Temperature-controlled perfusion apparatus for microscope using transparent conducting film heater.

We describe a novel temperature-controlled perfusion apparatus for electrophysiological studies on isolated cells or membrane patches. The apparatus uses a transparent conducting film of indium-tin-oxide as a heating element. The film heater deposited on a glass sheet allows us to construct a structurally simple apparatus that is able not only to heat directly the bath chamber but also to preheat the perfusion solution on the stage of an inverted microscope.