Abstract: The cell-delivery unit of a high-throughput electrophysiological testing system is implemented as a reusable movable unit suitable for repetitive delivery of cells to a disposable, multi-aperture patch-clamp tray. An electric field emanating from the patch aperture is used to align the dispenser with the aperture. A set of electrodes in the nozzle of the dispenser is used to detect the electric field and effect the alignment. According to another aspect of the invention, dielectrophoretic fields produced by sets of electrodes in the nozzle form a retaining cage that is used first to suspend a test cell directly above the patch aperture and then to urge the cell toward it. A movable cell sorter may also be coupled to the cell-delivery unit.

Abstract: A fluorescent optical imaging system (10) produces two separate spots (S1 and S2) on a sample (12) by a pair of excitation laser beams (B1 and B2) that are generated by first and second lasers (L1 and L2). Excitation laser beams (B1 and B2) pass at slightly different angles, first through an aperture (15) of a 45° fold mirror (13), and then through an objective element (14). As a result, emission light beams (16, 18) are generated from each illuminated spot (S1 and S2) and are reflected and redirected by mirror (13) through a secondary lens (19) before reaching one of two detectors (PMT 1 and PMT 2). Emission beam (16) reflects off a second 45° mirror (22) prior to reaching detector (PMT 1), while emission beam (18) travels directly to (PMT 2). If desired, optical separation elements (24), such as dichroic filters, prisms, or gratings, can be positioned in front of each detector (PMT 1 and PMT 2).

Abstract: A fluorescent optical imaging system (10) produces two separate spots (S1 and S2) on a sample (12) by a pair of excitation laser beams (B1 and B2) that are generated by first and second lasers (L1 and L2). Excitation laser beams (B1 and B2) pass at slightly different angles, first through an aperture (15) of a 45° fold mirror (13), and then through an objective element (14). As a result, emission light beams (16, 18) are generated from each illuminated spot (S1 and S2) and are reflected and redirected by mirror (13) through a secondary lens (19) before reaching one of two detectors (PMT 1 and PMT 2). Emission beam (16) reflects off a second 45° mirror (22) prior to reaching detector (PMT 1), while emission beam (18) travels directly to (PMT 2). If desired, optical separation elements (24), such as dichroic filters, prisms, or gratings, can be positioned in front of each detector (PMT 1 and PMT 2).

Abstract: A fluorescent optical imaging system (10) produces two separate spots (S1 and S2) on a sample (12) by a pair of excitation laser beams (B1 and B2) that are generated by first and second lasers (L1 and L2). Excitation laser beams (B1 and B2) pass at slightly different angles, first through an aperture (15) of a 45° fold mirror (13), and then through an objective element (14). As a result, emission light beams (16, 18) are generated from each illuminated spot (S1 and S2) and are reflected and redirected by mirror (13) through a secondary lens (19) before reaching one of two detectors (PMT 1 and PMT 2). Emission beam (16) reflects off a second 45° mirror (22) prior to reaching detector (PMT 1), while emission beam (18) travels directly to (PMT 2). If desired, optical separation elements (24), such as dichroic filters, prisms, or gratings, can be positioned in front of each detector (PMT 1 and PMT 2).