1500A

Isolated Muscle System – Microscope Mountable

The Isolated Muscle Systems (1500A, 1510A and 1530A) are highly integrated, turnkey systems providing physiology researchers a simple way to control and measure intact muscle and physiological small tissue samples.

With numerous configuration options, these temperature-controlled systems have the versatility to precisely measure force and length of an array of small tissue types. From engineered tissue constructs to zebrafish, the 1500A system is the serious choice for functional muscle measurements. The glass bottom bath chamber with integrated stimulation electrodes and perfusion permit imaging of the sample while maintaining tissue viability. The apparatus includes XYZ micrometer stages with built-in mounts for our 400A series of force transducers, high-speed length controllers (322C), and our optional Dual-Mode lever systems (300C). The standard system configuration includes everything required to start testing immediately including apparatus, length controller, force transducer, stimulator, data acquisition hardware and our unique real-time Linux control and analysis software.

The force transducer is attached to the muscle through a unique slot in the end of the bath. This provides an ideal configuration for artificial muscle constructs or oxygen consumption studies that require the chamber to be sealed with an available lid. The 1500A system works with most inverted microscope, allowing integration of sarcomere length and biofluorimetry measurements. Pair your 1500A with our FluoroTrack and HVSL/VSL video sarcomere length modules for force, calcium and sarcomere length measurements all synchronized in real time. These advanced features allow researchers to completely characterize small intact muscle tissue performing all of the standard measurements including twitch, tetanus, fatigue, length-tension, force-frequency, force-velocity, stiffness and work loops.

Signal acquisition and data management is handled by our software, including standardized protocols, which transform complex experiments into simple and straightforward measurement. A stand is included with each system for easy storage and adaptation to a standard stereo or inverted microscope.

801C: Small Intact Muscle Apparatus – Microscope Mountable
  • complete Test System with integrated bath apparatus for small intact muscle
  • temperature controlled bath plate (sizes from 400µL to 1900µL)
  • control and measure both force and length
  • can be integrated with Aurora Scientific 900B Sarcomere Length software (HVSL/VSL)
  • compatible with standard and inverted microscopes
  • resolution as low as 0.01µN
  • force ranges from 0.5mN to 1000mN

System Variants

1510A: Isometric Force only variant

1530A: Dual-Mode lever system variant

Stories of Success

801C – Ability to Assess Oxygen Consumption/Customization

CHALLENGE

In 2008 Dr. Carter Ralphe at the University of Wisconsin was attempting to measure force and contractility in his tissue constructs in an oxygen sealed environment. Without the time to develop a custom solution, Dr. Ralphe sought help from equipment suppliers. Unfortunately, he wasted a lot of time and money trying equipment from other manufacturers that didn’t work. Although another manufacturer finally refunded his money it took more time and effort to get them to agree to take back their product.

SOLUTION

Dr. Ralphe consulted with Aurora Scientific for the design of a customized oxygen sealing lid that would work with a modified version of our 801C. The redesign allowed the unit to function in oxygen consumption mode or in a regular bath configuration. The customized chamber also allowed easy integration of Aurora Scientific’s industry leading 400 Series transducers which had the sensitivity required for the small and delicate constructs to be tested.

RESULTS

With this instrument, Dr. Ralphe was able to successfully complete his experiments and go on to publish influential results. He now has two units, expanding his research capabilities. Dr. Ralphe has also recommended the device to other researchers who, themselves, have gone on to publish. The 801C-300 has since become essentially a standard modification and a part of our 1500A series of small intact muscle test systems.

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System Components

315D/322D: High-Speed Length Controllers

315D/322D: High-Speed Length Controllers

The 315D/322D High-Speed Length Controllers give physiologists the ability to control and measure length of single cells, fibers and whole muscle with ease.

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400C: Force Transducers

400C: Force Transducers

The 400C series of force transducers is the next generation of our widely used 400A and 400B series. The 400C series enables contractile measurements from a variety of muscle types and sizes and are designed to meet the needs of muscle researchers.

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300E: Dual-Mode Muscle Levers

300E: Dual-Mode Muscle Levers

Seamless, flexible control of force and length, with the unique ability to measure one or both in a single and convenient lever system.

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600A: Real-Time Muscle Data Acquisition and Analysis System

600A: Real-Time Muscle Data Acquisition and Analysis System

The 600A Digital Controller serves to integrate components and provide the researcher control of system operations, data collection and signal analysis.

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701C: Electrical Stimulator

701C: Electrical Stimulator

Our high-powered, bi-phase stimulator designed for muscle researchers conducting the most demanding field stimulation protocols.

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801C: Small Intact Muscle Apparatus – Microscope Mountable

801C: Small Intact Muscle Apparatus – Microscope Mountable

Highly integrated apparatus, optimally designed to test small, intact muscle contractility

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902A: Laser Diode Sarcomere Length

902A: Laser Diode Sarcomere Length

A simple, easy to use laser diode system designed for measuring sarcomere length in thicker muscle fibres

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950A: Calcium Fluorescence System

950A: Calcium Fluorescence System

The 950A calcium fluorescence system enables physiology researchers to easily measure intracellular calcium along with tissue length, force and sarcomere length.

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608C-LCD Monitor

608C: LCD Monitor

A 22” widescreen LCD monitor providing high quality visualization of data collection

Interested in the 1500A Isolated Muscle System?
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Resources

Parts & Accessories

Model # 1500A
900B Video Sarcomere Length (VSL) measurement system includes camera and VSL software that integrates with the 600A Digital Controller. The included USB camera operates at a frame rate of 80 frames per second (FPS) for full frames and up to a maximum of 1000 FPS for reduced frame sizes. The camera mounts via a C-mount adapter (not provided).
901B High-Speed Video Sarcomere Length (HVSL) measurement system includes camera and HVSL software that integrates with the 600A Digital Controller. The included Gigabit Ethernet camera operates at a frame rate of 300 frames per second (FPS) for full frames and up to a maximum of 4700 FPS for reduced frame sizes. The camera mounts via a C-mount adapter (not provided).
902A Simple laser diffraction instrument consisting of a laser diode assembly and a SL target assembly. The laser diode mounts to a microscope port via a C-mount adapter (not provided). The SL target assembly mounts to the apparatus. The laser shines through an empty objective port on the microscope turret and passes through the tissue. The sarcomeres in the tissue diffract the laser and form a diffraction pattern on the SL target thus indicating the Sarcomere Length. The desired spacing is set visually and no recording is made.
955A Ratiometric calcium software which controls, records and analyses calcium transients. Integrates with 600A and VSL/HVSL to provide a complete software package which provides measurement and control of length, force, sarcomere length and calcium in a single file.
830A Half-rack adapter that allows half-rack instruments to be mounted in standard 19” racking. Works with models: 200B, 315C/322C, 400A series, 701C and 825A.
831A Heavy gauge, steel desktop or shelf-top rack, with standard 19” width for any Aurora Scientific Instruments. Available in various heights. (6U high for 1200A and 1300A, 5U high for 1400A, 1500A and 1600A systems).