Axon Instruments MultiClamp 700A Amplifier with two CV-7A headstages

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 (channels). 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 null-modem (RS-232) 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). 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 from Molecular Devices (not included) as an option to provide manual knobs and buttons that replicate the key functions in the MultiClamp Commander.