Abstract
Conventional microelectrodes (tips with a diameter of 0.5 μm, a resistance of 8 MOhm, and a tip potential of −4 mV) were mechanically beveled over a length of 1–2 μm (resistance 2.5 MOhm, tip potential between 0 and −1 mV). Properties thought to be relevant for intracellular techniques were studied on the cardiac Purkinje fiber. The comparison with conventional microelectrodes suggests that beveled microelectrodes have an advantage as stated:
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1.
Intracellular impalement is favoured by the proper shape and the greater mechanical stability; the beveled tip penetrates the connective tissue smoothly without breaking or plugging.
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2.
Curren injection (constant current mode) can be done without blocking or polarizing the tip. The2 microelectrode voltage clamp technique (Deck et al., 1964) is improved by having lower noise and better stability, by a faster response time, and a greater range of clamp potentials (up to+80 mV).
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3.
Thespontaneous release of the electrolytes filling the microelectrode has a 3-fold greater rate (0.015 pMol/s); this enlargement does not change the electrophysiological properties of the fiber.
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4.
Intracellular pressure injection requires pressures of 0.3–1.5 bar only to inject the solutes with rates between 1 and 100 pMol/s.
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Supported by the SFB 38, project G2
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Isenberg, G. Risk and advantages of using strongly beveled microelectrodes for electrophysiological studies in cardiac Purkinje fibers. Pflugers Arch. 380, 91–98 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00582618
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00582618