Device and method for detecting cellular processes by means of luminescence measurements

• US 20050153387A1
• Filed: 03/05/2003
• Published: 07/14/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Endress+Hauser Conducta Gesellschaft FUER Mess- und Regeltechnik mbH+Company KG (Endress+Hauser AG)
• Original Assignee: Micronas Gmbh (TDK Corporation)
• Inventors: Klapproth, Holger, Lehmann, Mirko
• Granted Patent: US 7,767,443 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/40.500
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 41/46 of cellular or enzymatic activity or functionality, e.g. cell viability

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for detecting a luminescence event in or in the immediate vicinity of a cell, a cell cluster, or a tissue, having the following elements: (a) a carrier element (1) having a surface (100) prepared for direct or indirect coupling of cells, and (b) at least one optical detector (2) for receiving a luminescence signal and integrated in the carrier element (1) below the surface (100), characterized by the following elements: (c) a cover (7) having an inlet (8) and an outlet (9) and covering the surface (100) such as to form a cavity (70), and (d) an excitation source (21) connected to the inlet (8).

Claims

1. Device for detecting a luminescence event in, at, or in the immediate vicinity of a cell, a cell cluster, or a tissue, said device comprising:

(a) a carrier element (1) with a surface (100) prepared for direct or indirect coupling of cells,

(b) at least one optical detector (2) for receiving a luminescence signal, integrated into the carrier element (1) below surface (100),

(c) a cover (7) covering surface (100) to form a cavity (7), said cover having an inlet opening (8) and an outlet opening (9),

(d) an excitation source (21) connected to inlet opening (8) and accepting a biological or chemical excitation medium for cells.

2. Device according to claim 1 in which a filter (4) is formed between surface (100) and the (at least one) detector (2).

3. Device according to claims 1, in which the carrier element (1) is a semiconductor body.

4. Device according to claim 1, in which multiple detectors (2) are integrated into carrier element (1) below the surface (100) prepared for coupling the cells.

5. Device according to claim 4, in which the at least one detector (2) comprises a photodiode.

6. Device according to claim 1, comprising an evaluation circuit (11) connected to the at least one detector (2).

7. Device according to claim 6, in which the evaluation circuit (11) is integrated into the carrier element (1).

8. Device according to claim 6, in which the excitation source (21), controlled by the evaluation circuit, sends the chemical or biological substance to the inlet opening (8).

9. Device according to claim 8, in which a valve is disposed in an inlet line between the excitation source (21) and inlet opening (8) to control the supply of medium.

10. Device according to claim 1, wherein an adhesion matrix and/or a growth substrate for cells is applied to the surface (100).

11. Device according to claim 10, in which the growth comprises gelatin.

12. Device according to claims 1, in which a cell-immobilizing medium is applied to surface (100).

13. Device according to claim 12, in which the medium comprises negatively charged polystyrene.

14. Device according to claim 1, wherein at least one cell (6) is immobilized at the surface.

15. Device according to claim 1, in which a depression is created in the surface of the carrier device prepared for receiving cells, by contrast with surface areas (101) not prepared for receiving cells, said depression being preferably at least 100 nm deep.

17. Method according to claim 15, in which the luminescence signal is detected with temporal resolution.

16. Method for detection of a luminescence event in using a sensor, at, or in the immediate vicinity of a cell, a cell cluster, or a tissue, comprising

Immobilization of the cell at the surface (100) prepared for receiving cells,

Introduction of a luminophore reacting with a cell metabolic product in the cell (6) or in the vicinity of the cell,

Stimulation of the cell by a chemical or biological substance, and

Detection of a luminescence signal.