Alignment mechanism for two-electrode voltage-clamp perfusion chamber for electrophysiological testing of oocytes
US6461860B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 25, 2001 |
| Grant date | Oct 8, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 28, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N33/48721
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An automated mechanism for guiding a microelectrode toward an oocyte placed in a perfusion chamber consists of a movable guide tube holding the electrode and a fixed guide collar in fixed relation to the target oocyte. Because the guide tube and guide collar are independently mounted, the alignment of the tip of the microelectrode is effected by its placement within the precisely aligned guide collar, irrespective of any fine misalignment of the guide tube. Accordingly, a change of microelectrode in the guide tube does not affect its final alignment toward the oocyte so long as the calibration of the guide collar is not disturbed, thereby providing a mechanism for maintaining the alignment of different microelectrodes successively mounted in the system without requiring recalibration.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.