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Motorized Commutators

Our 32 and 64 channel active commutators (ACO) prevent twisting or binding of the headstage cable while reliably tracking rotation on the headstage cable. Its motor detects when the cable twists and automatically compensates, eliminating turn-induced torque at the subject’s end of the cable. Sensors continuously measure small changes in animal position and control the motor and commutator position. The AC32 and AC64 provide electrical commutation only; add optogenetic stimulation with the ACO32 & ACO64 model.

Research Uses

Product Specs

Resources

  • Maze learning
  • Awake behaving, freely moving animals
  • Optogenetic stimulation

ACO32 and ACO64 Commutators

The motorized design of our commutator includes built-in electrical shielding to ensure an ultra quiet environment for neural recording. Combined with lightweight cables and connectors to minimize the torque caused by subject motion, a TDT commutator is a must-have component for your awake behaving protocol.

Push buttons allow optional manual control and an input BNC can be used to inhibit the motor during critical recording periods. A banana jack provides access to ground, so that users can connect the commutator ground to an external ground, such as a faraday cage, to minimize ground loops.

Add-on Fiber Optics for Optogenetic Stimulation

A single channel, optical fiber assembly can be attached to allow optical targeting and excitation on neural circuits for artifact free electrical recordings in freely behaving animals. The fiber optic joint can pass wavelengths from 440-610 nm so a broad range of optogenetic tools are available to the end user. The assembly is user serviceable to allow for easy replacement of the optical fiber.