Oocyte recording chamber
AssigneeWyeth
InventorJinliang Sui
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An oocyte recording chamber for electrophysiological measurements. The recording chamber includes a base and a cover attached to the base. The cover and the base define a chamber having a size sufficient to accommodate an oocyte. The recording chamber includes a first electrode and a second electrode that are positioned so that the tips of the electrodes penetrate the membrane of the oocyte when the cover is fastened to the base. The recording chamber also includes a third electrode and a fourth electrode exposed to the chamber and used as ground electrodes.
Claims54
An apparatus, comprising:
- a base;
- a cover attached to the base;
- a first electrode having a tip;
- a second electrode having a tip;
- a third electrode;
- and
- a fourth electrode;
- wherein the cover and the base define a chamber having a size sufficient to accommodate an oocyte having a membrane, the first and second electrodes are positioned so that the tips of the electrodes penetrate the membrane of the oocyte when the cover is fastened to the base, and the third and fourth electrodes each have portions that are exposed to the chamber.
An apparatus, comprising:
- a recording module having a base and a cover attached to the base, the cover and the base defining a chamber having a size sufficient to accommodate a cell;
- a perfusion system adapted to perfuse the chamber with perfusion solutions;
- a biosensor to detect a response from the cell, the biosensor coupled to the base and positioned to penetrate a membrane of the oocyte when the cover is fastened to the base;
- and
- a computer to collect, analyze and display responses detected by the biosensor.
A method of measuring the biological effect of a candidate molecule, comprising:
- providing a recording module having a base and a cover attached to the base, the cover and the base defining a chamber having a size sufficient to accommodate a cell;
- providing a biosensor coupled to the base and facing the chamber;
- introducing the cell into the recording module;
- moving the cover to a closed position so that a water-tight seal is formed between the cover and the base;
- perfusing the chamber with perfusion solutions;
- and
- detecting a response of the cell to the solutions.
An apparatus, comprising:
- a base and a cover configured so that when the cover is secured to the base, the base and the cover in combination define a chamber having a size sufficient to receive an oocyte, the base defining an inlet and an outlet to allow a fluid to flow into and out of, respectively, the chamber;
- a first pair of electrodes positioned to contact the oocyte;
- and
- a second pair of electrodes positioned to be exposed in the chamber and spaced away from the oocyte.
A method comprising:
- placing an oocyte in a chamber defined by a base and a cover, the base including a first electrode and a second electrode protruding into the chamber, the oocyte positioned near the tips of the first and second electrodes;
- and
- closing the cover to urge the oocyte towards the tips of the first and second electrodes.
A method comprising:
- placing an oocyte in a chamber defined by a base and a cover;
- and
- inserting an electrode through a passage defined by the base so that a tip of the first electrode is positioned near the oocyte.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.