Setup

Stereotax setup

The main tools for the stereotax are :

The syringe:
- enable the delivery of virus
The ferrule:
- enable implantation of optic fiber for optogenetics
- enable implantation of GRIN lens
  by using heat-shrink tubing around the GRIN lens where the ferrule will hold the lens
- cannula implantation
  by using the ferrule as a cannula holder or using it to hold custom made cannula hodlers
The drill:
- to perform small craniotomy for virus injection (diameter of the drill and/or of the syringe)
- to perform craniotomy for downstream imaging of physiology (0.5mm diameter and above)

The process presented here is done with a fiber optic cannula (CFML12L10). This can be performed with:

light delivery fiber optic cannula (eg. CFML12L10)
drug delivery infusion cannula (catalog)
in vivo imaging GRIN lens (care should be taken to not damage the lens while holding it with the ferrule. Heat-shrink tubing surrounding the lens at the level of the ferrule that attaches the lens could be used not tested)

Note: for fiber optic cannula tapered fiber could also be considered and advantageous for some application article

criteria for end mill:

square miniature end mill (available from Harvey Tool or McMaster-Carr - carbide square end mills)
shank diameter of the end mill 3/32 (2.35mm) to fit the drill. The end mill can be milled down if the only shank diameter is wider than 3/32 (eg. 1/8”).

eg. cat. 13908 is good for a precise cranial window with a small diameter - the cutter diameter is 0.2 mm.

The default settings described below are for using isofluorane and room air