System and method for supporting a biological chip device
OwnerSpencer Z. Roseroinventor
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Abstract
A support apparatus for maintaining, storing, and transporting biological materials, such as cells. In accordance with certain embodiments of the invention, the biologic materials may be integrated to an electronic component to form a biological chip device, which may be supported, transported, and adapted for interconnection with other such devices through the use of a support apparatus in accordance with embodiments of the invention. In certain embodiments, the support apparatus can generate signals and/or translate signals received for processing and/or relaying to another device or module (e.g., another support apparatus). A plurality of biological chip devices and associated support apparatuses can be supported and linked in a network to perform various desired functions.
Claims36
A method of supporting biological materials associated with biological chip devices, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a housing adapted to support biological materials in a sustaining environment within the housing;
- supplying a fluid to the sustaining environment;
- supplying nutrients to the sustaining environment;
- controlling a temperature of the sustaining environment;
- controlling a fluid parameter of the sustaining environment;
- and removing waste products from the container.
A method of communicating between biological materials to form a network, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a plurality of support apparatuses for supporting biological materials, each apparatus having a housing adapted to provide a sustaining environment to biological materials placed within the housing;
- placing biological materials within the housing of one or more support apparatuses;
- supplying nutrients to the biological materials being supported within the support apparatuses;
- supplying fluids to the biological materials being supported within the support apparatuses;
- controlling a temperature of the biological materials being supported within the support apparatuses;
- controlling a fluid parameter of the biological materials being supported within the support apparatuses;
- removing waste products from the container;
- and coupling a signal from the biological materials in a first support apparatus to the biological materials in a second support apparatus.
A biological chip device for sensing and responding to an environment, the device comprising:
- a biological materials component comprising living cells;
- and an electronic materials component;
- the biological materials component being adapted to be supported within a housing of a support apparatus, the support apparatus being adapted to:
- (a) supply nutrients to the cells being supported;
- (b) supply fluids to the cells being supported;
- (c) control a temperature of the cells being supported;
- (d) control a fluid parameter of the cells being supported;
- and (e) remove waste products from the housing.
An implantable device for sensing and responding to a physiological environment, the device comprising:
- one or more support apparatuses, each support apparatus comprising a housing for providing a sustaining environment to biological materials placed therein, a fluid source for supplying fluid to the sustaining environment, a nutrient source for supplying nutrients to the sustaining environment, and a waste processing portion for removing waste products from the sustaining environment;
- an input portion for receiving the environment to be sensed, and exposing at least a portion of the biological materials to the environment;
- and an output portion for detecting a response of the biological materials to exposure to the environment, and providing an indication of the response.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.