Patch Clamp Amplifier / Microelectrode Amplifier
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The Optopatch patch clamp amplifier from Cairn Research is a high gain high electrode amplifier, designed for measuring small currents over a wide bandwidth (Up to 200 KHz). The Optopatch has been constructed around our patented optical headstage and incorporates a number of unique features in order to optimise its performance across a wide range of applications. These include:
- Single channel voltage clamp recording.
- Membrane capacitance measurement.
- Whole cell voltage or current clamp recording.
The Optopatch was designed to perform tasks that other patch clamp amplifiers cannot, and a major feature is the inclusion of a lock-in amplifier for measurement of cell membrane capacitance and resistance, with linear calibrated resistance and capacitance outputs. This built in device has a unique "track-in" mode that keeps the lock-in amplifier in perfect balance, maintaining discrimination between resistance and capacitance, and is the subject of a recent publication in Pflügers Arch. Integrated into this circuitry is protection against overcompensation of series resistance and electrode capacitance, safeguarding your cells during a recording. Another feature unique to the Optopatch is the inclusion of true current clamping circuitry. This was incorporated into the headstage design to allow true voltage records to be obtained when using the amplifier in current clamp mode.
Main Features :
- Optical headstage for high bandwidth and low noise. More...
- Differential reference input on headstage. More...
- True voltage follower in current clamp mode. More...
- Unique cell protection against overcompensation of series resistance and electrode capacitance. More...
- Calibrated resistance and capacitance outputs
- Integral lock-in amplifier for membrane capacitance measurement. More...
- Independent controls for holding voltage and holding current. More...
- Choice of four or eight pole Bessel filtering. More...
- Gain and frequency telegraphing outputs. More...
- Choice of 1nA and 100nA current ranges
- Electrode capacitance compensation of up to 15pF.
- Membrane capacitance compensation of up to 200pF with standard headstage.
- Selection of signal output points. More...
- Integral square and sine wave generator. More...
- High resolution metering displays. More...
For pricing or to order an Optopatch system please refer to the Optopatch section of our on-line catalogue or contact our sales department.
System Configurations
Episodic data acquisition
For high speed single channel and whole cell recordings using sweep based protocols we recommend using the Strathclyde Electrophysiology Software written by Dr J.Dempster, together with a third party acquisition card. Our current recommendation for data acquisition is the National Instruments PCI-MIO-16E4. ) This provides a economical and versatile electrophysiology system.
Continuous acquisition
In applications where data is acquired continuously we can supply the Cairn acquisition system, which runs under Win95, 98, Me and 2000. This includes a high resolution DAC card and a graphical front end for data acquisition and analysis. Modules for data processing will be available shortly. This configuration would be ideally suited to systems designed for combined electrophysiology and fluorescence recordings, as the software contains integral support for controlling our Optoscan monochromator and Optospin filter changer.
Turnkey systems
As well as providing the main components for your data acquisition, we can also supply associated equipment from anti-vibration tables and faraday cages to electrode holders - please contact us for details.
