Archive: FlexDrive

This is the archive of our documentation for the flexdrive tetrode drive. Note that this is only for reference purposes, we’d recommend upgrading to the shuttleDrive and accordingly only sell shuttleDrive parts in our store.

The flexDrive is a chronic drive implant for extracellular electrophysiology that can be used to individually position up to 16 microwire electrodes or electrode bundles in mice, with up to 64 channels. The implant weighs approximately 2 grams, is easy to build, and accommodates arbitrary spatial arrangements of electrodes.

Assembling a flexDrive

• 1 - Building the guide tube array
• 2 - Assembling the spring
• 3 - Soldering the EIB
• 4- Assembling the drive body
• 5.5 - Adding optical fibers
• 5 - Electrode loading
• 6 - Shielding the drive
• 7- Soldering ground screws

More flexDrive info

• flexDrive Supplies and Tools
• FlexDrive FAQ
• FlexDrive in Rats
• Two-Site Implants

Source Files

 

Download source files
You can directly download the latest revision of the main flexDrive repository here - this archive will always reflect the latest changes made to the reference design on GitHub.

• Download ZIP File
• Download TAR Ball
• View On GitHub

If you are looking for a variant of the design that is not in the main branch of the repository, or want to download an older revision or contribute modifications and improvements, you can find all files on our  GitHub project page.

Cite the flexDrive

If you're using the flexDrive in your work, please cite:
Voigts J, Siegle JH, Pritchett DL and Moore CI (2013). The flexDrive: An ultra-light implant for optical control and highly parallel chronic recording of neuronal ensembles in freely moving mice. Front. Syst. Neurosci. 7:8. doi: 10.3389/fnsys.2013.00008 (link)