Biological Test System Drive-Sense Circuits for Non-Destructive Cell Monitoring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for testing biological cells' responses to stimuli are limited by the use of dyes and electric field enhancers that can kill cells, restricting the ability to assess long-term reactions and making it difficult to conduct individualized medicine testing.
Innovation Solution
A test system with drive-sense circuits (DSCs) that detect changes in electrical characteristics of cells without using electric field enhancers, allowing for the monitoring of cell responses over time and in real conditions, using a test container array with electrodes that transmit and receive signals at different frequencies to generate impedance maps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If dyes and electric field enhancers are used to detect cell responses, then measurement precision is improved, but cell viability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (electric field enhancer) that facilitates the detection process without directly harming the cells. The enhancer amplifies the electrical signals from cells, allowing detection while the cells remain viable and undamaged by toxic dyes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces optical detection methods (using dyes that absorb light) with electrical detection methods. Instead of using dyes that chemically interact with cells and kill them, the system uses electrical field enhancers and electrodes to detect cell responses through electrical impedance changes, thereby avoiding cell death.
2Productivity
If conventional testing methods are used, then initial testing speed is improved, but long-term monitoring capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous monitoring of cell responses over extended periods. The electrical detection system allows real-time measurement of cell impedance changes as cells respond to stimuli, maintaining continuous data collection without the need to replace cells or stop testing, thereby achieving both speed and long-term monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows cells to respond naturally to stimuli without intervention from harmful substances. The electrical field enhancers passively amplify existing cell signals, enabling the cells to self-express their responses to various conditions over time without external manipulation that would compromise viability or enable long-term study.
3Measurement precision
If dyes are applied to detect cellular effects, then detection sensitivity is improved, but cell viability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes optical detection with electrical detection. Instead of using dyes that bind to cellular components and kill cells, the system uses electrical field enhancers to amplify electrical signals from cells, measuring impedance changes that reflect cell responses while maintaining cell viability and reliability for long-term studies.
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 non-destructive, real-time monitoring of cell responses to various substances, facilitating individualized medicine by providing detailed, long-term data on cell behavior without killing the cells, thus improving the accuracy and relevance of test results.
Implementation Method 1
The processing module is operable to interpret the set of changes in the electrical characteristics of the set of electrodes as a set of impedance values corresponding to the solution and the biological material in the solution
Implementation Method 2
Each of the test container electrodes is coupled to a drive-sense circuit that is operable to transmit a transmit signal at a particular frequency and receive a receive signal at the particular frequency from another drive-sense circuit
Data Source
AI summary
A test system includes a test container array including a plurality of test containers, and a plurality of electrodes integrated into the test container array. A test container contains a content. The test system further includes a plurality of drive-sense circuits coupled to the plurality of electrodes. When enabled, the set of drive-sense circuits transmit a set of electrode signals on the set of electrodes and generate a set of sensed signals. The test system further includes a processing module coupled to the plurality of drive-sense circuits that includes an analog reference signal generator operable to provide a set of analog reference signals to the set of drive-sense circuits, and a sensed signal processing unit operable to interpret the set of sensed signals as a set of impedance values. The set of impedance values are representative of electrical characteristics of the content.