| Abstract: | A micromachined patch-clamp apparatus is disclosed for holding one or
more cells and providing electrical, chemical, or mechanical stimulation
to the cells during analysis with the patch-clamp technique for studying
ion channels in cell membranes. The apparatus formed on a silicon
substrate utilizes a lower chamber formed from silicon nitride using
surface micromachining and an upper chamber formed from a molded polymer
material. An opening in a common wall between the chambers is used to
trap and hold a cell for analysis using the patch-clamp technique with
sensing electrodes on each side of the cell. Some embodiments of the
present invention utilize one or more electrostatic actuators formed on
the substrate to provide mechanical stimulation to the cell being
analyzed, or to provide information about mechanical movement of the cell
in response to electrical or chemical stimulation. |