IPA?® / DOUBLE IPA?® - Integrated Patch Clamp Amplifiers with Data Acquisition System

The IPA® family of Integrated Patch Amplifiers from Sutter Instrument offers effective, low-noise whole-cell recordings. The IPA systems combine cutting-edge amplifier technology with fully integrated D/A and A/D conversion and a high-speed USB interface. They are available in single headstage (IPA) and twin headstage (DOUBLE IPA) versions. The included SutterPatch® Data Acquisition and Analysis Software, which is based on Igor Pro (WaveMetrics, Inc.), is used for data administration, acquisition, and simplified analysis.

External Inputs & Outputs

Utilizing 4 auxiliary analog input channels, external signals can be recorded, including ambient variables or stimulus data. With 2 analog and 8 digital (TTL) output channels, the IPA systems also offer the control of auxiliary gear, such as wavelength or solution switchers. An optional Patch Panel offers a neat method of putting auxiliary signals to the front of your rack as an alternative to the traditional breakout cord.

SutterPatch Software

The IPA system has been designed to automatically record and store all amplifier settings, stimulus data, and external experiment parameters and correlate them in time with the raw data traces using SutterPatch software. This covers the timing and progress of the experiment as well as all amplifier and acquisition settings. The acquisition software is always aware of the internal state of the amplifier and digitizer and is able to monitor any changes that might take place thanks to the fully integrated computer management of the amplifier stages. Whether a modification is triggered automatically or by the user has no bearing on this.

Tracking of Other External Data

The experimenter can manually trigger tags to record events like stimulus administration in instruments not linked to the IPA system, in addition to status changes in connected devices that are automatically tracked.

The raw data can be used to record and store details on sample attributes as well as ambient parameter information. There are support for more than 600 metadata attributes altogether. Animal species, strain, genotype, date and time of cell sample preparation, recording solutions, pipette resistance, hardware characteristics, and specifics regarding applied stimuli are a few examples.

Data Visualization and Analysis

The SutterPatch program was created to make it easier to navigate and analyze large datasets. Multiple view modes in both a cutting-edge two-dimensional and three-dimensional display are supported by the scope window. The 3D perspective is especially helpful for developing assays. The SutterPatch program, which is built on top of the most recent version of the tried-and-true Igor Pro platform, combines core Igor Pro capability with a variety of capabilities specifically designed for electrophysiological applications. The patch clamp software SutterPatch will be comfortable for both novice and skilled users.

Modules for specific applications offer specialized functionality.

Currently available:

• Event Detection Module: A deconvolution technique that is excellent at identifying tiny synaptic events despite the presence of background noise
• Action Potential Analysis Module: Waveform statistics, timing, and phase plane plot
• Camera Module: An easy method to store the identity and state of the recorded cell

The computer-controlled single- or dual-headstage amplifiers known as the IPA and Double IPA Integrated Patch Clamp Amplifiers are designed for whole-cell recording applications.

COMMON APPLICATIONS

• Tissue slice recordings
• Cultured-cell experiments
• Cell line studies from adherent or dispersed cells
• In-vivo patch clamp
• Network studies
• Optogenetics

FEATURES

• NEW: Combining any two IPA or Double IPA devices offers up to four headstage channels for as much as 16 signals.
• Quick and simple setup is guaranteed with a patch clamp amplifier and data gathering system that are fully integrated.
• Focused on whole-cell patch clamp recordings in tissue slices, adherent, or dissociated cells
• Automated electrode and whole-cell capacitance correction is provided via full computer control.
• Ability to clamp voltage and current for comprehensive characterisation of cellular electrical activity
• Software from SutterPatch is included, and it excels at comprehensive data management, simple navigation, and quick data analysis.
• SutterPatch can reduce line frequency

ACCESSORIES

Optional IPA Patch Panel

An "octopus" breakout cable for auxiliary inputs, outputs, and digital outputs is included with the IPA and Double IPA Amplifiers as standard equipment. The optional IPA Patch Panel, which is a 2U rack mount panel with BNC connectors and is machined from ½" thick billet aluminum stock like the IPA faceplate, brings the auxiliary I/O connections to the front of the rack. The normal cable that comes with the IPA system is replaced by the 2.5 ft (76 cm) connector cable that is part of the IPA Patch Panel.

Ground Point

For star ground connections, the Ground Point GP-17 offers dependable, low resistance connections, which is the tried-and-true way to prevent ground loops in any electrophysiology setup. Accepts banana plugs or 8 bare wires up to 10 gauge plus 9 banana plugs. With the provided ¼-20 and M6 screws, the baseplate can be mounted directly on top of either a standard or metric air table. It has  plated banana/clamp connectors and sturdy, machined brass construction.