Isometric force
Measure developed force while preparation length is held constant under controlled buffer, temperature and oxygenation conditions.
Wire Myograph Systems
Isometric myograph systems for vascular reactivity and smooth muscle function
DMT wire myographs support detailed examination of isolated vessels and ring-mounted smooth muscle preparations under controlled isometric conditions. Select the system according to vessel size, channel count, normalization workflow, automation requirements and the need for optical or confocal access.
Vessel reactivity
Contraction, relaxation and concentration-response studies.
Endothelial function
NO, prostaglandins, EDHF and smooth muscle mechanisms.
1, 2 or 4 channels
Focused, paired, higher-throughput and automated workflows.
System selection
Match throughput, automation and optical access to the study
What wire myographs measure
Controlled force measurement from isolated ring preparations
A mounted vessel or tissue ring is held between two parallel supports. One side controls circumference and stretch, while the opposite side measures force development during contraction and relaxation.
Length-tension relationships
Establish a defined passive baseline using manual or automated normalization before the active-response protocol begins.
Force combined with imaging
Use optical-window or confocal-compatible systems where morphology, fluorescence or intracellular signaling is part of the endpoint.
Research applications
Vascular physiology, pharmacology and disease-related function
Wire myographs allow laboratories to study how isolated vessels respond to hormones, agonists, antagonists and other vasoactive compounds while retaining intact vascular architecture.
The appropriate platform depends on vessel dimensions, study throughput, comparison design, normalization requirements and imaging needs.
01
Contraction and relaxation
Measure responses to contractile and relaxing agents in isolated arteries and other ring-mounted preparations.
02
Endothelial function
Investigate nitric oxide, prostaglandins, EDHF and interactions between endothelium and vascular smooth muscle.
03
Receptor pharmacology
Characterize agonist and antagonist responses, receptor mechanisms, affinity and functional efficacy.
04
Disease models
Compare vascular function in hypertension, diabetes, atherosclerosis, heart failure, ageing and other disease models.
05
Ion-channel and signaling studies
Evaluate calcium channels, potassium channels, intracellular signaling and vasoactive mechanisms.
06
Force and fluorescence
Correlate force development with fluorescence, morphology or intracellular calcium measurements using imaging-compatible systems.
Wire myograph systems
Compare DMT wire myograph platforms
Choose from single-vessel, dual-channel, four-channel, automated and confocal-compatible systems according to study design and practical laboratory workflow.
Single-vessel studies
Single Wire Myograph System – 320A
A dedicated single-chamber wire myograph for focused vascular reactivity, method development, pilot studies and experiments where one carefully controlled preparation is the right format.
Channels
1 chamber
Vessel range
Approximately 30 µm to 3 mm
Normalization
Manual
Best fit
Focused and low-throughput studies
Paired vessel comparisons
Dual Wire Myograph System – 420A
A dual-channel system for two independent vessel preparations. The chamber divider supports separate conditions or can be removed for shared exposure to the same compound concentration.
Channels
2 vessel positions
Vessel range
Approximately 30 µm to 3 mm
Optical access
Glass chamber-base windows
Best fit
Paired control-treatment studies
Four-channel manual workflow
Multi Myograph System – 620M
A robust four-channel wire myograph for parallel studies of small and larger vessels, trachea, gut and other ring-mounted preparations.
Channels
4 independent chambers
Preparations
Small vessels and rings up to 10 mm
Mounting
Jaws or pins
Best fit
Higher-throughput daily research
Automated normalization
Automated Multi Myograph System – 630MA
A four-channel platform with motor-controlled normalization for laboratories that prioritize standardized preload setup, repeatability between users and efficient multi-channel studies.
Channels
4 independent chambers
Normalization
Automated
Mounting
Jaws or pins
Best fit
Standardized multi-user workflows
Force and confocal imaging
Confocal Wire Myograph System – 360CW
A specialized chamber combining isometric force measurement with close optical access for confocal fluorescence and high-resolution morphological imaging.
Channels
1 imaging chamber
Vessel range
Approximately 30 µm to 3 mm
Imaging
Low working-distance optical access
Best fit
Force combined with fluorescence
Quick comparison
First-pass wire myograph selection guide
Use this comparison to identify the most relevant system direction before reviewing product-specific chamber, software and accessory requirements.
| Selection factor | 320A | 420A | 620M | 630MA | 360CW |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary format | Single vessel | Paired vessels | Four-channel manual | Four-channel automated | Force plus imaging |
| Channels | 1 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 1 |
| Normalization | Manual | Manual | Manual | Automated | Manual |
| Typical preparation | Small artery or ring | Two small arteries or rings | Small vessels and larger rings | Small vessels and larger rings | Optically accessible vessel or ring |
| Main reason to choose | Focused one-vessel experiments | Paired treatment-control studies | Robust higher-throughput research | Standardized automated normalization | Simultaneous force and fluorescence |
| Best fit | Pilot and method development | Direct paired comparisons | Routine pharmacology and screening | Multi-user and standardized workflows | Confocal and signaling studies |
| Product page | View 320A | View 420A | View 620M | Open data sheet | View 360CW |
How to choose
Start with the vessel, endpoint and comparison design
The correct system depends on vessel diameter, segment length, expected force, number of parallel preparations, normalization method and whether optical imaging is part of the protocol.
Channel count should follow the experimental design. A system with
more channels is useful only when the protocol, staffing and sample
availability support parallel experiments.
Vessel and species
Define the vessel type, species, expected diameter and required
preparation length.
Mounting format
Confirm whether the preparation requires fine wires, jaws, pins
or a specialized imaging mount.
Parallel comparisons
Decide whether the study requires one vessel, paired controls or
four simultaneous preparations.
Normalization method
Determine whether manual normalization is appropriate or whether
automated normalization would improve consistency between users.
Expected force
Estimate the response range so the selected transducer and
chamber are appropriate for the preparation.
Chamber volume
Consider reagent cost, buffer use, preparation size and compound
addition requirements.
Optical access
Confirm whether morphology, fluorescence or confocal imaging
must be performed on the mounted preparation.
Acquisition and support
Plan software, data acquisition, dissection equipment,
calibration, training and maintenance before quoting.
Software and support
A reliable wire-myograph workflow depends on the complete setup
Reproducible data depend on tissue mounting, chamber handling, transducer calibration, normalization, acquisition and routine maintenance as well as the myograph itself.
Acquisition and analysis
Record force signals, add experimental markers, inspect live traces and export selected or complete datasets.
Explore MyoDAQNormalization software
Support manual wire-myograph normalization calculations and establish a defined passive baseline before response studies.
Explore MyoNORMTraining and practical support
Support new users with installation, mounting technique, normalization, calibration and daily laboratory operation.
Explore trainingResources
Product, software and support resources
Use the DMT resources below when selecting, configuring or operating a wire-myograph system.
MyoDAQ Acquisition
Focused data acquisition for compatible DMT myograph systems.
→MyoNORM
Normalization calculations for manual wire-myograph workflows.
→Product videos
Review introductions and system-specific wire-myograph videos.
→How-to videos
Practical mounting, calibration, normalization and maintenance guidance.
→Protocols and articles
Scientific and application-focused resources for myography.
→Guides and manuals
Find system documentation for setup, calibration and operation.
→Training and installation
Plan laboratory setup, onboarding and practical user training.
→Technical support
Request help with setup, software, operation or system performance.
→
Configuration guidance
Need help selecting the right wire myograph?
Share the species, vessel type, expected diameter, preparation length, number of parallel samples, manual or automated normalization preference, imaging requirements and acquisition setup. DMT can help define the most appropriate system and configuration.