8 Channel Stimulus Generator

Overview:

The STG4008 Stimulus generator is an eight channel general purpose stimulator which can be used with PowerLab for data acquisition as well as being controlled by a trigger signal from the PowerLab. 

The STG4008 is supplied with:

• High Speed USB 2.0 cable (connects STG4008 to PC)
• 4 x cable with 2 mm and 0.76 mm plugs (red)
• 4 x cable with 2 mm and 0.76 mm plugs (black)
• 1 x shielded 3-pole cable
• 4 x short circuit-cable (black)
• 100-240 V AC mains power unit (specify destination country when ordering).
• MC_Stimulus II Software for Windows ONLY (XP and Vista compatible)
• User guide

Features include:

•    Optically isolated channels
•    An output voltage range of each channel between -8V to +8V (@ ± 20 mA), with a resolution of 1mV
•    An output current range of each channel between -1.6mA to +1.6mA (@ 120 V), with a resolution of 100nA

Also available is the STG4004 4 Channel Stimulus Generator.

Features:

Features:

STG4008 Features include:

• Optically isolated channels
• An output voltage range of each channel between -8V to +8V (@ ± 20 mA), with a resolution of 1mV
• An output current range of each channel between -1.6mA to +1.6mA (@ 120 V), with a resolution of 100nA

Also available is the STG4004  4 Channel Stimulus Generator.

Software:

The Stimulus Generator is supplied with the MC_Stimulus II for Windows only (XP and Vista Compatible). It is a flexible and easy-to-use program which allows the creation of complex stimulus waveforms (both current and voltage).

Waveforms are designed in the program (using a WYSIWYG editor) or imported from an external file.  Any number of pulse shapes can be edited, managed, and stored on your computer, and download to the STG when needed.  Files generated by external programs – either captured by data acquisition programs or derived from complex mathematical functions in ASCII format can be imported into MC_Stimulus II software and downloaded to the stimulus generator.

The waveforms can be “played back” by clicking start in the software, or manually pressing the start button on the stimulus generator, or triggered externally.  Therefore, it is not necessary to have the software program running once the waveforms are downloaded, except when more complex programming are required, the Batch mode as an example.  The purpose of the Batch mode is to download different standard pulse protocol files (programmed waveforms saved in different files) to be downloaded to the stimulus generator and started in sequential order.

Waveforms:

A stimulus worksheet that can be used to program 3 types of waves of any combination and permutation. Comments can also be saved and stimulus worksheets can be printed.

The Waveform Types available include:

1. Rectangular wave: constructed from steps (maximum = 3), where the height and the duration can be adjusted as desired.
2. Ramp wave: constructed from three values, start value of the ramp, the end value of the ramp and the duration.
3. Sine wave: constructed from an amplitude value and period

Operating Modes:

Using the MC_Stimulus II single download or Batch mode the stimulus waveform (after design/selection) is downloaded to the stimulus generator.  In Download mode, the STG is controlled either by the MC_Stimulus II or by a custom program. Stimulus protocols created by MC_Stimulus II or the custom program; complete protocols are downloaded onto the STG, and can be played without a computer connection.

In the Streaming mode you can also control the STG either by the Stimulus Streamer or by a custom program. If you use the Stimulus Streamer, you can load stimulus protocols in Mono-MP3 or binary file format of unlimited size, that were generated by a custom application and are then sent continuously from the computer to the STG in small data packets.

Custom applications for the Download or the Streaming mode can be programmed in Matlab, Labview, C/C++, and Visual Basic.

Triggering:

The STG4008 only recognizes a TTL (transistor-transistor logic)  signal of at least 20us in length and upto 5V.

Applications:

The STG4008 Stimulus Generator is designed to serve a wide variety of applications including:

• in vitro and in vivo neurophysiology
• short term and long term stimulation

The STG4008 is NOT for human application or diagnostic/medical use.

Neuronal Networks:

• Long time stimulation
• Feedback stimulation
• White noise stimulation
• Biological signals as stimulation patterns

Brain Slices:

• Flexible LTP induction patterns
• Studies of synaptic plasticity

Skeletal Muscle:

• Evoked isometric and isotonic contractions

Cardiac Cells and Tissues:

• Study the Influence of artificial pacemakers
• Pace cardiac cell cultures
• Pace tissue preparations such as cardiac slices, Purkinje fibers or papillary muscle
• Mimic cardiac environment during stem cell differentiation

For more information see the Neurophysiology Studies application page.

Specifications: