Wireless Neural Headstage Systems for small animal research

ADInstruments and Triangle BioSystems Inc. (TBSI) give researchers a way to fast track their behavioral-electrophysiological studies with industry-leading systems for wireless acquisition of neural data. The systems are ideal for rodent studies that require high degrees of movement freedom as well as accurate and precise multichannel spike data.

TBSI provide small, lightweight neural headstage transmitters with a 3.5 and 5.5 hour battery life (integrated), high sampling rates and a transmission range of up to 4 meters. In combination with a PowerLab unit and LabChart software, researchers can acquire and analyze action potential signals from individual neurons (spikes), as well as local field potentials in untethered small animals. The systems are ideal for any study where researchers wish to minimize the impact and limitation of traditional tethered systems.

Features & benefits:

• Monitor neural activity of freely moving rodents
• Record extracellular action potentials or field potentials
• Unparalleled sampling rates for high resolution signal acquisition
• Transmitters incorporate convenient rechargeable battery
• Lightweight Headstage Receiver for easy portability
• Powerful data acquisition and analysis with PowerLab and LabChart Pro software
• Wireless Receiver Sets for researchers already using a PowerLab system with LabChart.

Wireless Neural Recording Systems

These premier systems are convenient and easy to use, with the only wires running between your headstage receiver and PowerLab data acquisition unit. You can choose from a complete system for mouse models (5 channel system) or rat models (5 and 15 channel systems). Before ordering, please see our Application Notes.

Convenient and powerful systems:

• Suited to use in small animals such as rats and mice
• Ideal for studies including learning, memory, emotion and pathophysiology
• Simultaneously test two subjects with dual recording systems
  (e.g. social interaction test)
• Automatically detect & analyze multiple waveform peaks
• Spike sorting based on template-matching
• Simultaneously monitor subject behavior time-locked to neural activity

Now available

PL3508B82/F 5 Channel Wireless Neural Recording System

• PL3508 PowerLab 8/35 (includes LabChart software)
• MLS260/7 LabChart Pro software
• TB5469/F TBSI 5 Channel Wireless Neural Headstage Receiver Set
  
• MLAC55 TBSI Receiver to PowerLab Interface Cable (5 Channel)
• MLAC51 TBSI 5 Channel Headstage Testing Cable

PL3516B83/F 15 Channel Wireless Neural Recording System

• PL3516 PowerLab 16/35 (includes LabChart software)
• MLS260/7 LabChart Pro software
• TB5470/F TBSI 15 Channel Wireless Neural Headstage Receiver Set
• MLAC56 TBSI Receiver to PowerLab Interface Cable (15 Channel)
• MLAC52 TBSI 15 Channel Headstage Testing Cable

Before ordering, please see our Application Notes.

Already using a PowerLab?

Researchers already using PowerLab can extend the capability of their current system with a TBSI Wireless Neural Headstage Receiver Set, which includes the Wireless Neural Receiver, Wireless Neural Headstage, power supply and accessories.

System components

1.  Wireless Neural Headstage

All TBSI Neural Headstages incorporate neural preamplifier circuitry to create an extremely lightweight, compact and powerful transmitter with an integrated rechargeable battery (5 Channel headstage shown at right).

Available in 5 or 15 channels, the Receiver provides a wireless communication between the neural transmitters and the PowerLab data acquisition unit. It pairs high channel count functionality with efficient design to form a precision lightweight receiver with an effective receiving range of 4 m (3 m with glass separators). The receiver unit is supplied with an RF signal receiver/baseband demodulator, RF receiver power supply and the minimal cabling required to connect the receiver to the PowerLab unit. The receiver operates within a transmission range of up to 4 meters in unlicensed radio band below FCC limits.

3.  PowerLab data acquisition unit with LabChart Pro software

Record your neural data quickly and easily with a world-class data acquisition unit. The PowerLab unit provides 16-bit resolution on all gain ranges and unparalleled sampling speed, ideal for acquisition of high-fidelity neural signals.

PowerLab is supplied with LabChart software, all LabChart Pro Modules and 5 years of free software upgrades!

LabChart is an intuitive interface for quick and easy neural data acquisition and analysis, which includes tools such as Scope View (for overlaying data sweeps). Specialized LabChart Pro analysis modules provide application-specific tools for comprehensive analysis of discrete data sets (more information below).

Analysis software

LabChart features

Spectrum View

• Analyze the component frequencies of a signal
  i.e. isolate electrical noise components,
  or α, β, γ, δ, and θ from EEG
• Calculate and display continuous spectrum parameters on individual channels
• Extract spectrum parameters to Data Pad
• View time variation of frequency components

Scope View

• Create sweeps from Blocks, Events and Comments
• Alter sampling and configuration settings
• Use macros to automate repetitive tasks
• Assign a reference trace for background signal removal
• Custom display options including:
  3D Depth, saturation overlay, black/white background toggle and trace colour.

LabChart Pro Modules

LabChart Pro software includes twelve specialized analysis modules and five years of free software upgrades! The software modules supplement LabChart features with highly specific acquisition and analysis tools for discrete data and defined applications, such as HRV and metabolic studies.

Peak Analysis Module (Win)

Automatically detect and analyze multiple waveforms (not overlapping) online or offline. Analysis presets are provided for general unstimulated, evoked response, population spike, synaptic, action potential and cardiac action potential waveforms. Detection, calculation and display options can be adjusted for each waveform type.

Video Capture Module

Compare real time events with LabChart data. The module synchronizes LabChart data files with video/audio files (Windows Media or Quicktime) so you can observe subject behavior and action alongside fluctuations in acquired data.

Spike Histogram Module

Detect, discriminate and analyze extracellular neural spike activity online or offline. Two spike discrimination methods are provided (template matching or freehand contour drawing), with six specialized histogram plots available.

Application notes

Frequency specification: please specify the frequency (F) = 3 for 3GHz (standard) and 3.4 for 3.4GHz (alternate).
 
Electrodes: ADInstruments do not provide microelectrodes or mounting devices for Neural Transmitters.  Application and genus specific electrodes for use with TBSI Wireless Neural Headstage Transmitters can be purchased from electrode specialists including: MicroProbes for Life Science, NeuroNexus Technologies, Inc., Neurolinc Corporation and Tucker-Davis Technologies, Inc.

External batteries: The external battery is typically mounted in a jacket or pouch on the animal, usually distal to headstage placement. These jackets are NOT provided by ADInstruments but can be purchased separately from Lomir Medical.

Headstage options (LEDs and external batteries) are purchased separately and must be specified at the time of headstage purchase.

The TBSI Headstage LED Option adds two LEDs to the neural headstage transmitter for video tracking. The LEDs are placed upward facing on the top of the headstage and operate in tandem with the headstage.

Please note that with the use of an LED, the battery life is reduced by ~30%.  When ordering, please specify colour options: Color (COL) = RR, RB, RG, BB, BG or GG; where R = Red, B = Blue, G = Green.