Patent ID: 7387715

Claim:
A system for analyzing the presence or activity of ion channels in membranous samples, comprising: a carrier having an aperture and a substantially planar seal surface circling the 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 1GΩ; 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 within the seal surface; and a sample-analysis mechanism adapted to perform a fluorescence measurement on a sample positioned about the aperture.