Device for taking measurements of cells which are contained in a liquid environment

US6984297B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

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

Inventors

• Wilfried Nisch · Tübingen, DE
• Martin Stelzle · Reutlingen, DE
• Alfred Stett · Reutlingen, DE
• Thomas Krahn · Hagen, DE
• Thomas Muller · Greensburg, US
• Christoph Methfessel · Wuppertal, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 20, 2002
• Grant date: Jan 10, 2006
• Expiry date: Jan 30, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N33/48728
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method and a device are used for carrying out measurements on cells located in a liquid environment. Each cell is positioned with an underside of its membrane on a surface having a channel running through it. A negative pressure is established to aspirate the cells. Each cell is electrically scanned via at least one electrode which is spaced apart from the cell. The negative pressure is preferably established in a pulse-like manner to rupture the membrane in such a way that the cell interior enclosed by the membrane is connected to the channel.