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Automated Cell Patch Clamping Method and Apparatus

  • US 20130225963A1
  • Filed: 11/13/2012
  • Published: 08/29/2013
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/11/2011
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method for automated whole-cell patch clamping, comprising the steps of:

  • in an automated apparatus for cell patch clamping,regionally localizing a recording electrode of a cell patch clamping device by causing the tip of the recording electrode to be lowered to an appropriate depth for neuron hunting;

    iteratively lowering the tip of the recording electrode by a small amount;

    measuring the resistance at the recording electrode tip after each iteration of the step of lowering;

    determining whether or not a target neuron has been encountered by constructing a temporal series of the resistance measurements after each iteration of the steps of lowering and measuring;

    iteratively continuing the steps of lowering, measuring, and determining until the temporal series of resistance measurements indicates monotonic increases in resistance over a threshold number of consecutive iterations and the increase in resistance over this measured temporal series is above a pre-set neuron detection threshold;

    stopping the motion of the recording electrode;

    initiating gigaseal formation;

    assessing whether or not gigaseal formation has been achieved;

    if gigaseal formation has been achieved, initiating break-in and formation of a whole-cell patch clamp; and

    verifying formation of the whole-cell patch clamp.

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