Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for testing the neuronal effects of a compound. The system (100) includes a microelectrode array (102), a data capture unit (106) communicably coupled to the microelectrode array (102), a processor (108) communicably coupled to the data capture unit (106) and one or more input/output devices (110) communicably coupled to the processor (108). The microelectrode array (102) is capable of supporting genetically modified neuronal cells (104) and measuring neuronal activity. The method (400) determines the effects of a sample on genetically modified neuronal cells by growing a culture of genetically modified neuronal cells on a microelectrode array (402) and exposing a portion of the genetically modified neuronal cells to a sample (404). The effects of the sample on the genetically modified neuronal cells exposed to the sample are measured to determine the effects of the sample on the genetically modified neuronal cells (406).

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for testing the neuronal effects of a compound and its metabolites. The system (100) includes a microelectrode array (102), a data capture unit (108) communicably coupled to the microelectrode array (104), a processor (110) communicably coupled to the data capture unit (108) and one or more input/output devices (112) communicably coupled to the processor (110). The microelectrode array (102) is capable of supporting genetically modified neuronal cells (104) and measuring neuronal activity. The testing medium containing the compound and the metabolites is extracted from hepatocyte cells (106). The method (400) determines the effects of the metabolites of a sample compound on neuronal cells by exposing a sample compound to hepatocyte cells (406), extracting medium from the exposed cells (408) and exposing the extracted medium to neuronal cells on a microelectrode array (410).

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for providing and using quality control information pertaining to a cell culture. The system includes a chamber (106) containing the cell culture (104) and a unique identifier (116) disposed on the chamber (106) corresponding to a data file (114) containing the quality control information pertaining to the cell culture before an event. One method includes obtaining quality control information from the microelectrode array before the event (132), storing the quality control information in a data file (134), associating a unique identifier with the microelectrode array that corresponds to the data file (136), and providing access to the data file via the unique identifier after the event (138).

Abstract: An anode plate 50 for use in a field emission flat panel display device comprises a transparent planar substrate 58 having a plurality of electrically conductive, parallel stripes 52 comprising the anode electrode of the device, which are covered by phosphors 54.sub.R, 54.sub.G and 54.sub.B. A substantially opaque, electrically insulating material 56 is affixed to substrate 58 in the spaces between conductors 52, acting as a barrier to the passage of ambient light into and out of the device. The electrical insulating quality of opaque material 56 increases the electrical isolation of conductive stripes 52 from one another, reducing the risk of breakdown due to increased leakage current. Opaque material 56 preferably comprises glass having impurities dispersed therein, wherein the impurities may include one or more organic dyes, selected to provide relatively uniform opacity over the visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Abstract: An anode plate 50 for use in a field emission flat panel display device comprises a transparent planar substrate 58 having a plurality of electrically conductive, parallel stripes 52 comprising the anode electrode of the device, which are covered by phosphors 54.sub.R, 54.sub.G and 54.sub.B. A substantially opaque, electrically insulating material 56 is affixed to substrate 58 in the spaces between conductors 52, acting as a barrier to the passage of ambient light into and out of the device. The electrical insulating quality of opaque material 56 increases the electrical isolation of conductive stripes 52 from one another, reducing the risk of breakdown due to increased leakage current. Opaque material 56 preferably comprises glass having impurities dispersed therein, wherein the impurities may include one or more organic dyes, selected to provide relatively uniform opacity over the visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum.