CESOP is a microfluidic device that enables focal application and clearance of drugs/compounds to nuclei or regions within acute brain slices submerged in artificial cerebrospinal fluid or other bathing media under non-laminar/turbulent flow conditions. The CESOP technique has distinct advantages over either both perfusion or local perfusion for studying how drug application to one region of the brain affects a neighboring/juxtaposed region. The CESOP device/method enables rapid focal application of drugs/compounds while restricting their spillover to neighboring regions. Turbulent/non-laminar flow conditions that manifest in slice recording chambers exacerbate spillover thereby hindering electrophysiological recordings and the study of region-specific drug effects. CESOP solves this problem through concomitant ejection and suction of perfusate, even under moderately turbulent conditions.
Advantages:
- Rapid and focal delivery of drugs/compounds to regions of interest within the tissue with minimal or no spillover
- Fine control of application area
- Mobility within the restricted environs of the recording chamber/scope
- Savings in precious drug volumes while assaying drug effects
- Feasibility for assaying reversibility of drug effects
- Cost-effective
