The ELC-03XS amplifier is the only commercially available amplifier that is not only designed for the loose-patch clamp technique for recording in slice or in vivo preparations, but also for a wide range of other electrophysiological experiments. This amplifier enables an investigator to identify a single cell in a preparation by its characteristic spike train, then inject dye, electroporate or stimulate this cell in situ. The unique ELC headstage that meets these diverse experimental requirements incorporates a resistive-feedback circuit capable of functioning as a patch clamp headstage with pA sensitivity, or as a high-impedance electrometer with bridge balance capable of functioning as a conventional bridge amplifier, or as an extracellular amplifier with differential input for sensitive measurement of field potentials or single-unit activity. The ELC-03XS amplifier offers an unprecedented combination of capabilities and is much better suited for experiments requiring multiple electrical recording or stimulation protocols than other commercial amplifiers that are designed specifically to perform only a single function. Investigators with more limited equipment budgets will also be pleased by the reasonable cost of this versatile instrument. The ELC amplifier combines the traditional approaches of electrical measurements, electrical stimulation and dye application with new approaches that make possible experiments under more natural, i.e. non-invasive conditions, with minimal damage to sensitive preparations, even on the level of individual cells or subcellular structures such as dendrites and axons.

The system includes a voltage clamp mode for approaching cells and a current clamp mode for recording. In current clamp mode a bridge balance cancels electrode artifacts, and a current pump allows electroporetic dye injection or transfection, if required in VCx10 or CCx10 mode. Two digital displays, an audio monitor, an electrode resistance test and other functions make these amplifiers ideal for extracellular loose-patch experiments. Additional features are ten-turn controls for BRIDGE balance (CC) and RS COMPENSATION (VC in patch clamp), Low-pass Bessel filters for current and potential outputs, highpass filter and variable gain on potential output for extracellular recording. An oszillation shut off unit and tunable penetration help complete this instrument.

The ELC amplifier (ELC-03M) is also available as module for the EPMS-07 system.

          ELC Headstage

Specifications    PDF- File   Extracellular Amplifiers   Intracellular Amplifiers   Patch Clamp Amplifiers   Catalog A    Products