LabChart

LabChart is a life science data acquisition and analysis software platform developed by ADInstruments. It is designed for researchers and educators working in animal and human physiology, enabling the simultaneous acquisition of biological signals from multiple recording devices and the application of advanced calculations and visualizations in real time as experiments unfold.

The software integrates data recording, analysis, and visualization within a single environment, supporting high-speed data logging across analog transduction, signal conditioning, and validation. LabChart is compatible with ADInstruments' modular DAQ hardware and is suited to a range of physiological applications including cardiovascular, respiratory, neuronal, blood pressure, and dose-response studies.

Core Analysis Modules

• Blood Pressure and Units Conversion: Calculates Mean Arterial Pressure, Systolic Pressure, Max dP/dt, and other parameters from ventricular or arterial blood pressure recordings. Includes a two-point calibration tool for converting voltage units to known measurement units.
• Peak Analysis: Detects peaks and provides analysis parameters including peak height, half-width, latency period, population spike height, rise time, area, and tau. Uses dedicated detection algorithms and flexible analysis packages. Available on Windows only.
• PV Loop and Analysis Manager: A workflow mode that guides users through each phase of the pressure-volume loop procedure for cardiovascular studies, supporting both left and right ventricular analysis. Analysis Manager allows saving, labelling, and recalling selections and analysis regions.
• ECG Analysis: Provides automated PQRST waveform detection and classification.
• HRV 2.0: A suite of heart rate variability analysis views including the Tachogram, RR and Delta RR Interval histograms, Poincaré plot, and Power Spectrum windows.
• Spectrum View: Converts time-based signals into component frequencies.
• Cyclic Measurements and DVM: Additional analysis options for periodic data.

Data Display and Visualization Features

• Scope View: Displays, overlays, averages, and analyzes periodic or evoked waveforms in real time.
• Data Pad and Data Pad Plots: Converts time-based raw data and calculations from chart view into discrete values for use in statistical analysis, with flexible plotting options.
• Split View: Shows chart view traces with two separate x-axis displays, allowing long-term trends to be viewed alongside the latest data simultaneously.
• Zoom View: Provides a closer look at events, supports comparison of timing between two overlaid channels, and allows image export for publication.
• Video Capture: Records and replays synchronized video alongside physiological recordings.
• High-quality graph production is integrated within the software, including peak analysis graphs, spike histograms, dose-response curves, and four plot types with curve fits via the data plot API.

Workflow and Customization

• Preconfigured settings files for one-touch recordings.
• Smart detection of all ADInstruments peripheral devices.
• Welcome Center providing single-click access to files, support resources, and new software features.
• Manual or event-driven sampling modes.
• Fully customizable stimulator control.
• Full layout control to display only relevant channels and data.
• Arithmetic channel calculations allowing custom formulae, detection, and analysis to be built directly within LabChart.
• Modifiable signal detection algorithms.
• Hot-key macros for automating repetitive tasks (Windows only).
• Scripting environment for custom signal analysis (Windows only).
• Import and export of data in various formats for use in external applications.
• Comments and annotation tools for use during or after data acquisition.

Add-Ons and Signal-Specific Tools

• A range of purpose-built Add-Ons for life science signals, covering cardiovascular, respiratory, blood pressure, neuronal, and dose-response data.
• Signal-specific analysis tools are available for targeted physiological research applications.
• Student licenses are available, providing research-grade software for educational use.

LabChart is available with one-on-one expert support and hands-on training courses delivered by experienced scientists, suitable for users of all experience levels. Training resources include a Knowledge Base and how-to videos. The software runs on Windows, with some features such as scripting and peak analysis limited to the Windows platform.