Multichannel Systems MEA32-STIM4 User Manual
USB-MEA32-STIM4 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. In no event shall the publisher and the author be liable
for any loss of profit or any other commercial damage caused or alleged to have been caused
directly or indirectly by this document.
© 2012 Multi Channel Systems MCS GmbH. All rights reserved.
Printed: 04. 05. 2012
Multi Channel Systems
MCS GmbH
Aspenhaustraße 21
72770 Reutlingen
Germany
Fon +49-71 21-90 92 5 - 0
Fax +49-71 21-90 92 5 -11
info@multichannelsystems.com
www.multichannelsystems.com
Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Products that
are referred to in this document may be either trademarks and / or registered trademarks
of their respective holders and should be noted as such. The publisher and the author make
no claim to these trademark.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction 1
1.1 About this Manual 1
1.2 Welcome to the USB-MEA32-STIM4 2
2 Important Safety Advice 3
2.1 Operator's Obligations 3
2.2 Guarantee and Liability 3
2.3 Important Safety Advice 4
3 Software Installation 5
3.1 System requirements 6
3.2 Recommended BIOS settings 6
3.3 Driver Installation 7
4 USB-MEA32-STIM4-System 9
4.1 The USB-MEA32-STIM4-System Components 9
4.1.1 Filter Amplifier 9
4.1.2 Data Acquisition 10
4.1.3 Stimulus Generator 10
4.1.4 Perfusion 10
4.1.5 Suction Port 11
4.2 Perforated MEA 11
4.3 The USB-MEA32-STIM4 Device 14
4.3.1 Front 14
4.3.2 Rear Panel 16
4.3.3 Connecting the USB-MEA32-STIM4 17
4.4 Working with the USB-MEA32-STIM4 Amplifier 18
4.4.1 Setting up the Amplifier 18
4.4.2 Perfusion 20
4.4.3 Pressure Control in the Suction Port 21
4.4.4 Setting up an Experiment 22
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USB-MEA32-STIM4 Manual
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Recording and Stimulation 23
5.1 MC_Rack: Data Acquisition and Analysis 23
5.2 MC_Stimulus: Stimulation Control 28
5.2.1 Device Setup 28
5.2.2 Selection of Stimulation Electrodes 29
5.2.3 Programming of Stimulation Pulses and Triggers30
5.2.4 Triggering on Sync Out in MC_Rack 31
5.3 LTP-Director: Recording and Stimulation Software 32
6 Troubleshooting 33
6.1 Troubleshooting 33
6.2 Overall Noise 33
6.3 No Computer Connection / No Recording Possible 34
6.4 MEA is defective 34
7 Appendix 35
7.1 Technical Support 35
7.2 Contact Information 35
7.3 Technical Specifications 36
7.4 Test Model Probe 38
7.5 Data Sheet 39
7.6 Scope of Delivery 40
8 Index 41
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1 Introduction
1.1 About this Manual
It is assumed that you already have a basic understanding of technical and software terms.
No special skills are required to read this manual.
If you are using the device for the first time, please read the Important Safety Advice before
installing the hardware and software, where you will find important information about the
installation and first steps.
The device and the software are part of an ongoing developmental process. Please understand
that the provided documentation is not always up to date. The latest information can be
found in the help. Check also the MCS web site (www.multichannelsystems.com) for
downloading up-to-date manuals and help files.
Welcome to USB-MEA256-System
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USB-MEA32-STIM4 Manual
1.2 Welcome to the USB-MEA32-STIM4
The USB-MEA32-STIM4 is a compact and portable stand-alone solution for extracellular
recordings with integrated amplifiers, data acquisition, and a four channel current stimulus
generator. Perfusion heating and the possibility to apply suction through perforated MEAs
are also included.
It is a highly compact system: The system acquires data from up to 32 electrode channels.
The digitized electrode data is transmitted to the connected computer via universal serial bus
(High Speed USB 2.0). Thus, it is possible to use any computer as a data acquisition computer,
also a laptop. Up to four systems can be controlled independently from a single computer.
Data is recorded, graphed, analyzed, and reviewed with the powerful and easy-to-use MC_Rack
program from Multi Channel Systems MCS GmbH. You can export the data in standard formats
to other programs with the software MC_DataTool. MC_Stimulus II program controls the
stimulation on up to four of the twelve stimulation electrodes at a time. As a more convenient
alternative for LTP (long term potentiation) experiments, the new software package LTP-Director
and LTP-Analyzer is available. This software is able to control both, recording and stimulation
from one program, and also has many useful features for LTP recordings.
The USB-MEA32-STIM4 is designed primarily to do recordings from acute slices. Four different
layouts of the perforated MEAs are available, each with 32 recording and twelve separate
stimulation electrodes. The USB-MEA32-STIM4 is not compatible with the squarish standard
60 channel MEAs.
The integrated filter amplifier supports 32 electrode channels. The amplifier gain of 1000 is fixed.
The bandwidth of 0.5 Hz to 3 kHz is suitable for a broad range of applications, such as spikes and
field potential recordings.
The device can be used in combination with a binocular or an inverted microscope.
Acute slices can be kept in position and in good contact with the electrodes by applying suction
through the perforated MEA from below.
2
2 Important Safety Advice
2.1 Operator's Obligations
The operator is obliged to allow only persons to work on the device, who
are familiar with the safety at work and accident prevention regulations and have been
instructed how to use the device;
are professionally qualified or have specialist knowledge and training and have received
instruction in the use of the device;
have read and understood the chapter on safety and the warning instructions in this manual
and confirmed this with their signature.
It must be monitored at regular intervals that the operating personnel are working safely.
Personnel still undergoing training may only work on the device under the supervision
of an experienced person.
2.2 Guarantee and Liability
The general conditions of sale and delivery of Multi Channel Systems MCS GmbH always apply.
The operator will receive these no later than on conclusion of the contract.
Multi Channel Systems MCS GmbH makes no guarantee as to the accuracy of any and all tests
and data generated by the use of the device or the software. It is up to the user to use good
laboratory practice to establish the validity of his / her findings.
Guarantee and liability claims in the event of injury or material damage are excluded when
they are the result of one of the following.
Improper use of the device.
Improper installation, commissioning, operation or maintenance of the device.
Operating the device when the safety and protective devices are defective and/or inoperable.
Non-observance of the instructions in the manual with regard to transport, storage, installation,
commissioning, operation or maintenance of the device.
Unauthorized structural alterations to the device.
Unauthorized modifications to the system settings.
Inadequate monitoring of device components subject to wear.
Improperly executed and unauthorized repairs.
Unauthorized opening of the device or its components.
Catastrophic events due to the effect of foreign bodies or acts of God.
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USB-MEA32-STIM4 Manual
2.3 Important Safety Advice
Warning: Make sure to read the following advice prior to installation or use of the device and
the software. If you do not fulfill all requirements stated below, this may lead to malfunctions
or breakage of connected hardware, or even fatal injuries.
Warning: Always obey the rules of local regulations and laws. Only qualified personnel should
be allowed to perform laboratory work. Work according to good laboratory practice to obtain
best results and to minimize risks.
The product has been built to the state of the art and in accordance with recognized safety
engineering rules. The device may only
be used for its intended purpose;
be used when in a perfect condition.
Improper use could lead to serious, even fatal injuries to the user or third parties and damage
to the device itself or other material damage.
Warning: The device and the software are not intended for medical uses and must not be
used on humans.
Malfunctions which could impair safety should be rectified immediately.
High Voltage
Electrical cords must be properly laid and installed. The length and quality of the cords must
be in accordance with local provisions.
Only qualified technicians may work on the electrical system. It is essential that the accident
prevention regulations and those of the employers' liability associations are observed.
Each time before starting up, make sure that the power supply agrees with the specifications
of the product.
Check the power cord for damage each time the site is changed. Damaged power cords should
be replaced immediately and may never be reused.
Check the leads for damage. Damaged leads should be replaced immediately and may never
be reused.
Do not try to insert anything sharp or metallic into the vents or the case.
Liquids may cause short circuits or other damage. Always keep the device and the power cords
dry. Do not handle it with wet hands.
Requirements for the installation
Make sure that the device is not exposed to direct sunlight. Do not place anything on top of the
device, and do not place it on top of another heat producing device, so that the air can circulate
freely.
Warning: The device must not get in contact with fluids! Spilled liquid can damage or even
completely destroy the electronics of the amplifier! This is eminently important when using
a perfusion system. Take care that the flow rates of the inlet and outlet flow match so that
flooding of the amplifier is efficiently prevented.
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3 Software Installation
There are two software options available to run an USB-MEA32-STIM4-System: Controlling
the data recording and processing with MC_Rack in combination with MC_Stimulus for the
stimulation, or working with LTP-Director. The LTP-Director controls the data acquisition and
the stimulation as well. Please read the respective manuals or helps for detailed information.
MC_Rack
The recording and analysis software MC_Rack can be used to work with the USB-MEA32-STIM4-
System. Channel maps for all pMEA layouts are provided, please see chapter "Data Sheet" in the
Appendix. MC_Rack can be opened up to four times on one PC to control four connected units
independently.
MC_Stimulus II
Selection of stimulation electrodes and programming of the current pulses is done with
MC_Stimulus II. Programming of the internal stimulator works in the same way as the
programming of the regular STG stimulators from MCS.
LTP-Director and LTP-Analyzer
The software package LTP-Director and LTP-Analyzer is designed to run standard LTP / LTD
experiments in acute hippocampal slices. It is less flexible than MC_Rack, but includes the control
of recording, stimulation and electrode selection, and an integrated documentation of the
experiment in one program. Furthermore, it is possible to control an automated perfusion system.
The course of the experiment can be designed up in front, and then runs automatically.
LTP-Director is for recording and LTP-Analyzer for offline analysis of the data. Results can
be normalized on baseline values and exported as relative ASCII values to a database.
Please check the system requirements before you install the software. MCS cannot guarantee that
the software works properly if these requirements are not fulfilled. Please see the appropriate
help or manual for more information. It is recommended that you check the MCS web site for
software updates on a regular basis.
The USB-MEA32-STIM4 is a plug and play device. The driver is automatically installed together
with the software. It is easier to install the software first and then connect the USB-MEA32-
STIM4 to the data acquisition computer.
Important: Please make sure that you have full control over your computer as an administrator.
Otherwise, it is possible that the installed hardware does not work properly.
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USB-MEA32-STIM4 Manual
3.1 System requirements
Operating System: One of the following Windows ® operating systems is required:
Windows 7, VISTA or XP (English and German versions supported) with the NT file system (NTFS).
Other language versions may lead to software errors.
Hardware (Not required for offline analysis or demo mode): The data acquisition board
USB-MEA32-STIM4. If no USB-MEA32-STIM4 is present, MC_Rack / LTP-Director opens in a
simulation mode. A computer with low performance may lead to performance limits more often;
therefore, MCS recommends an up-to-date computer preferably with two separate hard disks.
Please note that there are sometimes hardware incompatibilities of the USB-MEA32-STIM4
and computer components, or that an inappropriate computer power supply may lead to artifact
signals. Please contact your local retailer for more information on recommended computer
hardware.
Important: You need to have installed the latest USB-MEA32-STIM4 driver to operate the USB-
MEA32-STIM4, which is automatically installed with MC_Rack / LTP-Director. The installation
may be invalid if the USB-MEA32-STIM4 does not respond. Please contact Multi Channel Systems
or your local retailer in this case.
3.2 Recommended BIOS settings
Recommended operating system settings
The following automatic services of the Windows operating system interfere with the data
storage on the hard disk and can lead to severe performance limits in MC_Rack. These routines
were designed for use on office computers, but are not very useful for a data acquisition
computer.
Turn off Screensaver.
Turn off Windows Indexing Service.
Turn off Windows System Restore.
Manual management of automatic Windows Update.
Power Options: Power scheme: Never turn off monitor, hard disk and system standby.
It is also not recommended to run any applications in the background when using MC_Rack.
Remove all applications from the Autostart folder.
Be careful when using a virus scanner. These programs are known to disturb MC_Rack,
and even data loss may occur.
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3.3 Driver Installation
The USB-MEA32-STIM4 is a plug and play device. The driver is automatically installed together
with the MC_Rack / LTP-Director program. It is easier to install the software first and then
connect the USB-MEA32-STIM4 to the data acquisition computer.
Installing MC_Rack with the USB-MEA32-STIM4 connected to the computer
The Windows operating system detects a new hardware when the USB-MEA32-STIM4 is connected
to the computer, if the program has not been installed beforehand. Please make sure the device
has power. Simply cancel the "Found New Hardware Wizard" and proceed with the installation
of the MC_Rack program.
Connecting the USB-MEA32-STIM4 to a computer with installed MC_Rack
If MC_Rack and / or LTP-Director had already been installed on the computer before the
hardware was connected, the operating system needs to load the driver once. After this
procedure, the USB-MEA32-STIM4 will be automatically recognized by the operating system.
1. Connect the USB-MEA32-STIM4 to the USB port of the data acquisition computer.
2. Switch the computer on.
Software Installation
The "Found New Hardware Wizard" is displayed.
3. Choose the option "No", not this time and continue with "Next".
4. Choose the option "Install" the software automatically (Recommended)
and continue with "Next".
5. The Wizard will automatically find the appropriate USB-MEA32-STIM4 driver.
Continue with "Next".
6. The driver installation is finished.
For installation of MC_Rack or LTP-Director, please refer to the respective manuals.
It is not recommended to run any applications in the background when using MC_Rack.
Remove all applications from the Autostart folder.
Warning: The operating system settings of the data acquisition computer were preconfigured by MCS and should not be changed by the user. Changing these settings
can lead to program instabilities and data loss.
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4 USB-MEA32-STIM4-System
4.1 The USB-MEA32-STIM4-System Components
4.1.1 Filter Amplifier
The filter amplifier combines a band pass filter and the signal amplification in one instrument.
The bandwidth of 0.5 Hz to 3000 Hz is suitable for a broad range of applications, such as spikes
and field potential recordings. The digital filter of the MC_Rack program can be used to adjust
the pass band and filter the raw data. Please see the MC_Rack help or manual for more
information. For most LTP experiments, it is recommended to use a digital 10 Hz high pass filter
to avoid low frequency noise.
Please note that the gain factor of the filter amplifier (1000) is a fixed hardware property that
cannot be changed by software controls. Please also note that the ratio of the output signal to
the input signal, that is, the gain, is not a fixed parameter for the complete bandwidth. The gain
that was specified for the amplifier, for example, 1000 is not fully reached at the borders of the
amplifier's pass band. The general rule is, that at the lower and upper limit of the frequency band,
the gain is approximately 70 % of the full gain. Therefore, you should use a bandwidth that is at
a safe distance of the signals of interest. Outside the pass band, the gain decreases with the
frequency and finally approaches zero.
For more information on gain and filters in general, please refer to standard literature or contact
your local retailer.
Raw data from up to 32 electrodes of a microelectrode array MEA is amplified by 32 channels
of filter amplifiers that are built very small and compact using SMD (Surface Mounted Devices)
technology. The small-sized MEA amplifier combines the interface to the pMEA probe with the
signal filtering and the amplification of the signal. The compact design reduces line pick up and
keeps the noise level down. The MEA sensor is placed directly into the small-sized USB-MEA32-
STIM4 amplifier. When the amplifier is closed, the contact pins in the lid of the amplifier are
pressed onto the MEA contact pads. The very close location of the amplifier to the MEA sensor
is very favorable concerning a high signal-to-noise ratio.
The amplifier is intended to be used with a binocular or an inverted microscope.
The USB-MEA32-STIM4 amplifier is compatible with most standard microscopes.
If necessary, you can use a Faraday cage or appropriate materials, for example, aluminum foil
for shielding the amplifier. The shielding should be connected to the amplifier's ground.
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