Projected capacitive multi electrode eukaryotic cell array

Abstract

The present subject matter discloses various exemplary projective capacitive micro structured electrode arrays for measuring the impedance and action potential of living cells in particular induced pluripotent stem cells that are subsequently differentiated into cardiomyocytes and neurons. In one exemplary system a projective capacitive electrode array with cardiomyocytes attached onto the electrodes is formed and electrical measurements of live cell responses when exposed to external stimulants, such as small molecule drugs or biologically active compounds is recorded.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A projective capacitive electrode array for real time measurement of living cell electrophysiology. 
     
     
         2 . The array of  claim 1 , wherein the array is fabricated onto a printed circuit board. 
     
     
         3 . The array of  claim 2 , wherein the printed circuit board is a transparent material. 
     
     
         4 . The array of  claim 3 , wherein the transparent material includes polyester, polycarbonate, cellulosic, or cyclic polyolefins. 
     
     
         5 . The array of  claim 4 , wherein the transparent material is between 25 microns and 2 millimeters in thickness. 
     
     
         6 . The array of  claim 2 , comprising copper traces. The array of  claim 6 , wherein the copper traces are gold plated. 
     
     
         8 . The array of  claim 2 , comprising copper traces having space/trace dimensions varying from 5 microns by 5 microns to 500 microns by 500 microns in any combination of aforementioned dimensions. 
     
     
         9 . The array of  claim 8 , utilizing one of 50 micron by 50 micron, 75 micron by 75 micron, or 100 micron by 100 micron space/trace dimensions. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus for real time electrophysiology measurement of living cells using a microcontroller, the apparatus comprising:
 a projective capacitive sensing device including:
 a substrate; and 
 an array of patterned electrodes formed on the substrate; and 
   electrical connections allowing the array of patterned electrodes to be connected to the microcontroller to allow the microcontroller to measure electrical characteristics of the living cells when the living cells are attached to the patterned electrodes.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the array of patterned electrodes comprises copper traces. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the copper traces are gold plated for biocompatibility. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the substrate comprises a transparent substrate. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the substrate comprises a printed circuit board. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the substrate comprises a polymeric film. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the patterned electrodes are arranged and connected in a self-capacitive configuration. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the patterned electrodes are arranged and connected in a mutual capacitive configuration. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , comprising a microwell plate attached to the substrate, the microwell plate including a plurality of microwells configured to be loaded with the living cells such that the living cells are attached to the patterned electrodes. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the array of patterned electrodes and the plurality of microwells are arranged to allow for electrical measurement on each microwell of the plurality of microwells. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the microwell plate is attached to the substrate using waterproof pressure sensitive adhesive.