Stacked integrated platform architecture

Abstract

A system comprising (1) a microelectrode array (MEA) component comprising an integrated multiplexed (MUX) logic circuit; and (2) a microprocessor, e.g., MOSFET, such as a CMOS, wherein the MEA is in electrical communication with the microprocessor such that signals produced by the microelectrodes are transmitted to the processor through the MUX. The use of a MUX reduces the number of outputs used to communicate signals from multiple microelectrodes to the microprocessor. The two components are removably engageable with each other such that after one or more uses, the engaged MEA can be removed and replaced with a new MEA, without the necessity of disposing the microprocessor.

1 . A system comprising:
 a microelectrode array (MEA) component comprising an embedded multiplexed (MUX) logic circuit; and   a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) component, wherein the system is configured to: (i) record a signal, (ii) generate a signal, (iii) perform a computational analysis of one or more signals, or (iv) a combination thereof, and wherein the MEA component and the complementary CMOS component are configured to be separable.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein an electrode of the MEA component is associated with an interfacing component via the MUX logic circuit, and wherein the interfacing component is also associated with the CMOS component. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising an interfacing component configured to operably connect the MEA component with the CMOS component. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3  wherein the interfacing component comprises an electrical pin, an optical element, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3  wherein the interfacing component is configured to align a signal from the CMOS component with a receiving portion of the MEA component. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the MEA component comprises one or more cells. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the MEA component comprises at least about 1,000 electrodes. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the MEA component comprises at least about 100,000 electrodes. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the CMOS component performs one or more computations without an external processor. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the MEA component and the CMOS component are configured in a stacked arrangement, wherein a surface of the MEA component is positioned adjacent a surface of the CMOS component. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the computational analysis comprises an analysis of a cell response to a stimulation. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the MEA component interfaces with one or more cells that express odorant receptors, and the system is configured to perform odorant detection. 
     
     
         13 . A device comprising a microelectrode array (MEA) including a substrate comprising a plurality of microelectrodes in electrical contact with a surface of the substrate, and one or more multiplexed (MUX) logic circuits integrated with the microelectrode array, each multiplexed logic circuit comprising, (1) as inputs, electrical connections with each of a plurality of the microelectrodes, (2) one or more outputs, and (3) a switch that selects between input signals and forwards a selected input signal to an output line, wherein the total number of outputs is fewer than the total number of microelectrodes. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13  further comprising one or more wells formed on the surface of the substrate, each well comprising a space in electrical contact with one or a plurality of the microelectrodes. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 13  further comprising a plurality of wells, each well comprises a plurality of cells expressing olfactory receptors. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15  wherein the cells in each well express different olfactory receptors. 
     
     
         17 . A method comprising:
 engaging a first device to an electrical interface configured to transmit electrical signals received from outputs of the first device to a microprocessor;   the first device comprising an microelectrode array including a plurality of microelectrodes in electrical contact with a plurality of compartments on or in a substrate, the compartments containing living cells of the type that express odorant receptors and produce an electrical signal when exposed to a stimulus, the first device further comprising one or more multiplexed (MUX) logic circuits adapted to consolidate inputs from the plurality of microelectrodes into a reduced number of outputs to the microprocessor; and   processing the electrical signals from the outputs via the microprocessor.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein processing comprises determining an intensity of the electrical signals. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the living cells detect one or ore volatile compounds. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  further including contacting the living cells with a gas or liquid test sample.