Port-a-Patch mini - Patch more. Pay less.

With the Port-a-Patch mini, the world´s smallest patch clamp rig just got even smaller. Built on the success of the Port-a-Patch we miniaturized the patch clamp system even further by integrating the amplifier into the system. Supporting giga-seal recordings from one cell at a time the Port-a-Patch mini offers fast and easy access to high quality patch clamp data with only minimal training. Not only a powerful research tool but also ideal for educational purposes and quick tests of cells and ion channels. The benefits the Port-a-Patch mini include:

Small and affordable complete patch clamp rig
Test cells and compounds with the minimum of effort
Amplifier integrated
No patch clamp experience necessary
Ideal for teaching
Voltage & current clamp
Whole-cell & perforated patch clamp
Chips produced in-house, various resistances available (customizable on request)
Manual and unlimited compound applications
High success rates with cell lines; use of primary cells and stem cells also possible
Easy to use, minimal training required

Using the Port-a-Patch mini is straightforward and easy – the user simply adds solutions and cells onto the disposable recording chip, where a cell is automatically captured and sealed by suction using a computer controlled pump.

The Port-a-Patch mini system is comprised of the Port-a-Patch mini recording unit with built-in amplifier, a Suction Control unit, and a computer. That’s all.

For detailed information:

PatchControl mini

PatchContol mini: the intuitive Software of the Port-a-Patch mini

The PatchControl mini is a software based on the well-known PatchControl software of the Port-a-Patch and optimized for the Port-a-Patch mini allowing the easiest way to perform your sealing procedure. Equipped with a set of pre-written protocols fitting most user scenarios to obtain a fully automated procedure to rech whole cell configuration, the protocols can also be altered, allowing the entire procedure for cell capture, sealing and obtaining the whole cell configuration to be completely customizable. However, because we know that sometimes you just want to control things yourself, the protocols can be interrupted at any time and the suction controlled manually.

Through innovative communication with the electrophysiology software WinWCP, PatchControl mini can read out important parameters like membrane resistance, whole cell capacitance and series resistance and uses those to perform the pre-programmed automated steps accordingly. Suction strength and duration, voltage and membrane criteria can be set and altered to obtain the optimum parameters for cells routinely used in your lab.

The PatchControl mini software is there to make your patch clamp life easier, from automated cell capture to automated pressure control, the PatchControl mini software can do it all!

Consumables

NPC-1

Products NPC1 330

The NPC-1 chip is a proprietary innovative product by Nanion Technologies, developed for the Port-a-Patch. It is produced and quality-assured in-house at Nanion headquarters and shipped from Munich to our international customers. Different types of NPC-1 chips are available which should be chosen depending on cell size and application.

Material

The core structure of the NPC-1 chip is a planar borosilicate glass slide with its micron-sized patch aperture. This structure is incorporated into a screw cap for easy handling and minimal cycle times between experiments. Additionally, the unique design of the NPC-1 chip gives similar access to the external and internal solution. Continuous perfusion of the internal solution has finally become possible.

Available chip types

"NPC-1, 1-2 MOhm": (Order # 061101)
"NPC-1, 2-3.5 MOhm": (Order # 061102)
"NPC-1, 3-5 MOhm": (Order # 061103)
"NPC-1, 5-10 MOhm": (Order # 061104)
"NPC-1, 8-12 MOhm": (Order # 061105)
"NPC-1, 10-15 MOhm": (Order # 061106)

Other sizes are available upon request!

Buffer Solutions

Buffers and Solutions for the Port-a-Patch mini

Reliable buffer solutions are critical for any electrophysiological application. Our goal, therefore, is to provide high-class recording solutions that leave you in no doubt about quality and stability. Our quality assurance includes chemical tests as well as tests on our patch clamp systems of each lot. Our buffers are shipped with the corresponding "Certificates of Analysis" and "Material Safety Data Sheets" (MSDS).

Available buffers and solutions

"External Standard", 500 mL: (Order # 08 3001)
"External Standard Ca 10", 500 mL: (Order # 08 3012)
"External NMDG 60", 500 mL: (Order # 08 3004)
"External NMDG 60 Ca 10", 500 mL: (Order # 08 3011)
"Internal CsF 110", 500 mL: (Order # 08 3008)
"Internal KF 110", 500 mL: (Order # 08 3007)
"Reagent Kit Port-a-Patch Standard", Cryo box with 81 vials, incuding 27x External standard, 18x External Ca 35, 18x Internal KF 60, 18x Internal CsF 60 (Order # 08 1001)

Data and Applications

Astrocytes - Current Traces of Potassium Channels

Port-a-Patch mini data and applications:
Native mouse Astrocytes.

Patch clamp recordings from cultured mouse primary astrocytes were made in the whole cell configuration. Currents of expressed Potassium channels were obtained by depolarizing voltage pulses from a holding potential of −80 mV.

Chondrocytes - Current response to voltage ramp

Port-a-Patch mini data and applications:
Native Bovine Chondrocytes were kindly provided by Dr. Rebecca Lewis, University of Surrey.

Patch clamp recordings from primary chondrocytes were made in the whole cell configuration. The raw current trace was obtained by using a ramp protocol starting from -100 mV to 100 mV.

hERG - Application of Dofetilide

Port-a-Patch mini data and applications:
Cells were kindly provided by SB Drug Discovery.

Raw data traces of hERG (expressed in HEK cells) in control solution and in the presence of increasing concentrations of Dofetilide (top). IC₅₀ concentration response curve for an average of 3 cells is shown revealing an IC₅₀ of 161 ± 12 nM.

NaV1.5 - Raw current traces and Current-Voltage Relationship

Port-a-Patch mini data and applications:
Cells were kindly provided by Charles River.

The image shows currents from an example cell and the corresponding current-voltage plot for Na_V1.5 expressed in stably-transfected CHO-K1 cells.

NaV1.5 - Tetracaine concentration response curve

Port-a-Patch mini data and applications:
Cells were kindly provided by Charles River.

The image shows the timecourse of the experiment (top) where peak amplitude is plotted against time and example traces in control conditions and different concentrations of tetracaine are also shown in the insert. The concentration reponse curve for tetracaine is shown on the bottom for an average of 6 cells. The curve is fit with a Hill equation revealing an IC₅₀ = 25.5 ± 5.7 µM (n = 6).

NaV1.5-Late - Recorded from Cardiosight-S hiPSC-CMs

Port-a-Patch mini data and applications:
Cells were kindly provided by Nexel.

NaV-Late was induced by application of ATX II in Cardiosight-S^® cells on the Port-a-Patch mini. Example traces are shown on the top with the response to the voltage ramp (CiPA protocol) shown in the inset. The timecourse of the experiment is shown on the bottom, with block by ranolazine.

Testimonials & Case Studies

Martin Sumser - Statement about the Port-a-Patch mini

"One afternoon is all I needed to get familiar with the features and perform measurements. As an electrophysiologist and university lecturer, I see the Port-a-Patch mini as a great tool to introduce patch clamp to young university students, but also post-doc level scientists in need of a fast, high quality electrophysiology data."

Dr. Martin Sumser, Senior Research Scientist
Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich

Bernhard Stenger - Statement about the Port-a-Patch mini

„The new Port-a-Patch mini combines a small and easy set-up with an intuitive software and enabled us to generate data with minimal effort. With the help of a video tutorial we were able to record the effect of AITC on TRPA1 within an hour after setting up the system. This device can be a great tool for testing the effect of compounds on ion channels with the patch clamp technique without spending a lot of time with preparation like priming tubes or pulling pipettes. Especially the possibility of using small volumes (5-15µl) as internal and external solution are an advantage when handling rare and/or toxic substances.”

Dr. Bernhard Stenger, Principal Investigator
Walter-Straub-Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich.