Release date: 29-September-2006

PULSE 8.79

New Features
Support of USB dongle (HASP) The new USB dongle for Windows is supported by this version.

Release date: 24-March-2006

PULSE 8.78

New Features
Support of new EPC 10 revisions New EPC 10 amplifiers with the revisons "I" and "J" are now supported.

Known Bugs
Sweep Interval too short in triggered Series In a triggered Series, the first Sweep Interval is much too short (e.g. 2 seconds instead of 10 seconds). The timing of the following sweeps is correct. The timing is also o.k., if the series is started by a mouse click instead of an external trigger.
"Linked Wait" time too short in triggered Series In a triggered Series, the "Linked Wait" time is much too short (e.g. 0.5 seconds instead of 5 seconds). The timing is also o.k., if the series is started by a mouse click instead of an external trigger. Please note: the timing error is only observed, if the series consists of only one sweep.
Stim Scaling in EPC/n amplifiers If a Double or Triple amplifier is used, the same stimulus can be send to all amplifier boards by setting "DA-3 to Stim-X: ON" in the amplifier dialog. However, the applied voltage is 10 times too small.
Testing the amplifier The FULL TEST always reports errors in "Rs comp tau", although the amplifier is o.k. (EPC 10 and EPC 9 amplifiers). If the tested amplifier is an EPC 10, then two additional errors are reported for "CCStepResponse" and "ExtCCStim"
Wrong sweep numbering after use of "Collapse Group" After use of "Collapse Group" from the Tree menu, the sweep numbering of the resulting series is not correct.
Parameter "Seal Resistance" is not updated The parameter "Seal Resistance" should be updated at the beginning of each series. However, this only works if the first (stored) segment of the series is set to "V-hold".
Printing of continuous recordings If a continuous trace is "exported" to the printer (Export Full Sweep), then only the first page of the recording is printed.

Release date: 26-May-2005

PULSE 8.77

Bug Fixes
ITC-18 not incrementing The initialization of an ITC-18 interface failed with the error message: "ITC-18 error: USB communication error" or "ITC-18 error: not incrementing. Please, check power and connections" (Windows only) - FIXED.
Storing of LockIn parameters The LockIn parameters, which are used for calculating the Cm-values, are stored to a wrong place in the data file. This does not matter as long as the data is analyzed with the same PULSE version, but could result in wrong Cm values if the data is analyzed with another PULSE version or with the PPT - FIXED.

Known Bugs
Sweep Interval too short in triggered Series In a triggered Series, the first Sweep Interval is much too short (e.g. 2 seconds instead of 10 seconds). The timing of the following sweeps is correct. The timing is also o.k., if the series is started by a mouse click instead of an external trigger.
"Linked Wait" time too short in triggered Series In a triggered Series, the "Linked Wait" time is much too short (e.g. 0.5 seconds instead of 5 seconds). The timing is also o.k., if the series is started by a mouse click instead of an external trigger. Please note: the timing error is only observed, if the series consists of only one sweep.
Stim Scaling in EPC/n amplifiers If a Double or Triple amplifier is used, the same stimulus can be send to all amplifier boards by setting "DA-3 to Stim-X: ON" in the amplifier dialog. However, the applied voltage is 10 times too small.
Testing the amplifier The FULL TEST always reports errors in "Rs comp tau", although the amplifier is o.k. (EPC 10 and EPC 9 amplifiers). If the tested amplifier is an EPC 10, then two additional errors are reported for "CCStepResponse" and "ExtCCStim"
Wrong sweep numbering after use of "Collapse Group" After use of "Collapse Group" from the Tree menu, the sweep numbering of the resulting series is not correct.
Parameter "Seal Resistance" is not updated The parameter "Seal Resistance" should be updated at the beginning of each series. However, this only works if the first (stored) segment of the series is set to "V-hold".
Printing of continuous recordings If a continuous trace is "exported" to the printer (Export Full Sweep), then only the first page of the recording is printed.

Release date: 21-Mar-2005

PULSE 8.76

New Features
Revised LIH driver Important note: The driver libraries have been revised. Therefore, an EPC driver update is required. The driver can be downloaded from our website.
ITC-18 interface Important note: Windows users should not update to this version, if they are using an ITC-18. Under Windows the ITC-18 is not properly supported!
Bridge Balance The "Bridge Balance" mode of EPC 9 and EPC 10 amplifiers has been improved.

Known Bugs
Storing of LockIn parameters The LockIn parameters, which are used for calculating the Cm-values, are stored to a wrong place in the data file. This does not matter as long as the data is analyzed with the same PULSE version, but could result in wrong Cm values if the data is analyzed with another PULSE version or with the PPT.
Sweep Interval too short in triggered Series In a triggered Series, the first Sweep Interval is much too short (e.g. 2 seconds instead of 10 seconds). The timing of the following sweeps is correct. The timing is also o.k., if the series is started by a mouse click instead of an external trigger.
"Linked Wait" time too short in triggered Series In a triggered Series, the "Linked Wait" time is much too short (e.g. 0.5 seconds instead of 5 seconds). The timing is also o.k., if the series is started by a mouse click instead of an external trigger. Please note: the timing error is only observed, if the series consists of only one sweep.
Stim Scaling in EPC/n amplifiers If a Double or Triple amplifier is used, the same stimulus can be send to all amplifier boards by setting "DA-3 to Stim-X: ON" in the amplifier dialog. However, the applied voltage is 10 times too small.

Release date: 25-Nov-2004

PULSE 8.74

Known Bugs
Sweep Interval too short in triggered Series In a triggered Series, the first Sweep Interval is much too short (e.g. 2 seconds instead of 10 seconds). The timing of the following sweeps is correct. The timing is also o.k., if the series is started by a mouse click instead of an external trigger.
Stim Scaling in EPC/n amplifiers If a Double or Triple amplifier is used, the same stimulus can be send to all amplifier boards by setting "DA-3 to Stim-X: ON" in the amplifier dialog. However, the applied voltage is 10 times too small.

Release date: 24-Jun-2004

PULSE 8.70

Bug Fixes
PULSE and ITC-16 On some EPC9 and ITC-16 the holding voltage could jump to 5V after the test pulse. This bug was reported in PULSE 8.66 and 8.67. FIXED !
Test DAC The Test DAC would be reset after one switched from low to medium and medium to high gain range. Fixed: the previous voltage is restored.

Known Bugs
Sweep Interval too short in triggered Series In a triggered Series, the first Sweep Interval is much too short (e.g. 2 seconds instead of 10 seconds). The timing of the following sweeps is correct. The timing is also o.k., if the series is started by a mouse click instead of an external trigger.
"Linked Wait" time too short in triggered Series In a triggered Series, the "Linked Wait" time is much too short (e.g. 0.5 seconds instead of 5 seconds). The timing is also o.k., if the series is started by a mouse click instead of an external trigger. Please note: the timing error is only observed, if the series consists of only one sweep.
Stim Scaling in EPC/n amplifiers If a Double or Triple amplifier is used, the same stimulus can be send to all amplifier boards by setting "DA-3 to Stim-X: ON" in the amplifier dialog. However, the applied voltage is 10 times too small.

Release date: 30-Mar-2004

PULSE 8.67

New Features
Revised LIH driver Important note: The libraries for the communication with the amplifier/interface have been revised. Therefore, a driver update is required. The driver can be downloaded from our web site.
RS-Comp and gain range switch If RS-compensation is on, it is now switched off before switching gain range. Then RS-comp is activated again. This is to prevent that the cells are killed by a gain range switch.

Bug Fixes
Cannot read from EPC 9 EPC9 amplifiers: the ITC-driver which caused the trouble in version 8.67 was fixed. It works again for all 3 platforms, i.e. Windows, MacOS 9, and MacOS X
„Device not supported“ A driver for the EPC10 fixes the "device not supported" error, which came up with some amplifiers.
Switching amplifiers The cursor remained the wait cursor, when one switched the amplifier in the configuration window – FIXED
Self Test The option "Test All" would test the maximal number of amplifiers (6!) instead of the actual number of EPC boards - FIXED.
Conditioning segments PULSE will now check that the user doesn't select the first segment as „Conditioning“, has Leak pules on, and no Trigger. That condition prevents the correct zero-current to be computed for the leak pulse, which is needed for a good P/n correction. It still will not check that the user uses other illegal combinations between the position of the zero current region (via trigger and trigger start time) and various possibilities of conditioning segments.

Release date: 1-Dec-2003

PULSE 8.66

New Features
Revised LIH driver Important note: The libraries for the communication with LIH1600/EPC10 have been revised. Therefore, a driver update is required, if an EPC 10 or a LIH 1600 is used. The driver can be downloaded from our web site.
Bridge Balance in CC The "bridge balance" of the current clamp amplifier has been improved. Now it is possible to compensate R-series up to 100% (limited by the actual voltage output compliance). The "bridge balance" is a technique for eliminating voltage drops caused by the current injected down the patch pipette.

Bug Fixes
ASCII export Exporting online results as ASCII was labeling the columns incorrectly - FIXED !
Automatic calibration It was not possible to perform an automatic calibration for "all amplifiers" of a Double or Triple EPC10/EPC9. - FIXED !

Known Bugs
Cannot read from EPC 9 We do not recommend to use this version with EPC 9, ITC-16, or ITC-18. On some computers, the communication with the amplifier does not work ("Cannot read from EPC9" error messages). On other computers, the amplifier can be initialized, but the test pulse looks "somehow strange". The FULL TEST reports several problems, although the amplifier works fine with older versions of the software. The described problem is specific to the ITC-16 interface, it does not affect the EPC 10 or the LIH 1600.
Conditioning + LockIn If a conditioning segment is used in a PGF sequence, the LockIn data is not properly displayed in the oscilloscope screen (time shift).
Fit Sweep Buffer After using the "Fit Sw. Buffer" function in PULSEFIT, the contents of the sweep buffer is "damaged".

Release date: 15-May-2003

PULSE 8.65

Bug Fixes
Digital Filter The digital filter in PULSE and PulseFit caused the program to crash (sometimes !) - FIXED
AutoScaling The "AutoScaling" of the LockIn data and of the Online Analysis results did not always work properly. - FIXED
Full test of EPC 9 Triple With an EPC 10/3 the full test prompted to "Connect D/A output to A/D output" - FIXED

Known Bugs
Conditioning + LockIn If a conditioning segment is used in a PGF sequence, the LockIn data is not properly displayed in the oscilloscope screen (time shift).
ASCII Export ASCII export of online analysis results: if both cursor ranges are analyzed, four columns are exported. However, only two of them are labeled.
Fit Sweep Buffer After using the "Fit Sw. Buffer" function in PULSEFIT, the contents of the sweep buffer is "damaged".

Release date: 20-Jan-2003

PULSE 8.63

New Features
Offset compensation The offset compensation routines have been changed for EPC amplifiers: the headstages of EPC 9 and EPC 10 amplifiers are equipped with three current gain ranges. Each of these three circuits has a specific intrinsic offset. In older PULSE versions, those offsets were assumed to be almost identical and so the same offset correction was used for all three circuits. In PULSE 8.63, the individual offsets for the three circuits are determined and compensated in order to increase accuracy.
Important note: Please make sure to perform an offset compensation for EACH SINGLE gain range (this is automatically done, when using the SET-UP macro, which comes with version 8.63).

Fixed Bugs
Stimulus "steps" For generating the stimulus signal, only 12 bit instead of 16 bit were used. This could result in "steps", when sine waves or ramp pattern were applied - FIXED !

Known Bugs
Digital filter Using the digital filter in the oscilloscope screen of PULSE or PULSEFIT may cause the program to crash. It is strongly recommended NOT to use the digital filter during data acquisition.

Release date: 24-Dec-2002

PULSE+PULSEFIT 8.62

New Features
AUX Gain Offset The AUX gain in the configuration dialog of PULSE can be used to scale the signals from "free" AD inputs. These "free" AD inputs can be used to monitor experimental parameters, such as bath temperature. This works fine as long as "0 °C" corresponds with an analog output signal of "0 V". If this is not the case, the "AUX gain offset" can now be used to calibrate the signal.

Bug Fixes
LockIn data The LockIn data (membrane capacitance) is now properly stored. Furthermore, this version allows restoring LockIn data acquired with PULSE 8.60 or 8.61.
Full Test The Full Test did now work properly with Double and Triple amplifiers. Errors were reported although the hardware was ok - FIXED.
Labeling of DA-outputs With an EPC 9 Double or EPC 9 Triple, the labeling of the DA outputs in the pulse generator was wrong: the hardware "Stim-1" was labeled as "DA-0", the "Stim-2" as "Stim-1" and so on (list of "STIM DA" outputs and list of "Trigger" outputs) - FIXED !
For the EPC10 Double and Triple, the labeling was correct.
X-Chart Extension PULSE+X-Chart Extension on Windows computers: If the X-Chart extension was active and one tried to open a data file with no X-Chart information (no *.tree file), the program crashed - FIXED !
Test pulse duration The duration of the test pulse was not stored in the configuration file - FIXED !
Missing units For data acquired with PULSE 8.61, the units for the Y-axis were not (or not correctly) displayed in the oscilloscope screen - FIXED !

Known Bugs
Stimulus "steps" For generating the stimulus signal, only 12 bit instead of 16 bit are used. This may result in "steps", when sine waves or ramp pattern are applied.
EPC 9 initialisation With some old MAC computers (e.g. Quadra), the EPC 9 cannot be initialized (...EPC 9 initialization failed ...).
Full test of EPC 9 Triple With an EPC 9/3 (or EPC 10/3) the full test prompts to "Connect D/A output to A/D output"

Release date: 29-Oct-2002

PULSE+PULSEFIT 8.61

New Features
New hardware supported PULSE 8.61 now supports all HEKA amplifiers (EPC 10, EPC 10 Double and Triple, EPC 10 PLUS, EPC 9, EPC 9 Double and Triple, EPC 8, EPC 7), and any other patch clamp amplifier, two-electrode VC amplifier or "telegraphing amplifier" in combination with one of our A/D D/A converter interfaces (LIH 1600, ITC-16, ITC-18).
The Axon Digidata 1200 board is no longer supported.
New data file format The new features of the EPC 10 called for an extension of the PULSE file format. Since the new data files cannot be processed with older versions of PULSE+PULSEFIT, PULSETOOLS, and PULSESIM, we recommend to update all HEKA programs used in your lab to version 8.61. All programs with the version 8.60 (or higher) can read and process the native data files acquired with older versions of PULSE - no conversion software is required. Pulse generator files (PGF) created with older versions of PULSE can be used with PULSE 8.61 without any changes.
E9Screen no longer required The E9Screen program does no longer exist. The functions for testing and calibrating an EPC 9 or EPC 10 amplifier are now available through the "EPC" menu of PULSE.
PULSEFIT becomes "independent" PULSE and PULSEFIT are now separate programs, which can be installed and used independently.

Bug Fixes
Parameter update PULSE - EPC9: The RS-compensation parameters were not always updated after an auto CSlow or CapTrack.
Filter setting PULSE - EPC8: When switching to the EPC8 amplifier, the filter setting would be incorrectly shown in its lowest position (i.e. 300Hz).
Simultaneous stimulation PULSE - EPC9/Double and Triple: The option to stimulate simultaneously both amplifiers through DA-3 did not set the holding voltage correctly during the test pulse (and the test pulse would be twice the wanted amplitude), when no test pulse trigger was used.

Known Bugs
Lock In data The storing of the LockIn data does not to work properly. After closing and re-starting PULSE, the LockIn data in the stored data file is invalid.
Full Test EPC 9 With an EPC 9, the internal FULL TEST always reports "Amplifier not o.k.", because of a wrong "Filter1 Response".
Full Test EPC 10 Double/Triple With an EPC 10 Double or EPC 10 Triple, the internal FULL TEST always reports "Amplifier not o.k.", because of wrong "CC tracking" values.
Labeling of DA-outputs With an EPC 9 Double or EPC 9 Triple, the labeling of the DA outputs in the pulse generator is wrong: the hardware "Stim-1" is labeled as "DA-0", the "Stim-2" as "Stim-1" and so on (list of "STIM DA" outputs and list of "Trigger" outputs). For the EPC10 Double and Triple, the labeling is correct.
X-Chart Extension PULSE+X-Chart Extension on Windows computers: If the X-Chart extension is active and one tries to open a data file with no X-Chart information (no *.tree file), the program crashes.
Test pulse duration The duration of the test pulse is not stored in the configuration file.
Missing units For data acquired with this PULSE version, the units for the Y-axis are not (or not correctly) displayed in the oscilloscope screen.
PULSE 8.5x macros Please note: Between version 8.5x and 8.6x the sequence of the list entries for the "AD list" in the amplifier dialog has been changed. As a consequence, 8.5x macros, changing the AD input, cannot be used in PULSE 8.6x.

Release date: 13-Mar-2002

PULSE+PULSEFIT 8.54

Bug Fixes
Stimulus scaling in Current Clamp mode Using an EPC 8 or EPC 7 amplifier, in Current Clamp mode the stimulus output was 10 times to low - FIXED ! The stim output is o.k. in Voltage Clamp mode.
Simultaneous stimulation of both amplifiers (EPC 9 Double) When using an EPC 9 Double it is possible to stimulate both amplifiers simultaneously by setting "DA-3 to Stim-X: ON" in the amplifier dialog. Upon switching from OFF to ON, the holding potential was changed - FIXED !
EPC 8 filter setting When switching to the EPC8 amplifier, the filter setting would be incorrectly shown in its lowest position (i.e. 300Hz) - FIXED !
RS parameters The RS-compensation parameters were not always updated after an auto CSlow or CapTrack - FIXED !
Amplifier menu text The "amplifier" menu text was "temp title", when one started PULSE with a configuration specifying "Telegraphing Amplifier. Fixed. The menu text is now "amplifier" even for that case - FIXED !
FURA extension and TILL There was a bug in the FURA extensions (TILL and v8.53 only), causing the voltage on the filter DAC to go to negative voltages, when the user switched to the FURA-configuration window - FIXED !

Release date: 17-Jan-2001

PULSE+PULSEFIT 8.53

New Features
3D Graph option was added A new 3D Graph option was added, which allows you to make a pseudo-3D graph by shifting each Sweep by dx and dy. You should note that Reference Sweeps cannot be displayed when using this option and one can not "keep" the cursors displayed in 3D Mode.
New scaling option in Online Analysis In the Online Analysis window, the new scaling option "Square-root" was added.
Cyclic triggers in PGF In the pulse generator dialog, an option was added to have a cyclic trigger in a stimulus. Thus, two new fields allow the number of repeats and the cycle time for each trigger to be entered. The number of triggers is no longer limited to 3 triggers per sweep.
Additional parameters: left and right bounds The batch communication command "SetOnline1/2" has been expanded to include two additional optional parameters: left and right bounds [in %]
Increased precision of "GetOnline" batch command The precision of the numbers returned by the "GetOnline" command has been increased to 17 digits
New "Fit Range" option in Online Analysis The "Fit Trace" option was extended by the "Fit Range" option. The new selections allow switching between using the first and second Online analysis range for fitting, and now allows you to fit two different cursor ranges of the same trace.

Bug Fixes
Bits of a digital trigger in PGF Upon loading a pgf-file (e.g. during start-up) the bits of a digital trigger were not displayed correctly, only one bit would be shown.
Sound would be turned off The sound would be turned off, if one entered new settings by typing instead of "dragging".
"SealResistance" update "SealResistance" was updating every loop, not as set by "Update Rmemb delay".
Name of the loaded PGF-file The name of the loaded PGF-file was changed, when a new settings file was loaded in the Configuration window.
Wrong X-axis origin Labelling was always showing an X-axis origin of time zero, when the display options were "Grid plus values" plus "Display I vs t" plus any option of sine and FURA.
"ZapOncellOnly" did not work properly The option "ZapOncellOnly" did not work properly. On some conditions this option did not prevent the zapping in other modes.
Control of the Sutter Lambda-10 FURA Extension: Fixed the FURA extension to correctly control the shutter of the Sutter Lambda-10 filter wheel.
Unnecessary text line in the Notebook Batch file Communication: The programs would write one unnecessary text line to the Notebook for each sent command.
Export of the RMS-value The "Residual" (i.e. RMS-value) was incorrectly exported (SweepFit), or not computed at all (Series- and GroupFit).
2 HELP menus under MacOS 8 and 9 E9Screen had 2 HELP menus under MacOS 8 and 9.
Macro error There was a problem with the macro file DefaultEPC9.mac in the Windows version of PULSE 8.50. The initial RSeries value for the automatic Cslow compensation was set to 10000000.0 MOhm (or to 10 M˝) instead of 10.0 MOhm. This prevented the Cslow compensation to be performed properly.

Known bugs
Stimulus scaling in Current Clamp mode Using an EPC 8 or EPC 7 amplifier, in Current Clamp mode the stimulus output is 10 times to low. The stim output is o.k. in Voltage Clamp mode.
FURA extension and TILL A bug in the FURA extension (TILL and v8.53 only) causes the voltage on the filter DAC to go to negative voltages (-10V), when the user switched to the FURA-configuration window.
Simultaneous stimulation of both amplifiers (EPC 9 Double) When using an EPC 9 Double it is possible to stimulate both amplifiers simultaneously by setting "DA-3 to Stim-X: ON" in the amplifier dialog. Upon switching from OFF to ON, the holding potential is changed. Work-around: Set the "Trigger out" to a free DA output or to free Dig-out, instead of "OFF".
E9Screen installer on CD 8.53 installs E9Screen 8.52 The E9Screen installer on our CD 8.53 installs E9Screen 8.52, instead of version 8.53. However, E9Screen 8.53 is installed together with PULSE 8.53
No sound with "on-board" sound chips The sound feature of PULSE uses the so-called MIDI functions. Some new computer boards are equipped with on-board sound chips. Most of those chips do not support MIDI, therefore the Sound won't work on these computers.