Cell assay device

• US 5,536,662 A
• Filed: 12/02/1993
• Issued: 07/16/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Molecular Devices
• Original Assignee: Molecular Devices
• Inventors: Libby, Jeffrey M., Miller, Donald L., Schwartz, Henry L., Humphries, Gillian M. K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Beismer, William H.
• Application Number:
  US08/161,198
• Time in Patent Office: 957 Days
• Field of Search: 435/4, 435/29, 435/32, 435/39, 435/240, 435/241, 435/182, 435/284-286, 435/288, 435/291, 435/817, 435/311, 204/403, 204/409, 204/415, 204/153.12, 204/153.17
• US Class Current: 435/287.1
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 25/04 in combination with well or multiwell plates, i.e. culture inserts
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 435/817 Enzyme or microbe electrode

Abstract

This invention encompasses porous microchambers which contain cells and permit liquid to flow in and out of the chamber while retaining cells within the chamber. These porous microchambers serve as disposable devices for placing cells in a microflowchamber so that properties of the cells within the porous microchamber can be measured.

Claims

1. A device for removably placing cells in a microflowchamber of a microphysiometer comprising:

(a) an outer sleeve having a top and bottom opening wherein the bottom opening of the outer sleeve is covered with a porous membrane; and

(b) an inner sleeve fitting within the outer sleeve and having a top and bottom opening wherein the bottom opening of said inner sleeve is covered with a porous membrane which together with the outer sleeve and the porous membrane of the outer sleeve define a porous microchamber capable of fitting within the microflowchamber wherein cells are maintained in the porous microchamber when liquid flows through or above or between or below the porous membranes and wherein the microflowchamber has a volume of between 10 nanoliters and 10 microliters.