Multimodal Microelectrode-Microcantilever Array for Electromechanical Analysis of Cardiomyocyte Tissue in Drug Testing

We present an integrated bio-monitoring platform combining a microelectrode array (MEA) with a silicon microcantilever array for simultaneous electrical and mechanical characterization of cardiomyocytes. Each cantilever features a micro-pillar with a diameter of$50 \mu \mathrm{m}$at its free end to detect contraction-induced deflection via a piezoresistive strain sensor, while 16-channel gold MEA ($50 \mu \mathrm{m}$electrodes, 10 kHz sampling) records field potentials. The cantilevers exhibit a sensitivity of 3.67$\text{mV} / \text{nN}$and a minimum detectable force of 160 nN. Compared with conventional AFM, the proposed platform enables parallel, alignment-free, and long-term measurements with improved throughput and signal stability, offering new possibilities for real-time studies of cardiac electromechanical coupling.