Devices and methods for long-term intracellular access

US8808516B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University · US

Inventors

• Nicholas A. Melosh · Menlo Park, US
• Piyush Verma · Chesterfield, US
• Benjamin David Almquist · Somerville, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 5, 2012
• Grant date: Aug 19, 2014
• Expiry date: Oct 31, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N33/18
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Nanoscale probes for forming stable, non-destructive seals with cell membranes. The probes, systems including these probes, and methods of fabricating and using the probes described herein may be used to sense from, stimulate, modify, or otherwise effect individual cells or groups of cells. In particular, described herein are nanoscale cellular probes that may be used to span the lipid membrane of a cell to provide stable and long lasting access to the internal cellular structures. Thus, the probes described herein may be used as part of a system, method or device that would benefit from stable, non-destructive access across a cell membrane. In some variations the nanoscale probe devices or systems described herein may be used as part of a drug screening procedure.