Well Vessel Electrostatic Shielding for High-Sensitivity Pharmacologic Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for measuring electrophysiologic actions of cells, such as ion channel activity, are not suitable for high-speed screening of pharmacologic compounds due to low sensitivity and susceptibility to external disturbances during solution exchange, which complicates the detection of small and short-time changes in electric signals.
Innovation Solution
A pharmacologic measurement instrument with an electrically conductive box and well vessel featuring measurement electrodes and a broad reference electrode for electrostatic shielding, which connects to the conductive box to suppress external disturbances and enable high-sensitivity detection of microcurrents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a flat plate electrode is used for extracellular potential recording, then measurement convenience and speed are improved, but sensitivity to detect small electric signal changes deteriorates due to signal weakening through the solution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional flat plate electrode measurement system with a microelectrode array system that uses semiconductor processing techniques. This substitution enables direct electrical contact with cells while maintaining ease of operation through automated measurement capabilities and improving sensitivity through the specialized microelectrode design with multiple sensing elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the measurement system into multiple microelectrodes arranged in an array on the base substrate. Each microelectrode can independently measure electric signals from different cell locations, and the collective data provides enhanced sensitivity and spatial resolution compared to a single flat plate electrode.
2Measurement precision
If electrostatic shielding is implemented to improve signal detection sensitivity, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional shielding structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the electrostatic shielding function with the base substrate structure itself. The base substrate serves dual purposes: supporting the microelectrode array and providing electrostatic shielding through its conductive properties. This integration eliminates the need for separate shielding structures, maintaining measurement precision while reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The base substrate is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: mechanical support for the microelectrode array, electrical connection pathway, and electrostatic shielding barrier. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components needed in the system while maintaining high signal detection sensitivity.
3Productivity
If batch mode solution exchange is used to improve productivity, then screening speed is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to external disturbance noise from solution dropping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the batch mode solution exchange system with a continuous flow system that maintains constant solution levels in each well. This substitution eliminates the mechanical disturbance of dropping solutions while maintaining high productivity through automated continuous flow control, thereby preserving both screening speed and measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic solution exchange at optimized intervals that allow the system to return to electrical stability between measurements. By controlling the timing and duration of solution changes, the system minimizes the impact of transient disturbances while maintaining high throughput screening capability.
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 solution allows for rapid and sensitive detection of small, short-time changes in electric signals, facilitating high-speed screening of pharmacologic compounds without significant external noise interference, enabling the measurement of ion channel responses even after rapid activation and inactivation.
Implementation Method 1
a broad reference electrode for electrostatic shielding, which connects to the conductive box to suppress external disturbances
Data Source
AI summary
An instrument is provided for pharmacologic measurement capable of detecting a very small and short time change in electric signal caused by a pharmacologic action of a biologic specimen with quickness and a high sensitivity by steeply decreasing an external disturbance component mixed into the system while dropping/exchange of medicinal solutions is conducted in a batch mode.The pharmacologic measurement instrument detects a change in electric signal caused by a pharmacologic action or electrophysiologic action of a biologic specimen, and includes an electrically conductive box having an opening section at the top surface thereof, and a well vessel disposed in the opening section thereof, wherein the well vessel includes a base having recesses in which the biologic specimens are put; measurement electrodes formed on the bottom surfaces of the respective recesses; and reference electrodes electrically insulated from the respective measurement electrodes, and the reference electrodes together with the electrically conductive box electrostatically shields the well vessel.