printpage
Perfusion Systems and Bath Chambers

An electrophysiology setup is not complete without a perfusion system. Depending on your application, the objective could be as simple as keeping the preparation alive by supplying oxygenated saline, or as complex as applying a wide range of concentrations of an ion channel modulator, complete with positive and negative controls to obtain a high-quality concentration-response curve. In addition, experiments with mammalian cells or tissues frequently require elevated temperature.

Sutter Instrument offers the popular perfusion systems and bath chambers made by AutoMate Scientific. Our standard product portfolio consists of perfusion systems with one, four or eight reservoirs, with the option of room temperature operation, inline heating, or a heated bath chamber in addition to inline heating. The standard bath chambers are compatible with either the Sutter platform stages, or with the MT-150 chamber column. Solution switching can be controlled by SutterPatch® software for complete integration into your data acquisition and analysis workflow. Manual operation, as well as control through other patch clamp software, or through digital (TTL) or analog signals from other sources is also possible.

The AutoMate Scientific ValveLink8.3® Controller avoids vibrations produced by switching solutions by hand. Low-noise circuitry and low-maintenance pinch valves switch in 20 ms and contribute to problem-free operation. Liquids never touch the valves. All AutoMate Scientific valves include an individual indicator LED. The aluminum enclosure keeps the valves dry from spills and provides Luer lock ports for syringe reservoirs.

All perfusion systems include syringe reservoirs (140 mL for the one-channel systems, 60 mL each for the four- and eight-channel systems), 2-way stopcocks, a ringstand with reservoir mounts, tubing, Luer connectors and a manifold where applicable.

In addition to the standard perfusion systems which cover the most frequently required configurations, a high degree of customization is possible. Please contact Sutter Instrument for a configuration that meets your particular requirements.

    FEATURES
  • Reliable solution exchange for tissue oxygenation or pharmacology experiments
  • 1, 4 or 8 fluid reservoirs
  • Available for room temperature operation, inline-heated, or with both inline and bath chamber heating
  • ValveLink8.3® and ThermoClamp Controllers compatible with SutterPatch® Software
  • High reliability through low-maintenance pinch valves
  • Electrically quiet circuitry for valve switching and temperature control

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

    ValveLink8.3® Controller
  • Low noise & low voltage valve control Designed for electrophysiology
  • ValveGuard™ technology detects bad valves and prevents damage
  • Run experiments automatically – even unattended
  • Manual push buttons
  • Red/green LED indicators
  • 1.5 Amp, 12V AC supply included (specify 110V or 220V)
  • Dimensions: 9.28 in x 1.6 in x 5.13 in
  • Weight: 3 lbs | 1.4 kg
  • Eight TTL inputs directly activate 8 valves or control 16 valves with only four digital outputs
  • Analog input selects 8 valves
  • Analog out "event marker" to record all valve activity
  • Push buttons, TTL, analog and USB inputs ALL work
  • Capable of switching valves in 1 millisecond
  • Automatic networking of up to eight ValveLink8.3 units, connected to a USB hub and PC to create a single 64-channel controller.
  • Capable of powering 12 watt (1 amp) valves and 24 watts (2 amps) total
  • simultaneously
    Pinch Valves for reduced maintenance
  • Easiest valves to clean and switch tubing
  • Liquids never touch the valves
  • 20 millisecond switching
  • 1/32” i.d. silicone tube passes through and is pinched closed by solenoid activation
  • Individual indicator LEDs
  • Aluminum enclosure keeps the valves dry from spills and offers Luer lock ports for syringe reservoirs
    ThermoClamp-3.1® or ThermoClamp-3.2®
  • Auto-tuning PID (Proportional Integral Derivative) temperature control accurate to <1.0°C (often ±0.1 ̊C) with fuzzy logic
  • Extremely low noise (analog heating) designed for electrophysiology
  • Over-temperature protection
  • Three types of user-configurable thermal runaway protection (patent pending) with fuzzy logic constraints
  • Smart voltage setpoint: digital, analog (BNC) or automatic
  • Separate displays for both temperatures (control sensor and safety sensor)
  • Constant USB/serial data stream output
  • Automatic heater failure detection and prevention
  • Utilization of the safety sensor as secondary input for feedback control
  • Includes power supply, bath and safety sensors
  • Ambient to 50°C
  • Analog temperature output (100 mV/°C)
  • Dimensions: 11.5 in x 2 in x 7 in
  • Weight: 4 lbs | 1.8 kg
    Inline Heater
  • Combination inline heater plus multi-channel focal drug delivery
  • Luer lock tube connections
  • Steady 37°C at 5 mL/min flow rates through both the bath line and tip
  • Designed for physiology research – No metal anywhere in the flow path
  • Low noise for electrophysiology
  • Internal and external grounding plus electrical isolation between liquids and heating elements
    Heated QuickStage™ Bath Chamber
  • Integrated spill channel
  • Magnetic stainless steel tool platform holds your tubes and electrodes for the next experiment
  • Release two thumb nuts to change coverslips and clean the entire stack
  • Four heated and three unheated chambers available
  • Adapters for 35 mm Petri dishes from Nunc, WillCo, Falcon, In Vitro, Corning, Mattek
  • Standard 24 mm x 40 mm #1 thickness coverslip

US Prices > PERFUSION SYSTEMS
International prices vary by country. Please contact your local distributor or Sutter Instrument for a quotation. Prices subject to change without notice.


Standard configurations come with a chamber insert for either the Sutter Instrument MT/MP-78 and MT/MP-88 stages or the MT-150/AUTO gantry stand. Other inserts are available on request. Please specify microscope stage and chamber when placing an order.

Single-reservoir Perfusion Systems
140 mL reservoir on a ringstand, 2-way Luer stopcock, Tygon tubing with Luer-lock fittings, horizontal perfusion chamber

Catalog Number Description Price
AM-PS1 Single-reservoir Perfusion System, gravity feed, unheated $ 555
AM-PS1-INL Single-reservoir Perfusion System, gravity feed, inline-heated $ 1,976
AM-PS1-FULL Single-reservoir Perfusion System, gravity feed, inline-heated, heated bath chamber $ 3,232


Four-channel Perfusion Systems
ValveLink8.3® 4-ch. Pinch Valve Perfusion System, mounting cables, ringstand set, 4-into-1 manifold, flow controller, 4 x 60 mL syringes, stopcocks, pinch fittings, 2-way Luer stopcocks, Tygon tubing with Luer-lock fittings, horizontal perfusion chamber, BNC adapter cable, and grounding kit

Catalog Number Description Price
AM-PS4 4-channel Perfusion System, gravity feed, unheated $ 2,794
AM-PS4-PR 4-channel Perfusion System, pressurized, Perfusion Pencil® with 250 µL removable tip $ 3,619
AM-PS4-INL 4-channel Perfusion System, pressurized, inline-heated Perfusion Pencil with 250 µL removable tip $ 5,120
AM-PS4-FULL 4-channel Perfusion System, pressurized, inline-heated Perfusion Pencil with 250 µL removable tip, heated bath chamber $ 6,376


Eight-channel Perfusion Systems
ValveLink8.3® 8-ch. Pinch Valve Perfusion System, mounting cables, ringstand set, 8-into-1 manifold, flow controller, 8 x 60 mL syringes, stopcocks, pinch fittings, 2-way Luer stopcocks, Tygon tubing with Luer-lock fittings, horizontal perfusion chamber, BNC adapter cable, and grounding kit

Catalog Number Description Price
AM-PS8 8-channel Perfusion System, gravity feed, unheated $ 3,874
AM-PS8-PR 8-channel Perfusion System, pressurized, Perfusion Pencil with 250 µL removable tip $ 4,949
AM-PS8-INL 8-channel Perfusion System, pressurized, inline-heated Perfusion Pencil with 250 µL removable tip $ 6,450
AM-PS8-FULL 8-channel Perfusion System, pressurized, inline-heated Perfusion Pencil with 250 µL removable tip, heated bath chamber $ 7,706


US PRICES > ACCESSORIES

ACCESSORIES

Catalog Number Description Price
AM-01-17 ValveLink rack mounting brackets (to std. 19 in rack) with 6-32 x 1/8 in screws $ 80
AM-01-173 Rack mounting brackets - ThermoClamp®-3.1 to standard 19 in rack $ 35
AM-01-57 Rack mounting brackets - ThermoClamp-3.2 to standard 19 in rack $ 65
AM-01-19 BNC-ValveLink8.3® cable - 4 BNC plugs to DB-9 $ 120
AM-01-20 Full BNC-ValveLink8.3 cable - 8 BNC plugs to DB-9 $ 225
AM-04-100 100 µm Removable Tip for Perfusion Pencil® $ 45
AM-04-250 250 µm Removable Tip for Perfusion Pencil $ 45
AM-04-360 360 µm Removable Tip for Perfusion Pencil $ 45
AM-220 220 V Power and CE upgrade $ 85
AM-SH-1 StageHands Magnetic tool holder $ 399
AM-GPUMP 2-channel peristaltic pump & tubing $ 2,975

ValveLink®

Catalog Number Description Price
AM-17-PP-24 ValveLink8.3® 4-ch. Pinch Valve Perfusion System:
ValveLink8.3 controller = 4+4 solutions (expandable), 4 pinch valves, mounting, cables, ringstand set, 4-into-1 manifold, 1/16 in tubing, flow controller, 4 x 60 mL syringes, stopcocks, pinch fittings
$ 2,162
 
AM-17-PP-54 ValveLink8.3® 8-ch. Pinch Valve Perfusion System:
ValveLink8.3 controller = 8 solutions, 8 pinch valves, mounting, cables, ringstand set, 8-into-1 manifold with flow control, 1/16 in tubing, 8 x 60 mL syringes, stopcocks, pinch fittings
$ 3,062

QuickStage

Catalog Number Description Price
AM-QSH-LS-TT-ZK QuickStage heated large slice chamber (upright), ThermoClamp®-3.1 Controller, ToolTray $ 1,892
AM-QSU-H-TT-ZK QuickStage unheated horizontal perfusion chamber, ToolTray $ 437
 

ThermoClamp® Inline Solution Heater

Catalog Number Description Price
AM-03-11-LL ThermoClamp-3.1 Controller, 1-channel heated Perfusion Pencil® with bath sensor $ 1,421
AM-03-14-250 ThermoClamp-3.1 Controller, 4-channel heated Perfusion Pencil with 250 µm tip & bath sensor $ 1,781
AM-03-18-250 ThermoClamp-3.1 Controller, 8-channel heated Perfusion Pencil with 250 µm tip & bath sensor $ 1,781

Compressors
The pressurized perfusion systems (all 4- and 8-channel systems other than the gravity feed models AM-PS4 and AM-PS8) require a compressed gas. A popular source is air from a silent, industry grade compressor.

Catalog Number Description Price
AT-COMP-110 Air compressor - 110V, 60 Hz $ 1,369
AT-COMP-220 Air compressor - 220V, 50 Hz $ 1,369

RELATED PRODUCTS
Electrophysiology Systems
Amplifier Systems
Stages & Translators

TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Download Sales Flyer