Multichannel Systems MEA2100-System Manual - Manual (Page 6)

MEA2100-System Manual
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Data is recorded, stimulated, analyzed, graphed and reviewed with the powerful and easy-to-use
MC_Rack program from Multi Channel Systems MCS GmbH. The control functions of the internal
stimulator are also integrated into MC_Rack. The MC_Rack data format can be converted in other
standard formats with the software MC_DataTool.
The Headstage of the MEA2100-System
At the moment five different types of headstages are available for the MEA2100-System.
A headstage for microelectrode arrays (MEAs) with 120 electrodes, a headstage for microelectrode
arrays with 60 electrodes or for two MEAs with 60 electrodes respectively and headstages for one
or two small microelectrode arrays with 32 recording and 12 stimulation electrodes.
The data acquisition integrated in the headstage supports 120 electrode channels. The sampling
rate, signal range and bandwidth can be adjusted via software control and is suitable for a broad
range of applications, from single unit spike recordings to field potentials from whole heart
preparations.
A special advantage are the three integrated stimulus generator units, which deliver monophasic
or biphasic rectangular pulses, as single pulses or pulse trains. You can choose between current
or voltage stimulation and you can select each MEA electrode for stimulation within the MC_Rack
software. The integrated blanking circuit (BC) disconnects the electrodes from the amplifiers
during the stimulation and avoids stimulus artifacts.
As usual in MEA-Systems, the MEA2100-System features a heating element with a Pt100
temperature sensor. If you connect a temperature controller TC02 to the heating element via
D-Sub 9 connector, the heating element guarantees constant temperature conditions for the
biological sample on the chip. A perfusion system with heating is available for the MEA2100
as optional accessory.
All MEA types with 60 or 120 channels can be used. A modified base plate is available for the
headstage to be able to work with perforated MEAs also.
Because of the compact designed headstage you can use most inverted or upright microscopes,
for the optical control of the sample on the MEA chip.
The Interface Board of the MEA2100-System
The interface board of the system is equipped with a high-capacity digital signal processor DSP.
By moving the detection and analysis of signals and from the data acquisition computer to
the digital signal processor inside the interface, it is possible to run online filtering, analysis
and feedback stimulation in real-time. The MEA2100-32-System and the MEA2100-Lite-
System are descendants including all functions of the MEA2100-System with the exception
of the real-time feedback via DSP.
The Digital IN / OUT connector (68-pin MCS standard connector) for 16 digital in- and output
bits guarantees the communication with other devices. You can use the digital TTL inputs,
for example, for synchronizing the recording in MEA2100-System with other systems. The
digital TTL outputs can be used for triggering other devices, for example, an imaging setup.
Four digital inputs and four digital outputs (bit 0 to bit 3) are separately available via Lemo
connectors on the front of the interface board. The eight analog inputs (serial connector) are
intended for recording additional information from external devices, for example, for recording
patch clamp in parallel to the MEA recording, for monitoring the temperature, or for fluidic
control.
Two of the eight analog inputs are separately available via Lemo connectors on the front of
the interface board. You can connect an audio system to the Audio Out (3.5 mm phone jack)
to make electrical activity audible. This audio output is in real-time. Headphones or a speaker
can be connected directly to the Audio Out. Two channels at a time can be converted into sound.