ChemFET Sensor Arrays for Real-Time Single-Cell Electroscopic Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for electrophysiological and metabolic phenotyping of cells, such as patch clamp and microelectrode voltammetry, are cumbersome and inefficient, limiting the ability to accurately measure single cell behavior and metabolic functions in large populations.

Innovation Solution

A cell analysis system using ChemFET sensors with an automated fluidic system and precision temperature control, enabling real-time electroscopic and optical imaging of single cells, along with simultaneous data acquisition and controlled reagent delivery, to measure electrical and metabolic activity with subcellular addressability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If patch clamp and microelectrode voltammetry methods are used, then electrophysiological and metabolic phenotyping can be performed, but the methods are cumbersome and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement efficiencyVSAvoidmethod complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the cell population into individually addressable locations on a substrate, with each location monitored by separate sensors. This segmentation enables parallel measurement of multiple cells simultaneously, dramatically improving productivity while maintaining measurement precision through location-specific analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces cumbersome mechanical patch clamp and microelectrode voltammetry methods with ChemFET sensors that detect chemical and electrical signals through field effects. This substitution eliminates the need for direct mechanical contact with cells, simplifying the measurement process while maintaining measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If single cell level studies are conducted, then greater insight into normal cell physiology and pathological conditions is provided, but current methods are limited in measuring single cell behavior

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesingle cell measurement capabilityVSAvoidthroughput of single cell analysis

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The substrate is divided into multiple individually addressable locations, each capable of hosting and measuring a single cell. This segmentation enables simultaneous single-cell resolution measurements across many cells, achieving both high measurement precision and high throughput by parallelizing the analysis across the array.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The ChemFET sensor array provides multi-functional capability by simultaneously measuring electrical activity, metabolic function, and chemical signaling across multiple single cells. This universal measurement approach maintains single-cell precision while enabling high-throughput analysis of diverse cellular parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If automated fluidic system and precision temperature control are implemented, then consistent and precise analysis of cellular responses is achieved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconsistency of cell analysisVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The automated fluidic system incorporates feedback control mechanisms that monitor and adjust flow rates, temperature, and reagent delivery based on real-time sensor data. This feedback ensures consistent and reliable cellular response measurements while the automated control systems manage the complexity of coordinating multiple parameters simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates self-regulating features where the automated fluidic system and temperature control automatically adjust to maintain optimal conditions without continuous manual intervention. This self-service capability ensures measurement consistency while reducing the operational complexity burden on the user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Enables real-time, high-resolution imaging and measurement of single cell electrical and metabolic activity with subcellular addressability, providing consistent and precise analysis of cellular responses across a range of temperatures and gas compositions.

Implementation Method 1

ChemFET sensors, each sensor having a sensing surface that contacts the effluent solution

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectField effect transistor sensing:

Implementation Method 2

measure the electrical and metabolic activity of single, living cells

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon concentration detection:

Data Source

PatentEP4711769A2Systems, devices and methods for cell analysis using chemfet sensor arrays

Publication Date: 2026.03.18 LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORP

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AI summary

Systems, devices and methods for cell analysis provide an end user with real-time cell analysis and imaging of single cells in a population. Various cell analysis systems can provide both optical imaging, as well as electroscopic imaging, which is an image of cellular response as detected by sensors covering a cell footprint or cellular efflux. An automated fluidic system can provide an end-user selected sequence of reagents to cells, while precision controlled sensor array device thermostatting, and analysis compartment environmental control provide consistency in the cell analysis system environment.