Gastrointestinal (GI) tract or the digestive tract is the system of organs within multicellular animals that is responsible for the functions of ingestion, digestion, absorption, and defecation.
This tract differs substantially from animal to animal. In humans, the upper GI tract consists of the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, and stomach. The lower GI tract comprises the small (duodenum, jejunum and ileum) and large (cecum, colon and rectum) intestines and the anus.
Motility/Pressure StudiesMotility studies in the esophagus, stomach and duodenum can be done using a conventional fluid filled pressure transducer with an esophageal pressure catheter attached.
- For animal studies, the MLT844 Physiological Pressure Transducer is recommended.
- For research using human subjects, a sterile, disposable transducer is recommended. The MLT0670 Blood Pressure Transducer is a disposable, light-weight transducer that is supplied in a sterile package, however, ADInstruments does not guarantee the integrity or the sterility of the transducer and therefore MUST be gas sterilized prior to use with humans.
The function of the transducer is to convert the pressure changes in the catheter to an electrical signal. As these electrical signals (pressure) are very small in amplitude, a bridge amplifier is required to amplify the signal to enable accurate recording, display and analysis of the signal. ADInstruments bridge amplifiers have the advantage of being fully software controlled by LabChart or Scope, with a range of filtering options available to remove unwanted signal artifacts. Many other brands and models of transducer can be used with an ADInstruments Bridge Amp and a PowerLab data acquisition system.
EMG/Neural StudiesPowerLab data acquisition systems are ideal for recording a wide variety of gastrointestinal biopotential signals (with an appropriate bioamplifier or extracelluar amplifier) such as myoelectrical migrating complexes and esophageal EMG.
LabChart
LabChart software (for Windows and Macintosh) combines the familiar simplicity of a traditional strip chart recorder with the powerful analysis features of a digital acquisition system. LabChart software and a PowerLab data acquisition unit provide data integrity, easy selection of hardware settings, powerful online and offline analysis, procedure automation, seamless extraction of experimental data and flexible display options. Acquisition and analysis capabilities can be further increased with LabChart Extensions and LabChart Modules. LabChart Modules are available as part of LabChart Pro and LabChart Extensions are free for download from the website for existing LabChart users.GLP and 21 CFR Part 11For those researchers working within a laboratory requiring GLP and 21 CFR Part 11 compliance the
GLP Client and GLP Server are available for use with LabChart (Windows only) and PowerLab data acquisition systems. For more information, visit the
Good Laboratory Practice application page or contact your nearest ADInstruments representative.
Bridge AmplifiersMost of the transducers used require a suitable preamplifier (usually a bridge amplifier) before the signal can be accurately recorded by PowerLab data acquisition system. Suitable amplifier units available from ADInstruments include the:
All Bridge Amps and BP Amp connect directly to a PowerLab data acquisition system.
TransducersADInstruments provide a great variety of transducers that includes:
Bio Amplifiers The biopotentials are typically very small in amplitude (mV). Therefore accurate recording, display and analysis of an EMG require a suitable bioamplifier. ADInstruments offer a range of Bio Amplifiers, when connected a PowerLab data acquisition unit and, are certified safe for use with humans or used with animals. These bioamplifiers are fully software-controlled using LabChart or Scope. The following ADInstruments' biological amplifiers are fully isolated for connection to human or animal subjects:
Human EMGThe following ADInstruments' biological amplifiers are externally certified to comply with international safety standards and are fully isolated for connection to human subjects:
ML132 Bio Amp ML135 Dual Bio Amp ML408 Dual Bio Amp/Stimulator The Bio Amp, Dual Bio Amp and Dual Bio Amp/Stimulator are manufactured for use with PowerLab data acquisition systems and are fully software-controlled by LabChart or Scope. These Bio Amps cannot be used for recording 3 or more biopotentials on a single subject; however, they may be used for multiple subjects that have separate grounding leads. For recording more than 3 biopotentials from a single subject see below:
Multiple-Channel EMG RecordingsADInstruments also provides multiple channel bioamplifiers that connect directly to PowerLab data acquisition systems. These units are also fully-isolated, and independently certified, for connection to human subjects. The multi-channel bioamplifiers are particularly suited for exercise physiologists that wish to record multiple channels of EMG (Quadricep, Calf, Bicep, Tricepetc) while a subject exercises.
ML138 Octal Bio Amp - A differential amplifier that consists of eight electrically isolated differential input AC amplifiers
- A shared ground connection across all eight inputs.
- Supplied with two packets of MLA0310 Lead Wires (1.8 m, 10 snap on)
GT201/F 16 Channel Bio Amp - A fully isolated, 16 channel stand-alone biological amplifier that consists of 8 modules, with each module containing two channel amplifiers that share a common ground input
- Suitable for unipolar and bipolar recordings
- Electrodes are NOT supplied and must be ordered separately
- Suitable electrodes and lead wires include the:
Animal EMG
The following ADInstruments' biological amplifiers for use with animals (i.e. pithed toad, or anaesthetized rat/mouse) only:
ML136 Animal Bio Amp - An isolated, high performance and software-controlled differential amplifier
- Has three 2mm input sockets allow the direct connection of electrodes to this amplifier
- Supplied with MLA1215 Animal Bio Lead Wires
- Also suitable for use with
Multiple channel EMG may be recorded using the ML138 Octal Bio Amp or GT201/F 16 Channel Bio Amps that connect directly to the MLA1505 Lead Wires that terminate in alligator clips or the MLA1203 Needle Electrodes.
AccessoriesBio Amp cables:
Leads compatible with both shielded (MLA2340 & MLA2540) and unshielded (MLA1340 & MLA1540) cables:
Leads compatible with shielded cables (MLA2340 & MLA2540) only:
Leads that directly connect to the Dual Bio Amp
Leads that directly connect to the Animal Bio Amp
Electrodes:
Consummables: