Working with biological cells and tissues
The HEKA ELP 3 is an Electrochemical Probe Scanner with integrated inverted microscope optics. It enables the work with live biological tissues and cells. Special electrochemical cells allow the work under physiological conditions.
The HEKA ELP 3 system combines electrochemical scanning probe techniques, such as SECM and SICM with optical microscopy, fluorecence imaging and calicium imaging. With a combination of these techniques new insights in the fields of biophysics, neurochemistry, electrophysiology and biochemistry can be gained.
The HEKA ElProScan is an integrated system, which allows control of all components, electrochemical experiments, microscope and optical detection system by one software. This guarantees perfect synchronization.
The HEKA ElProScan uses the Ultrapotentiostat PG 611 USB with external preamplifier for low current low noise recordings to even detect the smallest signal changes. For people who prefer to use our patch clamp amplifier EPC 10 USB, we have customized solutions.
The HEKA ElProScan features a positioning system with a large travel range and a resolution in the nanometer range. High precision is achieved by closed-loop linear encoders. The inverse microscope can be equipped with research-grade scientific cameras and illumination systems.
The whole ElProScan system is controlled by our well established POTMASTER software and the embedded ElProScan extension. POTMASTER is a data acquisition program that provides sophisticated tools for waveform generation, data review and editing as well as online analysis.
Features:
- High precision positioning system with a combination of DC servo motors and piezo translator
- DC motors use linear encoders
- piezo translator is closed-loop controlled for precise height control of the probe
- Large travel and scan range in XYZ (100 mm/75 mm/50 mm) + Z-piezo (100µm)
- motor resolution XYZ 10 nm, 1.5 nm for Z-piezo.
- Real-time encoder based position control
- Time, position and electrochemical signals are synchronized
- Integrated inverse microscope
- motorized focus axis
- visualization of cells and easy positioning of the microelectrode above the cell
- suitable for fluorescence and calcium imaging
- Unique Bipotentiostat PG 618 USB for highest quality measurements of electrochemical signals
- preamplifier for low-current low-noise current recordings
- Powerful Software POTMASTER
- control and synchronization of external devices, such as an multi-wavelengths illumination system
- automatic tip down with threshold control, 2D scan in XYZ, 3D scan, matrix scan and template scan
- slope correction
- constant-height and constant-distance scans (using Shear Force Hopping or Surface Tracking, DC Hopping and z-modulated Hopping)
- Matrix Scan with freely programmable electrochemical methods
- freely programmable illumination pattern
- Individual potential programs with the programmable free waveform generator
- Supports state-of-the-art e-SPM Techniques:
- Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy (SECM)
- Scanning Photoelectrochemical Microscopy (SPECM)
- Scanning Ion Conductance Microscopy (SICM)
- Scanning Electrochemical Cell Microscopy (SECCM)
- Scanning Microcapillary Contact Method (SMCM)
- Scanning Kelvin Probe (SKP)
- Simultaneous Surface Topography Mapping via Constant Distance Scan
- Shear-force-regulated Surface Tracking
- Spatially-resolved SECM synchronized with Micro-spectroscopy
- Combination with fluorescence imaging calcium imaging
Featured applications for ELP 3
- In situ imaging of extracellular ROS/RNS at the single cell level
- Label-free study of respiration activity
- Detection of neurotransmitters, hormones and metabolites by Fast-Scan Cyclic Voltammetry
- High-resolution non-contact topography imaging of single cells
- Study of multi-drug resistance in cancer cells
- Investigation of redox state of single cells
- Study of permeability of biological materials and membranes
- Combined optical microscopy with localized electrochemical detection
Other applications
- Real OCP-measurements of catalytic materials
- Imaging of local pH gradients
- Imaging of enzyme activity in biological membranes
- Imaging of exocytosis
- Surface investigation in organic and aqueous solutions under temperature control
- Metal deposition in the micrometer/nanometer scale (galvanic and electroless)
- Local deposition of conductive polymers on surfaces in organic or aqueous solvents
- Electrochemical Sensors
- Energy-related Materials and Devices
- Corrosion-related Materials and Processes
- Environmental Science and Nanotechnology
- Shear Force Unit
- Platinum Microdisk Electrodes
- Microscope Objectives
- Video Imaging System
- CCD Imaging System
- Fluorescence Excitation
- Light Sources
- Warner Temperature-controlled electrochemical cells
- Wavelength Switcher
- Vibration Isolation
- Electrical Shielding
- Elproscan Brochure
- ELP 3 Manual (available on request)