Extended Gate Transistor Sensing Device for Cell Membrane Potential
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drug screening methods require large numbers of cells and invasive measurements, leading to cell apoptosis, short survival times, and high economic and time costs due to the need for frequent instrument cleaning or replacement.
Innovation Solution
A sensing device comprising a transistor with an extended gate, a disposable electrode, and a remote electrode that measures cell membrane potential using a small number of cells, allowing for non-invasive measurements and reducing the need for extensive cell quantities and instrument replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If invasive measurement is adopted for cells, then measurement precision is improved, but cell survival time deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces invasive mechanical measurement methods with a field-based sensing approach using a transistor sensor that detects cell membrane potential through electrical fields. The sensing device measures cellular electrical activity non-invasively by coupling the sensor to the cell membrane, allowing continuous monitoring without physical intrusion that would damage the cell.
2Reliability
If a large number of cells are used for optical response measurement, then measurement reliability is improved, but time consumption deteriorates due to long incubation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes optical response measurement with electrical field-based transistor sensing that can detect cell membrane potential in real-time. This eliminates the need for long incubation periods required by optical methods, as the transistor sensor can immediately detect and continuously monitor cellular electrical activity with minimal cell numbers.
3Reliability
If used instruments are cleaned or replaced in bulk to prevent cross-contamination, then measurement reliability is improved, but economic cost and time consumption deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sensing system into a reusable transistor sensor component and a disposable electrode tip. The electrode tip can be discarded after use to prevent cross-contamination, while the expensive transistor sensor body is preserved and reused. This segmentation allows selective replacement of only the disposable component rather than the entire instrument.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a disposable electrode tip that is inexpensive and single-use, designed to be replaced after each measurement to prevent cross-contamination. This disposable component protects the more expensive reusable transistor sensor, reducing overall economic cost compared to replacing or extensively cleaning the entire instrument.
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 efficient measurement of cell membrane potential with a minimal number of cells, allowing for drug screening without cell damage and reducing costs associated with instrument replacement, while maintaining the viability of cells for further testing.
Implementation Method 1
The disposable electrode is adapted to load a cell and receive a membrane potential of the cell
Implementation Method 2
The transistor provides different transistor currents at the drain based on the change of the gate voltage
Data Source
AI summary
A sensing device is provided. The sensing device includes a transistor, a disposable electrode, and a remote electrode. The transistor includes an extended gate, source and drain. The remote electrode is configured to receive a reference voltage. The disposable electrode is coupled between the transistor and the remote electrode. The disposable electrode includes a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the disposable electrode is coupled to the extended gate of the transistor. The distal end of the disposable electrode is coupled to the remote electrode. The disposable electrode is adapted to load a cell and receive a membrane potential of the cell. The disposable electrode provides a gate voltage to the extended gate based on the change of the membrane potential and the reference voltage. The transistor provides different transistor currents at the drain based on the change of the gate voltage.