Patent attributes
The invention discloses a bio-MEMS transducer comprising a cultured myotube and a piezoelectric microcantilever having the myotube attached thereto along a lengthwise extent of said microcantilever. The transducer may include an input/output processor operably connected with said piezoelectric microcantilever to process electrical signals received therefrom and to send electrical signals thereto. The invention may operate as a biosensor wherein the attached myotube contracts on contact with a sensed agent, the myotube contraction deflecting the microcantilever to generate a piezoelectric signal therefrom. The invention may also be used as a biosensor for quantitating physiologic response to an agent by measuring deflection of the cantilever caused by myotube contraction elicited by contact with the agent; and correlating the measurement to effectiveness of the sensed agent in causing a myotube physiologic response. The bio-transducer is a bioactuator when an applied electrical signal causes the piezoelectric microcantilever to deflect, thereby actuating the attached myotube.
