The MEM-40 is a low cost precision microdrive system for single shaft microelectrodes. The MEM-40 microdrive has an electrode travel range of 40,000 µm (40 mm). The guide tube of the microdrive is tapered so that it can easily penetrate the dura mater. The MEM-40 is also available in a dual probe version, which allows two single shaft probes to be operated simultaneously. The MEM-40 is very lightweight and there are several options for integrating the system into a recording setup. Click on the button for more product information.

Product Description

Key Features

• Low-cost precision microdrive system

• High precision & quality “Made in GERMANY” by Thomas RECORDING

• Axial resolution better than 1µm, x-y-positioning with a grid or xyz-manipuator.

• Variable speed range from 0…250µm/s, higher velocity on request

• Custom-made solutions for each recording application

• Modular number of drives mountable to the chamber holder

• Networkable motor control unit (LAN communication via TCP/IP)

• Special designed electrode holder prevents bending of electrodes at the top

MEM System

The drawing on the right side shows the block diagram of a MEM system. A Thomas RECORDING MEM system is delivered with MEM, recordign chamber clamp, recordign chamber holder, microprocessor motor control unit (MCU-2), tablet handheld remote control including wifi router and personal computer software. 

A motor control unit MCU-2 can control up to 8 MEM microdrives. The number of MEM drives is only limited by the available space on the implanted primate recording chamber. 

The MEM motors are controlled by the personal computer software or by the table computer handheld remote control.   

MEM Recording Chamber Holders

Thomas RECORDING offers four different methods to mount and manipulate the MEM on a primate recording chamber: 

A: (Article number: AN000710) Standard MEM recording chamber holder. For reproducibility of lateral recording position a recording chamber grid is necessary and optional available. 

B: (Article number: AN001536) MEM recording chamber holder with joint for additional degrees of freedom. For reproducibility of lateral recording position a recording chamber grid is necessary and optional available.

C: (Article number: AN001954) MEM recording chamber holder with joint and z-axis fine adjustment of z-position for more control during dura penetration with the sharp MEM guide tube. For reproducibility of lateral recording position a recording chamber grid is necessary and optional available.  

D: (Article number: AN001437) MEM miniature xyz-manipulator for maximum degrees of freedom and high reproducibility of recording position. This unit allows to use the MEM without a grid! 

MEM Recording Chamber Clamps

To mount the MEM with the MEM holder to a primate recording chamber a customized recording chamber clamp is necessary. Thomas RECORDING adapts the recording chamber clamp to the recording chamber used by the customer. The drawing on the right side shows some examples of recording chamber clamps for round (E, standard), squared (F), rectanguar (G) or oval (H) recording chamber shapes.  Customized clamps are available on request!

MEM Recording Chamber Grids

If one of the MEM recording chamber holders without reproducibility in the lateral recording position is used (e.g. A, B or C in the drawing above), it is necessary to use a grid. 

The standard grid is for a round recording chamber (I in the left drawing), but grids are available for all different recording chamber types (e.g. squared, rectangular or oval).  Thomas RECORDING can customize the grids according to the end user´s needs (e.g. grid shape, hole diameter, hole spacing, etc.).  

Selected MEM Configurations

The picture gallery below shows a selection of different MEM setups (click on the drawing to enlage). We can customize the MEM setup to the individual requirements of our customers. Do not hesitate to contact us for more information!   

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