PlexBright LED Optogenetic Stimulation System

PlexBright LED Optogenetic Stimulation System

Introduction Laser-based light sources were the first to make inroads in in vivo optogenetic experimentation, due to their capability of delivering high levels of light into neural tissue via an optical fiber. Drawbacks of laser systems included their high cost, complexity, controllability of light output, and their large footprint in a lab environment. In the more recent years, attention has turned to exploring LED-based systems to deliver light for optogenetic research. Relative to lasers, LEDs offer stable light output, outstanding temporal precision, and can be manufactured for a fraction of the cost. The historically low power output has been the Achilles heel of LEDs for neuroresearch until now. In a targeted effort to assist our customers advance into the realm of optogenetic research at an attractive quality level and a more reasonable price point, Plexon is pleased to announce that we have successfully advanced LEDbased power output to meet and often exceed - neuroresearch requirements. We have developed a series of compact LED modules able to deliver intense light of the wavelengths needed to stimulate commonly used opsins, including channelrhodopsins (ChRs), archaerhodopsins (Arch), and halorhodopsins (NpHR). Introducing the PlexBright LED Optogenetic Stimulation System - providing an innovative, economical, turnkey approach to effectively perform acute or chronic optogenetic stimulation. Light intensity and pulse patterns are modulated by a constant current controller that powers one or two wavelength-specific modules that deliver light stimulation through an optical fiber that eventually terminates in either an implanted fiber stub or a bare fiber tip. We invite you to learn more about the components that make up the PlexBright System: PlexBright LD-1 Single Channel LED Driver Controls single or dual LED modules to precisely modulate light intensity and stimulation patterns for in vitro, or unilateral/ bilateral in vivo stimulation. PlexBright LED Modules - output stable, precisely controllable light patterns for effective targeting of the most commonly used opsins. Configurable modules include o Multiple wavelength options o Continuous fiber or interchangeable cable construction, and o Choice of bare fiber or LC ferrule (with fiber stub implant) tips for anesthetized or freely behaving animal research. PlexBright Optical Fiber Cleaning Kit - minimizes potential damage inflicted by cleaning and extends the life of the fiber connections and tips. PlexBright LD-1 Single Channel LED Driver Plexon s PlexBright LED Optogenetic Stimulation System is controlled by the LD-1 Single Channel LED Driver, a light-weight, compact device that can deliver controllable currents in excess of 1.20A to various LED Modules. Output current can be set manually and also controlled via both analog and TTL inputs to modulate LED brightness and pulse patterns, respectively. The LED driver can control up to two LED modules in series with the same signal, such as for bilateral stimulation.

LD-1 Single Channel LED Driver Technical Specifications Feature Specifications and Options Notes Device platform Current driven Provides stable current up to 1200mA for continuous output, or can accept a TTL or analog input for modulation of output. Current output 0 to 1200mA Manual pulse Available Analog input 0 to 5V TTL input Available Dimensions (H x L x W) 2.6 x 5.5 x 10.5cm Weight 250g Compatibility with LED modules All Plexon LED modules Number of modules controlled simultaneously 1 or 2 The LED Driver can operate a single LED module or two in which identical parameters are desired for both stimulation sites. PlexBright LED Modules At the heart of the PlexBright LED Optogenetic Stimulation System are the configurable, cost-effective, and powerful PlexBright LED Modules. These super intensity LED modules provide outstanding light stability and pulse characteristics all with a compact footprint. The configurable design enables you to get the most out of your research whether you are performing acute or chronic in vivo experiments, or in vitro preparations; utilizing animals as small as mice or as large as primates; or whether you are studying head-fixed or freely behaving animals. To maximize the results with any combination of scenarios, PlexBright LED modules offer several configurable features: choice of wavelength, choice of continuous fiber or interchangeable cable construction, and choice of stimulation tips. (Image to the right shows 465nm, blue, continuous fiber module with a bare fiber tip.) Wavelength Options PlexBright LED modules come in three wavelengths with corresponding colors and are capable of emitting continuous, stable, and quick-responding light through the tip of a 200μm core, 0.48NA optical fiber. Royal blue (450nm), Blue (465nm) and Green (525nm) fixed wavelength modules are available offering intensities of 5 to 17mW depending on the color chosen. Intensities can be further increased two times or more when implementing pulsed output patterns with low duty cycles. Both 450 and 465nm light have been shown to be effective in generating a response from channelrhodopsins (ChRs), while the green 525nm light has been shown to be effective in generating a response primarily from archaerhodopsins (Arch), but also halorhodopsins (NpHR). LED Module Wavelength Technical Specifications Wavelength Intensity* Max Current Notes Royal Blue 450nm ~17 ± 1mW 300mA Effective in generating a response from channelrhodopsins (ChRs) Blue 465nm ~15 ± 1mW 300mA Effective in generating a response from channelrhodopsins (ChRs) Green 525nm ~5 ± 0.5mW 300mA Effective in generating a response primarily from archaerhodopsins (Arch), but also halorhodopsins (NpHR) * Intensities can be further increased 2x or more when implementing pulsed output patterns with low duty cycles. Intensities are with respect to the 200µm core, 230µm cladding, 0.48NA optical fiber utilized throughout the PlexBright system.

Continuous or Interchangeable Construction Options In addition to the wavelengths, you may choose from a Continuous Fiber or an Interchangeable Cable construction. A Continuous Fiber Module is a single unit from light source through to the tip. This option is most attractive when a high power intensity is important as it has either less or no power reduction due to connecterization. (Image to the right shows 525nm, green, continuous fiber module with a bare fiber tip.) The Interchangeable Cable Module is a two-part configuration that permits the exchange of different tip-specific Patch Cables. Researchers prefer this configuration when performing different types of experiments (such as acute, headfixed experiments, as well as chronic experiments utilizing freely behaving animals) and wish to use the same light source. It is also preferred when there is a high expectation that the tip of the fiber may be damaged frequently. In that case, only the Patch Cable would need to be replaced rather than the entire module. (Image to the right shows 525nm, green, interchangeable cable module with a LC ferrule tipped patch cable.) LED Module Continuous or Interchangeable Construction Technical Specifications Feature Continuous Fiber Module Interchangeable Cable Module Notes Housing dimensions 2.6 x 5.5 x 3.5cm 2.6 x 5.5 x 3.5cm Same for all modules (H x L x W) Weight 95g 95g All modules have the similar weight, but differ slightly by the fiber/connectors/tips specified. Weight provided is minus fibers, connectors, and tips. Length from 2.0 ± 0.1m 0.5 ± 0.2m housing Distal tip/end Bare Fiber or LC Ferrule FC Connector The Continuous Fiber Module ends in a specific tip, while the Interchangeable Cable Module ends in an FC connector. Fiber core OD 200µm 200µm Same for all modules Fiber cladding OD 230µm 230µm Same for all modules Fiber jacketing OD 500µm 500µm Same for all modules Numerical aperture 0.48 0.48 Same for all modules (NA) Patch Cable n/a Required The Patch Cable is part of the Interchangeable Cable Module and not relevant for the Continuous Fiber Module. Patch cable proximal end n/a FC Connector Both the distal end of the Interchangeable Cable Module and the proximal end of the Patch Cable are FC connectors. As a result an FC mating adaptor is required to bridge the two. Intensity loss of ~30% occurs at the Interchangeable Cable Module/Patch Cable interface. n/a Bare Fiber or LC Ferrule Patch cable distal tip Patch cable length n/a 2.0 ± 0.1m

Fiber Tip Options Plexon offers two tissue interfacing fiber tips: the Bare Fiber tip and the LC Ferrule tip coupled with a Fiber Stub Implant. The Bare Fiber tip can be directly inserted into tissue, is reusable, and is favored for acute experiments utilizing head-fixed animals as well as in vitro experiments. It is also possible to use the Bare Fiber tip in a chronic experiment using a hollow cannula. In all cases, a Bare Fiber tip is flat cleaved and accompanied by a strong 3mm, Kevlar-reinforced furcation tube. This thick furcation tubing can easily be secured into a manipulator for use. One additional feature of the Bare Fiber tip is that, utilizing proper procedures, researchers are free to re-cleave the tip if it becomes damaged. The ~2m fiber offers ample opportunity to re-cleave the tip several times while still maintaining a reasonable fiber length for experimentation. (Image to the right shows a bare fiber tip protruding from the furcation tubing. You can clearly see both the jacketed and stripped (unjacketed) portions of the exposed optic fiber.) The LC Ferrule tip, always accompanied by thinner, more flexible 1.3mm furcation tubing, requires an implanted Fiber Stub to stimulate tissue. It is primarily designed for chronic experiments in which researchers wish to periodically disconnect freely behaving animals - as small as mice from the light source. The LC Ferrule tip mates with the LC Ferrule of the Fiber Stub Implant utilizing a ceramic sleeve. The length of exposed fiber beyond the Fiber Stub LC Ferrule (referred to as the Fiber Stub Implant length) is customizable to the researcher s specifications, although certain lengths have become more popular than others. (Images to the right is an LC ferrule on the end of either a patch cable or a continuous fiber, while the second image is of a fiber stub implant.) LED Module Fiber Tip Technical Specifications LC Ferrule with Fiber Feature Bare Fiber Stub Implant Notes Tubing 3mm 1.3mm The tubing used in conjunction with the LC Ferrule tip is thinner and more flexible in support of freely behaving animal experiments. Tubing material PVC, Kevlar reinforced furcation PVC, furcation The Bare Fiber tubing is reinforced to enhance the ability to fix the tubing in a manipulator for headfixed experiments. Tip finish Flat cleave Polished Tip protection Plastic sleeve Plastic cap Length of stripped fiber 1cm n/a Utilizing proper procedures, researchers can recleave the tip of the Bare Fiber if desired. Fiber Stub Implant n/a Required Required for use with the LC Ferrule tip only. Length n/a Customizable Fiber Stub Implant length is the length of exposed fiber beyond the Fiber Stub Implant s LC Ferrule. Fiber Stub LC Ferrule OD n/a 1.25mm The Fiber Stub Implant has an LC Ferrule with the same OD as the LC Ferrule tip on the Patch Cable. Fiber Stub LC n/a 6.45mm Ferrule length LC Ferrule tip/fiber Stub connection n/a Ceramic sleeve Intensity loss of ~30% occurs at the Fiber Stub Implant interface.

PlexBright Optical Fiber Cleaning Kit The thin layer of fragile hard polymer cladding surrounding the unjacketed optical fiber may be scratched. The PlexBright Optical Fiber Cleaning Kit minimizes potential damage potentially inflicted by cleaning and extends the life of the fiber tip. PlexBright LED Optogenetic Stimulation System Snapshot The table below summarizes the complete system offerings. Each row is independent from the others and explains the options available in that category. Driver (1 option) Single Channel LED Driver OPT/LED_Driver Current output: 0 to 1200mA Analog input: 0 to 5V TTL input ready: Yes Product Options Notes Output current can be set manually and also controlled via both analog and TTL inputs to modulate LED brightness and pulse patterns, respectively. Driver supports up to 2 modules with the same output characteritics.. LED Wavelength Options (3 options) Royal Blue OPT/LED_Royal_Blue... Wavelength: 450 nm Intensity: 17 ± 1mW Rhodopsin: Channel (ChRs) Blue OPT/LED_Blue... Wavelength: 465 nm Intensity: 15 ± 1mW Rhodopsin: Channel (ChRs) Green OPT/LED_Green... Wavelength: 525 nm Intensity: 5 ± 0.5mW Rhodopsin: Arch and NpHR Intensity indicated is at 300mA continuous output. Intensity can be increased 2x or more during pulsed output patterns with low duty cycles. Maximum current for all 3 LEDs is 300mA. Module Configuration Options (2 options) Continuous Fiber Module Fiber length: 2.0 ± 0.1m Distal tip: Bare Fiber or LC Ferrule Core/Cladding/Jacketing OD: 200/230/500μm Numerical aperture (NA): 0.48 Interchangeable Cable Module Fiber length: 0.5 ± 0.2m Distal end: FC connector Core/Cladding/Jacketing OD: 200/230/500μm Numerical aperture (NA): 0.48 Patch Cables OPT/PC-x-6L Length: 2.0 ± 0.1m Proximal end: FC connector Distal tips: Bare Fiber or LC Ferrule Continuous Fiber Module is a single unit from light source through to tip (either the bare fiber or LC ferrule tip). Interchangeable Cable Module is a two-part configuration that permits the exchange of different tip-specific patch cables. Intensity loss of ~30% occurs at the Interchangeable Cable Module/Patch Cable interface. Both configurations available with any wavelengths and with either tip. Fiber Tip Options (2 options) LC Ferrule Diameter: 1.25mm Tubing: 1.3mm OD furcation Fiber Stubs OPT/LCFS200-Flat-xL-Qx Unjacketed fiber length: Customizable Core/Cladding OD: 200/230μm Numerical aperture (NA): 0.48 LC Ferrule OD: 1.25mm LC Ferrule length: 6.45mm Bare Fiber Cleave: Flat Length of stripped fiber: 1cm Tubing: 3mm OD Kevlar reinforced furcation The LC Ferrule tip, with thinner fiber tubing, requires an implanted Fiber Stub to stimulate tissue. Designed for chronic experiments in which researchers wish to periodically disconnect freely behaving animals from the light source. Intensity loss of ~30% occurs at the Fiber Stub interface. Fiber Stub lengths (distance protruding from the LC Ferrule ) are customizable. The Bare Fiber tip can be directly inserted into tissue, is reusable, and is favored for acute experiments utilizing head-fixed animals as well as in vitro experiments. Possible use also with hollow cannula for more chronic applications. Accessories Optical Fiber Cleaning Kit OPT/Cleaning_Kit Contents: Fiber cleaning solution, Lint-free towelettes, and Lens paper Thin layer of fragile hard polymer cladding surrounding the unjacketed optical fiber may be scratched. Kit minimizes potential damage inflicted by cleaning and extends the life of the fiber tip.