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Optopatch
The Optopatch patch clamp amplifier from Cairn Research is a low noise, high gain signal amplifier designed to monitor currents in the pA to nA range over a large bandwidth. It incorporates a number of unique features, including our optical headstage, to optimise its performance across a range of applications.
The amplifier was designed for microelectrode patch clamp recordings, with the unique addition of a lock-in amplifier to enable measurement of membrane capacitance and resistance. This built in device has a unique "track-in" mode that keeps the lock-in amplifier in perfect balance, maintaining discrimination between series resistance and cell capacitance and providing linear calibrated outputs of each. The Optopatch includes true current clamp, and other unique features such as circuitry for protection against overcompensation of series resistance and electrode capacitance, safeguarding your cells during a recording. The headstage uses our patented optical technique for measuring small currents over a wide bandwidth (up to 200 KHz) ensuring the very best recording quality.
Applications
- Whole cell voltage or current clamp recording
- High resolution capacitance measurement
- Single channel voltage clamp recording
- Voltammetry
Features
- Optical headstage for high bandwidth & low noise
- Differential reference input on headstage for use with multiple headstages
- True voltage follower in current clamp mode
- Unique cell protection against overcompensation of series resistance and electrode capacitance
- Integral lock-in amplifier for membrane capacitance measurement
- Choice of four or eight pole Bessel filtering
- Gain and frequency telegraphing outputs
- Electrode capacitance compensation of up to 15pF
- Membrane capacitance compensation of up to 200pF with standard headstage
- High resolution metering displays
- Optional external control of many functions
Hardware Options
| Product Code | Product Description |
|---|---|
| P600/BE4/000 | Optopatch, patch clamp amplifier with 4 pole Bessel filter |
| P600/BE8/000 | Optopatch, patch clamp amplifier with 8 pole Bessel filter |
Headstage
| Product Code | Product Description |
|---|---|
| P605/STA/000 | Optical Headstage (standard version) |
| P605/HIC/000 | Optical Headstage, high capacitance version |
Additional components
Additional components for a full electrophysiology system, such as software, anti-vibration tables, faraday cages and pipette micropositioners are also available. Please contact the Cairn Sales Department with details of your requirements.
