Description
ALA Scientific’s 4 and 8 channel gravity flow perfusion systems fulfill the basic requirements of the student lab and can also be optimized to fit the most demanding applications of patch clamp recording and/or imaging. All VCPlus gravity systems provide electronic control of solution exchange. This improves reproducibility over manual methods. These systems are designed to minimize electronic noise so sensitive electrophysiological recordings can be performed.
Key features of the VCPlus-4 gravity systems include:
Choice of low-maintenance pinch valves or fast response isolation valves
• Customizable reservoir sizes and materials
• Valve control through DAQ, VCPlus software, or controller
• Optional spill sensor with automatic shutoff to protect microscope optics
• MilliManifold™ and MicroManifold® outlet options for low volume and rapid applications
• TTL timestamp to indicate valve opening
Spike and hold circuit for each valve for rapid valve opening and cool valve operation
VCPlus Systems have the option of integrating either pinch or isolation valves. Three-way pinch valves have response times of 15-20ms and are easy to clean because solution runs through the valve in removable tubing. Isolation valves have response times of 2-3ms and are made for high speed applications.
Unlike other competitive perfusion systems, all VCPlus systems include Windows compatible command software. This software allows users to set protocols for opening and closing of specific channels for preset amounts of time. Protocols can be initiated by starting within software or by external trigger from data acquisition systems. Individual valves of the VCPlus systems can also be controlled via analog or TTL input.
Last Updated on May 22, 2024
Details
Perfusion is critical in most biological applications, both for maintaining the viability of preparations and establishing experimental conditions. Electronic control of solution exchange improves fluid delivery and enhances reproducibility over manual methods. With the VCPlus systems, you can configure systems for the basic requirements of the student lab or you can optimize them for the most demanding applications of patch-clamp recording and/or imaging.
VCPlus Gravity Systems use gravity to drive the solution flow. Gravity driven systems are ideal for use with larger diameter tubing and can be used to perfuse bath preparations to maintain viability and establish experimental conditions. Gravity systems include valve manifold with isolation or pinch valves, 60 ml reservoirs, VCPlus controller, power supply, luer valves, magnetic stand, USB-C cable, and software. Options include different perfusion outlet manifolds (MLF or MMF), spill sensor, flow control valve, and BOB-8 BNC interface box for TTL control via DAQ’s.
VCPlus Gravity System Highlights
• 4 & 8 channel versions
Easy and fast setup
Optional MilliManifoldTM or MiniManifoldTM outlets & FCV-1 flow control valve are available
Electronics compatible with electrophysiology
Low maintenance pinch valves or fast response isolation valves
Comes complete with all tubing
Each VCPlus-4xG Series system includes the following:
- Magnetic stand with 2 x 18” poles
- Valve manifold with isolation or pinch valves
- Reservoir bracket with 60mL syringe reservoirs
- VCPlus electronic valve controller with a USB-C cable and control software
- DB9-CABLE controller to valve manifold cable
- Manual 3-way stop cock luer valves and tubing
- **MMF-4 MiniManifold™ or MLF-4 MilliManifold™ 4 channel perfusion outlet manifolds need to be ordered separately**
- Spill sensor and Flow Control Valve are options and need to be ordered separately.
- Each VCPlus-4xG Series system features a choice of valves:
- Pinch valves : The 3-way normally open and normally closed pinch valves require minimal maintenance in long-term perfusion experiments and have response times of 15-20ms.
- Isolation valves: These 2-way normally closed isolation valves are optimized for high-speed solution exchange. These valves are completely isolated when closed and have response times of 2 to 3ms.
Additional options include:
- Spill sensor: used to detect spills around the microscope to prevent damage to expensive optics
- Flow Control Valve, FCV-1: manual pinch valve with thumb screw to adjust output flow rates from the output of the MMF-4 or MLF-4
- 5ml or 10ml syringe reservoirs
- Breakout Box: BOB-8 for TTL trigger inputs
Last Updated on May 22, 2024
Specifications
Valve Controller:
- Dimensions/Weight: 8″/20.32cm x 6″/15.24cm x 2.5″/6.35cm / 1.5lbs/0.68kg
- Power: 15VDC/3.15A
- Computer Control Input: Analog input 0.5V/valve TTL high 1 bit/valve; USB 2.0
- Computer Output Monitoring: Analog output 0.5V/valve; Sync TTL high 20ms;
- Manual Control: Membrane switch 1/valve; mom on/off or toggle on/off, latching on/off
Valve Manifolds:
- Pinch Valves: 12VDC/0.25A ea. 3 way Pinch Valve
- Pinch Valve Opening Speed: 15 to 20ms
- Pinch Valve ID Tubing: 0.040″/1mm
- Isolation Valves: 12VDC/0.25A ea.
- Isolation Valve Opening Speed: 2-3ms
- Reservoirs: 60mL luer lock syringes
|
Pinch Valve
|
Isolation valve
|
3 way
|
NO/NC port
|
NC port
|
Response time
|
15 to 20ms
|
2 to 3ms
|
Wetted area
|
silicone tubing
|
PTFE
|
Voltage
|
12V
|
12V
|
Power
|
4.2W
|
1W
|
Gravity flow rate specifications assuming 60mL reservoirs are full without the manual pinch flow valve attached:
Height (cm)
|
with MLF (mL/min)
|
with MMF (mLmin)
|
90
|
11
|
37
|
80
|
10
|
31
|
70
|
9
|
29
|
60
|
8
|
25
|
50
|
7
|
22
|
Last Updated on May 22, 2024
Downloads
VCPlus Manual
VCPlus ver 1.0.0.3 Software
Last Updated on May 22, 2024
Accessories
Last Updated on May 22, 2024
References
Reduced surface pH and upregulated AE2 anion exchange in SLC26A3-deleted polarized intestinal epithelial cells
Mahdi Amiri, Min Jiang, Azam Salari, Renjie Xiu, Seth L. Alper, and Ursula E. Seidler
American Journal of Physiology-Cell Physiology 2024 326:3, C829-C842
Sugar binding of sodium-glucose cotransporters analyzed by voltage-clamp fluorometry
Erika Watabe, Akira Kawanabe, Kazuyo Kamitori, Satoko Ichihara, Yuichiro Fujiwara
Journal of Biological Chemistry, 2024, 107215,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107215
Last Updated on May 22, 2024
Ordering
PART# |
DESCRIPTION |
ALA VCPlus-4PG |
4 Channel Gravity Bath Perfusion System: controller, power supply, magnetic stand with 2 poles, valve manifold with pinch valves, valve bank to controller cable, software, 4 x 60ml reservoirs and bracket, 4 luer valves, VC3- 4TUBE – order MMF-4 or MLF-4 separately. Spill sensor and flow control valve are optional |
ALA VCPlus-4CLG |
4 Channel Gravity Bath Perfusion System: controller, power supply, magnetic stand with 2 poles, valve manifold with isolation valves, valve bank to controller cable, software, 4 x 60ml reservoirs and bracket, 4 luer valves, VC3- 4TUBE – order MMF-4 or MLF-4 separately. Spill sensor and flow control valve are optional |
ALA VCPlus-4C |
4 channel VCPlus electronic valve controller including power supply, cables and software |
ALA VC3-PS |
VCPlus electronic valve controller power supply |
ALA RESBRACK-4 |
4 Reservoir bracket for 60mL reservoirs with mounting block – other reservoir sizes available |
ALA MLF-4 |
MilliManifold™ 4 to 1 channel perfusion outlet manifold made of 500um ID polyimide tubing with 1/16″ barb fittings |
ALA MMF-4 |
MiniManifold™ 4 to 1 channel perfusion outlet manifold made of 1/16″ ID polyimide tubing with 1/16″ barb fittings |
ALA 60MLSYRINGE |
Box of 25 60mL syringes |
ALA 3WLV |
Replacement manual 3-way stop cock luer valve |
ALA PV |
Replacement pinch valve |
ALA FCV-1 |
Replacement manual pinch flow valve |
ALA CLP |
Isolation 2 way valve |
ALA DB9-CABLE |
Replacement VC3 controller to valve manifold cable |
ALA BOB-8 |
Trigger breakout box for TTL trigger to BNC |
ALA VM-STAND |
Replacement valve manifold stand: magnetic base and 2 rods |
ALA SPILSNSR |
Replacement Lasso Spill Sensor with connector |
ALA TUBING-2 |
10′ 1/16″ ID and 1/8″ OD PVC tubing |
ALA TUBING-3 |
2′ Silicone pinch valve tubing |
ALA VC3-4TUBE |
VC3-4 tubing kit – PVC/silicone tubing and connectors |
Last Updated on May 22, 2024