BII - Model TCKG -Organ and Tissue Chambers

This chamber consists of two main cells, one is a large diamond-shape for containing the preparation and the other is a smaller oval-shaped cell where nerve ends are arranged for making electrical recordings. These two cells are separated by a removable acrylic partition. The bottom edge of this partition can be fashioned to leave a small arch through which nerve bundles can pass through for grease gap recording methods. The larger cell is normally pre-filled with an inert selfcuring silicone rubber substrate to allow various types of preparations to be pinned in place. The smaller oval cell is supplied with a small pedestal on which a small pane of mirrored glass is used as a substrate to separate nerves from a nerve bundle with the aid of a dissecting microscope arranged over the cell. Hook-wire electrodes are arranged from nearby 1mm connectors for recording and stimulating functions as are ground electrodes for both nerve and preparation areas. Perfusion fluid flows into the chamber via a Teflon tube which first spirals in the base of the chamber. This base contains temperature control heating and sensor elements connected to a separately available proportional temperature controller PTC03. The warmed perfusion solution in the spiral then flows over the preparation in the diamond-shaped area and exits at the opposite end where it can be sucked off from a tube fitting. In addition there is provision for the diamond-shaped cell to maintain high humidity and control the gaseous environment for experimental anoxia or other gas combinations.