An Overview of the IonOptix Integrated Approach
Our business here at IonOptix developed over many years out of our relationships with our customers. Through countless interactions we've been able to expand and hone our products to meet our customers' needs while engineering new solutions to common problems. Our complete systems are now found in labs worldwide.
The list of components comprising a complete, integrated workstation can seem daunting. We've taken the guess work out of compatibility by designing all of our components to work with one another from the ground up. The system begins with our IonWizard core software. Depending on the application, IonWizard's acquisition capabilities can be expanded through the SoftEdge, SarcLen, and PMTACQ acquisition modules to record cell length and vessel diameter, sarcomere length and ratiometric fluorescence data. Using modern computer technology, IonWizard communicates directly with two root devices, the video acquisition camera and an interface box. Our newest camera, the MyoCam-S, offers 500Hz acquisition for fast recording of cell or vessel dimensions. It also offers USB connectivity for greater flexibility. We offer two interface boxes, the FSI and DSI, depending on whether studies will utilize fluorescence. These interface boxes provide a hub for communicating with all peripheral hardware devices, allowing the synchronization of data from many sources. Both interface boxes come with a suite of analog and digital connections, while the FSI offers added connections for controlling fluorescence light sources and recording from light sensors.
If fluorescence recordings are going to be made, an excitation light source is required. We offer two choices, the fast-switching HyperSwitch and the µStep. The HyperSwitch uses a galvanometer-driven mirror to steer light between two light paths. With sub-millisecond switching times, the HyperSwitch offers 250 true ratios per second for dual excitation calcium dyes such as Fura-2. Our approach when using the µStep is slightly different, but when done properly will yield pseudo-ratios at 1000Hz. Both light sources deliver fluorescence illumination to your fluorescence microscope through an efficient liquid light guide and a microscope-specific adapter, machined to our stringent specifications at our facility. For detecting fluorescence emission, our sensor of choice is the photomultiplier tube. It offers a broader dynamic range, faster acquisition rates and greater sensitivity to light (compared to CCD based sensors). And to make sure that transmitted light going to the MyoCam-S does not interfere with the fluorescence signal, we equip every fluorescence recording workstation with our cell framing adapter (CFA). The CFA hosts several optical elements for appropriately filtering and directing light to the appropriate device. It holds an aperture for physically framing the image, preventing unwanted light from contributing to the fluorescent signal. The CFA also comes outfitted with our MyoHandle, a device for mechanically rotating the camera image to facilitate cell alignment for real-time cell dimensioning measurements.
For myocyte studies, we offer two acute field stimulators, the MyoPacer and MyoPacer EP, to control contractions. These stimulators offer full control of stimulation pulse duration, frequency, and voltage. The MyoPacer EP offers added flexibility for programming multi-phase protocols, a must for cardiac electrophysiology. When coupled to an IonOptix interface box, stimulation marks can be recorded and interpreted by IonWizard for event averaging and analysis. For delivering electrical stimulation to your cells, we offer two cell chamber systems, from CMC and FHD. As an added bonus, the CMC chamber has a built-in thermistor, giving the option of coupling to a temperature controller and heater.
Equipped with the latest computers, we assemble and test all components at our facility before shipping. When we install our complete systems, we use your preparations to help get you started as quickly as possible. And when you need assistance we offer unlimited phone and email support. That's our integrated approach. Check out our complete workstations for Contractility or Vessel Diameter Only, Calcium and Contractility: Myocytes, and Calcium and Diameter: Vessels.
The list of components comprising a complete, integrated workstation can seem daunting. We've taken the guess work out of compatibility by designing all of our components to work with one another from the ground up. The system begins with our IonWizard core software. Depending on the application, IonWizard's acquisition capabilities can be expanded through the SoftEdge, SarcLen, and PMTACQ acquisition modules to record cell length and vessel diameter, sarcomere length and ratiometric fluorescence data. Using modern computer technology, IonWizard communicates directly with two root devices, the video acquisition camera and an interface box. Our newest camera, the MyoCam-S, offers 500Hz acquisition for fast recording of cell or vessel dimensions. It also offers USB connectivity for greater flexibility. We offer two interface boxes, the FSI and DSI, depending on whether studies will utilize fluorescence. These interface boxes provide a hub for communicating with all peripheral hardware devices, allowing the synchronization of data from many sources. Both interface boxes come with a suite of analog and digital connections, while the FSI offers added connections for controlling fluorescence light sources and recording from light sensors.
If fluorescence recordings are going to be made, an excitation light source is required. We offer two choices, the fast-switching HyperSwitch and the µStep. The HyperSwitch uses a galvanometer-driven mirror to steer light between two light paths. With sub-millisecond switching times, the HyperSwitch offers 250 true ratios per second for dual excitation calcium dyes such as Fura-2. Our approach when using the µStep is slightly different, but when done properly will yield pseudo-ratios at 1000Hz. Both light sources deliver fluorescence illumination to your fluorescence microscope through an efficient liquid light guide and a microscope-specific adapter, machined to our stringent specifications at our facility. For detecting fluorescence emission, our sensor of choice is the photomultiplier tube. It offers a broader dynamic range, faster acquisition rates and greater sensitivity to light (compared to CCD based sensors). And to make sure that transmitted light going to the MyoCam-S does not interfere with the fluorescence signal, we equip every fluorescence recording workstation with our cell framing adapter (CFA). The CFA hosts several optical elements for appropriately filtering and directing light to the appropriate device. It holds an aperture for physically framing the image, preventing unwanted light from contributing to the fluorescent signal. The CFA also comes outfitted with our MyoHandle, a device for mechanically rotating the camera image to facilitate cell alignment for real-time cell dimensioning measurements.
For myocyte studies, we offer two acute field stimulators, the MyoPacer and MyoPacer EP, to control contractions. These stimulators offer full control of stimulation pulse duration, frequency, and voltage. The MyoPacer EP offers added flexibility for programming multi-phase protocols, a must for cardiac electrophysiology. When coupled to an IonOptix interface box, stimulation marks can be recorded and interpreted by IonWizard for event averaging and analysis. For delivering electrical stimulation to your cells, we offer two cell chamber systems, from CMC and FHD. As an added bonus, the CMC chamber has a built-in thermistor, giving the option of coupling to a temperature controller and heater.
Equipped with the latest computers, we assemble and test all components at our facility before shipping. When we install our complete systems, we use your preparations to help get you started as quickly as possible. And when you need assistance we offer unlimited phone and email support. That's our integrated approach. Check out our complete workstations for Contractility or Vessel Diameter Only, Calcium and Contractility: Myocytes, and Calcium and Diameter: Vessels.