Customizable Optogenetics Kits

Features

• Complete Fiber Optics Setup Including LED, Patch Cable, Cannulae, and Accessories
• Flexible Component Substitution
• Stainless Steel Ferrules and Fiber Cores in Two Sizes:
• Ø1.25 mm Ferrules (Ø200 or Ø400µm Core Fiber)
• Ø2.5 mm Ferrules (Ø200 or Ø400 µm Core Fiber)
• Standard Lightweight Patch Cable with Rotary Joint Patch Cable Option
• Cannula Holders for Implantation with Stereotaxic Equipment
• Fiber Cleaving and Cleaning Essentials
• Cleaved Cannulae of Various Lengths with Uncleaved Cannulae Kit Option
• Cannula Connectors
  • 1 Quick-Release Interconnect
  • 5 Mating Sleeves

Thorlabs' optogenetics equipment is available in complete, ready-to-use kits. Our optogenetics kits include a 470 nm Fiber-Coupled LED with driver, lightweight patch cable, rotary joint patch cable, quick-release interconnect, five mating sleeves, and 20 stainless steel ferrule cannulae. Certain kits feature an additional 20 uncleaved cannula and fiber cleaving tools. Please see the Fiber Cleaving for an introduction to their use. Kits are available with Ø200 µm or Ø400 µm core fiber components with 0.39 NA. Ø200 µm core size cables are less invasive, making them ideal for smaller animals. Ø400 µm core size cables offer a stiffer, more robust solution for larger animals and higher power light sources. These kits also include accessories for cannula implantation, as well as fiber cleaning supplies to cover basic fiber care and usage.

Each component in these kits can be removed or substituted for items more applicable to the individual needs of the experiment. See below for the most relevant kit, and the OG Selection Guide for alternate cannula and patch cable options. Thorlabs also sells other fiber-coupled LEDs and fiber care supplies, including a fiber polishing and repair kit.

For more particular experimental needs, Thorlabs offers custom fiber components for optogenetics. For more information, contact Tech Support.

Optogenetics Product Family for In Vivo Applications

Thorlabs offers a wide variety of products designed to support in vivo optogenetics applications. Please visit the OG Selection Guide tab above to see a full listing of available products for different applications.

Figure 1. Adjust the LEDD1B current limit adjuster arrow with a flathead screwdriver to set the maximum current (1.0 A or less).

Setup

LED and Driver
All Optogenetics Starter Kits include a Fiber-Coupled LED and an LED Driver (Item # LEDD1B). The LED can be operated by connecting it to the “LED” jack in the back of the LED driver. Plug the power supply (Item # KPS101) into the LED driver, and then the power supply to the main line voltage. The LED can only be driven up to a maximum current of 1.0 A without permanent damage; use a flathead screwdriver to turn the directional arrow recessed in the current limit adjuster on the front of the driver to set the maximum driving current (see image to the right). The LED driver can then be powered on by turning the knob on top of the driver clockwise.

Patch Cable and Cannula
Insert the patch cable’s SMA connector into the LED unit by threading the connector’s rotating barrel onto the LED unit’s housing. Then, depending upon your choice of interconnect or mating sleeve, the connection methodology varies.

If you are using an ADAL1 (Ø1.25 mm ferrules) or ADAF1 (Ø2.5 mm ferrules) mating sleeve, place the mating sleeve onto the ferrule end of the patch cable. Leave approximately one-third of the mating sleeve length exposed for the cannula connection (Figure 2). Then, connect the mating sleeve to the cannula. To disconnect the cannula, grip the patch cable by the ferrule and mating sleeve and use a twisting motion. It is very important that the ends of the patch cable’s ferrule and the cannula’s ferrule are in physical contact (Figure 3). If they are not, the output power at the cannula tip will decrease significantly (Figure 4).

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Figure 2. The ADAF1 Mating Sleeve should be inserted 1/2 to 2/3 of the way onto the patch cable before cannula connection.

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Figure 3. Properly connected cannula and patch cable, with the cannula and patch cable in physical contact.

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Figure 4. Improperly connected cannula and patch cable, showing an air gap and light leakage.

The ADAF2 (Ø2.5 mm ferrules) quick-release interconnect provides a more reliable mating method for cannulae and patch cables. First, insert a patch cable ferrule into the interconnect and secure by tightening the setscrew using the included hex key [0.05" (1.3 mm)]. Then, squeeze the quick-release lever and insert the cannula until it makes physical contact with the ferrule. Finally, release the lever to lock the cannula into place. The interconnect is engraved to indicate where squeeze pressure should be applied. To release the cannula (or disconnect from an implanted cannula), squeeze the quick-release lever and pull the interconnect away from the cannula; only light force is needed to disconnect the interconnect. See the animation on the right for a visual depiction of this process.

Rotary Joint Patch Cables
These cables operate exactly the same way as standard patch cables, but they have an articulated joint that prevents tangling from specimen movement. SM05 (0.535"-40) mounting threads are present on the light source side of the joint. The joint can be mounted using Thorlabs’ extensive line of SM05-compatible optomechanics hardware, such as the LMR05 lens mount. Alternatively, the rotary joint can be mounted directly to the wall or ceiling of a specimen enclosure. An SM05-tapped hole can be created using Thorlabs’ 83373 SM05 tap, or the joint can be glued into a ~Ø1/2" hole. Click here for more information about mounting the rotary joint.

Operation

Make sure the current limit on the LED driver is set to 1.0 A or below before operating the LED to avoid permanent damage.

The LED can be operated using the LED driver only, or with the LED driver and an external signal. It can be operated in one of the following modes: Continuous Wave (CW), Tigger (TRIG), or Modulation (MOD). For more information on the LEDD1B driver's operation, see the full web presentation and manual.

Continuous Wave (CW) Mode
While operating in continuous wave mode, the driver provides a constant non-modulated LED current. The user controls the LED’s power by adjusting the control knob.

Trigger (TRIG) Mode
This mode operates using an externally applied TTL signal to pulse the LED output. The width of the TTL signal can be used to define the LED pulse width as well. The brightness of the LED is adjusted using the control knob.

Modulation (MOD) Mode
This mode allows the LED driver to be controlled completely by an external voltage. LED intensity varies with the input voltage, from off (0V) to maximum brightness (5V).

Fiber Care

Patch cable connectors should be cleaned every time the cable is mated, tested, or reconfigured. Clean the fiber endface using a lint-free wipe (Item # LFW90 in the CKF fiber cleaning kit) that has been wetted with connector cleaner (Item # FCS3 in the CKF fiber cleaning kit), then inspect the fiber with the inspection scope (Item # FS201). Bare fiber should be cleaned by wrapping the damp wipe around the fiber, squeezing gently, and sliding the wipe toward the end of the fiber until it squeaks. Inspect the fiber end with either the inspection scope (Item # FS201) or eye loupe (Item # JEL10). See the fiber cleaning kit spec sheet for details.

Further Reading

1. http://www.stanford.edu/group/dlab/optogenetics/
2. http://www.openoptogenetics.org/index.php?title=Main_Page
3. Aravanis A, Wang LP, Zhang F, Meltzer L, Mogri M, Schneider MB, Deisseroth K. An optical neural interface: in vivo control of rodent motor cortex with integrated fiberoptic and optogenetic technology. J. Neural Eng. 2007 Sept; 4:S143-S156.
4. Gradinaru V, Thompson KR, Zhang F, Mogri M, Kay K, Schneider MB, Deisseroth K. Targeting and readout strategies for fast optical neural control in vitro and in vivo. J Neurosci. 2007 Dec 26;27(52):14231-8.
5. Zhang F, Gradinaru V, Adamantidis AR, Durand R, Airan RD, de Lecea L, Deisseroth K. Optogenetic interrogation of neural circuits: technology for probing mammalian brain structures. Nat Protoc. 2010;5(3):439-56. Epub 2010 Feb 18.
6. Yizhar O, Fenno LE, Davidson TJ, Mogri M, Deisseroth K. Optogenetics in Neural Systems. Neuron. 2011 July;72:9-34.

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Figure 2. Pulling the Fiber with the BFG1 Bare Fiber Gripper

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Figure 1. Scribing the Fiber with the S90R Fiber Scribe

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Figure 3. Cleaved Fiber After Pulling

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Figure 4. Cleaved Fiber End, as Viewed Through the JEL10 Eye Loupe

Fiber Cleaving

Uncleaved cannula must be cleaved, or precision cut, before use. A high-quality fiber cleave will preserve the fidelity of the optical signal transmitted through the tip of the fiber. We recommend the following procedure for cleaving the fiber end.

Required Materials

• Uncleaved Fiber Optic Cannula*
• Marker
• S90R Fiber Scribe*
• BFG1 Bare Fiber Gripper*
• KW32 Kimwipes^®† Lint-Free Wipes
• Isopropyl Alcohol or FCS3 Fiber Cleaning Fluid*
• JEL10 Eye Loupe* or Microscope
• FTDU Fiber Optic Disposal Unit*
• Safety Goggles/Glasses

Starred (*) items are provided in kits with uncleaved cannulae.

Cleaving Procedure

1. Clean the fiber end of the cannula using a lint-free wipe and isopropyl alcohol or FCS3 fiber cleaning fluid. Do not use acetone, as this will damage the TECS cladding on the exposed fiber.
2. Measure the desired length of fiber from the end of the ferrule. Mark this length on the fiber with a marker.
3. Place the cannula on a hard surface and secure the fiber end with a finger or tape, as shown in Figure 1.
4. Hold the cleaving tool perpendicular to the fiber and gently score the fiber as shown in Figure 1 to the right. Do not apply excessive pressure. The fiber should not break off at this point. This step is critical in obtaining a good cleave. If the scribe is made too hard, the fiber will break instead of cleaving. If the scribe is too light, the fiber will not cleave.
5. Hold the cannula in one hand, and grip the fiber end with a bare fiber gripper in the other end as shown in Figure 2. Pull the fiber straight back until the fiber cleaves as shown in Figure 3. Dispose of the scrap fiber end in the FTDU or any medical or fiber sharps container.
6. If the fiber does not break with a moderate amount of tension, repeat steps 4-5 above applying slightly more pressure when scoring. Inspect the cleave using an eye loupe or microscope.

A good cleave will be flat across the fiber and perpendicular to the optic axis. There should be no ‘tag’ (i.e., protrusion) from the edge of the fiber. The region where the initial scribe was made may be visible. It should be less than 5% of the core diameter. Be patient as this process takes a little practice. Please be aware that it will be more difficult to achieve a high-quality cleave in large-core-diameter fibers compared to thinner fibers. A view of a properly cleaved fiber end as seen through a Thorlabs' JEL10 eye loupe is shown in Figure 4.

Click Here for a Print Friendly Version of this Procedure

Thorlabs also offers a full fiber termination manual, which covers fiber termination and bare fiber cleaving. It can be downloaded for free here, or a paper copy can be purchased here.

^†Kimwipes^® is a registered trademark of the Kimberly-Clark Corporation.