Flexibility

The BioStat/MonoStat Systems are designed to be used with a wide range of electrochemical sensors and electrodes for measurement of reactive oxygen species and biologically significant molecules. They allow precise amperometric (i.e. with two or three electrode sensors for measurement of nitric oxide, oxygen, nitrite and nitrate, nitrosothiols, glutamate, etc) or voltammetric ( i.e. with sensors for measurement of pH, neurotransmitters etc) and temperature measurements to be made independently on up to four channels. Total electrical isolation of each channel assures independent recording with ultra-low noise. The BioStat/MonoStat Systems can handle signals of either polarity employing either two or three electrode configurations.

The BioStat/MonoStat Systems use a high quality solid all-metal case giving them exceptional robustness. The shielding of the case provides immunity from external interference. Surface mount technology insures reliability. Each system can be used flat on the bench or in a vertical configuration. Its extremely small size (about size of a paper-back book) requires little lab-bench space. Power is 12 volts DC from an external adapter supplied from 100-240 V AC without any need for adjustment.

Nitric Oxide

Nitric oxide (NO) is an important signaling molecule that acts in many cell types to regulate a diverse range of physiological processes. It has now been shown to play a role in neurotransmission, immune defense, apoptosis and blood vessel contractility.

Nitric oxide is a short-lived molecule with a half-life of a few seconds. With a diverse range of potential cellular targets, a large number of biological systems utilize it as a regulatory molecule. It has been implicated directly or indirectly in stroke, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disease. An important property of NO is that it rapidly reacts with superoxide anion (O2 -) to form a peroxynitrite anion (ONOO-) and peroxynitrous acid (ONOOH), which is harmful to biological systems.

Because of its short biological lifetime, traditional analytical approaches are not practical. Indirect measurements such as nitrate and nitrite lack temporal resolution, sensitivity and specificity. The use of trapping molecules suffers many of the same problems. Because of the fast response time, electrode sensors are an ideal approach.

The BioStat/MonoStat state-of-the-art systems are DSP-based, multi-mode potentiostats that use flexible small electrodes that make measurement of NO practical. With the BioStat/MonoStat NO Systems you can measure NO concentrations at biologically relevant levels with a choice of sensors from virtually any manufacturers.

Easy to Use Software

The software takes less than 5 minutes to load from the CD onto any computer with the Windows® 2000 or later operating system. On-screen menus and pop-ups make it easy to use. The software provides comprehensive data analysis capability even while data is being collected. Data is easily exported to allow post -run analysis using other software applications. Although configured for NO measurement, the BioStat/MonoStat systems are extremely versatile and can be used for any multi-channel, isolated data acquisition.