Multichannel Systems MEA-VMT Manual - Manual (Page 5)

5
1 Introduction
1.1 About this Manual
This manual comprises all important information about the first installation of the hardware
and software, and about the daily work with the instrument. It is assumed that you have already
a basic understanding of technical and software terms. No special skills are required to read this
manual.
If you are using the device for the first time, please read the important safety advice before
installing the hardware and software, where you will find important information about the
installation and first steps.
There is a separate manual in on-line form available for the camera. The cameras and the
respective software and manual are not products of MCS, but are provided by IDS Imaging
Development GmbH.
1.2 Welcome to the Video Microscope Table MEA-VMT
The MEA-VMT is a solid table with a video microscope underneath. It is intended to image
the electrode field of a microelectrode array (MEA) in an amplifier placed on top of the table.
The image is captured by a USB 3.0 camera and transferred to a computer via USB interface.
The microscope lens is equipped with a focus, zoom, and iris shutter. Illumination is provided
by flexible LED lights, which are connected to an USB 3.0 hub (MEA-VMT-2) or to a USB 2.0
hub (MEA-VMT-1) together with the camera/s.
The Video Microscope Table MEA-VMT exists in two versions, MEA-VMT-1 with one video
microscope, and the MEA-VMT-2 with two video microscopes. For the MEA-VMT-2 an USB 3.0
interface is recommended, for MEA-VMT-1 an USB 2.0 interface is sufficient. The size of the
table has been designed to accommodate all MEA-Systems. The MEA-VMT-1 is compatible with
all integrated MEA-Systems (MEA2100-60, MEA2100-120, MEA2100-32, USB-MEA256) and all
MEA1060 amplifiers. The MEA-VMT-2 is intended to be used with the MEA2100-2x60 or the
MEA2100-2x32 headstages, to be able to image both MEAs simultaneously on the connected
computer.