Description

Science Products is featuring the IPA^® family of Integrated Patch Amplifiers, which enables efficient, low-noise whole-cell recordings. The IPA system, available with one (IPA) or two recording channels (Double IPA), combines state-of-the-art amplifier technology with fully integrated D/A and A/D conversion and a high speed USB interface. Acquisition, data management, and streamlined analysis are performed using the bundled SutterPatch^® Data Acquisition and Analysis Software, built on the foundation of Igor Pro (WaveMetrics, Inc.).

External Inputs & Outputs

External signals, such as environmental parameters or stimulus information, can be recorded using 4 auxiliary analog input channels. The IPA system also supports the control of peripheral hardware, such as wavelength or solution switchers, with 2 analog and 8 digital (TTL) output channels. As an alternative to the standard breakout cable, an optional Patch Panel provides a tidy way of connecting auxiliary signals on the front of your rack.

Double IPA with two headstages

SutterPatch^® Software

The IPA system, in combination with SutterPatch^®software, has been engineered to automatically capture and store all amplifier settings, stimulus information and external experiment parameters and associate them in time with the raw data traces. This includes all amplifier and acquisition settings, as well as timing and progress of the experiment. Fully integrated computer control of the amplifier stages means that the acquisition software is aware of the internal state of the amplifier and digitizer at all times and can track any changes that may occur. This is independent of whether a change is triggered automatically or initiated by the user.

Tracking of Other External Data

In addition to status changes in connected hardware that are automatically tracked, the experimenter can manually trigger tags to document events like stimulus application in instruments not connected to the IPA system.

Information about environmental parameters and a more detailed specification of sample properties, can be recorded and stored with the raw data. A total of over 500 metadata attributes are supported. Examples include: animal species, strain, date/time when a cell sample was prepared, recording solutions, pipette resistance, hardware properties, and detailed information about stimuli applied.

Data Visualization and Analysis

SutterPatch^® software has been designed to simplify the navigation and analysis of complex datasets. The scope window supports multiple view modes in both two-dimensional and an innovative three-dimensional display. The 3D view is particularly useful during assay development. Built on top of the latest version of the proven Igor Pro platform, the SutterPatch^® program combines native Igor Pro functionality with a wealth of features that are tailored to electrophysiology applications. Both the newcomer and experienced user of patch clamp programs will feel comfortable using SutterPatch^® software.

Application modules provide focused functionality for particular applications.

Currently available:

Event Detection Module: A deconvolution algorithm that excels at detecting miniature synaptic events even on a noisy background
Camera Module: An easy way to document the identity and condition of the recorded cell

Whole-cell recordings in both voltage and current clamp experiments can easily be performed on the IPA system.

COMMON APPLICATIONS

Tissue slice recordings
Cultured cell experiments
Cell line studies from adherent or dispersed cells
In-vivo patch clamp
Network studies
Optogenetics

FEATURES

Fully integrated patch clamp amplifier and data acquisition system ensures quick and easy setup
Optimized for whole-cell patch clamp recordings in tissue slices, adherent or dissociated cells
Full computer control provides automated compensation of electrode and whole cell capacitance
Voltage and current clamp capability for complete characterization of cells' electrical activity
Bundled SutterPatch^® software excels in comprehensive data management, intuitive navigation and streamlined data analysis
Line frequency reduction in SutterPatch^®

SPECIFICATIONS

The IPA^® / Double IPA^® Integrated Patch Clamp Amplifiers are computer-controlled single- or dual-headstage amplifiers optimized for whole-cell recording applications.

Amplifier

Open-Circuit (RMS) noise of 1.4 pA in a 0.1 - 10 kHz bandwidth
500 MΩ headstage feedback resistor provides a max. range of ±20 nA
Fast and slow capacitance compensation and whole-cell compensation
Fast compensation up to 25 pF; Slow compensation to 2.5 pF
Whole-cell compensation: C_m from 1 - 100 pF ; R_s from 1 - 100 MΩ
Automatic compensation routines
Series resistance prediction and correction (0 - 100 MΩ)
Four-pole Bessel low-pass filter (cutoff = 0.5 - 20 kHz)
Output gain : 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100
Holding potential ±1000 mV
Current injection ±20 nA
Current clamp bridge compensation and capacitance neutralization
Slow holding potential tracking compensates for drift during current clamp recordings

Data Acquisition

Embedded data acquisition system eliminates the need for an external data acquisition board
Single high-speed USB connection controls data acquisition and amplifier
Up to 300 kHz aggregate sampling rate
Up to 6 input channels (1 - 50 kHz sampling rate per channel)
Holding potential command (1 - 10 kHz sampling rate per channel)
Auxiliary input / output for control of other instrumentation
- 4 analog input channels (± 10 V)
- 2 analog output channels (± 10 V)
- 8 digital output channels (TTL)
Data acquisition can be initiated by an onboard microsecond clock or external (TTL) trigger

SutterPatch^® Software

Built on the foundation of Igor Pro (WaveMetrics, Inc.)
Paradigms and Routines provide complete experimental control
Waveform Editor for easy creation of even the most complex stimulus patterns or user-defined templates
Associated metadata stores all relevant information regarding your experiment
Comprehensive data analysis routines and publication quality graphics
Requires Windows 7 (64-bit) or Mac OS X 10.11 (El Capitan), or newer versions

Screenshot of SutterPatch Software

Optional IPA Patch Panel

The IPA and Double IPA Amplifiers come standard with an "octopus" breakout cable for auxiliary inputs and outputs, and digital outputs. The optional IPA Patch Panel, machined from ½" thick billet aluminum stock like the IPA faceplate, brings the auxiliary I/O connections to the front of the rack in a tidy 2U rack mount panel with BNC connectors. The IPA Patch Panel includes a 2.5 ft (76 cm) connector cable and replaces the standard cable that ships with the IPA system.

Patch Panel