9. Mounting a Baseplate (with NINscope)
Hardware - Firmware - Software
* Articulated holder with vacuum seal base from Noga * Articulated holder arm only from Noga
We use a flexible arm (articulated holder, Noga*) with an adaptor piece that consists of a metal cylinder and a screw hole through which the baseplate is secured. The design files for this adaptor can be found in the folder /Mechanical Designs/Adaptor_Flexible_Arm and RVS M1.6x16 screws. The baseplate is positioned over the implanted GRIN objective with a mounted operational NINscope to obtain the best imaging field-of-view. Once a good baseplate position has been found and the field-of-view has been inspected with NINscope, the miniscope is removed. The baseplate is then secured in place using dental cement. If a relay lens has been implanted the miniscope is lowered while secured to the baseplate using a stereotaxic apparatus. In this case, the GRIN objective has been glued inside the miniscope housing.
We use a long screw and extension piece mounted to the articulated holder to secure the baseplate.
The baseplate uses a set screw (M1.6x3, 0.7 Hex, Jeveka B.V., part # 913000100016003) to secure the miniscope. The miniscope itself has an extrusion on the housing that fitch inside a notch of the baseplate for added stability.
