Microfluidic Cell Monitoring Chip for 3D Aggregate Analyte Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing techniques for testing with three-dimensional cellular aggregates lack accuracy and clinical relevance due to the use of animal models, necessitating a more precise and relevant testing method.
Innovation Solution
A cell monitoring apparatus comprising a sensing chip and a channel module, integrated with a microfluidic system, that utilizes a field-effect transistor-based biosensor to monitor cellular interactions and metabolic states, enabling precise detection of target analytes in a culture medium.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If animal models are used for testing, then experimental results can be obtained, but accuracy and clinical relevance are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a three-dimensional cellular aggregate structure that copies and mimics human tissue architecture and physiological functions. Instead of using animal models, the invention replicates human cellular environments in vitro, allowing tests to be performed on samples that are phylogenetically identical to the target human organisms, thereby simultaneously improving both measurement precision and clinical relevance.
2Reliability
If three-dimensional cellular aggregates are used, then clinical relevance is improved, but measurement and detection difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a microfluidic channel system as an intermediary between the three-dimensional cellular aggregates and the external monitoring environment. This intermediary allows culture medium to flow through the aggregate structure, enabling indirect but effective monitoring of cellular interactions and metabolic states through analyte detection in the medium, thus reducing the difficulty of measuring complex three-dimensional cellular systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical or visual inspection methods with field-effect transistor-based biosensors that detect electrical field changes caused by analytes in the culture medium. This substitution of mechanical/direct observation methods with electrical field-based sensing simplifies the monitoring of three-dimensional cellular aggregates, making it easier to detect metabolic states and cellular interactions non-invasively.
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
The apparatus provides enhanced accuracy and clinical relevance by directly monitoring cellular interactions, allowing for precise detection of target analytes and metabolic states, thereby improving the reliability of experimental results.
Implementation Method 1
utilizes a field-effect transistor-based biosensor to monitor cellular interactions and metabolic states, enabling precise detection of target analytes in a culture medium
Data Source
AI summary
Cell monitoring apparatus includes sensing chip and channel module. Sensing chip includes channel region, source and drain regions, and sensing film. The channel region includes first semiconductor material. The source and drain regions are disposed at opposite sides of the channel region, and include a second semiconductor material. Sensing film is disposed on the channel region at a sensing surface of the sensing chip. Channel module is disposed on the sensing surface of sensing chip. A microfluidic channel is formed between the sensing surface of the sensing chip and a proximal surface of the channel module. The microfluidic channel includes a culture chamber and a micro-well. The culture chamber is concave into the proximal surface of the channel module, and overlies the channel region. The micro-well is concave into a side of the culture chamber, and directly faces the sensing film.