ISFET Sensor Well Plate for Non-Invasive pH Monitoring

The patent introduces an intermediary measurement system that allows pH and temperature monitoring without direct removal of cells from the controlled environment. The system uses sensors and optical measurements through the incubator walls or via media samples that maintain environmental control, acting as a mediator between the need for measurement and the need to preserve cell viability.

The patent replaces the mechanical approach of physically removing cells for measurement with an optical and electronic measurement system. Optical sensors and imaging techniques allow non-contact or minimal-contact measurement of pH and temperature parameters, eliminating the harmful mechanical removal process while maintaining measurement capability.

The patent implements feedback control mechanisms where pH and temperature sensors continuously monitor the growth media conditions, and the incubator system automatically adjusts carbon dioxide levels and temperature to maintain optimal parameters. This closed-loop feedback system achieves stable pH control while automating the complexity, reducing manual intervention.

The patent designs the incubator control system to perform multiple functions simultaneously: temperature control, carbon dioxide regulation, pH monitoring, and cell imaging. By integrating these functions into a single multi-functional platform, the system manages complexity through consolidation rather than separate dedicated systems for each parameter.

The patent transitions from simple optical color-change methods to more sophisticated measurement parameters including multi-wavelength optical detection, fluorescence ratios, and calibrated signal intensities. By changing the measurement parameters from simple color observation to quantified optical properties, the system achieves both ease of operation and high measurement accuracy.

The patent employs composite sensing systems that combine multiple indicators, optical filters, and reference materials to achieve accurate pH measurement. The use of composite optical systems with multiple components allows for ratiometric measurements and compensation of environmental variables, providing both operational simplicity and measurement precision.