Device comprising a field of tips used in biotechnology applications

Abstract

A method for manufacturing a device including a field of micrometric tips, including forming a polycrystalline layer on a support; performing an anisotropic plasma etching of all or part of the polycrystalline layer by using a gas mixture including chlorine and helium, whereby tips are formed at the surface of the polycrystalline layer.

1 - 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A device comprising at least one field of micrometric tips formed at the surface of a polycrystalline block placed on a support, each tip field being covered with a conductive film extending in a conductive track placed at the surface of the support and extending to reach a contact terminal. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , comprising a multitude of tip fields formed on crystal blocks arranged in a matrix. 
     
     
         11 . The use of the device of  claim 9  to evaluate the activity of biological cells placed on the tip fields of the device, a measurement device being connected to the contact terminals. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the crystalline block is disposed on a support. 
     
     
         13 . A method for evaluating activity of at least one biological cell, the method comprising:
 providing a crystalline block having at least one micrometric tip coupled to a conductor;   placing the at least one cell on the at least one micrometric tip; and   connecting the conductor to a measurement device.   
     
     
         14 . A method for transferring material into at least one biological cell, the method comprising:
 providing a crystalline block having at least one micrometric tip;   coating the at least one micrometric tip with material; and   placing the at least one biological cell on the at least one micrometric tip such that the tip pierces a membrane of the at least one cell, thereby allowing the material to enter the cell.