Patent ID: 7270730

Claim:
Electrophysiological measurement apparatus, comprising: a multi-well plate having a plurality of fluid chambers, each configured to support a biological material to be measured; a thin substrate having an array of apertures in alignment with the chambers of the multi-well plate, wherein the substrate is joined to the multi-well plate such that the chambers are open at the top and sealed at the bottom, except for the apertures, and wherein the diameter of the apertures is less than the diameter of the biological material, thereby enabling a high-resistance seal to be formed between the biological material in each chamber and a corresponding aperture; a fluid plenum to receive the multi-well plate such that one side of the substrate is immersed; a transfer device configured to move material into the fluid chambers of the multi-well plate while it is in contact with the fluid plenum: a first electrode disposed in the fluid plenum; at least one second electrode that can be selectively connected with and disconnected from the fluid chambers of the multi-well plate, wherein the second electrode disconnects from the fluid chambers when the transfer device moves material into the fluid chambers; and electrophysiological measurement circuitry in electrical communication with the electrodes; wherein the substrate is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyimide and further wherein the substrate has a glass coating at least in the region where the high-resistance seal is formed between the material and the substrate.