High-Throughput Interdigitated Electrode Array on Microgroove-Patterned Cantilever to Measure Electro-Mechanical Properties of Cardiomyocytes

This study reports a new MEMS-based cantilever device that simultaneously measures the mechanical force and electrophysiology of cardiac cells. On an interdigitated electrode (IDE) integrated with the cantilever, microgroove patterns are formed that positively influence the maturation and alignment of cardiac cells. The fabricated cantilever device can directly measure impedance of the cardiac cells as well as the displacement that occurs because of the contractions of cardiac cells. After the preliminary experiments, the cardiac cells were subjected to Verapamil drug in order to measure the drug-induced cardiac toxicity. Displacement of the cantilever in presence of Verapamil was lower than that in its absence, as were the impedance recordings.