CMOS Electrode Arrays for High-Throughput Patch Clamp Screening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automated patch clamp systems have limitations in throughput and cost-effectiveness, hindering the rapid screening of large compound libraries for Central-Nervous-System disorders, where many diseases lack effective treatments.
Innovation Solution
The development of high-throughput patch clamp systems using semiconductor technologies, featuring a substrate with CMOS layers and circuitry to apply voltage or current to multiple electrodes, enabling simultaneous measurements across numerous sites, thereby increasing the capacity for screening therapeutic compounds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional automated patch clamp systems are used, then measurement capability is maintained, but throughput is limited and cost-effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the measurement function into multiple independent sites (e.g., 384-site array) on a single chip, allowing parallel measurements across numerous samples simultaneously. Each site contains its own electrodes and can independently hold liquid volumes, enabling high-throughput screening without proportionally increasing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The semiconductor chip integrates multiple functions into a single platform: it serves as both the measurement electrode array and the fluid handling substrate. The chip can perform patch clamp measurements, apply electrical stimuli, and interface with fluid delivery systems, replacing multiple separate components with one multi-functional device
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional automated patch clamp systems are used, then operational capability is maintained, but cost-effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses standardized semiconductor fabrication processes to mass-produce identical measurement chips, each containing replicated electrode patterns and circuitry. This copying approach at the manufacturing level enables low-cost production of high-capacity devices, making high-throughput screening economically viable
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical patch clamp systems with semiconductor-based electrical measurements. The semiconductor chip provides direct electrical access to cells through integrated electrodes, eliminating the need for mechanical manipulation of electrodes and associated equipment, thereby reducing system cost while maintaining measurement capability
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
This approach significantly enhances the speed and efficiency of therapeutic compound screening, allowing for the testing of more candidates at once and potentially identifying viable treatments for CNS disorders more effectively.
Implementation Method 1
The CMOS layer can include circuitry to apply at least one voltage or current to a plurality of electrodes electrically connected to the circuitry. In addition, the circuitry can measure signals produced in response to the at least one of voltage or current being applied to the plurality of electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
Semiconductor devices can include features to apply electrical stimulation to liquids in which material is present and to measure the response to the electrical stimulation.