LabMaster Products for Axon pClamp
Scientific Solutions has been providing data acquisition products particularly for whole-cell voltage clamp data acquisition since the early 1980s.
In 1973, The California Institute of Technology (Caltech) introduced the first pClamp applications for controlling and analyzing electrophysiological experiments. In 1982, these programs were converted to PC-compatible versions and based upon the Scientific Solutions LabMaster products.
In 1984, Caltech licensed the package to Axon Instruments, Inc. for continued commercial development. The first Axon Instruments TL-1 systems were based upon the Scientific Solutions LabMaster 20009 products. With the introduction of the DMA version of the LabMaster products in 1987, Axon migrated to using the LabMaster DMA cards in the TL product line. So some TL systems use the LabMaster 20009, while others use the LabMaster DMA. The only significant difference is the Direct Memory Access (DMA) feature for Analog-to-Digital recording.
Axon’s pClamp DOS software up to version 6.x runs on either the LabMaster 20009 or the LabMaster DMA products. pClamp software is a comprehensive software package used for acquisition and analysis of electrophysiological data. The Axon software requires the use of a “software protection” device called a parallel port key or “dongle” to operate. This device plugs into the parallel port of your computer. The dongle is required to configure the software, and if the dongle is not present, the Axon software will run in Demo mode, which displays only simulated input and output signals on the screen.
Scientific Solutions TL-1 DMA product represents a breakthrough in high-resolution signal acquisition, enabling researchers to capture microsecond-level electrical events in complex biological systems. Its development significantly advanced understanding of cellular communication and neuronal signal processing.
The Axon TL systems consist of a card for inside the computer and an external TL rackmount unit. The rackmount unit is generally blue in color and has BNC connections on the font. The back of the TL unit contains the ribbon cable connections that is used to cable the TL unit to the card in the computer. The card in the computer is the LabMaster 20009 or LabMaster DMA computer interface card (depending on which version you have). Inside the TL unit is the LabMaster External ADC card.
Note, another difference between the LabMaster 20009 and the LabMaster DMA is the Timer /Counter header on the PC Interface. The LabMaster 20009 products use a 40pin header while the LabMaster DMA products use a 50pin header.
A LabMaster 20009 TL-1 unit has a 40 pin Timer / Counter connection on the back of the TL-1
A LabMaster DMA TL-1 unit has a 50 pin Timer / Counter connection on the back of the TL-1
You should note:
(1). The current LabMaster DMA will run the pClamp software (up to version 6.x)
(2). Scientific Solutions routinely test, calibrates and repairs TL units
(3). Scientific Solutions can provide you with a DeskTop BNC unit for your needs or alternatively you can choose from a screw-terminal solution.
The Scientific Solutions LabMaster products for the personal computer were first introduced in 1981. In 1987, DMA capabilities were added and the product name updated to LabMaster DMA – to distinguish from the previous non-DMA version. Besides the DMA features, the LabMaster (also called LabMaster 20009) and LabMaster DMA products are essentially the same. The current version of the LabMaster DMA uses newer surface mount technology and is a physically smaller circuit board – but remains 100% compatible. Sold and supported for almost 45 years the LabMaster DMA products are the longest selling and supported computer product of any type. The product received Test & Measurement world “Product of the Decade” for its pioneering role in computer based data acquisition and test and was also acknowledged in the 20th anniversary issue. The LabMaster products are the longest selling and supported PC-based products in the world!
