System Architecture

The system is segmented into 4 major components:

• A system controller including high performance computing hardware and extentable mass storage.
• A measurement unit including all measurement modeules as well as low level controls
• A sensor adapter attached to the measurement unit providing the interface to the sensor plate
• The actual sensor that can be placed onto the sensor adapter

For cell based assays, cultivation as well as monitoring/measurement is best done in high quality incubators under temperature and CO2 control. While the system controller is a benchtop unit sitting outside of the incubator, the measurement unit and sensor adapter are small enough to fit onto a typical incubator shelve. They are designed for use inside of the incubator making long time (continuous) measurements without introducing instability into the cell culture possible. The systems´ sophisticated thermal management ensures controlled transfer of any excess heat from the measurement unit to the outside of the incubator without impacting thermal stability of the sensor or other materials inside the incubator.

The initial reference application for the system is a high density clinical research assay  for a better and more precise in-vitro stratifization, model-based therapy planning and clinical safety pharmacology for patients suffering from a genetically caused heart disease (refer to the PhenoCor project for more details). However, the system is designed for being adapted to other sensors and bioanalytical assays. For that purpose the sensor adpater and the sensor carrier can be easily customized for various sensor geometries and functional electrode assignments. Additional interfaces within the sensor adapter even allow for extensions like fluidic control, thermal management, mechanical manipulation or additional sensors (e.g. optical).