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Device for the study of living cells

  • US 9,975,118 B2
  • Filed: 12/25/2008
  • Issued: 05/22/2018
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2007
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A cell study device, comprising:

  • a base layer wherein said base layer comprises a socket;

    a planar conduit defining layer, separate from said base layer, including an aperture forming side walls of a channel therein;

    a planar cover layer, separate from said base and conduit defining layer, which, together with the side walls of said channel and said base layer, forms an enclosed capillary flow channel in said conduit layer in parallel to said base layer and above said base layer, wherein the cross-section of said capillary flow channel is generally perpendicular to said base layer and is sized such that capillary fluid flow results from the attachment of said cover layer to said conduit layer,wherein fluid flow in said capillary flow channel is capillary fluid flow resulting solely from capillary forces within said capillary flow channel;

    anda cell holding area positioned within said socket comprising an array of cell-holding picowells on said base layer in fluid contact with said capillary flow channel, said picowells being sized and configured to accommodate and immobilize a single cell or a predetermined number of cells for exposure to a sequence of liquid aliquots delivered by the capillary flow channel, thereby permitting study of cells individually, wherein said capillary fluid flow in said capillary flow channel is horizontal and above said picowells and wherein said cover layer is movable to permit access to said cell holding area.

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