HANDHELD DEVICE FOR ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS

摘要

A handheld device for analysis of electrophysiological properties of a cellular membrane ion channel in an ion channel containing lipid cellular membrane comprises a handheld body with a pump and an electronic controller, and a disposable pipette tip comprising a pathway for fluid, said pathway connecting an open end of the pipette tip to an analysis substrate comprised in the pipette tip. The substrate is adapted to transmit an electrical current through the ion channel in said ion channel-containing lipid cellular membrane, when said lipid cellular membrane is held at a predetermined site of the substrate, e.g. for patch clamp analysis. The handheld body and the disposable pipette tip are configured to releasably attach the pipette tip to the body, to provide a hydraulic connection between the pump of the handheld body and said pathway, and to provide an electric connection between the electronic controller and at least one of said electrodes of the substrate. The electronic controller of the handheld body is configured to operate the assembled device for micfofluidic analysis of aspirated fluid.