Burleigh® offers unique Piezoelectric micromanipulator and microscope mounting solutions that combine unparalleled precision and control with ultimate stability essential for life science applications. Trusted by researchers worldwide, Burleigh® leverages our extensive expertise to deliver superior solutions with maximum performance and productivity for advanced research.

Shallow
Steep

Steep pipette angles are often desired to minimize the length of the electrode in solution with the typical angle being greater than 45 degrees. The shorter the length of the pipette in solution, the lower the stray capacitance and the lower the electrical noise measure while recording. On a typical inverted microscope, the maximum approach angle is limited by the interference of the headstage with the condenser. The Steep/Shallow Bracket holds the headstage so that the clearance with the condenser is maximized.

Shallow pipette angles are typically needed when working with brain slices on an upright, fixed stage microscope. The optimum angle allows an electrode to be moved in a straight line over the brain slice chamber and under the microscope objective without breaking the glass pipette. The typical angle is 15 to 25 degrees. The Steep/Shallow Headstage Bracket extends the headstage closer to the brain slice chamber and away from the manipulator. This extended design also makes it easier to arrange several patch manipulators around one brain slice.

The manual linear slide of this bracket, having three inches of travel, allows the pipette to be easily removed from the preparation and a new pipette quickly and easily inserted, without losing "home place". The slide has repeatable stops at both ends of travel and is easily locked by rotating the locking handle. The location of the end-stop is set by moving the dovetail-mounted base of the slide. Using this dovetail mount, the extended location of the headstage and pipette can be set at any distance in only a few seconds. To exchange pipettes, you first simply slide the headstage and pipette back using the linear slide on the Steep/Shallow Headstage Bracket. The next step is to rotate the micromanipulator base out using the base pivot. You then change the pipette, rotate the base pivot back to the repeatable stop and slide the headstage back to home position.