Vorrichtung und Verfahren zur Erfassung bioelektrischer Signale aus elektrophysiologisch aktiven Bereichen in Sphaeroiden

Beschrieben wird eine Vorrichtung sowie ein Verfahren zum Erfassen bioelektrischer Signale aus Sphaeroiden mit einer Messkammer mit einer Messkammerwand, die ein zumindest einseitig offenes Volumen umschliesst, aus elektrisch nicht leitendem Material besteht und zumindest in einem Messbereich einen Innenquerschnitt aufweist, der maximal dem groessten Querschnitt eines Sphaeroids entspricht, mindestens einer Anzahl von Elektroden, die in einer gemeinsamen Ebene innerhalb der Messkammerwand angeordnet sind und jeweils eine zum Messbereich orientierte, frei zugaengliche Elektrodenoberflaeche aufweisen, sowie einer Impedanzmessanordnung, die mit den Elektroden verbunden sind. Die Vorrichtung sowie das Verfahren lassen sich zu Wirkstofftests an biologischen in vitro 3-D (dreidimensionalen) Zellaggregaten einsetzen.

DE 10142393 C UPAB: 20030214 NOVELTY - An electrically-insulating measurement chamber wall surrounds a volume open on one side. Its internal cross section is no greater than that of the largest cross section of a spheroid (2). Electrodes (10) are arranged in a common plane inside the chamber wall. Each electrode has a freely-accessible electrode area facing the measurement region. An impedance measurement arrangement is connected to the electrodes. DETAILED DESCRIPTION - An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is included for the corresponding method of measurement of bio-electrical signals from spheroids (e.g. cells or cellular clusters), which are positioned in the chamber. Impedance measurement is carried out by impedance-imaging, in order to determine spatially-resolved electro physiologically-active regions in the spheroid. A related method, also claimed, investigates effects of active substances on spheroids. In a first stage, the spheroid including the active substance, is taken from a culture medium (19) and introduced into the measurement chamber. Non-invasive electrical measurements as cited, follow. In a final stage the spheroid is returned to the culture medium without damage. USE - Apparatus measuring bioelectrical signals from spheroids. Localized impedance and potential are measured, by the surrounding, planar ring of electrodes. Specific applications include investigation of effects of active materials on the spheroid, The active materials are pharmaceuticals. They are especially neuro pharmacological or neurotoxic substances, (claimed). ADVANTAGE - The measurement situation in-vitro, is intended to approach as closely as possible the in-vivo situation, when making investigations into the effect of pharmaceuticals, affecting both inter- and intra-cellular interactions, potentials and impedances. These measurements complement investigations on proliferation, morphology and membrane characteristics under the influence of pharmaceutical actives. Various modes of use are feasible, for example, cells may be induced for measurements, followed very shortly by ejection back into the culture medium. This may be repeated for long-term observation, causing minimal disturbance to the cells by the measurement system.