Abstract: The instant invention refers to an optical method to extrapolate cell membrane conductance by indirect measurement of changes in transmembrane voltage, upon exposure of a cell sample to electric current pulses. The method is advantageously used for evaluating the activity of molecules able to alter, directly or indirectly, membrane permeability. A specific field of application is the screening of candidate compounds putatively acting on ion channel activity. In particular, it is open to the study of all ion channels with no limitations on the mechanisms of activation or to the ion species involved. The method is also advantageously used for evaluating a cell status, namely a differentiative or a pathologic status.

Abstract: The instant invention refers to an optical method to extrapolate cell membrane conductance by indirect measurement of changes in transmembrane voltage, upon exposure of a cell sample to electric current pulses. The method is advantageously used for evaluating the activity of molecules able to alter, directly or indirectly, membrane permeability. A specific field of application is the screening of candidate compounds putatively acting on ion channel activity. In particular, it is open to the study of all ion channels with no limitations on the mechanisms of activation or to the ion species involved. The method is also advantageously used for evaluating a cell status, namely a differentiative or a pathologic status.

Abstract: The method for butt-coupling an optical fibre connector comprising a cylindrical ferrule consists of the following steps:a) preparing the head of the optical fibre for insertion into the ferrule;b) applying a thin layer of resin to the fibre, taking care not to soil the cut end of the fibre with said resin;c) inserting said fibre into the sized hole of the cylindrical ferrule;d) by means of an alignment bush, coupling said ferrule to a reference ferrule in which a piece of fibre has been previously housed and fixed such that the end surface of said fibre lies inward of the end surface of the reference ferrule;e) crosslinking the resin.

Abstract: A multi-fibre connector consisting of a bush acting as a guide and coupling element for two ferrules, which are located one in front of the other and contain a sized hole in which two or more fibres are located in a radial arrangement, said two or more fibres being inserted and glued into the sized hole, after which the entire end surface of the ferrule and fibres is lapped in such a manner as to obtain a convex and/or angled surface. Means are provided for securely coupling together said ferrules and said bush. Said means are in the form of a longitudinal slit provided in the bush and a respective shaped insertion element rigidly fixed to a respective one of the facing end parts of said two ferrules, said shaped insertion element engaging in said slit.