Electrophysiological Assessment of Cerebral Vasospasm - Animal Models of Acute Neurological Injuries: Injury and Mechanistic Assessments - page 476

of ion channels or channel-forming receptors in live cells. This
technique made it possible to record the currents of multiple ion
channels of a single or multiple types, and in some experimental
subtypes, the activity of single ion channels in the membranes of
excitable cells for the fi rst time. Early work proved their role in
fundamental cell processes, such as generation of the action poten-
tial. Neher and Sakmann received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or
Medicine in 1991 for this work. The reader is referred to textbooks
that are good sources for understanding the physics, electronics
and some of the biology of electrophysiology and ion channels ( 12 ).

2. Materials
and Instruments

2.1. Instruments
for Electrophysiology
Working Station

A complete working electrophysiology station typically includes
the following major components (Fig. 1 ).
Anti-vibration table . This is to eliminate vibration noises that
would be detrimental to patch clamp. The table is supported by
pressured air that is supplied by an air tank. The table will hold the
microscope and micromanipulators.
Faraday cage . The Faraday cage shields out the sensitive patch-
clamp signals from unwanted electrical noise.

Fig. 1. Photograph of major components of a typical electrophysiology station.