Glass technology for patch clamp electrodes.

Based on all of the properties of glass described here, it is obvious that no one glass can be recommended for all purposes and for all cells. Borosilicate glasses like 7760, 7052, and 7040 are good general purpose glasses for both single-channel and whole-cell recordings. They are good initial choices but, of course, must be checked for each cell type for problems associated with leaching of blockers, etc., from the glass. Corning 8161 is the best glass studied to date with respect to electrical and thermal properties but must be checked carefully for leachable components. If perforated-patch whole-cell recordings are to be used, 8161, KG-12, or some other high lead, low melting point glass are probably the best choices.