Perfusion system

The concentration change for ions, neurotransmitters and of all possible sort of ligands is extremely important for modern-day patch-clamp recordings. High precision and easy to use perfusion systems are required to work on a single cell scale. Bio-Logic’s Rapid Solution Changer (RSC-200) is a multi-channel perfusion system that allows electrophysiologists to address these issues.

Multi channels, no cross-contamination

The perfusion head can accommodate up to 36 capillaries which provides unmatched experimental possibilities. The RSC-200 uses a principle known as “sewer pipes” in which the cell or the tip of the electrode (in excised-patch mode) is positioned close to the output of a capillary. The solution to be assayed flows out of the capillary at a moderate flow rate gravimetrically. The cell, exposed to this stream, rapidly equilibrates in the perfusion solution. The fact that all the solutions flow in individual tubes right to their end, eliminates any problems of dead volumes, washing and cross-contamination between the solutions to be assayed.

RSC software has been designed for simple experimental setups. The platform is designed with two windows. One allows manual control of the tubes, the other allows automatic control . The program window for controlling the tubes automatically is very user friendly and allows the user to assess different parameters such as the time duration, speed control, the valve selection etc. Please note that it is not compulsory to use RSC software with the RSC-200.  Other software can be installed for controlling the instrument.

The RSC-200 instrument is delivered with a 32-bits Windows software. The software permits the following operations:

• manual positioning of the head
• manual opening of the valves
• resting Vhold setting
• edit and download of a sequence where the following parameters can be exchanged at each step:
  • duration of stay in the active position for a given tube number
  • speed of solution change (head rotation)
  • choice of electrovalves to be opened/motorized syringes to start (if applicable)
  • stimulation pulse level ( range: +/-10 V) (RSC-200 only)
  • TTL signal activation (4 lines of signal available)
  • triggering of other auxiliary instruments

Software compatibility of the RSC-200 V2.00 software was tested successfully with WindowsXP Pro 32-bits, Windows Vista Business 32-bits, and Windows7 64-bits with the following configuration:

• USB to RS-232C converter (Belkin F5U103)
• USB to GPIB converter (National Instruments GPIB-USB-HS – software driver V2.8)

Specifications

• Fast and automated solution change
• No dead volume
• No cross contamination
• Up to 36 channels
• Trigger in put and output for external synchronization
• Number of electrovalves 9 ( up to 36 in option)
• Rotating head, electronic micro-step drive
• Stimulator resolution : 16 bits
• Stimulator noise: 1 mV peak to peak