Both pneumatic and magnetic induction of scattered cells on micro channel array for cellular analysis

Patch clamp method for cellular analysis uses pneumatic suction force to induce and clamp a cell. "Micro channel array" (hereafter MCA) integrated with micro channels and electrodes for electrophysiological bio-sensing have been studied in order to apply MEMS technology to cellular analysis. This paper presents integration of magnetic induction to MCA in addition to pneumatic induction. Magnetite cationic liposomes (MCLs) are used to magnetically label the target cells. Electroplated structures into micro channels as magnetic paths can induce magnetic flux generated behind MCA substrate. Induced magnetic flux at individual micro channels can attract magnetically labeled cells so as to allocate and clamp scattered cells on MCA. Magnetic induction allows pneumatic micro channel to be diverted to other purposes such as chemical delivery for photodynamic cell perforation. MCA equipped with magnetic induction is demonstrated in this study.