Multichannel Systems MEA-System Manual - Manual (Page 7)

Appendix
7
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. Applications include whole-heart preparations; acute brain, heart, and retina slices,
cultured slices, and dissociated neuronal or cardiomyocyte cell cultures.
In the following, all basic components that are part of all complete MEA-Systems are briefly
described.
A microelectrode array MEA is an arrangement of usually 60 electrodes (256 electrodes in
256MEA or 120 electrodes in MEA2100-120-Systems) that allows the simultaneous targeting
of several sites for extracellular stimulation and recording. Cell lines or tissue slices are placed
directly on the MEA, and can be cultivated for up to several months. Almost all excitable or
spontaneously active cells and tissues can be used. The temperature controller TC01/02
regulates via perfusion cannula PH01 the temperature. The fluid flow is controlled by the
peristaltic perfusion pump PPS2-System.
Raw data from the MEA electrodes are amplified by MEA1060 filter amplifiers with custom
bandwidth and gain, which are built very small and compact using SMD (Surface Mounted
Devices) technology. The small-sized MEA1060 amplifier combines the interface to the MEA
probe with the signal filtering and the amplification of the signal. The compact design reduces
line pick up and keeps the noise level down. All MEA1060 amplifiers are available either for
Inverted microscopes or for upright microscopes, MEA1060-Inv and MEA1060-Up, respectively.
The analog input signals are acquired and digitized either by the internal data acquisition
device in MEA2100-Systems and USB-MEA256-Systems or by an external USB based data
acquisition device in USB-ME-Systems.
68-pin MCS high grade cables in different length are used for connecting the MEA1060 amplifier,
the USB based data acquisition, and any additional devices. The supply power is distributed to the
amplifiers via the MCS high grade cable as well. Please note that you need an external power
supply PS40W if you use an USB-ME device for operating multiple amplifiers.
Recorded data is graphed, analyzed, and reviewed with the powerful and easy-to-use MC_Rack
program. You can export the data in standard formats to other programs with MC_DataTool.
The data acquisition programs Cardio2D and LTP-Director are specially developed for cardiac
and for neuronal applications.