Biomechanics includes the research and analysis of the mechanics of living organisms and the application of engineering principles to and from biological systems. This research and analysis can be at the molecular level, tissue level, organ level or the system level.
Examples of biomechanics research include:
- investigation of the forces that act on limbs and muscles
- aerodynamics of birds
- hydrodynamics of marine life
- general movement in individual cells to whole organisms
Mechanics can be applied to supply correct approximations for modeling on each level. Biomechanical mechanisms and structures can be simulated and studied by applying the laws and concepts from fields such as in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and solid mechanics.
KinesiologyThis is the science of human movement, which focuses on how the body functions and moves. It applies the latest scientific and evidence based medical principles towards the analysis, preservation and enhancement of human movement. ADInstruments provide a wide range of electromyography (EMG) solutions, which would be a useful tool in kinesiology research.
Remodelling under Applied LoadsApplied loads and deformations can affect the properties of living tissue. Remodelling have been shown to occur in response to elevated blood pressure on the mechanics of the arterial wall, cardiac infarct on the behavior of cardiomyocytes within a heart, and bone growth in response to exercise. ADInstruments provide many solutions for monitoring, recording and analyzing blood pressure and recording other remodelling processes.
Material PropertiesEach tissue within the body possesses unique material properties. The passive mechanical response of a particular tissue can be attributed to characteristics of the various proteins and the orientations of fibers within the tissue. ADInstruments provide many isolating tissue or organ preparations for monitoring, recording and analyzing tension, contraction and relaxation in tissues and organs. ADInstruments also provide a range of myographs for microvessel and small tissue studies.
Chemistry and Molecular BiologyThe active and passive properties of living tissues can also be related to fields in chemistry, molecular biology and cell biology. Measuring ionic concentrations such as O
2 and CO
2 can provide insight to the metabolism in cells. ADInstruments provide a range of oxygen, pH and temperature electrodes for these applications.
For related interest see:
LabChartLabChart software (for Windows and Macintosh) combines the familiar simplicity of a traditional strip chart recorder with the powerful analysis features of a digital acquisition system. LabChart software and a PowerLab data acquisition unit provide data integrity, easy selection of hardware settings, powerful online and offline analysis, procedure automation, seamless extraction of experimental data and flexible display options. Acquisition and analysis capabilities can be further increased with
LabChart Extensions and
LabChart Modules. LabChart Modules are available as part of
LabChart Pro and LabChart Extensions are free for download from the website for existing LabChart users.
In addition, LabChart software:
- Can rectify and integrate the raw EMG signal and display the results on a separate channel.
- Calculated and displayed The RMS power content of the signal.
- Display the power spectrum (FFT) of a selected region of data using Spectrum command
Dose Response Module (Windows)The
MLS390/6 Dose Response Module provides easy analysis of dose response type data (response to stimulation by chemical, electrical or physical agonists) recorded in LabChart from various studies including:
- Muscle contraction
- Enzyme activity
- Hormone secretion
- Heart rate
- Blood pressure
- Membrane potential
This module provides:
- Real-time or offline analysis
- Automated or manual modes of analysis
- Fast analysis of raw data to dose response parameters
- Fast comment detection and conversion to dose response markers
- Easy options for calculating different response parameters
- Instant single or multiple dose response curves (Hill-curves) generation
- Instant calculation of EC50 and Hill slopes
- Export options to other software applications for further analysis
Peak Analysis Module (Windows)The
MLS380/6 Peak Analysis Module provides automatic detection and analysis of multiple, but not overlapping, signal peaks in acquired waveforms. It can be applied to a wide range of waveforms including recorded signals from:
- Isolated tissue studies
- Hemodynamic measurements
- Amperometry
- Cardiac physiology
- Neurophysiology
- Current measurements.
It provides:
- Real-time or offline analysis
- Fast parameter extraction and analysis from single or multiple peaks
- Automatic peak detection of an entire channel or a selection within a channel
- Detection of positive or negative peaks
- Provides several analysis presets suitable for general and specific types of waveforms
- Evoked Response, Population Spike, Synaptic, Action Potential and Cardiac Action Potential
- Instant tabulation of extracted parameters that can be exported to other applications
- Height, width, area of the peak and time to peak
DMT Normalization Module (Windows and Macintosh)The
MLS065/6 DMT Normalization Module is designed for use with PowerLab data acquisition units, LabChart software and DMT Wire Myographs, and calculates the optimal pretension conditions for microvascular or any small tubular tissue research.
It provides:
- Allows real-time and offline data recording and analysis
- Tension
- Stimulation amplitude
- Temperature
- Flow
- Easy method of determining optimal microvascular pretension when using DMT myographs
ScopeScope software, supplied with PowerLab systems, provides powerful display, recording and analysis features to transform your computer into a two-channel storage oscilloscope, XY plotter or Power Spectrum (FFT) analyser. Scope is used commonly to measure any high-frequency signal that is time-locked to a stimulus such as action potentials and evoked responses. For analyzing Evoked EMG Potentials, the Scope Software is recommended because it provides signal averaging functions that are necessary to extract the evoked response from background noise.
This software:
- Provides the ability to record, display and analyze any high frequency signal that is time-locked to a stimulus
- Synchronizes sweeps with recorded or built-in stimulation patterns
- Provides a range of real-time and offline analysis features
- Generate stimuli of differing intensities and waveform structures (i.e. single-pulse, multiple pulse, simple ramps) and control an external stimulator using the analog output on the front of the PowerLab.
GLP and 21 CFR Part 11For those researchers working within a laboratory requiring GLP and 21 CFR Part 11 compliance the
GLP Client and GLP Server are available for use with LabChart (Windows only) and PowerLab data acquisition systems. For more information, visit the
Good Laboratory Practice application page or contact your nearest ADInstruments representative.
Tissue-Organ BathsADInstruments provides the following range of organ baths manufactured by PanLab and Radnoti.
Preconfigured Multiple (4, 8, or 16) Chamber Compact Organ Bath Systems Preconfigured Multiple (4, 8, or 16) Chamber Modular Organ Bath Systems MyographsSmall Vessel Wire MyographsThese myographs have built-in high-resolution force transducers for vessels > 60 m diameter, high precision micrometers and temperature control and provide manual or automated control. They include:
Preconfigured Wire Myograph Systems
These systems include PowerLab Data Acquisition Units (MLS250 LabChart Pro and Scope software)
Muscle Strip Myograph Instruments and AccessoriesStimulatorA suitable stimulator unit is used for organ baths studies that require stimulation. Stimulation can also be provided via the analog outputs of the PowerLab data acquisition unit. Some stimulator units have a trigger input which can be connected to the PowerLab output allowing control of the frequency and timing of pulses from within the LabChart software.
Stimulating ElectrodesThere are several combination tissue support rods/stimulating electrodes suitable for use in organ baths larger than 10 ml. A general guide for the use of these electrodes is as follows:
Tissue strips/spirals - Straight, zig-zag or coil electrodes
Small samples - Coil or flat electrodes
Blood vessel rings- L-type electrode or tri-shaped tissue support
Electrodes - 160152-11 Universal Holder with Straight Electrode
- 160152-12 Universal Holder with Zig-Zag Electrode
- 160152-13 Universal Holder with Coil Electrode
- 160152-14 Universal Holder with L-Shaped Electrode
- 160152-15 Universal Holder with Flat Electrode
- MLA0301 Single Platinum Ring Stimulating Electrode
- MLA0302 Double Ring Platinum Stimulating Electrode
- MLA0303 Platinum Stimulating Electrode
- MLA0304 Double Ring Stimulating Electrode With Rings
- MLA0305 Stainless Steel, Single Ring Stimulating Electrode
- MLA0306 Stainless Steel, Double Ring Stimulating Electrode
- MLA0307 Stainless Steel Stimulating Electrode
- MLA0308 Stainless Steel Double Ring Stimulating Electrode
- MLA250 Stimulator Cable BNC to Alligator Clip
- MLA270 Stimulator Cable BNC to Micro-Hooks
- MLA0320 Animal Nerve Stimulating Electrode
Bridge AmplifiersMost of the transducers that are used for isolated tissue studies require a suitable preamplifier (usually a bridge amplifier) before the signal can be accurately recorded by PowerLab data acquisition system. Suitable amplifier units available from ADInstruments include the:
TransducersADInstruments provide a great variety of transducers suitable for a range of organ bath studies.
Isometric force transducer for measuring small changes in force:
Isometric research-grade force transducers suitable for use where larger forces are expected:
Wide-range, semi-isometric strain-gauge transducers:
Isotonic transducers for measuring displacement against a constant force:
Gas AnalyzerML206 Gas Analyzer can be used for the measurement of respiratory gas concentrations from small animals, such as rats, through to humans. It contains an infrared carbon dioxide sensor and optical oxygen detector fed from a damped microvacuum sampling pump.
Oxygen ElectrodesADInstruments offer several micro-oxygen and galvanic electrode configurations
Other oxygen measurement systems (i.e. transcutaneous and fiber optic systems) are available from a number of manufacturers. Analog outputs from these devices may be connected to a PowerLab provided that the signal is ± 10 V. The signals may then be recorded, displayed and analyzed using LabChart software.
Thermocouples & PreamplifiersThe T-type thermocouple probes have a 2-pin T-type plug that is suitable for connection to data acquisition systems via a:
The thermocouple probes include:
Signal ConditionerML165 pH AmpThis amplifier is a dual front-end suitable for pH, ion selective, and temperature measurements in solution recordings. It is supplied with a RTD Temperature Probe. It can be used with:
Third-Party ElectrodesThird-party electrodes and meters may be connected to a PowerLab data acquisition system, provided that they have a ± 10 V analog output range. Such electrodes may include:
- Ion Selective Electrodes and Microelectrodes
- pH Field Effect Transistor (pHFET) Electrodes
- Ion Selective Field Effect Transistor (ISFET) Electrodes
- Fiber Optic Probes
Bio Amplifiers The biopotentials are typically very small in amplitude (mV). Therefore accurate recording, display and analysis of an EMG require a suitable bioamplifier. ADInstruments offer a range of Bio Amplifiers, when connected a PowerLab data acquisition unit and, are certified safe for use with humans or used with animals. These bioamplifiers are fully software-controlled using LabChart or Scope. The following ADInstruments' biological amplifiers are fully isolated for connection to human or animal subjects:
Human EMGThe following ADInstruments' biological amplifiers are externally certified to comply with international safety standards and are fully isolated for connection to human subjects:
ML132 Bio Amp ML135 Dual Bio Amp ML408 Dual Bio Amp/Stimulator The Bio Amp, Dual Bio Amp and Dual Bio Amp/Stimulator are manufactured for use with PowerLab data acquisition systems and are fully software-controlled by LabChart or Scope. These Bio Amps cannot be used for recording 3 or more biopotentials on a single subject; however, they may be used for multiple subjects that have separate grounding leads. For recording more than 3 biopotentials from a single subject see below:
Multiple-Channel EMG RecordingsADInstruments also provides multiple channel bioamplifiers that connect directly to PowerLab data acquisition systems. These units are also fully-isolated, and independently certified, for connection to human subjects. The multi-channel bioamplifiers are particularly suited for exercise physiologists that wish to record multiple channels of EMG (Quadricep, Calf, Bicep, Tricepetc) while a subject exercises.
ML138 Octal Bio Amp - A differential amplifier that consists of eight electrically isolated differential input AC amplifiers
- A shared ground connection across all eight inputs.
- Supplied with two packets of MLA0310 Lead Wires (1.8 m, 10 snap on)
GT201/F 16 Channel Bio Amp - A fully isolated, 16 channel stand-alone biological amplifier that consists of 8 modules, with each module containing two channel amplifiers that share a common ground input
- Suitable for unipolar and bipolar recordings
- Electrodes are NOT supplied and must be ordered separately
- Suitable electrodes and lead wires include the:
Animal EMGThe following ADInstruments' biological amplifiers for use with animals (i.e. pithed toad, or anaesthetized rat/mouse) only:
ML136 Animal Bio Amp - An isolated, high performance and software-controlled differential amplifier
- Has three 2mm input sockets allow the direct connection of electrodes to this amplifier
- Supplied with MLA1215 Animal Bio Lead Wires
- Also suitable for use with