Performance of the CytoPatch™ Instrument

The graphic displays one automated patch clamp module. The CytoPatch™ chip (red) is placed on the Chip Holder Block within the CytoPatch™ Instrument. Needles puncture through the plastic packaging of the CytoPatch™ chip and fill in the necessary buffer into microfluidic channels.

After filling the microfluidic channels, suspended single cells (provided in MTPs or cups) will be injected into the CytoPatch™ chip. During measurements, online results will be created and displayed on the monitor of the workstation.

After a run, the Chip Holder Block moves down, disconnects the CytoPatch™ chip and drops it into a waste bottle. Waste fluids are collected in waste bottles.

To continue assay execution, the chip picker takes a new CytoPatch™ chip out of the chip tray – a new run starts.

CytoPatch™ technology offers:

1. Continuous microfluidic perfusion of the cell

• Fast wash-in and efficient wash-out.
• Reagent consumption from 1 µl to 100 ml, 10 µl/min perfusion or 1 µl mix-and-read, no reagents wasted on bad cells.
• Several drugs can be applied to one cell.

2. Cell supply

• Microplates of different types can be used.
• Fully automated cell handling.

3. Liquid handling

• Fully automated microplate handling.
• Each CytoPatch™ module is a tiny liquid handling station.

4. CytoPatch™ chip supply

• Fully automated chip exchange.
• No reagent cross-contamination.
• No signal crosstalk.
• Chip reservoir large enough for overnight operation.