Plexon offers the Plextrode™ Floating Microelectrode Array (FMA) for long-term chronic applications. The Plextrode FMA is a unique microelectrode array, designed to improve upon the benefits offered by a standard chronic array while also accommodating numerous, user-defined specifications. This allows the Plextrode FMA to be configured to specific research requirements.
Plexon offers the Plextrode™ Floating Microelectrode Array (FMA) for long-term chronic applications. The Plextrode FMA is a unique microelectrode array, designed to improve upon the benefits offered by a standard chronic array while also accommodating numerous, user-defined specifications. This allows the Plextrode FMA to be configured to specific research requirements.
The Plextrode FMA is made with a laser-drilled ceramic substrate to accommodate the number of electrodes required. The array is tethered using a bundle of 25-micron gold wires that have been coated with a a silicone elastomer. This assembly allows the rigid connection point to be situated away from the array itself, thus permitting the array to truly float with all of the movements of the brain.
The Plextrode FMA is implanted using a vacuum insertion tool specifically designed to connect to the back of the substrate. This tool, which will work with the majority of available micromanipulators, enables the user to use a very gradual insertion process that minimizes dimpling. After the depth of interest has been reached, the dura can be secured over the electrode substrate with sutures.
| Electrode Length | up to 10 mm, within a single array |
| Material |
Platinum/Iridium, Pure Iridium, Activated Pure Iridium (Different materials may be used within a single array) |
| Connector | Omnetics connector compatible with any Plexon headstage |
| Tip Profile | Standard, Blunt, Heat-treated taper, and Fine |
| Gold Wire Bundle Length | 1.5 cm to 12 cm |
| Array Size |
16-channel array dimensions: 1.95 mm x 2.45 mm x 0.5 mm |
| Standard Inter-electrode Spacing | 400 μm (custom spacing available) |
| Standard Tip Diameter | 2 μm to 3μm (custom diameters available) |
Plexon FPA Data Sheet
The Plextrode® microwire arrays are most commonly used in chronic, freely moving animal studies. They are Plexon's best selling electrode array due to both recording reliability and cost efficiency.
The 16- and 24-channel U-Probes are now available with thinner probe diameters. The 16-channel U-Probe is now available with an outer diameter of 185 µm, and the 24-channel U-Probe is available with 210 µm outer diameter. These new U-Probes feature 15 um platinum/iridium electrode wire, which is best for resolving single units.
The U-Probe will still be available with 20 µm or 25 µm electrode wire. These thicker diameter electrode wire U-Probes are recommended for those interested in current source density analysis.
The 8-channel U-Probe is also still available. The 8-channel U-Probe is now configured with a fluid channel for drug delivery by default. The placement of this fluid capillary is user defined. These 8-channel U-Probes have an outer probe diameter of 230 µm.