Patch Clamp Signal Connections

Getting Started > Patch Clamp Signal Connections

To configure WinFluor to acquire cell current and voltage signals from a patch clamp, signal connections must be made between the patch clamp amplifier outputs (current, voltage, gain telegraph and mode telegraph) and inputs (command voltage) and appropriate analogue inputs and outputs on the PCI-6229 analogue interface board.

The following signals connections are required:

Current and voltage outputs (1,2) must be connected to interface inputs AI0 and AI1, respectively. Telegraph connections (3, 4) are not be required with patch clamps which do not provide gain and/or mode telegraphs, or communicate gain information via USB or other communications lines.

The command voltage input is connected to voltage stimulus channel Vout 0 (which is usually configured as interface digital/analogue output AO0). Table 1 lists the required connections and signal output names for the patch and voltage clamps currently supported by WinFluor.

Table 1 Patch clamp signal connections

Note 1. When the Axopatch 200 is switched from voltage- to current-clamp mode, the Scaled Output signal to ADC1 is changed automatically from membrane current to voltage. To retain a current signal, ADC1 must be switched manually from the 10 Vm output of the Axopatch 200 to the Im. Output.

Note 2. WinFluor obtains channel gain information from the Axon Multiclamp commander software. Multiclamp Commander must be started up and running before WinFluor is started.