Patent ID: 7067046

Claim:
An electrophysiological measurement apparatus for analyzing a biological material, comprising: a multi-well plate having a plurality of fluid chambers, wherein each fluid chamber is configured to hold a biological material to be analyzed; a thin plastic substrate having an array of apertures in alignment with the chambers of the multi-well plate; wherein the substrate is bonded to the multi-well plate such that the chambers are open at the top and sealed at the bottom, except for the apertures; wherein the apertures are smaller in diameter than the biological material, thereby enabling a high-resistance seal to be formed between a biological material present in each chamber and a corresponding aperture; and wherein the substrate has a glass coating at least in the region where the high-resistance seal is formed between the biological material and the substrate; a fluid plenum to receive the multi-well plate such that at least the substrate is immersed; a first electrode disposed in the fluid plenum; at least one second electrode adapted to fit into the top openings of the fluid chambers of the multi-well plate; a light source for illuminating one or more of the chambers so as to facilitate the rapid release of a caged compound present therein; and electrophysiological measurement circuitry in electrical communication with the electrodes.