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1.
What
is the difference between ValveLink and ValveBank?
ValveLinks
are less expensive and include manual push buttons, digital/TTL
and serial inputs to control valves. ValveBanks include all of the
above, plus they can be programmed through their keypad and LCD
screen or EasyCode software from a Macintosh or PC-Windows.
ValveBanks run user valve sequence 'programs' without a
computer, and include eight programmable digital outputs for
control of external devices. Entire ValveBank programs can also be
triggered by a single TTL pulse. All AutoMate controllers include
dual serial ports for communicating with multiple devices on a
daisy-chain bus.
2.
Can
I control valves using the digital outputs of my EPC9, DAQ board
(i.e. DigiData or ITC-16 and/or acquisition software (i.e. pCLAMP,
Pulse, or LabView)? What software do I use to control valves?
Both
ValveBanks and ValveLinks accept real-time TTL inputs to control
valves. Most acquisition software already being used in your
experiments can talk to our controllers (i.e. pCLAMP, Pulse, or
LabView can all send TTL outputs, or Kermit sends serial
codes). AutoMate offers an optional program called EasyCode for
the Macintosh and PC-Windows to program ValveBanks. This software
is used before an experiment -- valve sequences are
downloaded by serial cable into the memory of the ValveBank where
they are run. ValveLinks only accept real-time TTL or serial
inputs (as opposed to entire programs like the ValveBank), and
therefore cannot use EasyCode. An article by AutoMate
Scientific can be found in Axon Instrument's AxoBits 17 newsletter
outlining these strategies. The appropriate cables for
connection of various systems to the valve controllers are
summarised here.
3.
What
flow rates are possible using the perfusion pencils?
With
just gravity, our perfusion systems can be adjusted between
approx. 0.5 ml per minute and 10 ml per minute. With pressure, you
get more steady flow rate (less variation when the reservoirs are
low) and at least double the flow rate if you want it.
With
a 250 µm Removable Tip and reservoir height of 40 cm
Gravity (empty reservoir)
0.35 ml/min ± 0.05
Gravity (full reservoir) 0.45 ml/min ± 0.05
2 psi air pressure 1.66 ml/min ± 0.14
8 psi air pressure 5.16 ml/min ± 0.04
With
a 100 µm Removable Tip and reservoir height of 40 cm
Gravity 0 ml/min
2 psi air pressure 0.07 ml/min = 4.6 ml/hour
8 psi air pressure 0.25 ml/min = 15 ml/hour
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