method for monitoring the status of at least one cell, wherein the cell has a membrane forming a substantially enclosed structure and defining an intracellular space therein, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a device for monitoring the status of at least one cell, the device comprising: (i) a first substrate having a first surface and an opposite, second surface; (ii) a second substrate supported by the first substrate, the second substrate having a first surface, an opposite second surface, a body portion between the first surface and the second surface, a first side surface and an opposite second side surface, wherein the body portion defines a first passage therein between the first side surface and the second side surface, and a first opening on the first surface of the second substrate that is in fluid communication with the first passage; (iii) sidewalls positioned above the first surface of the second substrate; (iv) a third substrate positioned over the sidewalls and the second substrate and having a first surface and an opposite second surface, wherein the third substrate, the sidewalls, and the second substrate define a chamber, and wherein the chamber is in fluid communication with a second passage defined by portions of the sidewalls and the third substrate; (b) confining the cell in the chamber; (c) making an opening in the membrane of the cell; (d) providing a first medium into the intracellular space of the cell through the opening in the membrane; and (e) measuring the response of the cell to the first medium, wherein the first medium is introduced through the first passage into the intracellular space of the cell through the opening in the membrane.