Interact with the UCLA Miniscope v4 Through Bonsai

1. Download the following workflow (.bonsai file) and open it with Bonsai:

   

   

   uclaminiscopev4-miniscopedaq-quick.bonsai

   

2. Set the UCLAMiniscopeV4 operator’s Index property to the value that corresponds to the index of your miniscope.

   

   1. Set the Index value by clicking on the ... dropdown available at the Index field that appears in the Properties pane after left-clicking the UCLAMiniscopeV4 node.

   2. Click Scan and choose from one of the indices that appear. This might take time if many physical or virtual camera devices are connected to your computer.

   3. Click Ok.

   Note

   If there are multiple miniscopes connected to your PC (including laptop webcams), finding the correct index value might involve an iterative trial-and-error process.

3. Start the Bonsai workflow [1] and test various features:

   Real-time Data Visualization

   Image Data:

   Double left-click the Image node. This displays a real-time visualization of image data from the sensor. Attenuate the sensor’s exposure to ambient light or try imaging a target. Confirm that the Image node visualizer comports with expectations:

   

   Orientation Data:

   Double left-click the Quaternion node. This displays a real-time visualization of quarternion data which represents the miniscope’s orientation. Right-click the visualization, and left-click the drop-down menu. Set the value in the History Length field to 100. Reorient the UCLA Miniscope v4. Confirm the quarternion visualization responds accordingly:

   

   UCLA Miniscope v4 Settings

   Note

   • When adjusting the Frame Rate and Sensor Gain settings, avoid under- or over- exposing the sensor.

   • To adjust the Dynamic Imaging Depth setting, the UCLA Miniscope v4 must be fully assembled.

   Left-click the UCLAMiniscopeV4 node.

   Frame Rate:

   Change the FramesPerSecond value by left-clicking the corresponding field’s drop-down menu located in the Properties pane and selecting a different option. Frame rate and exposure-duration-per-frame are inversely related, so higher frame rates produce darker images. Use this information and look at the Image node visualizer to confirm that the frame rate adjusts according to the FramesPerSecond value.

   

   A discerning eye can also notice changes in frame rate, but that requires a moving image.

   Sensor Gain:

   Change the SensorGain value by left-clicking the corresponding field’s drop-down menu located in the Properties pane and selecting a different option. Look at the Image node visualizer to confirm that the sensor’s gain is adjusted according to the value of SensorGain value.

   

   Excitation Light Intensity:

   Change the LEDBrightness value by left-clicking the corresponding field’s drop-down menu located in the Properties pane and sliding the scrollbar. Confirm that the intensity of the excitation light adjusts according to the LEDBrightness value.

   

   Dynamic Focusing:

   Place the assembled miniscope approximately its working distance away from an imaging target (e.g. a Kimwipe). Change the EWL value by left-clicking the corresponding field’s drop-down menu located in the Properties pane and selecting a different option. Look at the Image node visualizer moves in-and-out according to the EWL value.

   

   If the imaging target does not enter the depth of focus, try readjusting the distance of the miniscope from the imaging target and performing the test again. If the working distance does not adjust, try reassembling the EWL module according to the Assembly instructions and repeating this part.

[1]

Start a workflow by left-clicking the Start button (indicated by green triangle) at the top of the Bonsai workflow editor or pressing F5 while the Bonsai workflow editor is the active window.