Low-Autofluorescence Multimode Patch Cables

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Plot comparing the recovery of autofluorescence for a low-autofluorescence (AF) and standard patch cable after photobleaching at 470 nm for 12 hours. An M470F3 LED was used for excitation and autofluorescence intensity at 525 nm was measured relative to the output power from the patch cable. 

Features

• Low-Autofluorescence* (AF) Patch Cables with Ø400 µm Core, 0.50 NA Multimode Fiber
• Use in Fiber Photometry Applications with GFP (470 nm Excition) and RFP (565 nm Excitation)
• Connector Options:
  • FC/PC Connector, Ø1.25 mm (LC) Ferrule, or Ø2.5 mm (FC) Ferrule on Specimen Side
  • FC/PC Connector on Non-Specimen Side
• Black Jacketing Minimizes Light Leakage
• 1 m Cable Length
• Contact Tech Support with Custom Patch Cable Requests

These multimode patch cables are manufactured with components that reduce the emitted autofluorescence in the visible spectrum. This makes these patch cables suitable for fiber photometry applications where high sensitivity is required to measure the changes in fluorescence that indicate neural activity within a specimen. The design of these patch cables is based on testing of the autofluorescent properties of our patch cable components such as the bare fiber, ferrule types, and epoxies.

Each patch cable incorporates a Ø400 µm, 0.50 NA multimode fiber (Item # FP400URT) and is available with three connector configurations. One end is equipped with an FC/PC connector, while the other is equipped with an FC/PC connector, Ø1.25 mm stainless steel ferrule, or a Ø2.5 mm stainless steel ferrule. Similar to our standard optogenetics patch cables, the patch cables with a ferrule end can be mated to a fiber optic cannula using an interconnect or mating sleeve; see the selection guide below for compatible products.

Each patch cable includes two protective caps that shield the ferrule ends from dust and other hazards when not in use. Additional plastic, metal, or threaded caps for the connector and ferrule ends are sold separately here. If the fiber ends become dirty from use, we offer a selection of inspection tools, as well as fiber optic cleaning products.

Photobleaching
For optimal performance during your experiment, low-autofluorescence patch cables should undergo a photobleaching procedure prior to use. This process saturates the fluorophores in the fiber and patch cable components, which minimizes autofluorescent emissions. Because the autofluorescence will eventually recover to a steady state value after photobleaching (as seen in the graph to the right), this process should be repeated each time the cable will be used in an experiment. Please see the Photobleaching tab for additional information on the needed equipment and procedure.

In our product testing, we compared the autofluorescence recovery of a low-autofluorescent patch cable to a standard patch cable. The graph to the right shows the measured autofluorescence relative to the output power for each test patch cable over a period of 36 days. We observe that the low-autofluorescent patch cable has a lower autofluorescence ratio immediately after photobleaching and also exhibits a slower recovery of autofluorescence over the test period. 

Mating Sleeve and Patch Cable Compatibility
The ferrule diameter of a patch cable and cannula is the key factor for physical compatibility with an interconnect and mating sleeve. Cannulae and patch cables using Ø1.25 mm (LC) ferrules can be connected using the ADAL1 mating sleeve or ADAL3 interconnect. Patch cables and cannulae using Ø2.5 mm (FC) ferrules are compatible with the ADAF1 mating sleeve and ADAF2 interconnect.

*Low autofluorescence was tested and verified for excitation at 470 nm and 565 nm. Performance may vary for excitation at other wavelengths.

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Photo showing a setup for photobleaching a low-autofluorescence patch cable.

Example Photobleaching Procedure

Fiber photometry experiments measure fluorescence emitted from genetically-modified cells as an indicator of neural activity. To obtain the sensitivity needed for resolving the small changes in fluorescence emissions, noise from other sources, such as the optical patch cables, must be minimized. The most common fluorophore used in fiber photometry is green fluorescent protein (GFP) which is excited at wavelengths near 470 nm.

Photobleaching is a process where the fluorophores in a sample or material are saturated with light at the excitation wavelength. This makes it a useful technique for reducing the emitted autofluorescence in a patch cable prior to a fiber photometry experiment. We recommend that users photobleach their patch cables before each experiment. The steps below detail a general procedure that can be used.

1. Choose a fiber-coupled LED with a wavelength that matches your experiment and that has adequate output power. 
2. Connect the low-fluorescent patch cable to the LED and cover the fiber output to reduce the amount of stray light exiting the fiber.
3. Set the LED output power to its maximum value.
4. Allow the patch cable to be continuously exposed for at least 8 hours; time required may vary depending on the wavelength and output power of the LED.

Test Setup for Autofluorescence Measurement

In our performance testing, Thorlabs measured the emitted autofluorescence from these patch cables at an excitation wavelength of 470 nm. The experimental setup used is shown in the diagram below; click on the link below the diagram for a list of parts for excitation at 470 nm and measuring autofluorescence at 525 nm. 

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View Product List

Item #	Qty	Description
LED Input
LEDD1B	1	T-Cube LED Driver, 1200 mA Max Drive Current (Power Supply Not Included)
M470F3	1	470 nm, 17.2 mW (Min) Fiber-Coupled LED, 1000 mA, SMA
M76L01	1	Ø400 µm, 0.39 NA, Low OH, FC/PC to SMA905 Fiber Patch Cable, 1 m
Dichroic Filter Cube
DFM1	1	Kinematic Fluorescence Filter Cube, 30 mm Cage Compatible, Right-Turning, 1/4"-20 Tapped Holes
F240FC-A	3	543 nm, f = 7.86 mm, NA = 0.51 FC/PC Fiber Collimation Pkg.
AD12F	3	SM1-Threaded Adapter for Ø12 mm Cylindrical Components
SM1CP2	1	Externally SM1-Threaded End Cap
MF475-35	1	FITC Excitation Filter, CWL = 475 nm, BW = 35 nm
MD498	1	GFP Dichroic Filter, Refl. Band = 452-490 nm, Trans. Band = 505-800 nm
MF525-39	1	GFP Emission Filter CWL = 525 nm, BW = 39 nm
Detector
M124L01	1	Ø400 µm, 0.50 NA, Low OH, FC/PC-FC/PC Fiber Patch Cable, 1 m
SM1A29	1	SM1 Thread Adapter for Slim Photodiode Sensors
S120-FC	1	FC/PC Fiber Adapter Cap with Internal SM1 (1.035"-40) Threads
S130C	1	Slim Photodiode Power Sensor, Si, 400 - 1100 nm, 500 mW
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Schematic of Autofluorescence Measurement Setup for 470 nm Excitation

In this setup, a DFM1 dichroic filter cube is fitted with fiber collimators and imaging filters to direct light to and from the low-autofluorescence patch cable. Excitation light from the fiber-coupled LED is directed by the dichroic cube to the low-autofluorescence patch cable, which is left uncapped and open to air. Autofluorescent emissions at 525 nm in the patch cable are coupled through the fiber and dichroic filter to the S130C detector.

Using this setup, we measured the autofluorescence relative to the output power during the photobleaching process (graph below and to the left) and as the autofluorescence recovers after photobleaching (graph below and to the right). We observe that overnight exposure (>8 hours) greatly reduces the autofluorescence of the patch cable and that the recovery of a low-autofluorescence patch cable is slower than a standard patch cable.

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Click Here for Raw Data
Plot comparing the recovery of autofluorescence for a low-autofluorescence (AF) and standard patch cable after photobleaching at 470 nm for 12 hours. Autofluorescence intensity at 525 nm was measured relative to the output power from the patch cable. The test setup for measurement is shown to the right.

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Click Here for Raw Data
Plot of autofluorescence ratio (measured at 525 nm) versus photobleaching time at 470 nm. Autofluorescence intensity at 525 nm was measured relative to the output power from the patch cable. The test setup for photobleaching and measurement is shown to the right.