Product Information

You can attach a motorised Scientifica IVM manipulator to a Kopf stereotaxic frame using the right-angled Kopf mount.

The smallest table suitable for most electrophysiology patch clamp setups is around 30 × 36 inches (70 × 90 cm). This footprint can accommodate a microscope, manipulators, and essential accessories. However, larger systems- especially those using Dodt/gradient contrast tubes, optogenetics modules, or bulky stimulation hardware - may require additional space. Choosing a table with tapped mounting holes provides greater flexibility for positioning equipment and helps maintain a stable, low-vibration layout for reliable, reproducible recordings. Chat to one of our team to discuss your specific experimental requirements.

900 nm IR-DIC is often preferred for retinal tissue, as it minimises visible light exposure and reduces the chance of activating photosensitive cells. In brain slices, the choice depends on tissue thickness and myelination. Older or more heavily myelinated slices scatter shorter wavelengths more strongly, so 900 nm can provide deeper penetration and clearer contrast. However, 900 nm optics are typically more expensive and may increase tissue heating. 775 nm remains a reliable, versatile choice for most standard slice preparations.

NIR (775 nm) is best for most acute slices and thick tissue, offering strong IR-DIC contrast, good penetration and high camera sensitivity.

Far-IR (900 nm) is useful when tissue is highly scattering, you need deeper imaging, or want to minimise interference with optogenetic wavelengths.

Scientifica systems support both options, and our team can help match the wavelength to your sample and workflow.

In most cases, yes. Patch clamp amplifiers and DAQ systems are generally compatible as long as the rig provides appropriate mounting, grounding, and cable-routing options. A good mechanical and electrical layout helps minimise noise and ensures clean signals.

Scientifica rigs work with all major patch clamp amplifiers and DAQ systems, and our team can help you integrate your existing hardware into a new setup.

Choose a stage based on which part of the rig you want to move - the microscope, the sample, or the micromanipulators. Stages may be fixed or motorised, and different sizes suit different workflows depending on how much equipment surrounds the sample. The stage must provide high rigidity, low drift, and good access for patch clamp. Scientifica offers a range of stages designed for stable, flexible electrophysiology setups, allowing you to select the configuration that best fits your experiment.

Yes. Many labs upgrade existing electrophysiology systems by adding Scientifica manipulators, platforms, cameras, or motorised modules to improve stability, control, and overall reliability. Because Scientifica equipment is modular and mechanically compatible with most rigs, researchers can modernise specific components - such as manipulators or staging - without replacing the entire setup. This offers a cost-effective way to boost performance while maintaining familiar workflows and existing hardware.

Lighting and illumination directly affect contrast, image sharpness, and stability during pipette positioning. IR illumination is essential for deep tissue imaging in slices, while low-vibration LED light sources minimise flicker and thermal drift that can disrupt focus or introduce noise. The illumination must be stable, uniform, and compatible with contrast methods like IR-DIC, fluorescence, or oblique illumination. Stability and adjustability are also critical for fluorescent imaging. Excessive power can cause phototoxicity, which damages the sample. Equally, signal-to-noise is improved through lower simulation power levels. Scientifica illumination systems provide low-noise, consistent, controllable, and uniform lighting optimised for electrophysiology imaging.

Yes. Scientifica stages and platforms include modular mounting hardware that adapts to most upright and inverted microscope frames, making them excellent upgrade components for older or mixed-brand rigs. Integrating a Scientifica platform can greatly improve mechanical stability, pipette access, and overall usability without requiring a full system replacement. Many labs modernise existing rigs by adding Scientifica staging to reduce drift and increase experimental success.

A good electrophysiology camera needs low read noise, high sensitivity, and a frame rate of over 24fps to visualise cells and pipette tips clearly without artefacts. IR sensitivity is especially important when using IR-DIC or Dodt contrast for slice physiology. The camera must remain stable under low-light conditions to support precise pipette targeting and long recordings. Camera chip performance is affected by temperature, and therefore, temperature stability is critical. Often this is managed with a fan, but this can introduce vibration, which isn't ideal for patching. Others use water cooling, but again, this can cause noise or complications. The best electrophysiology camera has passive heat management without complex moving parts. Scientifica’s SciCam+ delivers high-contrast, low-noise IR imaging, enabling accurate positioning and reliable, consistent electrophysiology data.

Patch clamp rigs benefit from vibration-isolated tables, rigid platforms, grounded Faraday enclosures, and controlled cable routing to minimise both mechanical and electrical interference. A stable base reduces baseline noise and helps maintain gigaseals during long recordings. Scientifica platforms and staging are engineered for ultra-low mechanical noise and integrate easily with isolation tables and Faraday shielding to create a quiet, stable environment for high-quality patch clamp data.

To reduce electrical noise in patch clamp recordings, start by checking grounding, cable routing, amplifier shielding, and perfusion flow, then isolate components one at a time to identify the source. Minimising ground loops, avoiding cable movement, and keeping signal paths short and clean are essential for low-noise performance. Scientifica rigs are engineered for ultra-low electrical noise and high patch-clamp sensitivity, and our team can help diagnose and resolve persistent noise issues. Some of the most common sources are components that were not designed for electrophysiology, such as light sources, cameras, perfusion systems, or other accessories.

Mechanical stability is essential in patch clamp because even tiny movements can break gigaseals, change access resistance, or cause baseline drift. Any instability - from manipulators, stages, microscopes, or the rig frame- reduces reliable, reproducible, high-quality data. The system must act as one rigid unit. Integrated rigs with matched components minimise vibration and thermal drift, keeping pipette-cell alignment stable during long or multi-patch recordings.

Yes. A single rig can support both in vitro and in vivo electrophysiology when it uses modular optics, removable substage components, and flexible mounting positions. This allows the system to switch between slice preparations and in vivo work without compromising pipette access, working distance, or mechanical stability. Scientifica rigs, including the SliceScope Pro 1000 & 6000, are designed for seamless reconfiguration, making it possible to run both experiment types on one platform.

Scientifica electrophysiologists and engineers collaborate with your team to design rig layout, plan cable routing, optimise perfusion placement and choose the right configurations for your workflows. Installation includes mechanical assembly, optical alignment, noise testing and hands-on user training. This ensures that the system delivers stable, reliable performance right away.

Yes. Scientifica rigs are modular and upgradeable, allowing you to add extra manipulators, new cameras, updated optical modules, or advanced control electronics as your research evolves. This protects long-term investment and ensures your system can adapt to new electrophysiology or imaging techniques. Scientifica systems are forward-compatible, making it easy to expand capability without replacing the entire rig. Chat to one of our team to discuss the best-suited system for your current and future research plans.

Yes. Scientifica rigs are modular and can be customised for a wide range of applications, including slice physiology, cultured cell patching, in vivo electrophysiology, multi-patch workflows, and imaging-assisted experiments. Components such as manipulators, stages, optical modules, and illumination systems can be added or reconfigured while preserving the rig’s mechanical stability. This flexibility allows researchers to tailor their setup without sacrificing performance.

Integrated rigs improve stability because every component is designed to work together mechanically. In mixed-brand or custom setups, small differences in material stiffness, mounting geometry, or mechanical coupling can introduce drift or vibration. Integrated systems minimise these pathways and keep pipettes, the sample, and the optics in fixed alignment throughout the experiment. Scientifica rigs use matched components that maintain stable mechanical relationships, ensuring reliable performance during long and delicate patch clamp recordings.

Turnkey rigs eliminate the risk of vibration, mechanical mismatch or optical misalignment that often arises in self-assembled systems. They also dramatically reduce setup time because all components have already been tested for stability, compatibility and noise performance. Scientifica turnkey rigs allow researchers to begin experiments immediately with confidence that their system is optimised for patch clamp.

An integrated electrophysiology rig is a complete system where the microscope, manipulators, stage, illumination, perfusion and control electronics are engineered to work together as one stable platform. This removes compatibility problems seen in mix-and-match setups and ensures all mechanical relationships remain fixed during recording. Scientifica upright and inverted rigs are designed this way to provide reliable performance for patch clamp and imaging-assisted workflows.

Patch clamp electrophysiology requires a stable microscope and staging, precise micromanipulators, a low-noise patch clamp amplifier, a vibration-controlled platform, and good perfusion and temperature regulation. Most setups also include IR-DIC optics, a high-sensitivity camera, pipette holders, a micropipette puller, and acquisition software. Scientifica supplies complete patch clamp rigs and standalone components, allowing researchers to build reliable, high-performance electrophysiology systems.

You can mount a Neuronexus (Neuropixels) probe on a Scientifica IVM micromanipulator using the Dovetail Probe Holder accessory, which provides the stability and precision needed for accurate probe placement. For Neuropixels specifically, you’ll need the appropriate accessory: HOLDER_1000_C for Neuropixels 1.0 or HOLDER_2000_C for Neuropixels 2.0.

Pipette stability during long electrophysiology recordings depends on a rigid platform, low-drift micromanipulators, stable temperature, and avoiding any physical disturbance after forming a seal. Even tiny movements can change access resistance or break a gigaseal. Using thermally stable materials, stiff mounting, and precise mechanical drives helps maintain long-term stability. Scientifica manipulators and platforms are engineered to minimise drift and keep pipettes steady throughout extended patch clamp recordings.

Patch clamp requires sub-micron to nanometre-level movement resolution, particularly during pipette approach, gigaseal formation, and fine repositioning. Any coarse steps or sudden motion can rupture the membrane or prevent stable whole-cell access. High resolution and smooth, predictable motion are essential for reliable recordings. Scientifica manipulators provide nanometre-scale precision and controlled movement profiles, ensuring the accuracy needed for reproducible patch clamp experiments.

To check for drift, position the pipette near a fixed landmark - such as debris, a cell edge, or grid line - and watch for movement over several minutes under normal experimental conditions. Any shift usually indicates thermal drift, mechanical relaxation, or a loose mounting point. Repeat the test after small temperature changes or after moving the manipulator to confirm the source. Scientifica manipulators are engineered for ultra-low drift, and our support team can help diagnose any unwanted movement.

Yes. Scientifica manipulators mount onto most existing microscopes, stages, and rig configurations using modular hardware. This makes them excellent upgrade components for older or mixed-brand setups, improving stability and control without requiring a full system replacement. Labs frequently modernise legacy rigs by adding Scientifica manipulators.

The approach angle influences how the pipette interacts with the membrane and tissue and determines the ease of forming a clean, high-resistance seal. Too steep an angle can reduce visibility or access under a microscope objective, while too shallow can limit access in thick tissue. Scientifica manipulators and adjustable brackets allow researchers to tune approach geometry for slices, culture, in vivo, or cardiomyocyte patch clamp.

Manipulator stability is crucial in patch clamp because any drift or vibration can move the pipette relative to the cell, breaking gigaseals and destroying experiments. This is especially important during long recordings, synaptic physiology, or experiments using multiple pipettes, where even tiny shifts affect data quality. Scientifica manipulators use rigid, low-noise mechanical architectures designed to minimise thermal drift and mechanical relaxation, ensuring stable pipette positioning throughout demanding patch clamp experiments for high-quality data acquisition.

Yes. Motorised micromanipulators provide finer control, smoother motion, and remove the vibration caused by touching the manipulator during manual adjustments. This is especially important for whole-cell, dendritic, or multi-patch workflows where slow, precise pipette approach improves sealing success. Motorisation also enables repeatable, nanometre-scale movements that support long-term recording stability. Scientifica’s motorised manipulators deliver highly controlled, low-noise motion that enhances performance for reliable, reproducible, high-quality patch clamp data.

Motorised microscope control reduces vibration by eliminating the need to touch the rig during patch clamp recordings, helping protect gigaseals and maintain stability. It also enables smooth, repeatable positioning for reliable, reproducible, high-quality data. Scientifica’s motorised modules provide low-noise, high-precision motion that preserves optical and mechanical stability throughout long patch clamp experiments. Motorised often suggests remote control, useful when the preparation is in a dark or sealed space where it is difficult for the user to get hands-on. It also allows unique features such as saving memory positions for visualisation, stimulation, or pipette following, so pipettes are always available relative to the field of view.

Scientifica microscopes are compatible with a wide range of Olympus objectives, including IR-DIC, water-immersion, and long-working-distance lenses commonly used for patch clamp and high-contrast imaging. These objectives provide the numerical apertures, working distances, and optical components needed for electrophysiology workflows. They are also physically smaller than some other options, which allows easier pipette access. Our team can help you choose the ideal objective set for your Scientifica rig and experimental requirements.

Scientifica microscopes are compatible with a wide range of scientific cameras, including IR-sensitive sCMOS and CCD models used for electrophysiology. This covers cameras optimised for IR-DIC, low-light imaging, fluorescence, and high-speed pipette tracking. Common options such as SciCam+, Hamamatsu, and Photometrics integrate easily via standard adapters. Our team can recommend the best camera for your rig and experimental workflow.

Yes. Many upright microscopes can integrate multiphoton scanners, high-power illumination, or optogenetic stimulation modules as long as the mechanical frame is rigid enough to handle additional optical load. Stability is essential to prevent movement during imaging-assisted patching. Scientifica microscopes can support multiphoton, optogenetics, confocal imaging, and widefield fluorescence without compromising electrophysiology stability.

In an upright microscope, the objective sits above the sample (with some preparations dipping into the sample "chamber liquid"), and the condenser is below the sample, making it ideal for thick tissue such as acute brain slices, where pipettes approach from above. In an inverted microscope, the objective is beneath the sample with the condenser above, providing better access to cultured cells, cardiomyocytes, and iPSC-derived preparations that benefit from high-NA bottom illumination.

Scientifica microscopes are available in both configurations, depending on your sample type and workflow.

The best microscope for in vivo electrophysiology is a stable fixed-stage upright system that offers wide sample access and enough room for micromanipulators, behavioural equipment, stereotaxic frames, and heating systems. Long-working-distance objectives and appropriate illumination are also key considerations. The Scientifica VivoScope is optimised for recording from awake, behaving in vivo preparations, providing the stability and access required for high-quality data.

The right contrast method depends on your sample. IR-DIC and Dodt gradient contrast give excellent visibility in acute slices and thick tissue, providing a very 3D-type image. Brightfield or phase contrast is usually sufficient for cultured cells, cardiomyocytes, or other monolayers. Make sure your microscope supports the required optics, such as DIC prisms, Dodt illumination, or phase rings, needed for your preparation. Scientifica microscopes support a wide range of contrast techniques, and our team can help you match the best method to your sample and workflow. Typically, a system uses 775nm IR light, but 850 or 900nm can also be used, particularly with highly myelinated or scattering tissues, such as from older specimens. DIC is the most commonly used and requires less light intensity than Dodt. Dodt can have advantages when it's important to collect very weak signals from fluorescent samples.

Upright microscopes are required for acute brain slices or thick tissue up to 500nm because they provide excellent IR-DIC and fluorescence imaging, allowing clear visualisation of your patch pipette before interacting with your sample. Inverted microscopes work best for adherent cultures, cardiomyocytes, and iPSC-derived cells, in very thin or monolayer configurations, where bottom illumination and high-NA objectives support high-resolution targeting. Inverted microscopes offer easier access with steeper pipette angles. Scientifica systems are engineered to give stable performance in either configuration, depending on your specific preparation.

A microscope for electrophysiology must deliver exceptional mechanical stability and minimal drift to keep pipettes and samples aligned. High rigidity is critical because even small movements can disrupt gigaseals, especially during whole-cell or dendritic recordings. Any electronic components must be extremely low-noise. Scientifica microscopes combine rigid and generous pipette access, making them ideal for patch clamp and imaging-assisted workflows.

Scientifica specialises in precision-engineered electrophysiology equipment for research laboratories. We provide complete integrated systems, modular components, and expert guidance to help researchers achieve reliable, reproducible results across a wide range of experimental applications. Our solutions are developed in close collaboration with the research community to support both current experiments and future research needs.