Nanion Port-a-Patch Mini

Patch more. Pay less.

Simple Electrophysiology

Built on the success of the Port-a-Patch, we miniaturized the patch clamp system even further by integrating the amplifier into the system making an even smaller patch rig! The Port-a-Patch Mini offers fast and easy access to high quality patch clamp data with minimal training. The system is ideal for quick tests of cells and ion channels, and also as an educational tool.

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. Solutions can be easily exchanged using a laboratory pipette, ensuring simple exchange of solution, and low compound consumption. The Port-a-Patch Mini can be used as an alternative to conventional patch clamp and as a teaching tool. It offers access to high quality patch clamp data with only minimal training.

The Port-a-Patch Mini system is comprised of the Port-a-Patch Mini recording unit, a suction control unit, a Tecella amplifier and a laptop (optional). Our dedicated team of electrophysiologists and engineers are committed to continuous in-house assay development, software and hardware advancements, ensuring fast and custom-tailored solutions for your assay demands.

Record your cells faster using the Port-a-Patch Mini

This short video shows how you can patch a cell in 60 seconds!

Benefits of the Port-a-Patch Mini

• Small and affordable complete setup
• Easy to use, minimal training required
• No patch clamp experience necessary
• High success rates
• Ideal for teaching
• Amplifier integrated
• Voltage and current clamp as standard
• Whole cell and perforated patch recordings
• External and internal solution exchange
• Unlimited compound application
• Chips produced in-house, various resistances available
• Full control over experimental parameters for fast assay development

Port-a-Patch Mini Specifications

Standard Delivery Package

• Port-a-Patch recording station (including Faraday top)
• Port-a-Patch Suction Control, USB-controlled (no house vacuum needed)
• Pico 2 amplifier (Tecella)
• PatchControl Mini software
• WinWCP software
• Laptop (optional)
• NPC-1 chips
• Reagent starter kit
• Tutorial instruction video
• 1 year warranty with further optional comprehensive service plans available

PatchControl Mini Software

Through innovative communication with WinWCP electrophysiology software, PatchControl Mini can read important parameters such as membrane resistance, whole cell capacitance and series resistance and moves through the pre-programmed steps accordingly. Parameters such as 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. Not only that, complex macros can be easily implemented, allowing everything from simple changes in gain to complex perfusion routines to be programmed and automatically performed.

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!

Electrophysiology data acquisition
The Port-a-Patch Mini system comes with the WinWCP software pre-installed and configured. This is an easy-to-use electrophysiology data acquisition and analysis software. The software can be used to record in both voltage and current clamp modes in the whole cell configuration. Leak current can be subtracted from the recorded current and basic analysis functions can be chosen and curves fitted.

Consumables

NPC-1 Chip
The NPC-1 chip is a proprietary innovative product by Nanion Technologies, developed for the Port-a-Patch and Port-a-Patch Mini. 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.

Description and Material

• Planar borosilicate glass slide with a micron-sized patch aperture
• Borosilicate layer incorporated into a screw cap for easy handling
• Minimal preparation between experiments
• Open well format maximizes volume/surface ratio
• No plastic in contact with compounds
• Internal and external solutions accessible
• Internal perfusion possible
• A range of aperture sizes are available corresponding to different resistances (low, medium and high)

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 resistances available upon request!

Buffer solutions

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).