Section 3- Microdrives & Related Equipment
micro recording syringe  Micro Recording Syringe

3-MRM-S02 Recording Micro Syringe

The Recording Micro Syringe injects and records simultaneously from the electrode contained within the syringe barrel. It was designed by “Chuck” Crist to bring about the placement of lesions in an extremely accurate area of cells. Recordings are made prior to, during, and after injections to verify the effectiveness of the lesion. This unit is packaged in its own plastic case and includes three recording needles and one matching Hamilton Syringe barrel. The needle size of the Micro Recording Syringe is 28tw gauge.

Suggested Procedure:

Fill syringe body before attaching to electrode needle. Then attach needle and force fluid through. Repeat this until fluid shows at the tip. This should take about 10.17 micro liters of fluid to fill the needle Refill syringe body one more time equal to or more than you intend to inject. You are now ready to assemble and insert into the brain. Attach syringe body to electrode needle. Attach assembly to your electrode manipulator-drive. Position the electrode needle above the guide tube into the brain. Care must be taken not to bend the tiny electrode wire as it is lowered into the guide tube. Any bend in the electrode wire will render the device inoperative or, at least, inaccurate. Once the electrode is safely in the guide tube, you can attach the lead for the electrode part of the system. Use a miniature alligator clip and attach to the tube at right angles to the cannula. This completes the electrode circuit. You are ready to proceed with your normal recording procedures to select a site for the injection. When the site is chosen, inject the desired volume of fluid. Depending on what you have injected, the response should be almost immediate.

 

3-MMD-P1 Microdrive Storage Box

microdrive storage box

                                    Microdrive Storage Box

Now, store your microdrive adjacent to your work center! Your storage box will come with a built in hanger specifically for storing your microdrive. The storage box design allows you to leave your microdrive completely assembled while it is being stored. The box, constructed of sturdy plastic, is completely washable. It has an open bottom and swinging front door that is connected by a stainless steel hinge and has a brass door latch. Your storage center will offer complete protection of your delicate microdrive and electrode during those short periods when not in use.

MICRODRIVE MOUNTING ADAPTERS

x-y-z stage

3-MMK-A1 X - Y Stage with Kopf â Microdrive Mounting Adapter
Our X-Y Stage is designed to be compatible with Kopf Instrument â microdrives with the Crist Instrument grid system. (See section 6 for grids and adapters.) The base is designed to fit the grid adapter (smoke stack). Using the X and Y lead screws the X - Y Stage moves the electrode into position above the guide tube with the guidance of a vernier scale. A vertical post supports the Kopf â adapter and is graduated in easy to read millimeter increments to measure the coarse movement of the entire microdrive. When the adapter has been locked, the normal hydraulic movement would be effective in driving the electrode. The adapter supports the standard Kopf â hydraulic microdrive.

x-y stage

X - Y Stage with Kopf â Microdrive Mounting Adapter?

X-Y Stage Chamber and Grid Assembly

3-MMK-A2 X - Y - Z Stage with Kopf â Microdrive Mounting Adapter

This is the 3-axis model designed for the Kopf â microdrive. This model is almost identical to the MMK-A1, except it has a lead screw driven” Z” axis.

3-MMN-A1 X - Y Stage with a Narishige Microdrive Mounting Adapter

This is the 2-axis model designed for the Narishige hydraulic drive microdrive. This X - Y stage is identical to the MMK, but the stage adapter is designed to fit the Narishige hydraulic drive microdrive Model MO-95.

3-MMN-A2 X - Y - Z Stage with the Narishige Microdrive Mounting Adapter

This is the 3-axis model designed for the Narishige hydraulic drive microdrive. It is almost identical to the MMN-A1, except it has a screw driven “Z” axis.

 


3-MNJ-S01 X - Y Stage Positioner Ring ? X-Y Stage Positioner Ring

This positioner ring is compatible with the Narishige X - Y Stage, as well as the Crist Instrument X – Y stage. The ring fits on the grid adapter/positioner with a double groove top and is used when absolute repositioning of the X - Y Stage is required. It is to be used with our Guide Tube Support advancing device for random sampling. See Figure 3.5. This Positioner Ring can also be used with a Chamber with a double groove.

3-MGS-AH23 Guide Tube Support

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This guide tube support is compatible with the above, modified Narishige microdrive, which has a larger opening in the plastic platform for general use with our grid system. The guide tube support should be used in preliminary searches of general areas. This search should allow you to locate a specific area from which you intend to do chronic recordings. The MGS-AH23 accommodates a 23-gauge guide tube. In the case that other size guide tubes are used, the device has a replaceable holder that can be made to your specifications. The MGS-AH23 will come with the standard 23-gauge holder unless you specify otherwise.

3-MNJ-P02-M Modification of Narishige Microdrive - Plastic Base

The Narishige MO 95 top plastic platform must be enlarged in order to see the Guide Tube openings and to facilitate the passage of the electrode into Guide Tube. This modification requires you to send us your top plastic platform.

3-MNJ-05M-xx Modification of Narishige Microdrive - Tubing

This modification extends the distance between the work site and the control site by extending the tubing up to 25 feet of hydraulic line. When ordering, please specify the length of tubing you require. (This does not include the modification of the plastic base.) CAUTION: Due to the longer length of Teflon tubing, you may expect some increase in hysteresis. We therefore recommend that you keep your tube length as short as possible. This modification requires you to send us your Narishige MO 95.

3-MNJ-MSET Modifications of Narishige Microdrive - Plastic Base & Tubing

Save time and money by having both modifications done at the same time.

MICRODRIVES

3-NRMD Miniature Microdrive

This unit is designed for a multitude of uses. One possibility is to attach it inside the standard or the offset grid. Other possibilities include inverting the grid and attaching one or more microdrive units with a long guide tube, or attaching it to the new grid cap. The base on this microdrive is available in three configurations: offset right, offset left, or inline symmetrical. This miniature unit should be mounted inside of a chamber, preferably with our grid having one millimeter spacing. Procedure The microdrive is assembled into the grid by pushing the position pin into one of the holes of the grid. The 000 self-tapping screw is inserted through the hole, as indicated, and is screwed into one of the holes in the grid. The guide tube is pressed into the grid in a position that lines up with the slot in the front of the moving carrier. The electrode is then gently inserted into the guide tube and allowed to lower itself by its own weight until it rests on the dura. The electrode is then pressed gently into the slot and glued in place (we recommend Duco Cement or thick Crazy Glue) and allowed to dry. To remove use acetone to dissolve the glue. The electrode will advance 0.25 mm each time the screw is fully rotated 365 °.

microdrive

This microdrive will also fit onto the new miniature grids for very small animals. These microdrives can be arranged to place as many as four in a standard monkey grid. In addition, the microdrives are available to each hold one, two or three electrodes. Order as follows: Asymmetric Foot Placement

3-NRMD-A1-R 1 Right Electrode Holder

3-NRMD-A1-L 1 Left Electrode Holder

3-NRMD-A2-R 2 Right Electrode Holder

3-NRMD-A2-L 2 Left Electrode Holder

3-NRMD-A3-R 3 Right Electrode Holder

  3-NRMD-A3-L3 Left Electrode Holder

Symmetric Foot Placement

3-NRMD-S1 1 Electrode Holder

3-NRMD-S2    2 Electrode Holder

3-NRMD-S3 3 Electrode Holder

BIELA MANUAL MICRODRIVES

biela microdrive

The Biela Rat Microdrive was designed for use in short term or chronic experiments. The Biela Microdrive operates manually and consists of a chamber that is mounted on the head, the body, the thimble and a cap to be used when the Microdrive is removed from the animal’s head. The main feature is that the electrode does not turn when you rotate the thimble. The chamber is attached to the skull using accepted surgical procedures. This chamber is threaded on the outside with a #8-64 right hand thread. The body screws on to the chamber. The Electrode is inserted into this unit and moves smoothly through the layers of tissue in a linear direction. There is a cap and plug to put in place when the Microdrive is not in use. When the cap and plug are removed the threads on the chamber are exposed. There is a short piece of Teflon tubing that fits inside the chamber that acts as an insulator and helps to align the drive with the chamber. This Microdrive is available in three lengths of travel, the 9mm, 14mm and the 23mm. The overall length of the 9mm Biela Microdrive is 18mm when closed and the 14mm is 24mm when closed. These units will accept an electrode up to one (1) mm in diameter, thus allowing for the investigator to use single or multi-electrodes. The Inner Chamber is designed to support four (4) glass micro-pipettes drawn to a fine tip.

rat

Procedure

To place one of these Microdrives into use, follow the ensuing procedures. Open the Microdrive to its longest length, being careful not to disassemble the thimble and body. By hand insert the electrode through the center of the Teflon tube at the top. With the point of the electrode resting on the durra, apply a small drop of duco cement. It is important to beextremely careful and not allow any of the cement to come in contact with the functioning units at the top of the spindle. An alternate method for holding the electrode is to use a very small piece of shrink tubing to hold the electrode and the top end of the non rotating barrel while driving the electrode below the dura. All threaded and moving parts should be lubricated with a very small amount of lanolube to assure smooth and repeatable movement.

3-MMB-1 Biela Microdrive Set, Miniature 9mm

The miniature, manually driven microdrive is designed for use on mice and rats. The Biela Microdrive design is unique since it is a manually rotated device that moves the electrode along its axis without rotation. The set includes the Microdrive, 3 mounts with caps, and a set of tools

3-MMB-2 Biela Microdrive Set, Small 14 mm

The small, manually driven microdrive is designed for use on rats and other small animals. The set includes the microdrive, 3 mounts with caps, and a set of tools.

3-MMB-3 Biela Microdrive Set, Medium 23 mm

The 23 mm microdrive with its longer length of travel is expected to be available in early 2007. It is operationally the same as the Miniature and the Small travel lengths to achieve deeper penetration levels.

3-MMB-SF Biela Microdrive & Foot

biela microdrive 3

This system anchors the Biela Microdrive into the grid, mounting the miniature microdrive inside the grid cup for long term chronic studies. Use of the Microdrive in this manner requires special caps for added clearance inside the chamber. This setup can be utilized with either the 9mm, the 14mm or the 23mm size microdrive. The set includes one miniature microdrive, one mounting foot, one 000 screw and one guide tumbe up to 60 mm. When ordering specify 3-MMB-SF-9 for the small size or 3-MMB-SF-14 for the 14 mm unit or 3-MMB-SF-14 for the 23 mm unit.

3-MMB-1D Biela Microdrive, 9 mm (Microdrive Only)

3-MMB-2D Biela Microdrive, 14 mm (Microdrive Only)

3-MMB-3D Biela Microdrive, 23 mm (Microdrive Only)

3-MMB-CM Biela Microdrive, Mount & Cap

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One Mount and One Cap included in this item. Fits both the 9 mm & the 14 mm microdrive.

3-MMB-M4 Microdrive Base (Mount)

 

3-Spare Parts

3-MMB-Tool Biela Microdrive Tool Set Contains one each large and small blade tool

3-MMB-STS Stereotaxic Support for Biela Microdrive

The Stereotaxic holder is designed for use when the subject animal is in a stereotaxic device and the normal cranial holders are not used. The device can be used in this manner with or without the guide tube. If the guide tube is used you will need a guide tube pressure plate that is a part of the foot.

Section 3 Microdrive Parts
Biela Microdrive

3-MMB-SP1

Inner Sleeve Tubing for - MMB-1, 2 or 3

3 ft. lengths (91.44cm)

3-MMB-SP0

Outer Sleeve Tubing for - MMB-1, 2 or 3

3 ft. lengths (91.44)

3-MMB-CSP4

Microdrive Cap Plug Rod

5-3/4 in. (15cm) lengths

Lubricant

ZGM-LANO

1 Tube Lubricant

Approx. 2 oz. (59.147ML)

1

3-MDRV-14

Microdrive Foot

Each

1

FS-000x5/32

000 Self Tapping Screw

3 each

3