Novel "Push-Pen" Design for Patch-Clamp Electrode

Northwestern researchers have developed a novel push-pen patch clamp electrode system that integrates a linear hydraulic actuator in the pipette holder. The actuator moves the metal Ag/AgCl electrode within the pipette to a position where it protrudes from the pipette orifice. This mechanism has multiple benefits in conventional whole-cell experiments. For example, it lowers the series resistance since the resistivity of the electrode is less than that of the pipette solution. The reduced series resistance permits the recording of higher bandwidth signals. Further, the push-pen operation serves as a physical structure to help remove the commonly found cellular debris clog in the pipette tip by pushing it out and clearing it. Lastly, the push-pen operation also reduces the leakage of cytosol into the pipette which results in the ability to conduct longer experiments. (...) - flintbox , Dec 14, 2012