Abstract: A patch-clamp system, and associated processes includes a multi-well patch-clamp plate and a manifold and can provide improved liquid control in patch-clamp experiments.

Abstract: A semi-automated patch-clamp apparatus (100), comprising a patch-clamp plate manipulator configured to receive a patch-clamp plate (1) comprising a plurality of patch-clamp sites (10), and a computerised controller configured to define a patch-clamp procedure. To allow an efficient patch-clamp procedure and interaction with a user during the procedure, the controller is configured to define the patch-clamp procedure with manual process steps assigned to manual execution by a user and with automatic process steps for automatic execution by the manipulator. The controller provides instructions for the user to carry out the manual process steps, and commands for the manipulator for automatic execution of the automatic process steps, and the controller is configured to control execution of the patch-clamp procedure by dispatching the commands to the manipulator for execution of the automatic process steps and by dispatching the instructions to the user for manual execution of the manual process steps.

Abstract: A contractile tissue-based analysis device is provided, in which a strip of contractile tissue is supported by support structure. The support structure comprises a substantially planar base element, and first and second support pillars extending from said base element. An optical detection device is arranged on the side of the base element opposite to said support pillars, and is arranged to capture image data from at least one of the head portions of the support pillars. The motion of the support pillars induced by the strip of contractile tissue can thus be captured from below, i.e. through the planar base element.