Patent ID: 7407781

Claim:
An apparatus, comprising: a base; a cover attached to the base; a stopper connected to the cover; a first electrode having a tip; a second electrode having a tip; a third electrode; and a fourth electrode; wherein: (a) the cover is configured to be moveable between an open position to allow an oocyte to be placed in a chamber defined by the cover and the base and a closed position to form a seal between the cover and the base, the chamber having a size sufficient to accommodate an oocyte having a membrane, (b) the first electrode protrudes from the base and extends into the chamber and second electrode protrudes from the base or from the cover, and extends into the chamber, so that the tips of the first and second electrodes penetrate the membrane of the oocyte when the cover is in the closed position, (c) the third and fourth electrodes are both embedded in the base with portions of the electrodes exposed to the chamber, and (d) the stopper is configured to slightly press the oocyte towards the base, securing the oocyte position in the chamber when the cover is in the closed position.