The MT-1000/MT-1078 is a microscope translator, fixed-stage and manipulator platform for moving optical pathway electrophysiology. Two general styles are available. In the classic design (MT-1000), an independent stand is used for each manipulator and a similar stand holds the tissue chamber. A new style (MT-1078) uses a single large, fixed stage that is used for multiple manipulators and for the sample as well.

MT-1000: the classic modular design features free-standing columns that provide rock solid mounting for the tissue recording chamber (MT-150) and multiple micromanipulators (MT-75). The columns are positioned around a movable table that provides X-Y translation of the optical pathway in order to view multiple locations within the chamber at high resolution. Many prefer this methodology as it maximizes working room for adjusting the microscope and changing pipettes. Furthermore, the independent stand design minimizes movement-related cross talk between manipulators.

In the new MT-1078 translator system, the large fixed stage MT-78-FS is employed. In this design, it is easy to add additional manipulators and other devices to expand a setup as the manipulator/chamber support is a single large platform. Furthermore, an available magnetic stainless steel insert holds the chamber and allows the easy positioning of magnetically attached small devices nearby.

At the core of both the MT-1000 and MT-1078 translator systems is the MT-500 X-Y translation table. It is designed to allow movement of a microscope’s optics with respect to the fixed stage(s). This methodology was developed by electrophysiologists recording from tissue slice preparations. The translator allows visualization and/or imaging of multiple tissue locations while maintaining multiple stable recordings from the preparation. Such a system is also useful for experiments on cells in culture where one wishes to monitor several cells not in the same field of view, e.g. recording from pre and post synaptic neurons in culture and/or imaging one cell while recording from or stimulating another.

Translators are available for the Olympus BX-51WI, Nikon FN-1, Zeiss Axioskop 2 FS and the Leica DMLFS as well as older fixed stage models.. Inverted microscope translators are available for the Olympus IX71.

Various different recording chambers can be accommodated in either the MT-150 chamber column or the insert in the MT-78-FS large stage. Sutter currently supports the Warner Instruments/Harvard Apparatus Series 20 chambers and the ALA 35mm chambers. Others can be accommodated. Dovetail slides for the MT-150 or inserts for the MT-78-FS are available with generic openings for users who wish to develop custom chambers.