Download Im-Patch©

Here you can download by free the Im-Patch© software

A current challenge in neuroscience is the study of neuronal microcircuits. Dynamic calcium imaging allows record the activity of dozens of neurons simultaneously. Electrophysiology can be used to record specific target neurons within the circuit. To do imaging and electrophysiology simultaneously we developed, in the LabVIEW™ platform from National Instruments™, a virtual instrument (hardware and software) for acquiring and analyzing data from microcircuit activity. We call it: Im-Patch©. Now it is an open access free software for imaging and electrophysiology. It allows experiments in vitro of brain microcircuits. Besides analyzing microcircuit behavior, both fluorescent and electrical activities of target neurons can be recorded simultaneously. By using transgenic mice, target neurons can be chosen.

Now the software allows record(voltage and current) and stimulate two neurons simultaneously (4 inputs and 2 outputs), using two different field stimulus (2 outputs), while acquiring Ca images (fluorescence). Protocols that can be used are: I-V curves (current vs voltage), in current or voltage clamp mode; I-F curves (current vs frequency); phase portraits (to analyze spikes); paired pulses (to analyze plasticity); trains or ramp stimulations; dynamic clamp (personalized stimulations), etc. There are some predesigned modes for different recordings in bright field or fluorescence for imaging experiments, which can be configured (e.g. exposition time per image to avoid photobleaching). The program has features that adjust images in real-time, select cells manually or automatically from the image (coordinates and size), and make a preliminary analysis of the activity of the microcircuit from the last video taken.

Downloading Im-Patch

Installing Im-Patch © is really easy. We have different type of programs and each one has they own specifications and advantages.

If you use Im-Patch© for your analyses, please be kind and cite the following work in your publications:


Pérez-Ortega J., et al. (2017)
Im-Patch: Patch the imaging. Free software for imaging and electrophysiology.
IBAGS 2017 #102

There are two main type of programs: Adquisition and Analysis.

Acquisition

In this section you can obtain data and do experiments.

Type of program Description Installer App
Electrophysiology This software is specialiced for electrophysiology acquisition. Electrophysiology Electrophysiology
Electrophysiology and Imaging This software is specialiced for simultaneous acquisition of electrophysiology and imaging. Simultaneous Simultaneous


Analysis

With all data obtained from the adquisition programs, now you can analyze them and get information for your research.

Type of program Description Installer App
Electrophysiology This software is for analizing data obtained from electrophysiology recordings. Electrophysiology analysis Electrophysiology analysis
Imagenology This software is for analizing data obtained from imaging recordings. Imaging analysis Imaging analysis