1515A
Intact Myocardial Slice System – Microscope Mountable
The Intact Myocardial Slice System is a highly integrated, turnkey system providing cardiovascular and physiology researchers a simple and accurate way to create, control and measure living myocardial slice (LMS) samples.
Our Intact Myocardial Slice System has precise temperature control and several bath and instrument configurations providing versatility to precisely measure force and tissue length in an array of tissue types in addition to Myocardial slices. From intact heart slices to engineered tissue constructs, whole skeletal muscle and zebrafish, the 1515A system is the serious choice for muscle function measurements. The glass bottom bath chamber seamlessly integrates adjustable stimulation electrodes and perfusion needles permit imaging of the sample while maintaining tissue viability. The apparatus includes XYZ micrometer stages with built-in mounts for our 400C series force transducers, high-speed length controllers (315D/322D), and optionally the Dual-Mode lever systems (300E). The standard system configuration includes everything required to start testing immediately including apparatus, length controller, force transducer, cardiac slices holders, stimulator, data acquisition hardware and our new real-time Linux control and analysis software (602A) specifically designed for cardiac research based upon the powerful Windkessel model. Optionally, the 1515A system can be configured to include a Campden Instruments world class 9000smz Vibrating Microtome to produce high quality cardiac slices for living myocardial slice mechanics.
The slice system will work with most inverted microscopes with a flat, 3-plate stage, which allows integration of sarcomere length and imaging measurements. These advanced features allow researchers to completely characterize living cardiac slice tissue performing all of the standard measurements including twitch, length-tension, pressure-volume (PV) loops, cardiac cycle, stiffness, force-velocity and more using our 602A Cardiac Data Acquisition and Analysis system.
Signal acquisition and data management is handled by our software, including standardized protocols and twitch based anaylsis 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.
System Variants
1500A: Standard variant
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.
Select References
- DeWinter, Josine M. et al. “Troponin activator augments muscle force in nemaline myopathy patients with nebulin mutations.” Journal of Medical Genetics (2013) DOI: 10.1136/jmedgenet-2012-101470
- van der Pijl et al. “Titin-based mechanosensing modulates muscle hypertrophy” Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle (2018) DOI: 10.1002/jcsm.12319
- Bennett et al. “RNA helicase, DDX27 regulates skeletal muscle growth and regeneration by modulation of translational processes” PLoS Genetics (2018) DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007226
- Garibaldi et al. “Novel ACTA1 mutation causes late-presenting nemaline myopathy with unusual dark cores” Neuromuscular Disorders (2021) DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2020.11.012
- Chung et al. “Myocardial relaxation is accelerated by fast stretch, not reduced afterload” Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology (2017) DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2017.01.004
- Lee et al. “Mechanical Properties of Single Muscle Fibers: Understanding Poor Muscle Quality in Older Adults with Diabetes” Annals of Geriatric Medicine and Research (2020) DOI: 10.4235/agmr.20.0078
- Weidner at al. “Impact of lengthening velocity on the generation of eccentric force by slow-twitch muscle fibers in long stretches” Pflügers Archiv - European Journal of Physiology (2024) DOI: 10.1007/s00424-024-02991-4
- Hessel et al. “Fast myosin binding protein C knockout in skeletal muscle alters length-dependent activation and myofilament structure” Communications biology (2024) DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06265-8
- Davis, Jonathan P. et al. “Effects of thin and thick filament proteins on calcium binding and exchange with cardiac troponin C.” Biophysical Journal (2007) DOI: 10.1529/biophysj.106.095406
- Manders, Emmy et al. “Diaphragm weakness in pulmonary arterial hypertension: role of sarcomeric dysfunction.” American Journal of Physiology-Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology (2012) DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00135.2012
System Components
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
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
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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602A: CardioLoop Data Acquisition and Analysis System
The 602A CardioLoop Data Acquisition and Analysis System serves to integrate components and provide the researcher with a twitch based software employing a cardiac cycle module based on the windkessel model of the heart.
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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
Highly integrated apparatus, optimally designed to test small, intact muscle contractility
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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
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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655A: CardioLoop Data Acquisition and Analysis Software
A powerful, real-time twitch based software with cardiac cycle module based on the windkessel model of the heart.
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608C: LCD Monitor
A 22” widescreen LCD monitor providing high quality visualization of data collection
Resources
Parts & Accessories
| Model # | 1515A |
|---|---|
| 901D | The High-Speed Video Sarcomere Length (HVSL) system provides high-speed, accurate sarcomere length measurement from a live video image. Our 901D HVSL system uses a high-resolution, USB 3.0 camera to provide full-frame images (1280×1024) at up to 300 frames per second. This frame rate increases to 3,000 frames per second when the camera is windowed down to 16 pixel lines. Image capture and sarcomere length data can be controlled by our 600A Digital Controller software which runs on a real-time Linux operating system. |
| 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: 315D/322D, 400C series, 701D and 825B. |
| 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). |