Motorised Micromanipulator – MP285 SUTTER INSTRUMENT

Features of the Motorised Micromanipulator – MP285

• 3 motorised axes (stroke: 25 mm)
• A 4th axis for diagonal advancement of the pipette. Simply select the angle and activate the “4th axis” function.
• The quietest electronics on the market have been optimised for single-channel recording.
• Very high stability thanks to very low drift (< 10 nm/hour at 24°C)
• Sub-micrometric resolution ( 0.2 µm for fast displacements and 40 nm for fine displacements) and integrated fast positioning with 2.5 cm motorised travel on all three axes
• Adjustable speed and resolution to optimise experimental set-up
• Programmable robotics for complex motion sequences
• Continuous display (in microns) of axis positions
• Toggle between continuous and step-by-step motion
• Absolute and relative origins
• HOME function for quick repositioning of pipettes/microelectrodes
• Specific axis allocation allowing any orientation defined by the experimenter
• Fluorescent display
• Remote computer control via serial interface
• Compact design easily adaptable to any configuration
• Universal mounting system for pre-amplifiers or pipette/microelectrode holders
  Optional mounting adapters

Applications

• For Patch Clamp recordings
• Extracellular/ intracellular
• Microinjection or robotics

Description of the MP-285 micromanipulator

The MP-285 micromanipulator is one of the first precision motorised micromanipulators in the SUTTER INSTRUMENT range.

Although affordable, it offers advanced features often found only on more expensive manipulators. Equipped with custom-designed stepper motors, precision roller bearing slides and exclusive worm gear capstan drives, it forms the basis of a high-performance mechanical system.

The controller powers the motors linearly and silently to minimise electrical radiation.

The MP-285 is equipped with one of our many unique, rigid mounting systems, accepting all types of pipette/microelectrode and preamplifier.

As with the other three axes, movement can be varied from fast to precise resolution, by selecting movement speed and movement in continuous or incremental step-by-step mode. Selecting the HOME function allows the pipette to be quickly repositioned. Axis positions are displayed continuously in relative and absolute scales, which can be read off the screen.

The MP-285’s extremely low mechanical backlash eliminates the traditional drawbacks of ‘open loop’ technology and eliminates drift. This allows sub-micrometer resolution down to 0.2 microns in fast mode and up to 40 nanometres in accurate mode.

With more than 2.5 cm of motorised travel on the three axes and the virtual ‘fourth axis’ function, the MP-285 allows a wide range of movement while magnifying resolution.

For all our manipulators, the 4th axis can be installed and modified without the need to connect an external computer and download and configure software. Unlike other designs, the MP-285’s 4th axis function is an automated system enabling the electrode to be moved in the direction of its defined inclination with respect to two orthogonal X-Z axes: this is particularly important when you want to reach a site within the thickness of a biological preparation (slice, in vivo, etc.). This function is also possible with the Y-Z configuration used when the manipulator is oriented at 90 degrees. You can also configure a virtual diagonal in the X-Y plane; this mode is particularly useful when the manipulator is configured in 3DMS (3D moving space) and you want to move quickly along the diagonal between two points on a horizontal sample.

Available with a handheld or rack-mounted controller, the MP-285 integrates seamlessly with other components. The MP-285’s compact design and assignable axes allow easy integration for any configuration and orientation. The Rotary Optical Encoder (ROE) provides a comfortable and customised experimental environment for the experimenter.

For experimenters requiring reproducible motion sequences, the MP-285 features robotic control that can be easily programmed from the keyboard or via a remote computer. The system can store up to 500 position instructions, including pauses, and will execute the program of instructions in one go, or in repetitive mode, or even in reverse.