Axon MultiClamp 700A - User Manual

MultiClamp 700A
COMPUTER-CONTROLLED
MICROELECTRODE AMPLIFIER
Theory and Operation
Part Number 2500-129 Rev D November 2001 Printed in USA
Copyright 2000, 2001 Axon Instruments, Inc.
No part of this manual may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted,
in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, microfilming,
recording, or otherwise, without written permission from Axon Instruments, Inc.
QUESTIONS? See www.moldev.com for how to contact Axon Instrum
ents, Inc.

Axon MultiClamp 700A Specifications

General

Category	Amplifier
Type	Patch Clamp Amplifier
Manufacturer	Molecular Devices
Model	MultiClamp 700A
Modes	Voltage Clamp, Current Clamp
Input Noise	0.2 pA RMS
Output Voltage Range	±10 V
Seal Test	Yes
Pipette Offset	Yes
Capacitance Compensation	Yes
Current Clamp Gain	0.1 to 50 mV/pA
Input Impedance	10 GOhm
Digital Interface	USB
Power Requirements	100-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz

Summary

Important Information

Power-Supply Voltage Selection and Fuse Changing

Procedures for selecting power supply voltage and replacing fuses.

Basic Equipment Setup and Safety

Guidelines for safe operation, environmental conditions, and static discharge.

Safe Environmental Conditions

Recommended operating environment for the instrument.

Static Precautions

Measures to prevent damage from static electricity.

Shipping the MultiClamp 700 A

Guidance on proper packaging and shipping procedures for the instrument.

Chapter 1 Introduction

Chapter 2 Installation and Basic Operation

Installation and Checkout

Procedures for unpacking, setting up, and verifying the instrument's basic operation.

Installing Hardware

Instructions for connecting the serial cable and headstages.

Installing the MultiClamp Commander

Guide to installing and launching the commander software.

Functional Checkout

Procedures to verify the basic operation of the MultiClamp 700A.

Noise Measurement and Calibration

Steps to measure noise and check instrument calibration.

Chapter 3 Using the MultiClamp 700 A - Tutorials

Check List

Items required for performing the tutorials.

Tutorial 1: Electrode in the Bath: Voltage Clamp

Step-by-step guide for voltage clamp setup using a model cell.

Tutorial 2: Electrode in the Bath: Current Clamp

Step-by-step guide for current clamp setup using a model cell.

Tutorial 3: Giga Seal Configuration

Tutorial on achieving and testing a gigaseal connection.

Tutorial 4: Whole-Cell Configuration: Voltage Clamp

Guide to performing whole-cell voltage clamp recordings.

Tutorial 5: Whole-Cell Configuration: Current Clamp

Guide to performing whole-cell current clamp recordings.

Chapter 4 A Practical Guide to Electrophysiological Recording

General Advice

Practical advice on chamber design, perfusion, stability, optics, and bath electrodes.

Interfacing a Computer

Instructions for connecting and configuring a computer for the rig.

Patch Clamping Techniques

Techniques and considerations for patch clamping experiments.

Forming a Gigaseal

Detailed steps and tips for forming a gigaseal.

Chapter 5 Reference Section

Feedback Resistor

Role of feedback resistors in headstage gain and current range.

Filters

Understanding and selecting low-pass and high-pass filters for signal conditioning.

Grounding and Hum

Methods for minimizing line-frequency noise and hum.

Series Resistance Compensation

Theory and practice for compensating series resistance in voltage clamp.

Noise Measurement

Sources of instrument noise and methods for measurement.

Mode Selection

Explanation of switching between voltage clamp, current clamp, and I=0 modes.

Chapter 6 Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Common problems and solutions for MultiClamp 700A operation.

Chapter 7 Specifications

Instrument Specifications

Technical details and performance specifications of the instrument.