P-97
Flaming/Brown
Micropipette Puller
The Model P-97 micropipette
puller is the latest generation of the Flaming/Brown type
puller for fabrication of micropipettes, patch pipettes and
microinjection needles. While retaining many of the features
on the Model P-87, the P-97 offers improvements in mechanical,
electronic and software design. The result is better control
of the pulling process and a higher degree of reproducibility.
The P-97 combines a proven mechanical system with a sophisticated,
programmable microprocessor controller. This programmable
control of the pulling parameters allows the investigator
to design application specific pipettes from a wide range
of glass compositions and sizes.
A number of new features
have been incorporated in the design of the P-97. One of
the most apparent is the environmental chamber which houses
the area surrounding the heating filament. The environmental
chamber is designed to minimize the effect of changing humidity
on the reproducibility of pulled pipettes. A 25% increase
in power over the previous version allows for the use of
larger heating filaments, larger diameter glass and multi-barreled
glass. The metal jaws that clamp the heating filament have
also been redesigned to minimize heat retention. A gas delivery
mode switch provides for extended cooling for large diameter
and multi-barreled glass. A spring-loaded clamping mechanism
has been added for easier loading of glass. A vacuum fluorescent
display has been added that allows easy viewing from any
direction.
New software improvements
on the P-97 include a display of the total time that the
heat is on to assist in program development and troubleshooting.
Up to 100 programs can now be written and stored in memory,
which makes the P-97 suitable for multiple users. These programs
can now be write-protected, adding security to prevent programs
from being changed or altered inadvertently. When a program
is written and saved, it includes the date it was written
or edited. In addition, the air pressure is included as a
programmable item.
The P-97 contains
a ramp test to overcome the difficulties of program adjustment
when a new filament is installed or to help characterize
a new glass and filament combination. This test allows for
the rapid adjustment of heat values in established programs
and provides estimates for establishing heat settings when
using new sizes or compositions of glass capillaries. As
with all Sutter instruments, the electronics have been carefully
designed to maximize noise rejection.
Features
• Environmental
chamber.
• Programmable air pressure.
• Memory storage for up to 100 programs.
• Write protection lock and date stamp.
• Two symmetrical pipettes with each pull.
• Preprogrammed sample programs for intracellular and patch
pipettes. Special programming on request.
• Ramp test—self test for establishing program heat
settings when a new filament or glass is introduced.
• Vacuum fluorescent display.
• Internal memory test.
• Constant current power supply for filament and pull solenoid.
• Looping pull cycle for fabrication of patch type micropipettes.
• Self-contained air supply with filtration system and humidity
control.
• Consistent and reliable electrodes with tip diameters less
than 0.1um.
• Control over the time and pressure at which the air is delivered.
• Optimized velocity sensing circuit for maximized sensitivity
and reproducibility.
• Quality control,
SEM photograph of a tip pulled with each puller; criterion
is tip measurement less than 0.1um and typically is ~0.06um.
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