Biological measurement apparatus

A biological measurement apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sensing circuit includes a buffer circuit and is configured to compare the signal obtained from the electrical connection between the first and second sensing electrodes with a reference signal.

A biological measurement apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the output signal is processed to determine one or more properties of a biological cell sensed by the measurement capacitor.

A biological measurement apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first and second measurement capacitors have operative surfaces configured to electrically couple with the fluid medium and any particle in the flow passageway, such that the fluid medium and any particle in the flow passageway forms a dielectric for the first and second measurement capacitors.

A biological measurement apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sensing electrodes and the stimulation electrodes are provided on an exposed surface of a semiconductor, and formed in an integrated circuit formed by a semiconductor fabrication process.

A biological measurement apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the electrodes of the first measurement capacitor are disposed on or towards a side of the flow passageway, such as in a direction perpendicular to a direction of flow of the fluid medium, and the electrodes of the second measurement capacitor are disposed on or towards a side of the flow passageway.

A biological measurement apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the electrodes of the first and second measurement capacitors are disposed on or towards substantially a same side of the flow passageway.

A biological measurement apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the electrodes of each measurement capacitor are disposed side by side, such that the fluid medium and any biological particle therein flows over the operative surfaces of the electrodes.

A biological measurement apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the electrodes of the first and second measurement capacitors may take the form of an electrode array, which is formed on a surface of a semiconductor device, and the electrode array may have a passivation layer, but without any passivation layer over the electrodes, such that the electrodes conduct into the fluid medium.

A biological measurement apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the operative surfaces of the stimulus electrodes of the first and second measurement capacitors are separated from each other, aligned transversely relative to the flow of fluid medium.

A biological measurement apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the operative surfaces of the sensing electrodes of the first and second measurement capacitors are separated from each other, aligned transversely relative to the flow of fluid medium.

A biological measurement apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sensing electrodes are each disposed adjacent to, but separated from, a corresponding stimulus electrode, thereby providing the first and second measurement capacitors.

A biological measurement apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the distance between the electrodes of the first measurement capacitor and the electrodes of the second measurement capacitor is configured to be sufficient that the respective electrical fields are separated, such that a biological particle isn't detected by both measurement capacitors at the same time.

A biological measurement apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a second complementary electrode arrangement is provided, which is disposed upstream or downstream of the electrode arrangement defined in any preceding claim, which constitutes the first electrode arrangement.