The Patch Slice Micro-Incubator System provides a complete solution to the challenge of electrophysiological study of synaptic slice connections at physiological temperatures using low noise whole cell patch recording either with or without water immersion of the microscope objective in the recording medium.

This micro-incubator is a shallow, annular assembly which surrounds the central slice holding dish. Room temperature perfusant is delivered to the incubator which in turn delivers it to the dish at a precisely controlled temperature you select. The perfusant is removed (via user supplied suction) by an included, height adjustable aspirator (LU-ASP). Two independent channels of perfusant flow through the PSMI into the chamber via replaceable plastic tubing of low volume (<100 µl) to allow rapid switching of media via an upstream valve for pharmacological studies. A separate gas inlet provides temperature controlled gas across the dish. The TC-202A provides temperature control (~5° to 50°C) using the micro-incubator warming/cooling plate as the control point. Lower temperatures (approximately 10ºC below ambient) may be obtained by using an optional cooling tube. The cover slip dish (PS-CSD) consists of two 22 mm diameter cover slips held in a circular frame. The slice sits on the top cover slip with the immersion objective reaching the fluid surface. The bottom cover slip prevents condensation for optimal illumination and viewing. To enable placement of the patch electrode, entry angles as small as 15° can be achieved for slice access.