Multiaperture sample positioning and analysis system

Abstract

Systems for positioning and/or analyzing samples such as cells, vesicles, cellular organelles, and fragments, derivatives, and mixtures thereof, for electrical and/or optical analysis, especially relating to the presence and/or activity of ion channels.

1 . A system for analyzing membranous samples, comprising:
 a carrier with a shelf structure, the shelf structure having an aperture;   first and second fluid compartments, separated by the carrier, and fluidically connected to one another, in the absence of a membranous sample, via the aperture;   a membranous sample, selected from the group consisting of cells, organelles, and vesicles, sealed across the aperture, wherein the seal has an electrical resistance of greater than about 1 GΩ; and   first and second electrodes, in electrical contact with the first and second fluid compartments, respectively, wherein the first and second electrodes are adapted to apply and/or measure at least one of an electrical potential and a current from at least a portion of the membranous sample sealed across the aperture.   
     
     
         2 - 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . A system for analyzing membranous samples, comprising:
 a carrier having an opening, the interior of the opening including a shelf structure;   first and second fluid compartments, separated by the carrier, and fluidically connected to one another, in the absence of a membrane sample, via the opening;   first and second electrodes, in electrical contact with the first and second fluid compartments, respectively, wherein the first and second electrodes being adapted to apply and/or measure at least one of an electrical potential and a current from at least a portion of a membranous sample sealed within the opening; and   a membranous sample, selected from the group consisting of cells, organelles, and vesicles, sealing the opening.   
     
     
         29 - 32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . A system for analyzing membranous samples, comprising:
 a carrier having a planar surface and an aperture terminating at the planar surface;   first and second fluid compartments, separated by the carrier, and fluidically connected, in the absence of a sample, via the aperture;   a membranous sample, selected from the group consisting of cells, organelles, and vesicles, sealed across the aperture, wherein the seal has an electrical resistance of greater than about 1 gigaohm; and   first and second electrodes, in electrical contact with the first and second fluid compartments, respectively, wherein the first and second electrodes are adapted to apply and/or measure at least one of an electrical potential and a current from at least a portion of the membranous sample sealed across the aperture.   
     
     
         34 - 75 . (canceled) 
     
     
         76 . The system of  claim 33 , further comprising a substantially planar seal surface circling the aperture, and wherein the membranous sample is sealed across the aperture within the seal surface.