General Facilities
This section describes the basic operating modes of the Optopatch, plus a few other features that don't naturally belong to any of the subsequent sections. First, we'll consider the basic operating modes. There are two main sets of modes, selection within each being made by a three-position toggle switch, and they determine whether the Optopatch is operating as a voltage clamp or as a current clamp, and whether the range of currents that can be passed is appropriate for true patch or for whole-cell recordings. They also affect the operation of some of the other controls in what should be an intuitive manner, and those effects will be noted briefly here for reference, although the sections describing those controls should be consulted for further information.
