Abstract: Patch-clamp amplifiers that may be readily manufactured, may be simple to reconfigure for product updates, and can be quickly reconfigured into a different mode during operation. One example may provide patch-clamp amplifiers that may be readily manufactured by implementing some or all of the compensation and other circuits using digital circuitry. These digital circuits may be implemented using discrete or integrated logic circuits, programmable logic such as field-programmable gate arrays or programmable logic arrays, or other fixed or configurable logic circuits or combination thereof. These programmable logic circuits may be reconfigured by a user or by a manufacturer through firmware or software updates when a product update is desired. These circuits may also be quickly reconfigured to allow rapid switching between modes during use.

Abstract: Patch-clamp amplifiers that may be readily manufactured, may be simple to reconfigure for product updates, and can be quickly reconfigured into a different mode during operation. One example may provide patch-clamp amplifiers that may be readily manufactured by implementing some or all of the compensation and other circuits using digital circuitry. These digital circuits may be implemented using discrete or integrated logic circuits, programmable logic such as field-programmable gate arrays or programmable logic arrays, or other fixed or configurable logic circuits or combination thereof. These programmable logic circuits may be reconfigured by a user or by a manufacturer through firmware or software updates when a product update is desired. These circuits may also be quickly reconfigured to allow rapid switching between modes during use.

Abstract: Patch-clamp amplifiers that may be readily manufactured, may be simple to reconfigure for product updates, and can be quickly reconfigured into a different mode during operation. One example may provide patch-clamp amplifiers that may be readily manufactured by implementing some or all of the compensation and other circuits using digital circuitry. These digital circuits may be implemented using discrete or integrated logic circuits, programmable logic such as field-programmable gate arrays or programmable logic arrays, or other fixed or configurable logic circuits or combination thereof. These programmable logic circuits may be reconfigured by a user or by a manufacturer through firmware or software updates when a product update is desired. These circuits may also be quickly reconfigured to allow rapid switching between modes during use.

Abstract: Patch-clamp amplifiers that may be readily manufactured, may be simple to reconfigure for product updates, and can be quickly reconfigured into a different mode during operation. One example may provide patch-clamp amplifiers that may be readily manufactured by implementing some or all of the compensation and other circuits using digital circuitry. These digital circuits may be implemented using discrete or integrated logic circuits, programmable logic such as field-programmable gate arrays or programmable logic arrays, or other fixed or configurable logic circuits or combination thereof. These programmable logic circuits may be reconfigured by a user or by a manufacturer through firmware or software updates when a product update is desired. These circuits may also be quickly reconfigured to allow rapid switching between modes during use.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for pulling tubular glass, such as pipettes, is disclosed. The invention is generally directed apparatus and techniques for precisely scanning a laser beam on the selected surfaces of the glass tube to uniformly, controllably and programmably soften the tube prior to and during pulling. The invention has application to both vertical and horizontal pullers.

Abstract: An optical system and method for illuminating an object under investigation with filtered light is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system comprises a linear filter array having a plurality of elongate variable bandpass filters. The variable bandpass filters each have a cam follower and are translatable along a longitudinal axis, whereby translation brings a selected filter in line with a beam of light. The cam follower of selected filter engages a cam adjacent to the array. This causes tilting of the filter to a desired angle thereby allowing precise selection of the bandpass frequency of the selected filter. Preferably, the filter can be tilted by an angle of up to 60°. Each elongate filter is preferably substantially rectangular and has a long dimension that is at least about twice the short dimension.

Abstract: An optical system and method for combining multiple beams along a single light path is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of bandpass filters are arranged about the sides of a regular pentagon, the band pass filters being reflective of light wavelengths outside of the bandpass range. A plurality of light sources are positioned such that light from a source passes through an associated bandpass filter, preferably at an angle of about 18°. Light from the first light source passes out of the pentagonal housing after passing through the filter. Light from the other light sources are reflected off of the interior surfaces filters so as to combine with the light from the first light source.

Abstract: An optical system and method for combining multiple beams along a single light path is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of bandpass filters are arranged about the sides of a regular pentagon, the band pass filters being reflective of light wavelengths outside of the bandpass range. A plurality of light sources are positioned such that light from a source passes through an associated bandpass filter, preferably at an angle of about 18°. Light from the first light source passes out of the pentagonal housing after passing through the filter. Light from the other light sources are reflected off of the interior surfaces filters so as to combine with the light from the first light source.

Abstract: An optical system and method for illuminating an object under investigation with filtered light is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system comprises a filter wheel having a plurality of variable bandpass filters. The filter wheel is rotatable about two axis, whereby rotation about the first axis brings a selected filter in line with a collimated beam of white light and rotation about the second axis adjusts the angle of the filter relative to the light beam in order to adjust the bandpass frequencies. A second beam of white light, which may be from a second light source, can also be reflected off of the face of the filter in a manner that illuminates the object with substantially white light. In one embodiment, the object may be alternately or simultaneously illuminated with filtered light or with reflected white light. The filter can be used as a bandstop or band rejection filter to illuminate the object with white light that is missing a narrow frequency band.

Abstract: An optical system and method for illuminating an object under investigation with filtered light is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system comprises a linear filter array having a plurality of elongate variable bandpass filters. The variable bandpass filters each have a cam follower and are translatable along a longitudinal axis, whereby translation brings a selected filter in line with a beam of light. The cam follower of selected filter engages a cam adjacent to the array. This causes tilting of the filter to a desired angle thereby allowing precise selection of the bandpass frequency of the selected filter. Preferably, the filter can be tilted by an angle of up to 60°. Each elongate filter is preferably substantially rectangular and has a long dimension that is at least about twice the short dimension.

Abstract: An optical system and method for illuminating an object under investigation with filtered light is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system comprises a filter wheel having a plurality of variable bandpass filters. The filter wheel is rotatable about two axis, whereby rotation about the first axis brings a selected filter in line with a collimated beam of white light and rotation about the second axis adjusts the angle of the filter relative to the light beam in order to adjust the bandpass frequencies. A second beam of white light, which may be from a second light source, can also be reflected off of the face of the filter in a manner that illuminates the object with substantially white light. In one embodiment, the object may be alternately or simultaneously illuminated with filtered light or with reflected white light. The filter can be used as a bandstop or band rejection filter to illuminate the object with white light that is missing a narrow frequency band.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for pulling tubular glass, such as pipettes, is disclosed. The invention is generally directed apparatus and techniques for precisely scanning a laser beam on the selected surfaces of the glass tube to uniformly, controllably and programmably soften the tube prior to and during pulling. The invention has application to both vertical and horizontal pullers.

Abstract: A highly versatile optical shutter for industrial and scientific applications is disclosed. The has a aperture which defines a light path through the shutter, and a shutter vane or blade that is moved into and out of the light path using a precision, microprocessor controlled motor, such as a stepping motor. Preferably, the motor is mounted on the shutter housing using a shock absorbing material. A control unit associated with the shutter comprises the microprocessor, a motor driver, preferably one which is capable of microstepping the motor, and a non-volatile memory device, such as EEPROM, which stores a plurality of shutter control programs defining different trajectories of the shutter vane. Different programs may be used, for example, to maximize shutter speed or frequency, or to minimize vibrations.

Abstract: A micropipette puller of the type having a laser for heating a length of capillary to be pulled is shown. Before intercepting the capillary, the laser beam is first passed through an aperture to reduce the beam width to a desired size. In one embodiment the aperture is made by a pair of movable shutters allowing the beam width to be adjusted. In this embodiment the spacing between the shutters can be made small in relation to the length of capillary to be heated and the resulting slit scanned back and forth along the capillary. Fixed, removable aperture plates means are also shown.