Whirlpool Corporation

Georgia Tech Research Corporation

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Whirpool Corporation

Craig Richard Forest

David E Moeller

Edward Stuart Boyden

Michael J Scherzer

Gilius A Gaska

Scott M Collins

Guy E Garrison

Suhasa Bangalore Kodandaramaiah

Ho-Jun Suk

Brian Douglas Allen

Ingrid Van Welie

Erin Rousseau

Ilya Kolb

William Stoy

In an automated methodology for in vivo image-guided cell patch clamping, a cell patch clamping device is moved into position and targeted to a specific cell using automated image-guided techniques. Cell contact is determined by analyzing the temporal series of measured resistance levels at the clamping device as it is moved. The difference between successive resistance levels is compared to a threshold, which must be exceeded before cell contact is assumed. Pneumatic control methods are used to achieve gigaseal formation and cell break-in, leading to whole-cell patch clamp formation. An automated robotic system capable of performing this methodology automatically performs patch clamping in vivo, automatically locating cells through image guidance and by analyzing the temporal sequence of electrode impedance changes. By continuously monitoring the patching process and rapidly executing actions triggered by specific measurements, the robot can rapidly find target cells in vivo and establish patch-clamp recordings.

Image-guided closed-loop robotic system for automated whole-cell patch clamping electrophysiology of neurons in vivo

A method for cleaning patch-clamp glass pipette electrodes that enables their re-use. By immersing pipette tips or planar patch clamp chips into a detergent, followed by rinsing, pipettes and planar patch clamp chips were re-usable at least ten times with little to no degradation in signal fidelity, in experimental preparations ranging from human embryonic kidney cells to neurons in culture, slices, and in vivo.

Systems and methods enabling patch-clamp re-use

In an automated method for in vivo multiple cell patch clamping, cell patch clamping devices are automatically moved into position and targeted to multiple corresponding cells. Cell contact is determined by analyzing the temporal series of measured resistance levels at the clamping devices as they are moved. The difference between successive resistance levels is computed and compared to a threshold, which must be exceeded for a minimum number of computations before neuron contact is assumed. Pneumatic control methods are used to achieve cell-attached or gigaseal formation and subsequent cell break-in, leading to whole-cell patch clamp formation. An automated robotic system automatically performs patch clamping in vivo, automatically detecting cells according to the methodology by analyzing the temporal sequence of electrode impedance changes. By continuously monitoring the patching process and rapidly executing actions triggered by specific measurements, the robot can rapidly find neurons in the living brain and establish recordings.

Automated cell patch clamping method and apparatus

A mounting bracket is provided for removably mounting a storage device on a slot track or slotwall panel having a plurality of slots having undercut sidewalls that form generally 'T' shaped slats. The mounting bracket includes a support surface having a first 'J' shaped hook to hook over the edge of a slat and into the undercut sidewall and a second &#x201c;J&#x201d; shaped hook to hook into a second slot and into the undercut sidewall. The mounting bracket includes a storage device connector attached to the support surface at a first end and has a second end. The storage device connector can include a lock rotatably mounted on the top wall adjacent the first &#x201c;J&#x201d; shaped hook having a locking member and an operator that is rotatable between locked and unlocked positions. A storage device can be coupled to the second end of the storage device connector. The storage device can be an actuatable holding system for a bicycle, or other storage device such as a basket or a storage shelf.

Lever lock slotwall storage device

An actuatable holding system is provided for holding an object, such as a bicycle. In one exemplary embodiment of the system, first and second arms are pivotally connected to a pivot base and are actuated between an opened and closed position by an assembly that can include an actuator housing with a length and extending from the base, an arm contacting element that can slide along at least a portion of the length of the actuator housing, and a button slideably disposed on the housing, distal to the arm contacting element, and operable to releasably lock the arm contacting element in at least a first position, in which the first and second arms are in the opened position, and a second position, in which the first and second arms are in the closed position. A variety of features of actuatable holding systems, as well as methods of manufacturing such systems, are also disclosed herein.

Actuatable holding system

Body for an actuatable holding system

Arm for an actuatable holding system

Growing community of inventors

Atlanta, GA, United States of America

Craig Richard Forest