Sistemi completi per patch clamp e ion imaging

Example of a FLUO OPTO PATCH system installed by Crisel Instruments

Patch clamp and calcium imaging systems are fundamental tools for studying cellular mechanisms and intracellular signaling dynamics.
Crisel Instruments provides fully customizable and modular solutions designed to meet the specific requirements of every research laboratory in electrophysiology, neuroscience, and cell biology.
Thanks to state-of-the-art components and optimized hardware/software integration, our systems enable the combination of high-sensitivity patch clamp recordings with ion imaging, optogenetics, and extracellular recordings using multi-electrode array (MEA) systems, ensuring reliable and reproducible experiments.

What Is the Patch Clamp Technique and Why It Matters

Patch clamp is an electrophysiological technique that allows the recording of ionic currents at the level of single cells or specific ion channels. It is widely used in neuroscience, pharmacology, and physiology to:

Investigate the electrical properties of cell membranes
Analyze ion channel function
Understand the mechanisms underlying neurological and cardiac diseases
Evaluate drug effects on ion channels and receptors

A modern patch clamp system goes far beyond electrical recording. It integrates imaging tools to monitor, in real time, intracellular ion concentration changes within the cells.

Calcium Imaging and Ion Imaging: The Ideal Complement to Patch Clamp

Calcium imaging is a technique that employs fluorescent dyes or genetically encoded calcium indicators to visualize intracellular calcium (Ca²⁺) concentration dynamics. These measurements are essential for studying synaptic transmission, neuronal plasticity, and intracellular signaling.
In general, ion imaging systems can monitor additional ions such as sodium (Na⁺), potassium (K⁺), and chloride (Cl⁻), expanding the range of experimental possibilities. Integration with patch clamp recording allows researchers to:

Correlate electrical signals with ionic changes
Obtain precise quantitative measurements
Synchronize electrophysiological and imaging recordings within a unified experimental workflow

Standard Configuration of a Patch Clamp System

A complete patch clamp system includes all the components required for stable, low-noise recordings:

Upright or inverted microscope, equipped with an XY micrometric stage and illumination (epi-fluorescence, brightfield, phase contrast, DIC, and IR) via dedicated LEDs
Motorized or piezoelectric micromanipulators, featuring Home and Target functions for quick pipette exchange, thermally stable construction, and submicrometric resolution
High-sensitivity amplifiers with analog-to-digital conversion at high sampling rates and integrated 50/60 Hz noise suppression
Software for managing patch clamp recordings, data analysis, and TTL trigger synchronization with external instruments
Temperature control systems for both the recording chamber and perfusion lines
Programmable perfusion systems with electrovalves or pressure controllers, operated manually or via software
Multi-channel focal perfusion systems for ultra-fast solution exchange without dead volume
Micropipette puller for reproducible fabrication of recording electrodes with optimal geometry and resistance characteristics
Electrical stimulation systems, operating in current or voltage mode
Optogenetic stimulation module, multi-channel, with tunable illumination area
Targeting camera, enabling precise pipette positioning and fluorescence measurements at low or high frame rates to correctly sample cellular kinetics
Dedicated software for ion imaging and ratio imaging, including modules for camera and illuminator (monochromator or LED system) control—essential for visualizing fluorescence intensity changes in specific regions of interest.
The software also optimizes synchronization between camera acquisition and LED triggering, achieving maximum speed in multichannel acquisition via an external control box managing TTL timing for the camera, LEDs, and additional USB/TTL/ANALOG peripherals.
MEA system for extracellular recordings and mapping of electrical activity
Anti-vibration table and Faraday cage to minimize mechanical vibrations and external electrical interference
Vibratome or Compresstome for precise slicing of biological samples without tissue deformation or artifacts detrimental to imaging

This configuration provides the mechanical and electrical stability required for long-term, high-precision patch clamp experiments. It also serves as a solid foundation for modular expansion toward additional correlated applications.

Advanced Modules for Calcium and Ion Imaging

Crisel Instruments systems are modular and can be integrated with advanced imaging technologies:

High-sensitivity time-lapse cameras and third-party software, with multi-wavelength LED illumination
High-speed cameras, monochromator or LED-based systems for ratiometric imaging (Fura-2, Fluo3, Fluo4), fully synchronizable with patch clamp acquisition software
Single- or dual-channel photometry systems for fluorescence measurements exceeding 1000 Hz
In vitro and in vivo optogenetic solutions, based on single-point or multi-ROI LED or laser stimulation, using optical fibers or fluorescence microscope objectives

Experimental Applications

Our systems are employed across a wide range of research fields:

Neuroscience → study of neuronal ion channels, synaptic transmission, and synaptic plasticity
Cardiology → analysis of ionic currents in cardiac cells and tissues
Pharmacology → assessment of drug effects on ion channels
Cell Biology → investigation of intracellular calcium variations and ionic signaling
Optogenetics → optical stimulation of cells and neuronal circuits both in vitro and in vivo

Advantages of Crisel Instruments Systems

Modularity: start from a basic configuration and expand with imaging, photometry, or optogenetic modules
Customization: tailor-made configurations for each laboratory and research project
Software integration: seamless communication between acquisition platforms for perfectly synchronized experiments
Mechanical and electronic stability: anti-vibration tables and high-sensitivity acquisition systems minimize experimental noise
Technical support: expert consulting and assistance to ensure maximum performance and reliability of all equipment

Conclusions

Crisel Instruments’ patch clamp and calcium imaging systems represent a comprehensive solution for advanced research in electrophysiology, cell biology, and neuroscience.
Thanks to their modular design, they offer perfect integration between electrical recordings and ion imaging, enabling researchers to explore complex cellular mechanisms with precision.
Whether for neurophysiology, pharmacology, or optogenetic experiments, our systems provide reliability, accuracy, and flexibility—supporting researchers from fundamental experiments to cutting-edge investigations.