Acoustic wave (aw) sensing devices using live cells

Abstract

In one embodiment according to the invention, there is provided a method of sensing a response of a living cell or virus to a change in conditions. The method comprises applying an essentially constant external electromotive force that causes oscillation of an acoustic wave device at essentially constant amplitude and frequency under steady state conditions. The acoustic wave device has attached at least one living cell or virus. A combined oscillating system including the acoustic wave device and the living cell or virus exhibits a fundamental frequency and at least one harmonic frequency of the combined oscillating system. The living cell or virus is exposed to a change in an environmental condition while oscillating the combined oscillating system under the essentially constant external electromotive force, whereby a response of the living cell or virus to the change in environmental condition will be indicated by a change in at least one of frequency and amplitude of the oscillation of at least one harmonic frequency of the combined oscillating system.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.