IN VITRO IMPEDANCE MEASURING METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EXAMINATION EFFECTS OF BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS, POTENTIAL PHARMACEUTICALS

摘要

A test method and instrument suitable for in vitro determination of the affect of chemical compounds on live cells is based on impedance measurements. A test method and instrument suitable for in vitro determination of the affect of chemical compounds on live cells is based on impedance measurements. Live cells are cultured in a dish complete with a thin-layer electrode system used in micro-electronics. A phase sensitive (lock-in) impedance meter measures complex impedance of cells covering the electrodes prior to and following the addition of compounds under test. When a compound affects the material balance of a cell its physical characteristics undergo measurable changes, and this becomes apparent both in the real and imaginary component of the measured result. The phase sensitive measuring technique ensures a high degree of attenuation of background noise and enhances sensitivity.