Scientific Solutions ® Inc.

LabMaster ® products for Axon Voltage Clamp Applications

Scientific Solutions has been providing data acquisision products particularly for whole-cell voltage clamp data acquisition since the early 1980s.

In 1973, The California Institute of Technology (Caltech) introduced the first pClamp applications for controlling and analyzing electrophysiological experiments.  In 1982, these programs were converted to PC-compatible versions and based upon the Scientific Solutions LabMaster products.

In 1984, Caltech licensed the package to Axon Instruments, Inc. for continued commercial development.  The first Axon Instruments TL-1 systems were based upon the Scientific Solutions LabMaster 20009 products.  With the introduction of the DMA version of the LabMaster products in 1987, Axon migrated to using the LabMaster DMA cards in the TL product line.  So some TL systems use the LabMaster 20009, while others use the LabMaster DMA.  The only significant difference is the Direct Memory Access (DMA) feature for Analog-to-Digital recording.

Axon's pClamp DOS software up to version 6.x runs on either the LabMaster 20009 or the LabMaster DMA products.  pClamp software is a comprehensive software package used for acquisition and analysis of electrophysiological data.  The Axon software requires the use of a  "software protection" device called a parallel port key or "dongle" to operate.  This device plugs into the parallel port of your computer.  The dongle is required to configure the sofware, and if the dongle is not present, the Axon software will run in Demo mode, which displays only simulated input and output singlas on the screen.

The Axon TL systems consist of a card for inside the computer and an external TL rackmount unit.  The rackmount unit is generally blue in color and has BNC connections on the font.  The back of the TL unit contains the ribbon cable connections that is used to cable the TL unit to the card in the computer.  The card in the computer is the LabMaster 20009 or LabMaster DMA computer interface card (depending on which version you have).  Inside the TL unit is the LabMaster External ADC card.

Note, another difference between the LabMaster 20009 and the LabMaster DMA is the Timer /Counter header on the PC Interface.  The LabMaster 20009 products use a 40pin header while the LabMaster DMA products use a 50pin header.

A LabMaster 20009 based TL-1 unit has a 40 pin Timer / Counter connection on the back of the TL-1
A LabMaster DMA based TL-1 unit has a 50 pin Timer / Counter connection on the back of the TL-1


You should note:
(1). The current LabMaster DMA will run the pClamp software (up to version 6.x)
(2). Scientific Solutions routinely test, calibrates and repairs TL units
(3). Scientific Solutions can provide you with a DeskTop BNC unit for your needs or alternatively you can choose from a screw-terminal solution.

The Scientific Solutions LabMaster products for the personal computer were first introduced in 1981.  In 1987, DMA capabilities were added and the product name updated to LabMaster DMA - to distinguish from the prevoius non-DMA version.  Besides the DMA features, the LabMaster (also called LabMaster 20009) and LabMaster DMA products are essentially the same.  The current version of the LabMaster DMA uses newer surface mount technology and is a physically smaller circuit board - but remains 100% compatible.  Sold and supported for almost 25 years the LabMaster DMA products are the longest selling and supported computer product of any type.  The product received the first Test & Measurement world "Product of the Decade" for its pioneering role in computer based data acqusition and test and was also acknowledged in the 20th anniversary issue of the IBM pc.  The LabMaster products are the longest selling and supported PC-based products in the world!

The multifunctional LabMaster DMA has analog-to-digital, digital-to-analog, digital I/O, and counter/timer functions with a unique two piece design for exceptional ultra-low noise measurements. 

Used in such diverse applications as Voltage Clamp (pCLamp), EEG/EKG, industrial test/control, gravitational meters, and fluorescence research instrumentation - the LabMaster DMA is available in several models of A/D resolution/speed, amplifier gain, and I/O buffering methods.

Additional Features:
External ADC, DeskTop BNC, screw terminals, header and DB connection units.
Suggested Uses:
Ultra-low Noise acquisitions for medical EEG/EKG, sensor measurements, or  product development and testing.
Software Support:
32-bit kernel-mode Win Device Drivers and function library.

LabMaster DMA / ISA Products for Axon pClamp


Part
Number
Image
Product Overview
More Information


The LabMaster DMA is a family of many different versions and configurations.
Not All Configurations shown, only most popular - ask if you don't see what you need

    Product Includes:

  • LabMaster DMA card for inside the PC
  • External DeskTop unit with the Analog-to-Digital circuitry
  • 50pin ribbon cable to connect PC card to DeskTop unit
  • Inverting and Non-Inverting Digital I/O buffers
  • PDF manual on Diskette
  • LabMaster Series Software Diskette
      Features Include:
  • A/D, D/A, Digital I/O, Counter/Timer
  • 8 or 16bit ISA Bus compatible
  • 16 Analog Inputs (12 or 16 bit resolution, 50Khz or 160Khz speed)
  • Dual 12 bit Analog Output
  • 24 bits of Digital I/O
  • Five 16 bit Counter/Timers
  • DMA transfer of A/D samples to computer memory
  • Precision timed A/D using on-board Counter/Timer
Full Description and Specifications
Frequently Asked Questions
On-line Manual (html)
PDF Manual (download)
814103

LabMaster DMA, 12 bit 160Khz, HGE, w/ Screw Terminals
  • 12 bit, 160Khz Analog-to-Digital Conversion
  • HGE - Hardware Gain = 1 for all Analog Input Channels.
    • Can be changed to any gain using Precision Resistor
  • High Density round cable connection from PC to DeskTop unit
  • ST 64 custom screw terminal with all LabMaster signals


813623









LabMaster DMA, 12 bit 160 Khz. HGE,  Desk Top BNC
  • 12 bit, 160Khz Analog-to-Digital Conversion
  • HGE - Hardware Gain = 1 for all Analog Input Channels.
    • Can be changed to any gain using Precision Resistor
  • High Density round cable connection from PC to DeskTop unit
  • 44 frequently used DMA signals with convenient BNC connectors
    • 16 Analog Input
    •   2 Analog Output
    • 16 Digital I/O
    •   9 Counter Timer functions
    • +5 volt and ground
Full Description and Specifications
814133








LabMaster DMA, 12 bit 160Khz, HGE, RC  w/o enclosure
  • 12 bit, 160Khz Analog-to-Digital Conversion
  • HGE - Hardware Gain = 1 for all Analog Input Channels.
    • Can be changed to any gain using Precision Resistor
  • RC - Ribbon Cable connection from PC to external ADC board
  • For Customers who have their own TL-1 enclosure



LabMaster DPCI, 12bit 160Khz, HGE with LabRack BNC TL-1





LabMaster DMA Accessories for Axon pClamp


Part
Number
Photo
Product Overview
More Information
811990



LabMaster DMA PC Interface
  • PC Interface only (no cables or external unit)
  • Comes with both Inverting and Non-inverting Digital I/O buffers
Full Description and Specifications
Frequently Asked Questions
813570
not for DMA

LabMaster Desktop Screw Termination ST104 (64 Analog Inputs)
with 60pin connection
  • Provides Convenient screw terminals for signals
  • Housed in small DeskTop unit
  • Small unit only 11" wide x 2" tall x 7" deep
  • 64 Analog Input connections
Full Description and Specifications
0821008

Windows Device Drivers and LabPac32 DLL (included with card)
32-bit kernel mode driver
WDM driver supports Win98, 2000, XP
LabPac32.DLL function library
Full Description and Specifications
0821004


LabPac32 Software Application Development Toolkit
  • 32-bit kernel mode driver
  • WDM driver supports Win98, 2000, XP
  • LabPac32.DLL function library with full documentation
  • Software Developer Example software
  • Header files
  • C/C++ open source compilier
Full Description and Specifications
938298



LabMaster DMA  50 position shielded ribbon cable 6 ft.
  • This cable is supplied with the RC version of the LabMaster and is available as a replacement for lost or damaged cables.


938299




LabMaster DMA  50 position shielded ribbon cable 10 ft.
  • 10 ft version of the standard LabMaster DMA shielded cable


0361003

Cable, 68 pin high-density, 6 ft.
  • For use with LabMaster cards using the 68pin connector
  • This cable supplied with the 68pin version LabMaster DMA  and is available as a replacement for lost or damaged cables.

Full Description and Specifications