Robotic Fast Dual-Arm Patch Clamp System for Mechanosensitive Excitability Research of Neurons.

Objective: A robotic fast dual-arm patch clamp system with controllable mechanical stimulation is proposed in this paper for mechanosensitive excitability research of neurons in brain slice.

Methods: First, a kinematic model of a dual-arm patch clamp system combined with Monte Carlo method is developed to calculate the workspaces of recording micropipette and stimulation micropipette, and optimize the length of end effector for reducing collision incidences during operation. Then, a quantitative stimulation method to cells using one micropipette is developed based on pressing depth control. Finally, a fast robotic dual-arm patch clamp operation process is proposed based on a three-stage motion control of dual micropipettes to approach target cells and form whole-cell recording with quantitative mechanical stimulation.

Results: Experimental results on 50 pyramidal neurons in the primary visual cortex of mouse brain slices demonstrate that this system achieves a threefold throughput with a 37% improvement in the success rate of the contact process and a 42% improvement in the success rate of whole-cell recording in comparison to manual operation. With these advantages, a mechanical stimulation-regulated increase in neuron excitability is observed in primary visual cortex. The experimental results also show that the sodium ion current may be more sensitive to mechanical stimulation than potassium ion current.

Conclusion: Our system significantly improves the efficiency of mechanical stimulation induced excitability research of neurons in brain slices.

Significance: Our methods have the potential to investigate pathological and pathogenic mechanisms of mechanosensitive ion channel dysfunction-induced diseases in the future.