Toolkit
Hardware
In the course of our research, we develop new and adapt existing designs for scientific instruments. Whenever possible, we make these designs available to the broader research community. Below is access to selected design files for custom hardware that has been developed for use in-house, or in partnership with collaborators.
Refer to the Terms of Use included in the dowloadable package for each specific system or instrument. We welcome your feedback and encourage you to share your applications of these tools via our Community Forum.
Neuropixels
A novel high-density neural recording device; Neuropixels probes take advantage of CMOS technology to pack nearly 1000 electrodes onto a shank thinner than a human hair. Neuropixels are utilized in a project conducted in the Allen Brain Observatory, in which spiking activity is recorded from neurons throughout the mouse visual system.
Neuropixels probes are manufactured by imec and can be ordered from the Neuropixels.org site, with detailed usage information available on the Neuropixels wiki and the Open Ephys wiki. Refer to the Terms of Use through Neuropixels.org.
2" Optics Cubes
A rigid optomechanical assembly for mounting cameras, objective lenses, and dichroic mirrors for widefield microscopy (part ID #0170-000-00).
Animal Procedure Accessories
Custom instrumention has been created for specialized research purposes at the Allen Institute, such as integrated imaging, behavior and recording studies. These instruments are used by trained personnel in accordance with IACUC approved protocols. Refer to Terms of Use and limitations for all items.
|
Description |
Hardware or System |
Purpose |
Example of use |
File access (.zip) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Head-fixed Mouse Behavior Platform |
Multiphoton Microscopes, Neuropixels, Behavior Training |
Hardware designs required for assembling a running wheel in conjunction with other instrumentation (ID #0107-020-00) |
(116 MB) |
|
|
Headframe Placement Tooling |
Surgical Tooling |
Hardware designs for tools that are required for surgical installation of a headframe (ID #0111-200-00) |
(11.5 MB) |
|
|
Craniotomy Headframe Clamp (earbar mount) |
Surgical Tooling |
Hardware designs for a clamp to orient a headframe to a stereotaxic alignment system baseplate, for cranial presentation (ID #0155-100-00) |
(6.6 MB) |
|
|
Headframe and Well |
Multiphoton Microscope |
Design specifications for titanium headframe and plastic retention well utilized for physiological recordings in head-fixed mice (ID #0160-010-00) |
(2.4 MB) |
|
|
Headframe Clamp Assembly |
Multiphoton Microscopes, Neuropixels, Behavior Training |
Hardware designs for a clamping system used to position mice in a reproducible stereotaxic location, in conjunction with other instrumentation (ID #0160-310-00) |
(12.2 MB) |
|
|
Isoflurane Scavenging Scoop |
Surgical Tooling |
Custom assembly for installation of an adapter to scavenge waste anesthetic gases from procedure stations (ID #0209-110-00) |
(3.4 MB) |
|
|
Enclosure |
SLAP2 microscope system |
Light Blocking and Dust Removal Enclosure designed to enclose the backend of the SLAP2 microscope |
(20 MB) |
|
|
Headframe and well |
Neuropixels |
Design specifications for titanium headframe and plastic retention well utilized for physiological recordings in head-fixed mice (left hemisphere craniotomy) (ID #0160-xxx-xx) |
|
|
|
Headframe and well |
Experimental |
Design specifications for titanium headframe and plastic retention well (allows for maxium access to both left and right hemispheres) |
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