System for electronically monitoring and recording cell cultures
AssigneeCellStat Technologies, Inc.
InventorsPatricia J. Malin, Kenneth Richard Wada, Oskar Werner Huber
Life of this patent
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Abstract
This invention provides an improved system for monitoring and recording cell cultures. A method for measuring a delay period for an alternating current voltage applied across a pair of pins improves the stability of measurements made with the improved system. A method for applying a voltage across a pair of pins which avoids exceeding a pre-established voltage avoids the possibility of damaging and/or destroying cells while monitoring their culture.
Claims18
A method for electronically monitoring and recording cells being cultured in a laboratory tray having a plurality of separate wells, each of the plurality of separate wells adapted for holding a quantity of cell growth media in which cells may be cultured, the method comprising the steps of:
- a. providing a laboratory tray having a plurality of separate wells, each of the wells adapted for holding a quantity of cell growth media in which cells may be cultured;
- b. disposing a pair of electrically conductive, elongated pins respectively through an open end of each of the wells in the laboratory tray to extend into cell growth media held therein;
- c. supplying an alternating current voltage for selective application across a pair of the electrically conductive, elongated pins for electronically monitoring and recording cells being cultured in the laboratory tray;
- d. prior to selecting a pair of the electrically conductive, elongated pins for application of the alternating current voltage, determining a delay period for the alternating current voltage equivalent to an interval of time between the alternating current voltage having an instantaneous potential of zero volts and having an instantaneous potential equal to the maximum voltage of the alternating current voltage;
- and
- e. upon selecting a pair of electrically conductive, elongated pins for application of the alternating current voltage, measuring electrical conductivity between the pair of electrically conductive, elongated pins, at a point where the alternating current voltage reaches a maximum voltage, said point being set by said delay period.
A method for electronically monitoring and recording cells being cultured in a laboratory tray having a plurality of separate wells, each of the plurality of separate wells adapted for holding a quantity of cell growth media in which cells may be cultured, the method comprising the steps of:
- a. providing a laboratory tray having a plurality of separate wells, each of the wells adapted for holding a quantity of cell growth media in which cells may be cultured;
- b. disposing a pair of electrically conductive, elongated pins respectively through an open end of each of the wells in the laboratory tray to extend into cell growth media held therein;
- c. supplying an alternating current voltage for selective application across a pair of the electrically conductive, elongated pins for electronically monitoring and recording cells being cultured in the laboratory tray, the alternating current voltage initially being less than a pre-established target value intended to be used in measuring the electrical conductivity between the pair of electrically conductive, elongated pins;
- d. selecting a pair of electrically conductive, elongated pins inserted into a well for application of the alternating current voltage:
- e. measuring the voltage applied across the pair of electrically conductive, elongated pins;
- f. increasing the magnitude of the alternating current voltage applied across the pair of electrically conductive, elongated pins until it is approximately equal to the pre-established target value;
- and
- g. measuring the electrical conductivity between the pair of electrically conductive, elongated pins.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.