Apparatus and method for electrophysiological testing

US7011939B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Abbott Laboratories · US

Inventors

• Jonathan D. Trumbull · Zion, US
• Daniel Bertrand · Coon Rapids, US
• Clark A. Briggs · Libertyville, US
• David G. McKenna · McHenry, US
• Eugene Maslana · Morton Grove, US
• David P. Blanchard · Kenosha, US
• Jeffrey Y. Pan · Lake Forest, US
• Peter M. Bojan · Grayslake, US
• Thomas Nemcek · Crystal Lake, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 23, 2001
• Grant date: Mar 14, 2006
• Expiry date: Feb 23, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N35/028
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method and apparatus for running a plurality of tests concurrently to obtain data relating to the electrophysiological properties of receptors and channels in biological membranes of test subjects, such as, for example, Xenopus oocytes. The invention further provides software for controlling, acquiring, and recording data relating to electrophysiological properties of receptors and channels in biological membranes of test subjects, such as, for example, oocytes. This invention increases the throughput rate for experiments and assays employing receptors and ion channels expressed in biological membranes of test subjects, such as, for example, oocytes. In the case of an oocyte, these receptors and channels may be natively expressed (endogenous), may be placed into the oocyte (exogenous), or may be expressed from other RNA or DNA previously placed into the oocyte (exogenous).The invention provides a means for a sole researcher to operate a plurality of electrophysiological test stations in the time and space conventionally required by a single electrophysiological test station. The invention automates these stations and provides a means for a sole individual to perform large sets of…