Cell Impedance Analysis via Electromagnetic Radiation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for cell analysis, such as flow cytometry, face challenges related to fluidic mechanics, limiting throughput and efficiency in cell identification and counting.

Innovation Solution

A device and method for analyzing biological cells using electromagnetic radiation, where a head provides electromagnetic radiation to a subset of cells on a platter, and an electrode detects the radiation to determine impedance values, facilitating cell identification and counting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional flow cytometry methods are used for cell analysis, then cell identification and counting can be performed, but throughput is limited due to fluidic mechanics challenges

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovethroughputVSAvoidfluidic mechanics complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical fluidic system with an electromagnetic field-based system. Instead of using fluid flow to transport and analyze cells, the invention uses electromagnetic radiation to interact with cells positioned on a platter, eliminating the complexity of fluidic mechanics while maintaining cell analysis capability and significantly improving throughput.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention divides the cell analysis system into discrete components: a platter for positioning cells, a head for providing electromagnetic radiation, and an electrode for detection. This segmentation allows for simplified, independent optimization of each component and enables high-throughput analysis without the bottlenecks of integrated fluidic systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If electromagnetic radiation method is used for cell analysis, then throughput and efficiency are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovethroughputVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electromagnetic radiation head and electrode system serves multiple functions: it provides radiation, detects interaction, and determines impedance values. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components, thereby managing device complexity while achieving high throughput.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system utilizes changes in electromagnetic radiation parameters (frequency, intensity, phase) as cells interact with the radiation. By measuring impedance changes through these parameter variations, the system achieves high-throughput analysis with relatively simple detection electronics, avoiding the need for complex mechanical or fluidic control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The method enables accurate and efficient determination of impedance values for biological cells, improving cell identification and counting processes, and potentially replacing or complementing conventional methods.

Implementation Method 1

a first head positioned adjacently to the first platter for providing first electromagnetic radiation to at least a first subset of the first group of biological cells; and a first electrode positioned adjacently to the first platter for detecting the first electromagnetic having interacted with the first subset of the first group of biological cells

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation interaction: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

determining impedance values for the first subset of the first group of biological cells based on the first electromagnetic radiation detected by the first electrode

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpedance measurement: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentEP4012379B1Devices and methods for determining impedance of single biological cells
Publication Date: 2025.04.02 TDK CORP
  • EP4012379B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4012379B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4012379B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A device for analyzing biological cells is disclosed. The device includes a first platter (102) for positioning a first group of biological cells (180); a first head (104) positioned adjacently to the first platter (102) for providing first electromagnetic radiation to at least a first subset of the first group of biological cells (180); and a first electrode (106) positioned adjacently to the first platter (102) for detecting the first electromagnetic having interacted with the first subset of the first group of biological cells (180) for determining impedance values for the first subset of the first group of biological cells.