Device and method for detecting bioelectric signals from electrophysiologically active regions in spheroids

A method for detecting bioelectric signals from spheroids through a device that includes a measuring chamber that is pot-shaped, said measuring chamber having a measuring chamber wall which encloses a volume which is open at one side,

• wherein the measuring chamber is composed of an electrically insulating material and has, in at least one measuring region, an inner cross section which corresponds to the largest cross section of a spheroid and is sized such that the spheroid is in contact with the measuring chamber wall,
• at least a number of electrodes which are disposed in a common plane inside said measuring chamber wall and each said electrode has a freely accessible electrode surface which is oriented towards said measuring region, and
• an impedance measuring arrangement which is connected to said electrodes, the method comprising:
• placing and positioning a spheroid inside said measuring chamber, and
• conducting an impedance measurement based on a locally resolved determination of electrophysiologically active regions in said spheroids.

A method for detecting bioelectric signals from spheroids through a device that includes a measuring chamber that is pot-shaped, said measuring chamber having a measuring chamber wall which encloses a volume which is open at one side, wherein the measuring chamber is composed of an electrically insulating material and has, in at least one measuring region, an inner cross section which corresponds to the largest cross section of a spheroid and is sized such that the spheroid is in contact with the measuring chamber wall, at least a number of electrodes which are disposed in a common plane inside said measuring chamber wall and each said electrode has a freely accessible electrode surface which is oriented towards said measuring region, and an impedance measuring arrangement which is connected to said electrodes, the method comprising:

• removing a spheroid to which a substance has been applied from a culture medium and placing said spheroid in said measuring chamber of said device;
• performing at least one of an impedance measurement and a potential determination non-invasively on said spheroid;
• and
• returning said spheroid unharmed to said culture medium.