Plexon offers the Plextrode™ Floating Microelectrode Array (FMA) for long-term chronic applications. The Plextrode FMA is a unique microelectrode array, designed to improve upon the benefits offered by a standard chronic array while also accommodating numerous, user-defined specifications. This allows the Plextrode FMA to be configured to specific research requirements.
Plexon offers the Plextrode™ Floating Microelectrode Array (FMA) for long-term chronic applications. The Plextrode FMA is a unique microelectrode array, designed to improve upon the benefits offered by a standard chronic array while also accommodating numerous, user-defined specifications. This allows the Plextrode FMA to be configured to specific research requirements.
The Plextrode FMA is made with a laser-drilled ceramic substrate to accommodate the number of electrodes required. The array is tethered using a bundle of 25-micron gold wires that have been coated with a a silicone elastomer. This assembly allows the rigid connection point to be situated away from the array itself, thus permitting the array to truly float with all of the movements of the brain.
The Plextrode FMA is implanted using a vacuum insertion tool specifically designed to connect to the back of the substrate. This tool, which will work with the majority of available micromanipulators, enables the user to use a very gradual insertion process that minimizes dimpling. After the depth of interest has been reached, the dura can be secured over the electrode substrate with sutures.
| Electrode Length | up to 10 mm, within a single array |
| Material |
Platinum/Iridium, Pure Iridium, Activated Pure Iridium (Different materials may be used within a single array) |
| Connector | Omnetics connector compatible with any Plexon headstage |
| Tip Profile | Standard, Blunt, Heat-treated taper, and Fine |
| Gold Wire Bundle Length | 1.5 cm to 12 cm |
| Array Size |
16-channel array dimensions: 1.95 mm x 2.45 mm x 0.5 mm |
| Standard Inter-electrode Spacing | 400 μm (custom spacing available) |
| Standard Tip Diameter | 2 μm to 3μm (custom diameters available) |
Plexon FPA Data Sheet
The Plextrode® microwire arrays are most commonly used in chronic, freely moving animal studies. They are Plexon's best selling electrode array due to both recording reliability and cost efficiency.
U-Probes are now available with thinner probe diameters and thinner reinforcement tubes. The 16- and 24-channel U-Probes now come in 185 µm and 210 µm outer diameters, respectively. The thin U-Probes with 15 μm diameter platinum/iridium electrode sites have been proven to be excellent recording probes for both single units and field potentials. Larger diameter electrode sites are also available.
The new, thin 460 μm diameter reinforcement tubes result in less space between the the thin section of the UProbe and the guide tube, for increased stability while pushing through dura.
All UProbes can be fitted with either fiber optic lines or fluid channels for drug delivery. The location of the optic fiber and fluid capillary along the shaft of the UProbe is user defined.