In-Vitro Stimulation Coils
Jaltron supplies a full range of stimulating coils for in-vitro stimulation. Two such coils are shown above.
Linear fan cooled concave coil is shown above on the left. It uses a circular concave winding to generate uniform magnetic field inside petri dishes. The tray has staggered steps that allows the positioning of 40mm, 50mm, 60mm, 70mm, 80mm and 90mm diameter petri dishes. If uniformity of magnetic field intensity is important, we recommend the use of 50mm diameter petri dish.
The winding is cooled using a very low noise fan drawing air from underneath and passing it out via the sides. For more intensive applications the low noise fan section underneath can be replaced with a taller and higher throughout fan. Please note that this will increase ambient noise.
Linear coils induce their current in a circular pattern mainly around the periphery of the petri dish resulting in zero current at the center. The entire dish is exposed to the same magnetic field, but only the periphery is exposed to time varying electric field. If the mechanism of action is thought to be due to the magnetic field then the effect would be uniform. On the other hand, if the mechanism is due to the induced current, activity will be at a minimum at the center.
Figure of eight cooled petri dish coil is shown on the right. It uses two flat figure of eight coil windings to generate an induced field that resembles a figure of eight shape. Unlike the linear coil on the left, the peak induced current in the case of this coil is directly at the center of the petri dish.
The coil shown above has a circular recess designed for a 50mm diameter petri dish. Custom versions can cater to different sizes including rectangular and square shapes. It is possible to use both coil types to determine differences due to magnetic versus electric mechanisms of action.
The winding is cooled using a low noise fan drawing air from underneath and passing it out via the sides. The coil shown above is equipped with a fan speed controller. For more intensive applications the fan can be speeded up at the expense of increased noise.
Please note that the more complex figure of eight coil uses two windings and is, therefore, capable of more stimuli with lower discharge click noise than the linear concave coil for the same fan noise.
There are several options when it comes to powering the above and other coils like these:
Magstim Co. option: If you own a Magstim Co. magnetic stimulator these coils can be made to be compatible. Just plug them into the Magstim Rapid, Magstim 200^2 or the Horizon and you are ready. Note that Magstim Co. stimulator prices range from US$20k to $70k depending on type pf device. The advantage is that the same equipment can be used in human subjects and with standard stimulating coils.
Jaltron Pulse Discharge System: If you do not have access to Magstim equipment or you feel that human use stimulations exceed your budget, then Jaltron can make a pulse discharge system to suit your needs. Since such a device is not for human use it will not need FDA approval keeping costs low and in the US$10k range.
Cyclic Waveforms: For low to medium intensity magnetic fields, Jaltron can also supply lower cost systems with outputs in the range of 0.1mT to 10mT (1-100 gauss). These devices run from kilowatt+ power amplifiers and signal generators to produce pulse or cyclic fields. Costs range from US$5-10k.
Custom: For more specific or more aggressive applications Jaltron can also supply custom waveforms, liquid cooling and high linearity fields. Note that the costs of such systems could exceed US$50k.
Static Magnetic Fields: Contact us for static field applications in the range of up to 0.5tesla (1 gauss to 50,000 gauss).
If you have any questions please send an email to reza@jaltron.com. Please include your full name and the name of the institute where you work.