Narishige PC-10 Go to product viewer dialog for this item. is a dual-stage, vertical glass micropipette puller designed for high-precision laboratory applications such as patch clamping and microinjection. While it has been largely superseded by the digital
, the PC-10 remains a robust tool for creating tips ranging from sub-micron sizes to tens of microns. Core Functionality and Modes
The PC-10 utilizes gravity-fed vertical pulling to ensure uniformity. It features a mode-selector knob that allows users to toggle between four primary operations: STEP 1 (Single-Stage):
Pulls the glass capillary in one continuous stretch. This mode is typically used to create longer, more supple pipettes with larger tip diameters. STEP 2 (Two-Stage):
Automates a mid-process change in settings. The first pull thins the glass, and the second pull finishes the tip, resulting in firm, parallel-shaped electrodes ideal for patch clamp experiments. HEATER 1 & 2: narishige pc10 manual new
These settings allow the user to display and adjust the specific heating values for each pulling stage on the digital LED readout. Operational Parameters
The final shape of the pipette is determined by three main variables:
Subject: Narishige PC-10 Manual: A Comprehensive User Guide and Technical Overview
Principle of Operation: The PC-10 operates on the principle of gravitational pulling. A glass capillary is held vertically in a clamp. A heating element (platinum or nichrome wire) surrounds the glass. When the glass softens due to heat, a weight attached to the lower end of the glass pulls it downward, stretching the glass until it separates into two halves. One half remains in the upper clamp, and the other falls into a receiver, forming two identical microelectrodes. Narishige PC-10 Go to product viewer dialog for this item
Key Components:
The Narishige PC-10 is a gravity-based, vertical micropipette puller designed for producing patch-clamp pipettes, microinjection needles, and intracellular recording electrodes. Unlike horizontal pullers (e.g., Sutter P-97, P-1000), the PC-10 relies on a falling weight (or solenoid-controlled gravity drop) and a single heating filament.
Target user: Labs that need consistent, simple puller for standard patch pipettes (1–5 MΩ) without complex programming. Excellent for teaching labs or routine recordings.
| Feature | Narishige PC-10 | Sutter P-97 | HEKA PIP5 | |--------|----------------|-------------|------------| | Pulling cycle | Single gravity | Multi-cycle magnetic pull | Programmable solenoid | | Heating control | Analog dial | Digital PID | Digital | | Memory | None | 100 programs | 10 programs | | Pipette uniformity | Fair | Excellent | Very good | | Learning curve | Low (1 hour) | High (1 week) | Medium | | Price (new) | ~$2,500 | ~$8,500 | ~$6,000 | | Manual clarity | Good (with diagrams) | Dense | Excellent | For patch pipettes (1–2 µm tip): Heater current
The PC-10 is not for complex patch-clamp configurations (e.g., steep taper for nucleated patches) but works fine for standard whole-cell and sharp electrodes.
In the world of electrophysiology,显微注射 (microinjection), and patch-clamp techniques, the Narishige PC-10 vertical micropipette puller is legendary. For decades, this robust, gravity-based puller was a staple in neurobiology and developmental biology labs worldwide. Despite newer digital models flooding the market, thousands of PC-10 units are still in active use—humming away on lab benches from Tokyo to Boston.
However, there is a persistent problem: the original paper manuals are often lost, damaged by chemical spills, or written in dense technical Japanese. This leads to a frantic search for a new Narishige PC-10 manual—not necessarily a brand-new machine, but a fresh, readable, and complete version of the documentation.
This article provides everything you need. From understanding the PC-10’s unique mechanics to sourcing a high-quality manual (free vs. paid) and troubleshooting common errors, consider this your modern resource hub.