PCS-6000
Burleigh PCS-6000
Patch-Clamp Micromanipulators
LIFE SCIENCES
TOTAL CONTROL FOR MAXIMUM PRODUCTIVITY IN PATCH-CLAMP EXPERIMENTS
High nanometer-level resolution for extremely precise positioning
Piezoelectric (PZT) design ensures extremely smooth, predictable motion
Long travel motors for coarse positioning to within 2 µm
Negligible drift for ultra-high stability
Fast, easy pipette exchange increases productivity and reduces fatigue
PCS-4100 ready
www.exfo-lifesciences.com
PCS-6000 Series
LEARN WHAT TOTAL CONTROL REALLY MEANS
Is your patch-clamp productivity limited by unpredictable motion? Are you frustrated when a pipette doesn't
respond consistently to your commands? Do you worry about drift after you've successfully patched onto a
cell? Have you had to compromise your experimental design because you couldn't get everything you needed
in one micromanipulator? Try the new PCS-6000 from EXFO and discover what total control means:
Having the flexibility of motors for long travel and the smoothness of PZTs for the final patch
Your fingertip commands are instantly and precisely converted to smooth, predictable motion with no
drift
Being able to choose from a variety of configurations
THE EXFO EDGE
The extremely precise, fast, stiff and stable micropositioning
you get with the PCS-6000 comes from our expertise in
piezoelectric (PZT) technology. For patch-clamp applications
there is nothing smoother than PZT travel. At any point in the
motorized 25mm of travel, you can switch to the PZT mode
and use 150 or 300 µm of PZT travel with nanometer
resolution to move to the final position. No jerky starts and
stops like you've experienced with motorized lead screws. No
drift from fluid expansion, contraction and leakage like you've
tolerated with hydraulic micromanipulators. No more
unpredictable motion from mechanical micromanipulators.
With the PCS-6000, leakage, backlash, compliance and drift
are a thing of the past.
PCS-6000
DESIGNED WITH YOUR PRODUCTIVITY IN MIND
Every aspect of the new PCS-6000 was designed to increase your productivity.
One inch of motorized travel for rapid coarse positioning minimizes the time lag between sample preparation
and performing the experiment
Ultra-precise fine positioning with nanometer precision plus rapid coarse positioning equals dual-axis
capability, exactly what you need in a patch-clamp micromanipulator
Combining long travel motors and PZT travel in one micromanipulator, the PCS-6000 allows you to position
pipettes quickly and precisely, perfect for multiple-patch experiments
All aspects of construction, stage design and cabling have been designed to minimize drift to less than
1 µm / hour
Electrically quiet motors provide negligible noise to interfere with your experiment
Easy to use, intuitive motion controls enable patching to the cell of your choice
Adjustable home positions on the rotary pivot stages remember the angle settings, a vital feature for your
experimental setup
Ergonomic design allows you to focus on your research rather than the equipment
www.exfo-lifesciences.com
www.exfo-lifesciences.com
IT'S ALL ABOUT CHOICE
Cultured cells or brain slice? Choosing the right configuration
for your application.
The optimum micromanipulator axis configuration for patching
cultured cells is different from that used for traditional
brain slice applications. For cultured cell applications
you need configuration C in which the axes are arranged
orthogonally in X,Y and Z. The X and Y axes are used to
position the patch pipette over the cell of interest, then
the Z axis is used to move the pipette down to achieve
the patch.
In traditional brain slice work, the patch pipette moves to
the slice at an approach angle of approximately 20 to 30
degrees, thus the axis configuration is Y (front to back of
the microscope), Z and Approach. We call this configuration T.
Expanding Your Options
Need an additional manipulator for stimulation or perfusion
pipettes or even dual patching?
The fourth motor port on the PCS-6000 controller is
designed to accept the low-cost PCS-4100 micromanipulator. The PCS-4100 is an inexpensive, highly stable
manipulator designed to complement the PCS-6000 or
for stand-alone use. For information on the PCS-4100,
email us at [email protected].
Wide Range of Accessories for Additional Productivity
The PCS-6000 is compatible with a wide range of accessories,
providing maximum flexibility and easy customization.
Accessories include:
Choose C for cultured cells and T for traditional brain slice applications
Steep/Shallow Headstage Adapter - allows orientation of
the headstage and pipette holder at very steep or shallow
angles and simplifies pipette exchange even in the tightest
spaces. Symmetrical design works on the left and right
side of the microscope.
Extension Bracket - when you need a little boost to
achieve perfect pipette position.
Magnetic Base - allows quick positioning on magnetic
surfaces.
Microscope Mounting Solutions - stable, convenient
mounting methods for the most popular fixed stage
upright and inverted microscopes.
PCS-4100 • PCS-6000
SPECIFICATIONS
PIEZO
MOTORIZED
MANUAL
150 µm or 300 µm
25mm nominal
25mm nominal
60 nm (150 µm) or
120 nm (300 µm)
1.6 µm minimum step size
32 threads per
inch lead screw
Directly proportional
to rate knob turns
Continuously variable
between 0.0005mm/sec
(1/2 micron) and 2mm/sec
N/A
<1 µm per hour
<1 µm per hour
<1 µm per hour
Large knobs for Piezo
Joystick for motorized axes
TRAVEL
RESOLUTION
SPEED
STABILITY/DRIFT
OPERATOR I NTERFACE
M ICROMANIPULATOR DIMENSIONS*
7” x 8.5” x 7.5” (length, width, height)
5 lbs. (weight)
* Maximum based on 4-axis motorized version with four piezo drives.
HOW TO ORDER
There are twelve primary configurations for the PCS-6000 based on combinations of three variables: PZT travel,
axis arrangement and position. The various combinations are reflected in the part number, which is structured as
follows:
PCS-6 (200, 300 or 400) - (C or T) - (L or R)
200
300
400
Stage 1
150 µm
300 µm
300 µm
Stage 2
150 µm
150 µm
300 µm
Axis arrangement (C or T) where:
C generally is for cultured cells
T generally is for traditional brain slice work
Stage 3
150 µm
150 µm
300 µm
Position according to microscope (L or R) where:
L is the left side of the microscope
R is the right side of the microscope
Example: PCS-6200-T-L has 150 µm of piezo movement on three axes, is configured for traditional brain slice work
and will be positioned on the left side of the microscope.
To discuss how the PCS-6000 series patch-clamp micromanipulator can improve your productivity, talk to the
experts at EXFO.
EXFO Life Sciences Group > 2260 Argentia Rd., Mississauga, Ontario L5N 6H7 Canada | Tel: 1-905-821-2600 | Fax: 1-905-821-2055 | [email protected]
Tollfree: 1-800-668-8752 (USA & Canada) | www.exfo-lifesciences.com
EXFO Electro-Optical Engineering Inc. > 400 Godin Avenue, Vanier (Quebec) G1M 2K2 Canada | Tel: 1-418-683-0211 | Fax: 1-418-683-2170
EXFO has made every effort to ensure that the information contained in this specification sheet is accurate. However, we accept no responsibility
for any errors or omissions, and we reserve the right to modify design, characteristics and products at any time without obligation.
Contact EXFO for prices and availability or to obtain the phone number of your local EXFO representative.
SPPCS6000.1AN
For Sales, contact:
Olympus America Inc.
Microscopes & Imaging Systems
1-800-446-5967
www.olympusamerica.com/microscopes
Printed in Canada 12/2004