Hardware

Systems

Microwire Arrays

With over 15 years of experience in manufacturing hardware for scientific applications, TDT has the resources to reliably deliver the arrays you depend on for your research. Our manufacturing methods produce consistent, dependable, and affordable arrays while maintaining the flexibility to build custom arrays to your specifications. With TDT microwire arrays you can design your own electrodes without the time and labor intensive task of building arrays by hand.

Omnetics Based Microwire Arrays
16-96 Channels
Compatible with TDT RA16CH Headstages

ZIF-Clip™ Based Microwire Arrays
16 or 32 Channels
Compatible with TDT Zero Insertion Force Headstages

Omnetics Based Microwire Arrays

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Features:

Custom configurations up to 96 channels.
Polyimide-insulated tungsten microwire for excellent recording characteristics and easy insertion.
An optional epoxy “land” near the recording end of the array maintains electrode spacing.
Laser cut manufacturing for custom array lengths. Each wire is individually cut to length, so you can specify an array profile that matches the geometry of your target tissue
Optional laser sharpened tips to minimize tissue damage during insertion.
Optional shrouds make it easier to connect headstage to inserted microwire for chronic, awake behaving protocols.
Optional shroud with mounting surface available for greater stability for lateral insertions.
Lightweight design and small overall array size.

Design Specifications and Ordering Information:

The standard Omn1010 array consists of sixteen channels configured in two rows of eight electrodes each.

Arrays with more than two rows are constructed by stacking and bonding together standard two-row arrays. These are accessed via multiple 16-channel connectors and headstages.

Technical specifications:

Metal: Tungsten

Insulation: Polyimide

Overall array size: 2mm x 9mm x variable; ~0.3 g (standard array); ~0.5 g (w/shroud & G/R wires)

Omnetics dual row 18-pin nano connector(s) (0.025 mil pitch; <2x7x4 mm)

Options:

Specification	Default	Options
n Rows X n Electrodes	2X8	Max channels per connector = 16
Wire Diameter	50 μm	33 μm
Electrode Spacing	250 μm	175 μm, 350 μm, 500 μm
Row Seperation	500 μm	1000 μm, 1500 μm, 2000 μm
Tip Angle	Blunt Cut (0 degrees)	30, 45, 60 degrees
Tip Length	2mm	0.5mm min to 4 mm max
Land Specification	None	5mm, 10mm, 15mm, 25 mm
Polymer Shroud	None	Shroud, Footed Shroud
Attached G/R Wires	None	Ground, Reference

See the Online Order Form for ordering specifications.

Shroud walls of the shroud are about 0.6 mm thick at the thickest part (the lip around the opening).

ZIF-Clip™ Based Microwire Arrays

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Features:

Custom configurations up to 32 channels.
Polyimide-insulated tungsten microwire for excellent recording characteristics and easy insertion.
An optional epoxy “land” near the recording end of the array maintains electrode spacing.
Laser cut manufacturing for custom array lengths. Each wire is individually cut to length, so you can specify an array profile that matches the geometry of your target tissue
Optional laser sharpened tips to minimize tissue damage during insertion.
Lightweight design and small overall array size.
Notched ZIF-Clip™ connector ensures correct insertion into the headstage.

Design Specifications and Ordering Information:

The standard ZIF2010 array consists of sixteen channels configured in two rows of eight electrodes each.

32 channel Arrays contain four rows and are constructed by wrapping together two 16 channel arrays. These arrays are accessed via the same ZIF-Clip™ connector as a two row array.

Technical specifications:

Metal: Tungsten

Insulation: Polyimide

Overall array size: 2.5mm x 9mm x variable; ~0.3 g (standard array); ~0.5 g (with G/R wires)

ZIF-Clip™ connector (0.025 mil pitch; <2.5x9x8 mm)

Options:

Specification	Default	Options
n Rows X n Electrodes	2X8	Max channels per connector = 32
Wire Diameter	50 μm	33 μm
Electrode Spacing	250 μm
Row Seperation	375 μm
Tip Angle	Blunt Cut (0 degrees)	30, 45, 60 degrees
Tip Length	2mm	0.5mm min to 10 mm max
Attached G/R Wires	Ground, Reference	Ground, Reference

See the Online Order Form for ordering specifications.

Request a Quote!

New!

New microwire array online order forms are available to request a quote for your custom configuration.

Omnetics based form

ZIF-Clip™ based form

Complete and fax in the Microwire Order Form (PDF format) to request a quote for your custom configuration.

New!

16 Channel Array with Shroud and Attached Ground and Reference Wires

TDT’s new microwire array shroud is a biocompatible polymer formed to fit the array. It aligns connector pins for fast, easy connections in chronic, awake-behaving preparations.

A footed version provides a mounting surface for use with longer arrays, providing greater array stability. After the array is inserted in tissue the wires can be bent to allow the mounting surface to be affixed to the skull in lateral insertions.

16 Channel Array
with Footed Shroud