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Specialized Tools for Electrophysiology and Cell Biology Research

VCS Computer-controlled Valve Control System

Product Summary

The Valve Control System lies at the heart of a multi-valve perfusion system designed to automate and control the delivery of solutions to imaging and recording chambers. The flexible design of these systems allows it to be used in diverse applications. The VCS systems are configured to control up to 8 Pinch, PTFE, or Mini valves.

 

  • Digital or analog switching for Patch Clamp applications
  • UI programmable valve protocols
  • Save and load protocols on hard drive
  • Download protocols to valve controller for permanent storage
  • Run and monitor protocols

Easy to Operate

Each valve is individually accessed by a manual touch display, the included PC software, an external analog signal, or an external digital signal (TTL). An event marker pulse, generated each time a valve is switched on, is provided for chart recordings. A syncronization pulse can be generated by use of the trigger/sync connector (digital I/O, TTL) to line up valve triggering and recordings for optimum data analysis.

Valve Control Systems

  • Up to 8 channels
  • Choice of 3 valve types: pinch, PTFE, or Lee miniature valves
  • Low noise operation
  • Low self-heating design

Pinch Valve Systems

Pinch valves are the simplest to maintain as the solution never comes in contact with the valve and tubings are easily changed. Valves are dual acting (3-way) with both normally open and closed sides. An optional (but included) Y-connector at the valve input permits solution flow to waste with the valve off.

PTFE Valve Systems

PTFE valves are available for applications where resistance to chemicals is a concern. The valves are 2-way (either on or off).

Mini-Valve Systems

The mini valve systems are available in standard size tubes, and with large tubes to support higher flow rates. The standard sized tube model is the most commonly used and is what's supplied with our VCS-77 systems. This is also the preferred tube size for applications using our SF-77C Fast Stepper.

We also have a large tube (LT) mini valve available which is identical to the standard mini valve except the valve input and output tubes have larger ID to permit flow rates up to 10 ml/min.

In all cases, these 3-way valves can be configured as strict on/off or as continuous flow to waste if desired. The mini valve systems are ideally suited for use with the SF-77C perfusion stepper systems.

Controller and Software

Touch and PC Software controlled

Software

The system can be operated either manually via touch display or via provided PC software. Software and updates are free. An SDK ia available for integrating into your own software.

The current VCS software can be downloaded here.

Software screenshot

7 “ Touch Display

  • Comfortable handling directly at the device
  • Allows for standalone operation by saving protocols directly on valve controller
  • Change between manual, digital in, analog in and programmatic operation mode
Controller

Valve Stands

  • Software controllable for easy phase control
  • Available in all corresponding system sizes
  • Custom design for pinch, PTFE, or mini valves
 

Connector Options

  • Digital I/O
  • Analog in
  • Trig/Sync (for TTL and BNC)
  • Valve connector
  • USB 3.0 (for PC software control)
VCS controller rear panel

System Choices

The VCS-6 or VCS-8 Perfusion Valve Control Systems are available with either standard pinch valves or with PTFE valves. These systems include a VCS controller, an eight channel valve bracket with pinch or PTFE valves and 8 ft long cable, reservoir holder with eight 60cc reservoirs, support stand, stopcocks, tubing Connectors, and an MP Series Manifold. The systems with pinch valves are also supplied with Tygon Tubing (1/32 in x 50 ft, ID x L) and C-Flex" Valve Tubing for the valves. The systems with PTFE valves include PTFE tubing (1/16 in x 25 ft, ID x L). Both systems come with 10 ft of PE-90 tubing.

The VCS-6M or VCS-8M Mini Valve Perfusion Control System is available with the VCS Controller, an eight channel valve bracket with Lee mini valves and 8 ft long cable, reservoir holder with eight 10cc reservoirs, support stand, stopcocks, tubing connectors, an ML series manifold, and two packages of PE-50 tubing (50 ft long).

VCS Software - Download here
Windows compatibility Windows 7, 8, 8.1, and 10; 64 bit only
Environmental
Operating Temperature 10° to 40° C
Altitude Sea level to 2000 m
Relative Humidity 0 to 95%
Valve Stand
Dimensions (H x W x D) 89 x 203 x 305 mm
Weight ± 4950 g
Valve Bracket Delrin, mounts on 3/8" or 1/2" support stand
Reservoir Holder Delrin, holds eight syringes with thumb screws for each reservoir
Reservoirs 60cc capacity syringes
Valve Controller
Dimensions (H x W x D) 144 x 187 x 265 mm
Weight 2005 g
Digital IO (16 bit) Dsub25 connector
Analog In BNC connector
Trig/Sync (1 bit) BNC connector
Valves Dsub9 connector
USB port USB-C connector
Power 24 VDC DC power plug
Ground Common jack 4 mm, banana plug

 


 

VCS Dsub25 pinouts

 

D-Sub25 Connector
Pin 1 GND Pin 2 GND
Pin 3 GND Pin 4 GND
Pin 5 GND Pin 6 Bit 1
Pin 7 Bit 2 Pin 8 Bit 3
Pin 9 Bit 4 Pin 10 Bit 5
Pin 11 Bit 6 Pin 12 Bit 7
Pin 13 Bit 8 Pin 14 Bit 9
Pin 15 Bit 10 Pin 16 Bit 11
Pin 17 Bit 12 Pin 18 Bit 13
Pin 19 Bit 14 Pin 20 Bit 15
Pin 21 Bit 16 Pin 22 GND
Pin 23 GND Pin 24 GND
Pin 25 GND    

Customers from Europe and Australia can use the Multi Channel Systems - Online Shop to order Warner products or create quotes.

Order No. Model No. Product Description USA Price Order
Valve Control Systems - 8 Channel
64-3080 VCS-8-PINCH Touch Screen Valve Control System, 8 channel, pinch valves, 60 cc reservoirs Login Login
64-3081 VCS-8-PTFE Touch Screen Valve Control System, 8 channel, PTFE valves, 60 cc reservoirs Login Login
64-3082 VCS-8-MINI Touch Screen Valve Control System, 8 channel, mini valves, 10 cc reservoirs Login Login
64-3083 VCS-8-MINI-LT Touch Screen Valve Control System, 8 channel, large bore mini valves, 60 cc reservoirs Login Login
Valve Control Systems - 6 Channel
64-3084 VCS-6-PINCH Touch Screen Valve Control System, 6 channel, pinch valves, 60 cc reservoirs Login Login
64-3085 VCS-6-PTFE Touch Screen Valve Control System, 6 channel, PTFE valves, 60 cc reservoirs Login Login
64-3086 VCS-6-MINI Touch Screen Valve Control System, 6 channel, mini valves, 10 cc reservoirs Login Login
64-3087 VCS-6-MINI-LT Touch Screen Valve Control System, 6 channel, large bore mini valves, 60 cc reservoirs Login Login
System Components
64-3088 VC-CONTROL UNIT Touch Screen Valve Control System Controller Login Login
64-3089 VC-LAB STAND VCS Support Stand Login Login
64-3098 SH-8/60 8 Reservoir VCS syringe holder, includes 60 cc syringes Login Login
64-0143 SH-8/10 8 Reservoir VCS syringe holder, includes 10 cc syringes Login Login
64-3100 Valves and bracket for VCS-8-PINCH Login Login
64-3101 Valves and bracket for VCS-8-PTFE Login Login
64-3102 Valves and bracket for VCS-8-MINI Login Login
64-3103 Valves and bracket for VCS-8-MINI-LT Login Login
64-3104 Valves and bracket for VCS-6-PINCH Login Login
64-3105 Valves and bracket for VCS-6-PTFE Login Login
64-3106 Valves and bracket for VCS-6-MINI Login Login
64-3107 Valves and bracket for VCS-6-MINI-LT Login Login

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