Name: design and assembly of an ultra-light motorized microdrive for chronic neural recordings in small animals
Uploaded: 2012-11-08T13:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Design and Assembly of an Ultra-light Motorized Microdrive for Chronic Neural Recordings in Small Animals at JoVE.com

This work was supported by the Ester and Joseph Klingenstein Fund, the McKnight Endowment Fund, and NINDS 1R01NS066408-01A1.

1. Overview of Components
<ol>
	<li>A complete microdrive consists of several main components (Figure 1): a chassis that serves as the superstructure for the drive, a motor with a finely threaded output shaft, a threaded shuttle that carries the electrodes and provides a point of electrical connection, and an Omnetics (or equivalent) connector.</li>
	<li>The chassis, electrode shuttle, and electrode shuttle tubes are custom components that were designed with 3D CAD software (SolidWorks) and were machin...

<ol>
	<li>O'Keefe, J., Dostrovsky, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+hippocampus+as+a+spatial+map.">The hippocampus as a spatial map.</a> Brain Research. 34, 171-175 (1971).</li><li>Pennartz, C. M., Berke, J. D., Graybiel, A. M., Ito, R., Lansink, C. S., van der Meer, M., Redish, A. D., Smith, K. S., Voorn, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Corticostriatal Interactions during Learning, Memory Processing, and Decision. 29, 12831-12838 (2009).</li><li>Kepecs, A., Uchida, N., Zariwala, H., Mainen, Z. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Neural+correlates,+computation,+and+behavioural+impact+of+decision+confidence.">Neural correlates, computation, and behavioural impact of decision confidence.</a> Nature. 455, 227-2231 (2008).</li><li>Hahnloser, R. H. R., Kozhevnikov, A. A., Fee, M. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=An+ultra-sparse+code+underlies+the+generation+of+neural+sequences+in+a+songbird.">An ultra-sparse code underlies the generation of neural sequences in a songbird.</a> Nature. 419, 65-70 (2002).</li><li>Leonardo, A., Fee, M. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ensemble+Coding+of+Vocal+Control+in+Birdsong.">Ensemble Coding of Vocal Control in Birdsong.</a> J. Neurosci. 25 (3), 652-661 (2005).</li><li>Yamamoto, J., Wilson, M. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Large-scale+chronically+implantable+precision+motorized+microdrive+array+for+freely+behaving+animals.">Large-scale chronically implantable precision motorized microdrive array for freely behaving animals.</a> J. Neurophysiol. 100 (4), 2430-2440 (2008).</li><li>Fee, M. S., Leonardo, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Miniature+motorized+microdrive+and+commutator+system+for+chronic+neural+recording+in+small+animals.">Miniature motorized microdrive and commutator system for chronic neural recording in small animals.</a> J. Neurosci. Methods. 112, 83-94 (2001).</li><li>&#214;lveczky, B. P., Otchy, T. M., Goldberg, J. H., Aronov, D., Fee, M. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Changes+in+the+neural+control+of+a+complex+motor+sequence+during+learning.">Changes in the neural control of a complex motor sequence during learning.</a> J. Neurophys. 106, 386-397 (2011).</li><li>Otchy, T. M., &#214;lveczky, B. P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Effects+of+Sensory+Experience+on+the+Development+and+Maintenance+of+a+Motor+Program+Underlying+a+Complex+Motor+Sequence.">Effects of Sensory Experience on the Development and Maintenance of a Motor Program Underlying a Complex Motor Sequence.</a> Soc. for Neurosci. Abstr. , (2011).</li><li>Goldberg, J. H., Adler, A., Bergman, H., Fee, M. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Singing-related+neural+activity+distinguishes+two+putative+pallidal+cell+types+in+the+songbird+basal+ganglia:+comparison+to+the+primate+internal+and+external+pallidal+segments.">Singing-related neural activity distinguishes two putative pallidal cell types in the songbird basal ganglia: comparison to the primate internal and external pallidal segments.</a> J. Neurosci. 30 (20), 7088-7098 (2010).</li><li>Goldberg, J. H., Fee, M. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Singing-related+neural+activity+distinguishes+four+classes+of+putative+striatal+neurons+in+the+songbird+basal+ganglia.">Singing-related neural activity distinguishes four classes of putative striatal neurons in the songbird basal ganglia.</a> J. Neurophys. 103 (4), 2002-2014 (2010).</li><li>Venkatachalam, S., Fee, M. S., Kleinfeld, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Miniature+headstage+with+6-channel+drive+and+vacuum-assisted+microwire+implantation+for+chronic+recording+from+neocortex.">Miniature headstage with 6-channel drive and vacuum-assisted microwire implantation for chronic recording from neocortex.</a> J. Neurosci. Methods. 90, 37-46 (1999).</li><li>Shirvalkar, P. R., Shapiro, M. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Design+and+Construction+of+a+Cost+Effective+Headstage+for+Simultaneous+Neural+Stimulation+and+Recording+in+the+Water+Maze.">Design and Construction of a Cost Effective Headstage for Simultaneous Neural Stimulation and Recording in the Water Maze.</a> J. Vis. Exp. (44), e2155 (2010).</li></ol>

The protocol presented here will result in a device capable of high-quality recordings with minimal motion artifacts only if proper care is taken with construction. The fit of the shuttle in the chassis if of critical importance: too tight and the risk of overloading the motor is high; too loose and the risk of significant motion artifact is high. An ideal fit will allow the shuttle to travel the entire length of the threaded shaft without tilting out of position or chattering.
	Select...

<table border="1">
	<tbody>
 <tr>
 <td>Name of item</td>
 <td>Company</td>
 <td>Catalogue number</td>
 <td>Comments</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Chassis</td>
 <td>custom</td>
 <td></td>
 <td>Cut from PEI</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Electrode Shuttle</td>
 <td>custom</td>
 <td></td>
 <td>Cut from PEI</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Shuttle Tubes</td>
 <td>custom</td>
 <td></td>
 <td>Cut from Stainless Steel</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Connector</td>
 <td>Omnetics</td>
 <td>A7886-001</td>
 <td>Mates to A7877-001</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Motor w/ Gearhead</td>
 <td>Faulhaber</td>
 <td>0206-A-001-B-021-47:1</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Wire Guide</td>
 <td>Small Parts, Inc</td>
 <td>SWPT-0113-12</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Electrode Guide</td>
 <td>Small Parts, Inc</td>
 <td>SWPT-0045-12</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>10M&Omega; Pt-Ir electrodes</td>
 <td>Microprobes, Inc</td>
 <td>PI2PT310.0H3</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Platinum Wire</td>
 <td>A-M Systems</td>
 <td>772000</td>
 <td>For electrode wires</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Silver Wire</td>
 <td>A-M Systems</td>
 <td>786000</td>
 <td>For ground wire</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Tungsten Wire</td>
 <td>A-M Systems</td>
 <td>797000</td>
 <td>For electrode pins</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Transparency</td>
 <td>3M</td>
 <td>AF4300</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Torr Seal</td>
 <td>Varian</td>
 <td>9530001</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Kwik-Cast</td>
 <td>WPI</td>
 <td>KWIK-CAST</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Cyanoacrylate</td>
 <td>Krazy Glue</td>
 <td>KG517</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Fast-Set Epoxy</td>
 <td>Hardman</td>
 <td>04001</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Light Mineral Oil</td>
 <td>Sigma</td>
 <td>M5310</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Chlorine bleach</td>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Diagonal cutters</td>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Scalpel blade</td>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Forceps</td>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Drive jig</td>
 <td>custom</td>
 <td></td>
 <td>Epoxy the mating connector to a syringe or stick</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Small Vice</td>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
	 </tbody>
 </table>

design and assembly of an ultra-light motorized microdrive for chronic neural recordings in small animals

The ability to chronically record from populations of neurons in freely behaving animals has proven an invaluable tool for dissecting the function of neural circuits underlying a variety of natural behaviors, including navigation1 , decision making 2,3, and the generation of complex motor sequences4,5,6. Advances in precision machining has allowed for the fabrication of light-weight devices suitable for chronic recordings in small animals, such as mice and songbirds. The ability to adjust the electrode position with small remotely controlled motors has further increased the recording yield in various behavioral contexts by reducing animal handling.6,7
 Here we describe a protocol to build an ultra-light motorized microdrive for long-term chronic recordings in small animals. Our design evolved from an earlier published version7, and has been adapted for ease-of use and cost-effectiveness to be more practical and accessible to a wide array of researchers. This proven design 8,9,10,11 allows for fine, remote positioning of electrodes over a range of ~ 5 mm and weighs less than 750 mg when fully assembled. We present the complete protocol for how to build and assemble these drives, including 3D CAD drawings for all custom microdrive components.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Design and Assembly of an Ultra-light Motorized Microdrive for Chronic Neural Recordings in Small Animals at JoVE.com

Design and Assembly of an Ultra-light Motorized Microdrive for Chronic Neural Recordings in Small Animals

The design, fabrication and assembly of an ultra-light motorized microdrive is described. The device provides a cost-effective and easy-to-use solution for chronic recordings of single units in small behaving animals.

The ability to chronically record from populations of neurons in freely behaving animals has proven an invaluable tool for dissecting the function of ...

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