(USB-) MEA-Systems Manual
Information in this document is subject to change without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted without the express written permission of Multi Channel Systems MCS GmbH. While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this document, the publisher and the author assume no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of information contained in this document or from the use of programs and source code that may accompany it.
Table of Contents 1.1 Operator's Obligations 5 1.2 Guarantee and Liability 5 1.3 Important Safety Advice 6 2.1 Basic Components of (USB-) MEA-Systems 7 2.2 System Configurations and optional Components 8 2.2.1 Single Components for MEA-Systems 8 2.2.2 MEA2100-System 9 2.2.3 USB-MEA256-System 9 2.2.4 USB-MEA-Systems 9 2.2.5 MEA1060-BC Amplifier with Blanking Circuit 10 2.2.6 Enhanced Perfusion System (- E) 10 2.3 Accessories 10 2.4 Add-ons for Stimulation 11 2.
Appendix 1 Important Information and Instructions 1.
1.3 Important Safety Advice Warning: MEA-Systems include several instruments as individual components. Each instrument is shipped with a separate Manual. The information in the individual Manuals fully apply to the complete-System. This manual is only to be understood as an additional information. Read all Manuals thoroughly before setting up the system. Warning: Obey always the rules of local regulations and laws. Only qualified personnel should be allowed to perform laboratory work.
Appendix 2 Welcome to (USB-) MEA-Systems 2.1 Basic Components of (USB-) MEA-Systems Multi Channel Systems MCS GmbH provides complete solutions for data acquisition, recording, stimulation, and perfusion from up to 256 channels, data analysis and export. The MEA (microelectrode array) product line is intended for extracellular electrophysiological recordings in vitro.
2.2 System Configurations and optional Components Multi Channel Systems MCS GmbH provides several complete standard configurations and custom systems. This chapter will give an overview on different system configurations. Please see also both handouts “MEA - System Suggestions” and “USB-MEA-Systems - System Suggestions”, which show diagrams of several typical setups. Please note that you have various options for setting up your personal (USB-) MEA-System configuration.
Appendix 2.2.2 MEA2100-System The MEA2100-System is the latest development in the MEA product family of Multi Channel System MCS GmbH. The MEA2100-System is a compact and portable stand-alone system with integrated amplification, data acquisition, online signal processing, integrated stimulus generator as well as temperature control.
2.2.5 MEA1060-BC Amplifier with Blanking Circuit All USB-ME-Systems are available with MEA1060 amplifiers for upright or inverted microscopes. Amplifiers with MEA1060-BC amplifiers with blanking circuit featuring stimulus artifact suppression. Electrodes can be grounded or selected for recording or stimulation with the MEA_Select program. 2.2.6 Enhanced Perfusion System (- E) A perfusion system is required especially for recordings from acute slices.
Appendix 2.4 Add-ons for Stimulation In MEA2100-Systems the stimulation unit is already integrated. For all other systems MCS provides general purpose stimulators like the advanced 4000 series with 2, 4 or 8 channels. The flexible MC_Stimulus II software enables complex stimulus waveforms in current and voltage mode. Waveforms designed in the program or imported from an external file are converted by the STG into pulses, which are sent to the amplifier to stimulate electrodes.
2.5 Setting up the (USB-) MEA-System Warning: Please read the separate manuals of all individual instruments before installation, especially the warnings and safety information. Make sure all devices are switched off before you connect them to the power supply. Damage to the devices and even fatal injuries may result from improper installation or use.
Appendix 3 Extracellular Recording from MEAs 3.1 Introduction Over the last 30 years, non-Invasive extracellular recording from multiple electrodes has developed into a widely used standard method. Systems and methods have been greatly improved, leading to more features, higher throughput, and lower costs. Almost all excitable or electrogenic cells and tissues can be used for extracellular recording in vitro, for example, central or peripheral neurons, heart cells, retina, or muscle cells. 3.
3.3 Signal Types 3.3.1 Single Unit Activities Usually several cells are plated onto a MEA. The waveform of a single unit spike depends on the signal source, the geometry of the extracellular space, and the distance of the signal source to the electrode. The property of a waveform derived from a single neuron is reproducible over time and therefore specific for that neuron.
Appendix 3.4.1 Microelectrode Arrays (MEAs) The recording field of a standard MEA with 60 electrodes is a square grid of 8 x 8 electrodes with a total length between 120 μm to 5 mm in the middle of a circular, which is about 2 cm wide. 256MEAs for USB-MEA256-Systems have 256 electrodes in a 16 x 16 electrode grid, 120MEAs for MEA2100-120-Systems have 120 electrodes in a 12 x 12 grid, perforated MEA32S12Lx for MEA2100-32-System have 32 recording and 12 stimulation electrodes.
The MEA2100 amplifier with blanking circuit is a 60- or 120-channel headstage with a hardware defined bandwidth. Default settings for the hardware filter will be 1 Hz to 3 kHz. However, a different bandwidth can be achieved by an additional software program, called “MEA2100 Configuration”, no hardware modification is necessary. The hardware defined bandwidth marks the upper and lower limit of the frequency range, fine tuning within this range can be done with software filters in MC_Rack.
Appendix Sampling rate It is recommended to adjust the sampling rate according to your signals, because the higher the sampling rate, the bigger the file size will be. As a rule of thumb, the sampling rate should equal five times the highest signal frequency for a good digitized representation of the continuous analog signals. If the sampling rate is too low, you will miss signals and / or see artifacts.
Software packages With the high-performance data acquisition and analysis program MC_Rack, you can flexibly manage all data streams. For example, you can display the raw data of all channels while recording only the raw data of the channels of interest and the extracted parameters of all channels. This saves computer performance and hard disk space. MC_Rack is not limited to special applications, but can be flexibly adapted to a wide range of applications.
Appendix 3.6 Digital Input / Output, System Synchronization TTL stands for Transistor-Transistor Logic. A TTL pulse is defined as a digital signal for communication between two devices. A voltage between 0 V and 0.8 V is considered as a logical state of 0 (LOW), and a voltage between 2 V and 5 V means 1 (HIGH). Warning: A voltage that is higher than +5 Volts or lower than 0 Volts, that is, a negative voltage, applied to the digital input would destroy the hardware.
4 Troubleshooting 4.1 About Troubleshooting The following hints are provided to solve special problems that have been reported by users. Most problems occur seldom and only under specific circumstances. Please check the mentioned possible causes carefully when you have any trouble with the product. In most cases, it is only a minor problem that can be easily avoided or solved. If the problem persists, please contact your local retailer. The highly qualified staff will be glad to help you.
Appendix 4.3 Artifacts caused by Perfusion You observe artifacts or an increased noise level after you started the perfusion. Possible causes: ? The artifacts correlate with an oscillation of the liquid level. The oscillation will cause the artifacts, and also mechanically stress the biological sample. Use a bevelled tip for the perfusion in- and outlet.
5 Appendix 5.1 Contact Information Local retailer Please see the list of official MCS distributors on the MCS web site. User forum The Multi Channel Systems User Forum provides an excellent opportunity for you to exchange your experience or thoughts with other users worldwide. Web link to the User Forum Mailing List If you have subscribed to the mailing list, you will be automatically informed about new software releases, upcoming events, and other news on the product line.
Appendix 5.2 Ordering Information Please contact your local retailer for pricing and ordering information. 5.2.1 MEA2100-Systems Product Product Description MEA2100 recordingSystem with 60 electrode channels MEA2100-60System Complete with MEA2100-60-headstage, MEA2100interface board, 5 MEAs, data acquisition computer with preinstalled software, 1-channel temperature controller, power supply, and accessories. USB High Speed data transfer with a sampling rate of up to 50 kHz/channel.
MEA2100 recordingSystem with 120 electrode channels MEA2100-60-2System Complete with two MEA2100-60-headstages, MEA2100-interface board, 5 MEAs, data acquisition computer with preinstalled software, 2-channel temperature controller, power supply, and accessories. USB High Speed data transfer with a sampling rate of up to 50 kHz/channel.
Appendix MEA2100 recordingSystem with 64 electrode channels MEA2100-2x32System Complete with MEA2100-2x32-headstage with integrated perfusion elements, MEA2100-interface board, 5 MEAs, data acquisition computer with preinstalled software, 2-channel temperature controller, 2 heatable perfusion cannulas with temperature sensor, power supply, and accessories. USB High Speed data transfer with a sampling rate of up to 50 kHz/channel.
MEA recording system with integrated data acquisition, and data transfer via USB 2.0 High Speed to any computer, 240 electrode channels USB-MEA240-Inv-4-System-E Complete with 5 MEAs, 4 x MEA1060-Inv amplifier, 4 x TC02, 4 x PH01, 4 x PPS2, and accessories MEA recording system with integrated data acquisition, and data transfer via USB 2.
Appendix MEA recording system with integrated data acquisition, and data transfer via USB 2.0 High Speed to any computer, 120 electrode channels USB-MEA120-Up-2-BCSystem Complete with 5 MEAs, 2 x MEA1060-UP-BC amplifier, 1 x TC02, and accessories MEA recording system with integrated data acquisition, and data transfer via USB 2.
5.2.3 Stimulus Generators Product Product Number Description 2-Channel stimulus generator STG4002 4-Channel stimulus generator STG4004 8-Channel stimulus generator STG4008 4000 series: General-purpose stimulus generator for current and voltage-driven electrical stimulation, with integrated stimulus isolation unit for each output channel. Operating in download and streaming mode (continuous down streaming of pulses from connected computer). MC_Stimulus II program with advanced features. 5.2.
