Axon MultiClamp 700A Microelectrode Amplifier

Molecular Device (former Axon Instruments) Multiclamp 700A is a multipurpose computer-controlled amplifier, ideal for many applications, including high-speed current clamp (sharp-electrode or field potentials), patch clamp (whole-cell, macro-patch, or excised patch), voltammetry/amperometry, ion-selective measurements and bilayer recordings. It supports one or two independent CV-7A headstages enabling simultaneous recording from two cells. Each headstage contains current-to-voltage conversion as well as voltage-following circuitry, which allow the user to switch between single-electrode voltage clamp and fast current clamp. This mode switching is very rapid and can be externally triggered, enabling hybrid current and voltage clamp recording during a single experiment.

Like conventional Axon amplifiers, the MultiClamp 700A is essentially an analog in/analog out instrument, with BNC connectors to a separate digitizing interface and/or oscilloscope. However, instead of the usual array of front panel knobs and switches, the MultiClamp 700A receives control from the MultiClamp Commander, a program that runs on a host computer and communicates with the amplifier via a USB cable.

The software control provides rapid automatic compensation as well as a wide selection of command, filter, and recording ranges. Included in its many features are “smart” functions, such as automatic electrode and whole-cell capacitance compensation, to simplify and speed up data acquisition.

The MultiClamp 700A can be used with any external digitizer and acquisition software package (e.g. pClamp 10 or 11). The MultiClamp Commander runs simultaneously with data acquisition software. This arrangement affords great functionality, without the physical limits imposed by the space available on the amplifier for knobs and switches.

As an alternative to keyboard/mouse control, a separate control panel – the SoftPanel – is available (not included) as an option to provide manual knobs and buttons that replicate the key functions in the MultiClamp Commander.

This amplifier has been used before. It was removed from a working electrophys laboratory. It was cleaned and tested by a professional technician. The instrument passed all functional checkouts. The headstages were matched and calibrated to this amplifier. Overall the amplifier is in excellent working condition.

The amplifier comes with the following accessories:

• Two CV-7A Headstages with SMA Pipette Holder connectors (CV-7A)
• Two new Pipette Holders with SMA connectors for 1.5 mm glass tubing OD (other holders with different glass tubing outer diameters are available upon request)
• Serial control cable (RS232 null modem)
• Model Cell with grounding & connecting wires (1-Patch-1U)
• Grounding Gold Plugs for the Headstages
• Super Flexible Grounding Wire (4 ft)
• Resource CD with Manuals & Software
• Power cord
• BNC cables
• SMA to BNC connector converter (available only upon request). It allows to use BNC type electrode holders as well.

Differences between the CV-7A and CV-7B headstages for the MultiClamp Amplifiers:

CV-7A and CV-7B headstages are functionally identical. The only difference is that the CV-7B case has an additional dovetail mount on the side to allow the headstage to be mounted vertically or horizontally. Also these particular CV-7A headstages have extra mounting holes that can be used to attach the headstage with screws. Please, note that standard CV-7A/7B headstages have a Teflon HL-U type electrode holder connector. The CV-7A headstages for this amplifier have SMA type electrode holder connector. We provide two electrode holders with SMA connectors. These electrode / pipette holders are much better quality as compared to a standard Axon HL-U electrode holder. These holders have double glass electrode / pipette clamp that substantially improves recording stability.

What Windows version can be used to run Axon Multiclamp Commander 700A?

Although Axon Multiclamp 700A Commander software was programmed to work in 32-bit Windows XP, it can be safely run in later Windows versions. For that you have to use a software Compatibility mode. It takes only two additional steps: one during installation and one when you first time run the software. We have included a step-by-step instruction on the Resource CD that comes with the amplifier. Axon Multiclamp 700A Commander software was tested both in Windows 7 and 10, 32-bit and 64-bit versions and it It works without problems.