ADINSTRUMENTS Neuro Amp EX Owners Manual
Neuro Amp EX
Owner’s Guide
This document was, as far as possible, accurate at the time of release. However, changes may have been
made to the software and hardware it describes since then. ADInstruments Pty Ltd reserves the right to
alter specifications as required. Late-breaking information may be supplied separately.
Trademarks of ADInstruments
®
PowerLab
, LabChart®, LabTutor®, LabAuthor® and MacLab® are registered trademarks of
ADInstruments Pty Ltd. The names of specific recording units, such as PowerLab 8/30, are trademarks
of ADInstruments Pty Ltd. Chart and Scope (application programs) are trademarks of
ADInstruments Pty Ltd.
Other Trademarks
Apple, Mac and Macintosh are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.
Windows, Windows XP and Windows Vista are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft
Corporation.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Product: ML185 Neuro Amp EX
Document Number: U-ML185-OG-003A
Part Number: 5423
Copyright © June 2009 ADInstruments Pty Ltd.
Unit 13, 22 Lexington Drive, Bella Vista, NSW 2153, Australia
All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced by any means without the prior written
permission of ADInstruments Pty Ltd.
Web: www.adinstruments.com
Technical Support: support.au@adinstruments.com
Documentation: documentation@adinstruments.com
ADInstruments Pty Ltd. ISO 9001:2000 Certified Quality Management System
Reg. No. 1053
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Neuro Amp EX Owner’s Guide
Contents
Safety Notes 5
1 Overview 13
How to Use This Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Checking the Front-end . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Front-end Fundamentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
The Front-end . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
The Front Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
The Back Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
The Neuro Amp EX Headstage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Types of Measurement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Recording Technique . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
2 Setting Up 23
Connecting to the PowerLab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Single Front-end . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Multiple Front-ends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Using ADInstruments Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Neuro Amp EX Dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Setting up to Record From a Subject . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
A Technical Aspects 31
Neuro Amp EX Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Technical Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
The Neuro Amp EX Input. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
B Troubleshooting 37
Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
C Specifications 41
Neuro Amp EX. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Neuro Amp EX Headstage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Electromagnetic Compatibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Index 45
Contents
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Neuro Amp EX Owner’s Guide
Safety Notes
Statement of Intended Use
All products manufactured by ADInstruments are intended for use in
teaching and research applications and environments only. ADInstruments
products are NOT intended to be used as medical devices or in medical
environments. That is, no product supplied by ADInstruments is intended to
be used to diagnose, treat or monitor a subject. Furthermore no product is
intended for the prevention, curing or alleviation of disease, injury or
handicap.
Where a product meets IEC 60601-1 it is under the principle that:
• it is a more rigorous standard than other standards that could be chosen,
and
• it provides a high safety level for subjects and operators.
The choice to meet IEC 60601-1 is in no way to be interpreted to mean that a
product:
• is a medical device,
• may be interpreted as a medical device, or
• is safe to be used as a medical device.
Safety Notes
5
Safety Symbols
BF symbol: Bodyprotected equipment
CF symbol: Cardiacprotected equipment
!
Warning symbol: ‘see
documentation’
Devices manufactured by ADInstruments that are designed for direct
connection to humans are tested to IEC 601-1:1998 (including amendments 1
and 2) and 60601-1-2, and carry one or more of the safety symbols below.
These symbols appear next to those inputs and output connectors that can be
directly connected to human subjects.
The three symbols are:
• BF (body protected) symbol. This means that the input connectors are
suitable for connection to humans provided there is no direct electrical
connection to the heart.
• CF (cardiac protected) symbol. This means that the input connectors are
suitable for connection to human subjects even when there is direct
electrical connection to the heart.
• Warning symbol. The exclamation mark inside a triangle means that the
supplied documentation must be consulted for operating, cautionary or
safety information before using the device.
6
Further information is available on request.
Bio Amp Safety Instructions
The Bio Amp inputs displaying any of the safety symbols are electrically
isolated from the mains supply in order to prevent current flow that may
otherwise result in injury to the subject. Several points must be observed for
safe operation of the Bio Amp:
• All Bio Amp front-ends (except for the ML138 Octal Bio Amp) and
PowerLab units with a built-in Bio Amp are supplied with a 3-lead or 5-
Neuro Amp EX Owner’s Guide
lead Bio Amp subject cable and lead wire system. The ML138 Octal Bio
Amp is supplied with unshielded lead wires (1.8 m). Bio Amps are only
safe for human connection if used with the supplied subject cable and lead
wires.
• All Bio Amp front-ends and PowerLab units with a built-in Bio Amp are
not defibrillator-protected. Using the Bio Amp to record signals during
defibrillator discharges may damage the input stages of the amplifiers.
This may result in a safety hazard.
• Never use damaged Bio Amp cables or leads. Damaged cables and leads
must always be replaced before any connection to humans is made.
Neuro Amp EX Safety Instructions
The Neuro Amp EX has been designed for research use only. While it can be
directly connected to humans using metal microelectrodes, it should not be
used for clinical or health purposes.
The input amplifiers in the Neuro Amp EX headstage and front-end are
electrically isolated from the mains supply in order to prevent current flow
that could result in injury to the subject. The following points must be
adhered to for the safe operation of this system:
• Intramuscular or neural recording from human subjects using
microelectrodes must only be performed by suitably qualified personnel
under the direct approval of institutional ethics review panels and with
full adherence to universal precautions for prevention of contamination.
• The Neuro Amp EX is supplied with a headstage with integrated sockets
for connecting to standard metal microelectrodes. Under no
circumstances should the headstage be used if the input connectors, cable
or front-end connections are damaged.
• The Neuro Amp EX is only safe for connection to humans when it is used
with an ADInstruments headstage. Do not use any other headstage when
directly connecting the Neuro Amp EX to human subjects.
• With human connections, the headstage must be securely attached to the
subject so that the headstage is not able to move independently of the
subject. It is recommended to tape the headstage to the subject.
• Under no circumstances should the headstage be removed from the
subject while electrodes are still attached to a subject.
Safety Notes
7
Isolated Stimulator Safety
Instructions
The Isolated Stimulator outputs of a front-end signal conditioner or PowerLab
with a built-in isolated stimulator are electrically isolated. However, they can
produce pulses of up to 100 V at up to 20 mA. Injury can still occur from
careless use of these devices. Several points must be observed for safe
operation of the Isolated Stimulator:
• The Isolated Stimulator output must only be used with the supplied bar
stimulus electrode.
• The Isolated Stimulator output must not be used with individual
(physically separate) stimulating electrodes.
• Stimulation must not be applied across the chest or head.
• Do not hold one electrode in each hand.
• Always use a suitable electrode cream or gel and proper skin preparation
to ensure a low-impedance electrode contact. Using electrodes without
electrode cream can result in burns to the skin or discomfort for the
subject.
• Subjects with implantable or external cardiac pacemakers, a cardiac
condition, or a history of epileptic episodes must not be subject to
electrical stimulation.
• Always commence stimulation at the lowest current setting and slowly
increase the current.
• Stop stimulation if the subject experiences pain or discomfort.
• Do not use faulty cables or those that have exhibited intermittent faults.
• Do not attempt to measure or record the Isolated Stimulator waveform
while connected to a subject using a PowerLab input or any other piece of
equipment that does not carry the appropriate safety symbol (see Safety
Symbols above).
Always check the status indicator on the front panel. It will always flash green
each time the stimulator delivers a current pulse. A yellow flash indicates an
‘out-of-compliance’ (OOC) condition that may be due to the electrode contact
drying up. Always ensure that there is good electrode contact at all times.
Electrodes that are left on a subject for some time need to be checked for dry
contacts. An electrode impedance meter can be used for this task.
• Always be alert for any adverse physiological effects in the subject. At the
first sign of a problem, stimulation must be stopped, either from the
software or by flicking down the safety switch on the front panel of any
built-in Isolated Stimulator or the ML180 Stimulus Isolator.
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Neuro Amp EX Owner’s Guide
• The ML180 Stimulus Isolator is supplied with a special transformer plug
pack. The plug pack complies with medical safety requirements.
Therefore, under no circumstances should any other transformer be used
with the Stimulus Isolator. For a replacement transformer plug pack please
contact your nearest ADInstruments representative.
General Safety Instructions
To achieve the optimal degree of subject and operator safety, consideration
should be given to the following guidelines when setting up a PowerLab
system either as stand-alone equipment or when using PowerLab equipment
in conjunction with other equipment. Failure to do so may compromise the
inherent safety measures designed into PowerLab equipment. The following
guidelines are based on principles outlined in the international safety
standard IEC60601-1-1: General requirements for safety - Collateral standard:
Safety requirements for medical systems. Reference to this standard is required
when setting up a system for human connection.
PowerLab systems (and many other devices) require the connection of a
personal computer for operation. This personal computer should be certified
as complying with IEC60950 and should be located outside a 1.8 m radius
from the subject (so that the subject cannot touch it while connected to the
system). Within this 1.8 m radius, only equipment complying with IEC606011 should be present. Connecting a system in this way obviates the provision of
additional safety measures and the measurement of leakage currents.
Accompanying documents for each piece of equipment in the system should
be thoroughly examined prior to connection of the system.
While it is not possible to cover all arrangements of equipment in a system,
some general guidelines for safe use of the equipment are presented below:
• Any electrical equipment which is located within the SUBJECT AREA
should be approved to IEC60601-1.
• Only connect those parts of equipment that are marked as an APPLIED
PART to the subject. APPLIED PARTS may be recognized by the BF or CF
symbols which appear in the Safety Symbols section of these Safety Notes.
• Only CF-rated APPLIED PARTS must be used for direct cardiac
connection.
• Never connect parts which are marked as an APPLIED PART to those
which are not marked as APPLIED PARTS.
• Do not touch the subject to which the PowerLab (or its peripherals) is
connected at the same time as making contact with parts of the PowerLab
Safety Notes
9
(or its peripherals) that are not intended for contact to the subject.
• Cleaning and sterilization of equipment should be performed in
accordance with manufacturer’s instructions. The isolation barrier may be
compromised if manufacturer’s cleaning instructions are not followed.
• The ambient environment (such as the temperature and relative humidity)
of the system should be kept within the manufacturer’s specified range or
the isolation barrier may be compromised.
• The entry of liquids into equipment may also compromise the isolation
barrier. If spillage occurs, the manufacturer of the affected equipment
should be contacted before using the equipment.
• Many electrical systems (particularly those in metal enclosures) depend
upon the presence of a protective earth for electrical safety. This is
generally provided from the power outlet through a power cord, but may
also be supplied as a dedicated safety earth conductor. Power cords should
never be modified so as to remove the earth connection. The integrity of
the protective earth connection between each piece of equipment and the
protective earth should be verified regularly by qualified personnel.
• Avoid using multiple portable socket-outlets (such as power boards)
where possible as they provide an inherently less safe environment with
respect to electrical hazards. Individual connection of each piece of
equipment to fixed mains socket-outlets is the preferred means of
connection.
10
If multiple portable socket outlets are used, they are subject to the following
constraints:
• They shall not be placed on the floor.
• Additional multiple portable socket outlets or extension cords shall not be
connected to the system.
• They shall only be used for supplying power to equipment which is
intended to form part of the system.
Neuro Amp EX Owner’s Guide
Cleaning and Sterilization
ADInstruments products may be wiped down with a lint free cloth moistened
with industrial methylated spirit. Refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines or the
Data Card supplied with transducers and accessories for specific cleaning and
sterilizing instructions.
Preventative Inspection and
Maintenance
PowerLab systems and ADInstruments front-ends are all maintenance-free
and do not require periodic calibration or adjustment to ensure safe
operation.
Internal diagnostic software performs system checks during power up and
will report errors if a significant problem is found. There is no need to open
the instrument for inspection or maintenance and doing so within the
warranty period will void the warranty.
Your PowerLab system can be periodically checked for basic safety by using
an appropriate safety testing device. Tests such as earth leakage, earth bond,
insulation resistance, subject leakage and auxiliary currents and power cable
integrity can all be performed on the PowerLab system without having to
remove the covers. Follow the instructions for the testing device if performing
such tests.
If the PowerLab system is found not to comply with such testing you should
contact your PowerLab representative to arrange for the equipment to be
checked and serviced. Do not attempt to service the device yourself.
Safety Notes
11
Environment
WEEE Directive
symbol
Electronic components are susceptible to corrosive substances and
atmospheres, and must be kept away from laboratory chemicals.
Storage Conditions
• Temperature in the range 0–40 °C
• Non-condensing humidity in the range 0–95%.
Operating Conditions
• Temperature in the range 5–35 °C
• Non-condensing humidity in the range 0–90%.
Disposal
• Forward to recycling center or return to manufacturer.
• Unwanted equipment bearing the Waste Electrical and Electronic
Equipment (WEEE) Directive symbol requires separate waste collection.
For a product labelled with this symbol, either forward to a recycling
center or contact your nearest ADInstruments representative for methods
of disposal at the end of its working life.
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Neuro Amp EX Owner’s Guide
1 Overview
The Neuro Amp EX is one of a family of modular devices called front-ends,
designed to extend the capabilities of the PowerLab
other front-ends by including an additional piece of hardware, the headstage.
The Neuro Amp EX allows the PowerLab system to record single-unit or
multi-unit extracellular action potentials from single neurons or axons. The
front-end is fully isolated for human use, in addition to being suitable for
extracellular recordings from experimental animals.
®
system. It differs from
Chapter 1 Overview
13
How to Use This Guide
This guide describes how to set up and begin using your Neuro Amp EX. The
chapters give an overview of front-ends in general and the Neuro Amp EX in
particular, and discuss how to connect the hardware, perform a simple powerup test, and use the Neuro Amp EX with some ADInstruments programs. The
appendices provide technical information about the Neuro Amp EX and take
a look at some potential problems and their solutions.
There is an index at the end of this guide. Technical terms are defined in the
glossary of terms included with the owner’s guide for your PowerLab or as
they appear in this guide.
Checking the Front-end
Before connecting the Neuro Amp EX to anything, check it carefully for signs
of physical damage.
1. Check that there are no obvious signs of damage to the outside of the
front-end casing.
2. Check that there is no obvious sign of internal damage, such as rattling.
Pick up the front-end, tilt it gently from side to side, and listen for
anything that appears to be loose.
If you have found a problem, contact your authorized ADInstruments
representative immediately, and describe the problem.
14
Front-end Fundamentals
The PowerLab system consists of a recording unit and application programs
that run on the computer to which the unit is connected. It is an integrated
system of hardware and software designed to record, display, and analyze
experimental data. The Neuro Amp EX is one of a family of front-ends meant
for use with your PowerLab system.
Front-ends are ancillary devices connected to the PowerLab recording unit to
extend the system’s capabilities. They provide additional signal conditioning
and other features, and extend the types of experiments that you can conduct
and the data you can record.
All ADInstruments front-ends are designed to be operated under full software
control. No knobs, dials, or switches are needed, although some may be
provided for reasons of convenience or safety.
Neuro Amp EX Owner’s Guide
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