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Abstract:
A small piezolectric device for cell penetration is
described. It retracts the micropipette slowly by
electrostriction, and pushes it very fast (<5µsec)
forward by shorcircuiting the transducer. The design,
operation circuit, and performance under test conditions are
described. Penetration examples from small nerve fibres
(<5µm) show that membrane puncture occurs only with the
fast forward push. Cells are not noticeably damaged, even if
the device is repeatedly operated after cell penetration.