Precise positioning (e.g., 1-100 μm) of an electrode or arrays of electrodes is a critical requirement for many in vivo electrophysiology studies. We are developing an instrument to manipulate arrays of micropipette electrodes utilizing a novel actuation strategy wherein flexible fused silica micropipettes telescope within teflon conduits configured in non-rectilinear configurations. This strategy circumvents the steric hindrances that limit the number micropipettes to just one in conventional setups. To prove this concept, we have designed a device that allows the simultaneous actuation of an array of four micropipettes. We have experimentally characterized the linear translation of micropipettes in this device and have achieved a minimum step resolution of 1 urn. Further in vivo electrophysiology experiments validate the efficacy of this device for in vivo patch clamping.
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