Conception of a new technique in cell cultivation using a lab-on-chip aided miniaturised device with calibratable electrochemical sensors

Continuous electrochemical sensing is often carried out in order to track the growth of cells as an alternative to optical monitoring. Planar sensors and multi-sensor chips are applied in case of adhered growing cells, and usually introduced into lab-on-chip systems. Repeated recalibration is necessary with most chemosensors so far and this limits the operational lifetime of such lab-on-chip systems to a few days. An assembly is presented here that eliminates this disadvantage and enables the monitoring of a long-term cultivation of tissue. Cell cultures and sensor are arranged such that they can be separated or contacted at variable times without having an impact on the growth of the cells. The use of a biocompatible nano-porous membrane is especially important. A multi-well system is described where each well is supplied with a planar multi-sensor chip below the adhered cells to determine (a) pH, (b) glucose, (c) oxygen, and—optionally—impedance, for example during the cultivation of cartilage tissue.