Designed to acquire data at up to 50kHz on each of up to 128 channels, the MultiChannel Systems MC Card is at the heart of a flexible in vitro and in vivo recording setup
Using today's latest developments in computer technology has allowed in vitro and in vivo data throughput for both raw and processed data.
From this basic starting point the user can review, graph, analyse and export data with easy-to-use software. Adding the appropriate amplifier system allows the gathering of data from in vivo experiments, acute slices, dissociate culture systems, and organotypic slices.
The amplifiers for in vivo use can be tailor made to fit requirements, with the choice of the low- and high-pass filters, and gain.
For an even more flexible system, a software programmable gain option, can be selected which can split the data into high and low frequency components within the amplifier for work on field and spike data at the same time.
Combined with miniature stackable headstages in either eight or 32 channel formats, the system can be easily altered to suit any changing requirements.
For in vitro use, a turnkey solution can be offered with a multi-electrode array (MEA) chip at the heart of the system.
Once the tissue is on the array it is simply plugged into the holder that also houses the on-board amplifiers for the best signal-to-noise ratio available. Temperature control is offered both for the holder and for any perfusion system that might be used.
For any of these systems, if tissue stimulation is needed, isolated stimulus generators are available for one, two, four, or eight channels per unit.
As the stimulus is software-controlled, any type of stimulus output can be programmed, whether it is a simple single pulse or a protocol involving many different types of pulse, sine wave, and trains over hours, days weeks, or even months.
A new version of this stimulator allows real-time editing of the stimulus while the stimulus protocol is running.
The stimulus can be directed through a traditional stimulus wire or via any one of the data electrodes.
A blanking circuit will ensure that the stimulus artefact does not interfere with the response.
If combined with the newest version of the in vitro MEA system that allows software control of which electrode the stimulus is directed to, the result is a truly automated system for the stimulation and recoding of tissue preps.
All these components are designed to be compact and rugged, and flexible in the way in which they can be combined.
