Patent ID: 6470201
Filing Date: 2002-10-22
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
An automatic electrophysiological measuring method comprising a step to move a stage holding a container having a plurality of cells each holding a Xenopus Oocyte and position said Xenopus Oocyte in said cells; a step to penetrate a glass electrode(s) into said Xenopus Oocyte; a step to detect electric signals emitted from said glass electrode(s); a step to fix the membrane potential of said Xenopus Oocyte to a prescribed value; a step to administer a chemical substance to said Xenopus Oocyte; a step to carry out electrophysiological measurement on said Xenopus Oocyte; and a step to control the penetration of said glass electrode(s) into said Xenopus Oocyte, the fixation of the membrane potential of said Xenopus Oocyte and the administration of said chemical substance to said Xenopus Oocyte, wherein said controls are accomplished by detecting, on the basis of said electric signals emitted from said glass electrode(s), the contact of said glass electrode(s) with the solution surface in said cell and with the membrane surface of said Xenopus Oocyte and the penetration of said glass electrode(s) into the membrane of said Xenopus Oocyte.