Axoclamp 900A Amplifier, Patch Clamp, Elektrofiziológia
Axoclamp 900A Microelectrode Amplifier is a complete microelectrode current clamp and voltage clamp amplifier, useful for a wide range of intracellular microelectrode recording techniques.
- Five modes of operation provide the broadest range of electrophysiological applications
- Software control of all amplifier settings for automated optimization features, reduction of manipulation steps, and convenient, reliable telegraphing
- Optional SoftPanel allows amplifier control using knobs and buttons for a more conventional feel to amplifier control
- Large output compliance range (±180 V in TEVC and HVIC modes) enables passing larger currents and ensures faster clamp speeds
- Wide AC voltage clamp gain ranges in TEVC and dSEVC modes for excellent voltage control
- Space-saving headstage design for easier access to the preparation on a crowded microscope stage
- New dSEVC design with more stability and faster clamp provides an excellent alternative to standard continuous single-electrode voltage clamping
- Pipette Capacitance Compensation neutralizes the contribution of the glass pipette and the pipette holder to the capacitance of the circuitry
- Automatic oscillation detection prevents damage to a cell when electrical feedback occurs
- Selectable output gain with 11 settings to scale the output signal to the desired level
- Audio monitor for acoustic tracking of the signal while you are busy looking down a microscope
- Fine-tunable 4-pole Bessel and Butterworth low-pass filters act as anti-aliasing filters and can be used to pre-condition the output signal
- Buzz feature with a hand-held remote switch facilitates breaking through cell membranes
- Two included pipette holders of different barrel lengths accept glass pipettes in most standard dimensions
- User guide written by scientific consultants, with the assistance of Axon Instruments staff, for straightforward start-up and as an in-depth reference
| General Specifications | |
| Dimensions (in.) | 4.3 (H) x 19 (W) x 14.3 (D) |
| Dimensions (cm) | 10.9 (H) x 48.3 (W) x 36.3 (D) |
| Weight | 9.5 lbs. (4.3 kg) |
| Headstage (in.) | 0.75 (H) x 0.70 (W) x 2.25 (D) |
| Headstage (cm) | 1.9 (H) x 1.8 (W) x 5.7 (D) |
| Rack use | Bayonet feet |
| Power |
100-240 VAC 50-60 Hz, 30 W max
|
| Safety | CE marking (Conformité Européenne) |
Basic Ion Channel Research
Ion channels are pore proteins that are involved in a large variety of physiological processes. Basic research in the ion channel field furthers the understanding of ion channel function as well as their roles within cellular pathways and processes. Single-channel research helps with elucidating the mechanisms underlying ion channel function on a single-molecule level. Whole-cell and perforated patch clamp recordings are typically used to investigate the action of modulators on entire populations of ion channels in the membrane of a cell.
Cell Pathway Analysis
Ion channels are involved in many cell pathways and understanding the function of ion channels in response to changes in membrane potential or the presence or absence of other molecules is important in order to understand exactly how ion channels participate in normal and abnormal biological processes such as cell differentiation and migration, disease states, neuronal communications, etc.
Disease Research
Ion channels play a role in many diseases, including hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias, gastrointestinal, immune and neuromuscular disorders, pathological pain and cancer. By understanding the exact role that ion channels play in a particular disease, researchers might be able to find a way to affect the ion channel in such a way as to alter the course of the disease. Learn more.
Safety Assessment
A critical part of drug discovery involves safety assessments, such as hERG testing, in order to eliminate any compounds with potential safety concerns. Conventional patch clamp has played an important role in collecting evidence for the absence of side effects before submission of a drug candidate to regulatory authorities. Even if automated electrophysiology has shifted safety testing to earlier stages in the drug discovery process, follow-up with conventional patch clamp is an essential step in the workflow.
| Maximum Current* | ||||||
| I-Clamp | HVIC | TEVC | dSEVC | DCC | ||
| Headstage | Ro | (Ch1 &2) | (Ch2) | (Ch2) | (Ch1) | (Ch1) |
| HS-9Ax0.1U | 100M | 0.12μA | 1.8μA | 1.8μA | 0.036μA | 0.036μA |
|
HS-9Ax1U
|
10M | 1.20μA | 18.0μA | 18.0μA | 0.360μA | 0.360μA |
| HS-9Ax10U | 1M | 12.00μA | 180.0μA | 180.0μA | 3.600μA | 3.600μA |
*Maximum current specifications assume negligible electrode resistance.
| Description | Details | Part Number |
| Axoclamp 900A Headstage HS-9A X0.1U | x0.1 headstage | 1-2950-0359 |
| Axoclamp 900A Headstage HS-9A X1U | x1 headstage | 1-2950-0360 |
| Axoclamp 900A Headstage HS-9A X10U | x10 headstage | 1-2950-0361 |
| Axoclamp 900A Headstage VG-9A X10U | x10 virtual ground headstage | 1-2950-0362 |
| Axoclamp 900A Headstage VG-9A X100U | x100 virtual ground headstage | 1-2950-0363 |
SoftPanel Interface
To offer a more conventional interface to amplifier control, the optional SoftPanel was designed as a hardware extension to replicate all essential amplifier functions by acting as a hardware extension to the Axoclamp and MultiClamp Commander Software. The SoftPanel controller communicates with the computer via an easy-to-set up USB 2.0 connection. Using the SoftPanel knobs replicate continuous mouse controls ("gliders"), while buttons replicate single-click mouse controls without negating the many benefits afforded by computer control of the amplifier.
Axoclamp Commander Software
Instead of the traditional front panel knobs and switches, the Axoclamp 900A Amplifier is controlled by the Axoclamp 900A Commander Software, a program that runs on a Windows PC computer (see system requirements) and communicates with the amplifier via a USB interface. This control interface reports resistance, voltage, and current measurements and provides automation of Bridge Balance, Pipette Offset, and Pipette Capacitance Neutralization for improved ease of use. In addition, Axoclamp Commander has "smart" features that protect cells from potentially damaging signal oscillations and automate mode changes based on internal signal thresholds or externally applied signals. Amplifier settings such as gain, filter frequency, recording mode, and input/output scale factors are automatically telegraphed to the pCLAMP 10 Data Acquisition Software via the USB connection. This ensures that the amplifier settings are accurately and conveniently stored in the recorded data files.
To obtain the installer for a more in-depth look at Axoclamp 900A Commander Software, please go to our Customer Support page.
In combination with a Digidata 1550 Data Acquisition System and pCLAMP Software, the Axoclamp 900A Amplifier forms the core of a recording setup like those used in many electrophysiology labs around the world. Computer control of the amplifier ensures correct scaling and logging of experimental parameters. The Clampex Data Acquisition Module in pCLAMP Software makes optimal use of the features of the Axoclamp 900A Amplifier.
