Microelement device

US6315940A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• NMI Naturwissenschaftliches und Medizinisches Institut an der Universität Tübingen · DE

Inventors

• Wilfried Nisch · Tübingen, DE
• Alfred Stett · Reutlingen, DE
• Ulrich Egert · Reutlingen, DE
• Martin Stelzle · Reutlingen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: May 13, 1999
• Grant date: Nov 13, 2001
• Expiry date: May 13, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N21/763
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A microelement device has a plurality of microelements, which may be configured as microelectrodes, arranged on a substrate and adapted for making contact to cells present in a liquid environment. The cells are guided onto the microelectrodes, are isolated or are mechanically attracted to the microelectrodes. A negative-pressure force or a hydrodynamic force may be applied on the cells. Also described are a method for making contact to the cells, and a method for manufacturing the microelement device is disclosed.