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npi BA-01X

BA-01X – Bridge Amplifier

BA-01X is a simplified version of npi's BA-03X Bridge Amplifier. It is a high-impedance, wide-bandwidth device designed for intracellular current clamp recordings using sharp microelectrodes.

Benefits of BA-01X Bridge Amplifier

  • Economize with this more straightforward version of the BA-03X
  • Maintains the same accurate current clamp performance
  • User-friendly cell penetration mode utilizing sharp microelectrodes
  • Compatible with any data acquisition system
  • Also offered as a module for the EPMS-07 system
  • For enhanced voltage clamp functionality choose the ELC-01X
  • Pair with npi compact headstages for in vivo recording

The BA amplifiers are high-impedance, wide-bandwidth devices designed for intracellular current clamp recordings using sharp microelectrodes, applicable in both perforated and tight seal patch configurations, as well as for electroporation and iontophoresis. Presently, npi BA amplifiers are utilized in neurons from vertebrates (such as rats, mice, cats, and fish) and invertebrates (including leeches, crabs, snails, and insects), muscle cells, other excitable tissues, and plant cells.

Each amplifier in the BA series is housed within a 19″ rackmount cabinet and features functions such as two ranges for bridge balance, an oscillation shut-off circuit to protect the preparation, and two potential and two current ranges. The amplifier is supplied with a compact headstage that includes a holding bar (or a mounting plate/dovetail adapter upon request) and a BNC connector for the electrode holder, allowing direct attachment to a micromanipulator.

The BA-01X serves as the standard bridge amplifier for intracellular current clamp recordings. With an extended current range (x10, i.e., +/. 120 nA max.), this amplifier is also appropriate for the electroporation of individual cells, facilitating non-invasive, juxtacellular filling of cells with dyes or plasmids. The BA-03X additionally features high and low pass filters for the recorded potential and offers a potential gain of up to 1000, thus enabling extracellular recordings as well.

A bridge amplifier is also available as a module for the EPMS-07 system (BA-01M).

Features

  • True current clamp operation allows for direct measurement of membrane potential while completely canceling out series resistance and stray capacitance.
  • Compatible with sharp microelectrodes or patch pipettes in whole-cell, cell-attached, and perforated-patch configurations.
  • Digital displays for current, voltage, and electrode resistance.
  • Includes a buzz and electrode clear function, along with an audio monitor.
  • Oscillation shut-off unit prevents damage to cells.
  • TTL gates stimulus input with amplitude settings controlled by a 3-digit potentiometer and a digital readout of holding current.
  • Enhanced (x10) current range suitable for juxtacellular recordings, electroporation, or iontophoresis.

Input voltage range: ±1 V

Operating voltage: ±15 V

Enclosure: Size: 23 x 70 x 26 mm, grounded

Dovetail: Size: 70 mm x 17 mm x 3 mm

Electrode connector: BNC with driven shield

REF connector: SMB connector

Ground connector: 2.4 mm connector

Input resistance (CC): >1013 Ω (internally adjustable)

Current range:

  • ±10 nA max. (100 MΩ feedback, X1 CURRENT RANGE)
  • ±100 nA max. (100 MΩ feedback, X10 CURRENT RANGE)

OFFSET: range ±200 mV, ten-turn control

CAPACITY COMPENSATION: range 0 – 30 pF, ten-turn control

BIAS: range ±150 pA, ten-turn control

BRIDGE BALANCE:

  • 0-100 MΩ (range switch set to 10 MΩ)
  • 0-1000 MΩ (range switch set to 100 MΩ)
  • adjustable with ten-turn control

Electrode clear circuit: Application of max. DC currents (-Imax or +Imax)

Cell penetration: BUZZ, duration ~2.5 – ~100 ms

Sensitivity 1 mV / MΩ application of square current pulses ±1 nA

Display: 3 ½ digit, XXX MΩ, activated by key switch (same as POTENTIAL display)

Full power bandwidth (REL = 0 MΩ): >30 kHz

rise time (10% – 90%)

  • <10 µs (REL = 100 MΩ)
  • <5 µs (REL = 5 MΩ)

Output impedance: 50 Ω

Max. voltage: ±12 V

Current output: BNC connector, sensitivity 0.1 V/nA,

Current display:

  • 3 ½ digits, XX.XX nA, resolution 10 pA (X1 CURRENT RANGE)
  • 3 ½ digits, XXX.X nA, resolution 100 pA (X10 CURRENT RANGE)

POTENTIAL OUTPUT FROM HEADSTAGE: BNC connector, sensitivity 1 V/V

POTENTIAL OUTPUT: BNC connector, sensitivity 10 V/V or 100 V/V

Potential output gain: Toggle switch, x10, x100

Potential output resolution in AC: 50 µV

Display mV/MΩ 3 ½ digits, XXXX mV or XXX MΩ

Display current

  • 3 ½ digits, XX.XX nA (X1 CURRENT RANGE)
  • 3 ½ digits, XXX.X nA (X10 CURRENT RANGE)

Input impedance analog 100 kΩ

Input range ±12 V

Input impedance digital (TTL) 10 kΩ

Input range TTL 0-5 V

Current stimulus input CC

  • via BNC connectors
  • X1 CURRENT RANGE: 1 nA/V or 0.1 nA/V
  • X10 CURRENT RANGE: 10 nA/V or 1 nA/V

Holding current:

  • X1 CURRENT RANGE: ±10 nA
  • X10 CURRENT RANGE: ±100 nA
  • Adjustable with ten-turn control

Step gate input via BNC connector (TTL)

Gated stimulus CC

  • X1 CURRENT RANGE: resolution: 10 pA, range: ±10 nA
  • X10 CURRENT RANGE: resolution: 100 pA, range: ±100 nA
  • with digital control of current step size

Polarity selectable with toggle switch

Dimensions: 19” rackmount cabinet, 19” (483 mm), 10” (250 mm), 3.5” (88 mm)

Power requirements: 115/230 V AC, 60/50 Hz, fuse 0.4/0.2 A, slow, 25 W

Weight: 4.0 kg

You can also visit site of the manufacturer.