Reconfigurable Microelectrode Array for Multi-Modal Cell Signal Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current devices for analyzing cell behavior in vitro face challenges in detecting different electrical characteristics of single cells due to the need for diverse circuitry and large spatial arrangements, which compromise device compactness and cost.
Innovation Solution
A device with a microelectrode array featuring reconfigurable components that can amplify signals or filter frequency bands, allowing the same recording circuitry to be used for multiple sensor modalities, and pixel circuitry with switches for configuring measurement modalities, enabling dense sensing and compact signal processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If different circuitry is provided for detecting different electrical characteristics of single cells, then measurement versatility is improved, but device complexity and circuitry area increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pixel circuitry is designed to be dynamically reconfigurable through control signals that switch between different measurement modalities (e.g., voltage measurement, current measurement, impedance spectroscopy). This dynamic switching allows the same physical circuitry to perform multiple measurement functions, resolving the contradiction between measurement versatility and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements universal pixel circuitry that can perform multiple measurement functions through software-controlled configuration. Each pixel contains reconfigurable components (switches, amplifiers, filters) that can be programmed to execute different measurement tasks, eliminating the need for separate dedicated circuitry for each measurement type.
2Productivity
If a large circuitry area is allocated for signal processing, then signal processing capability is improved, but device compactness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The signal processing functionality is segmented and distributed directly to each pixel location on the sensor array. Each pixel contains its own reconfigurable signal processing circuitry (amplifiers, filters, ADCs), eliminating the need for a large centralized processing area. This segmentation allows compact integration while maintaining full signal processing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention moves signal processing from a separate centralized area to the spatial dimension of the sensor array itself by integrating processing circuitry within each pixel. This dimensional integration allows the device to maintain compactness while providing robust signal processing capability through distributed architecture.
3Measurement precision
If dense arrangement of sensing electrodes is implemented, then spatial resolution is improved, but circuitry area requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple circuitry functions (signal amplification, filtering, analog-to-digital conversion, and measurement control) into integrated pixel circuits located directly at each electrode site. This merging eliminates the need for separate circuitry areas and allows dense electrode arrangements with minimal spacing, as each electrode has its own compact processing unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The pixel circuitry is designed with a nested hierarchical structure where amplification stages, filtering circuits, and ADC components are nested within each other in a compact integrated circuit layout. This nesting allows multiple functional layers to occupy minimal area, enabling dense electrode arrangements while maintaining full signal processing capability at each pixel.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for analysis of cells comprises: an active sensor area (104) presenting a surface for cell growth; a microelectrode array (102) comprising a plurality of pixels (110) in the active sensor area (104), wherein each pixel (110) comprises at least one electrode (120) at the surface, wherein each pixel (110) is configured to control the configuration of the pixel circuitry and set a measurement modality of the pixel; recording circuitry having a plurality of recording channels (130), wherein each pixel (110) is connected to a recording channel (130), wherein each recording channel (130) comprises a reconfigurable component (131), which is selectively controlled between being set to a first mode, in which the reconfigurable component (131) is configured to amplify a received pixel signal, and being set to a second mode, in which the reconfigurable component (131) is configured to selectively pass a frequency band of the received pixel signal.