Radio-frequency ion channel antenna

摘要

An antenna is used for radio frequency measurements of cell wall impedance changes due to ion channels. The antenna provides enhanced direct readout of lipid bilayers and cells containing pores and ion channels. The antenna is placed around a nanopore, which may be fabricated from glass, quartz or other material, and is shaped to provide an enhanced sensitivity to electrical activity in the vicinity of the nanopore. As such, the antenna may be of a class of bi-cone- or other stub-antennas providing high gain and broad bandwidth, for example a planar variant of a “bow-tie” antenna. Accordingly, improved sensitivity of at least an order of magnitude may be achieved over past systems.

主权项

1. A radio frequency analyzer for ion channels, the analyzer comprising:
an electrically insulating support adapted to provide a support region for holding a membrane with ion channels; an antenna providing a first and second antenna lobe on opposite sides of the support region, the first and second antenna lobes having spaced apart apexes proximate to the support region, the lobes widening from the apexes with increased distance from the support region along an axis, the widening constrained substantially within bounding cones, one cone each sharing the apex of each lobe and having cone axes aligned with the axis; circuitry providing a radio frequency signal across the antenna lobes and determining changes of electrical flow across a cellular membrane positioned in the support region.