Method and apparatus for studying a reaction pattern of a cell or cell aggregates during perfusion with different media

An apparatus for a high time resolution study of a reaction pattern of at least a cell and cell aggregates by light transmission microscopy during perfusion by different media, the apparatus comprising:

• an enclosed chamber having a substantially rectangular frame, a light transparent top surface, a light transparent bottom surface and a light transparent thin slide disposed essentially parallel to the light transparent bottom surface, and extending from one side of the chamber to a region in which a microscope is positioned, the light transparent thin slide defining a first space in the chamber for receiving a medium and a second space in the chamber for receiving said at least a cell and cell aggregates, the second space communicating with the first space through a slit shaped opening defined by the light transparent thin slide, wherein the chamber permits light transmission through the top surface, the first space, the light transparent thin slide, the second space, and the bottom surface of the chamber;
• a microscope having a microscope objective disposed proximate the second space and proximate the light transparent bottom surface of the chamber for the study of the cell or cell aggregates disposed in the second space of the chamber;
• a first external medium reservoir, the first external medium reservoir connectable to the first space of the chamber;
• a second external medium reservoir, the second external medium reservoir connectable to the first space of the chamber;
• a first pump coupled to the second space of the chamber, wherein the first pump draws a first medium disposed in the first space through the second space during which time a reaction pattern of the cell or cell aggregates in the presence of the first medium may be viewed by the microscope;
• and
• a second pump coupled to the first space of the chamber for removing the first medium from the first space wherein the first pump subsequently draws a second medium disposed in the first space through the second space thereby displacing the first medium from the second space while maintaining a well defined interface between the first medium and the second medium and replacing the second medium in the second space with the first medium after which time a reaction pattern of the cell or cell aggregates in the presence of the second medium may be viewed by the microscope.