The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 01, 2003
Filed:
Jun. 05, 2000
Eric W. Harris, Worcester, MA (US);
Thomas H. Lanthorn, Pittsford, NY (US);
Maurice A. Kildal, Webster, NY (US);
Axon Instruments, Inc., Union City, CA (US);
Abstract
A perfusion chamber includes a porous oocyte support structure. A continuously sloped top surface and a receiving well in the support structure entrap the underside of the oocyte, thereby localizing the cell in a predetermined fixed position within the reach of dedicated voltage-clamp microelectrodes. A test solution is delivered continuously at the top of the chamber, above the oocyte, and withdrawn from the bottom of the chamber, below the oocyte. The porosity of the support material enables the continuous perfusion of test solution around the membrane of the oocyte, including its bottom portion that is held firmly in contact with the holding well. The geometry of the holding well is selected such as to ensure the automatic and precise placement of the oocyte by gravity and to optimize the pressure distribution over its membrane, thereby minimizing the probability of rupture or other damage to the cell. The entire top surface of the support structure is sloped inward toward the substantially central well, and the bottom of the well is contoured to conform to the shape of an oocyte of average size.