By popular demand, we describe here our stereotactic stations for surgeries and intracranial injections.
Start with a base: we use different size standard series optical breadboards from Thorlabs. You can immediately use the ones for mini-series components (they didn’t make these back in the day…). Place screws in the outer corners of the base facing the bench (screw head is pointing down) for easy cleanup.
We place the tubing and the nosecone on an RA90 clamp mounted on a small, short optical post that’s directly screwed onto the breadboard (TR2 or TR3). The height depends on whether you want another platform beneath the heat pad or not. If you want an elevated platform, you can use a small breadboard mounted to an AP180.
The base for the head holders are mini optical posts MS3R, either mounted directly to the breadboard via thread adapters (we use MSA25), or you can use a mini-post clamp or holder if you need more height. If you use MSLs or MSCs, make sure the screw that will anchor it to the breadboard actually matches the breadboard. If not, get a thread adapter!
The head holders for the stereotax are mini optical posts again mounted to the base posts through angle clamps. We use MSRA90s, but these are adjustable based on how fine of a manipulation you need. We attach out head post holders to the ends of the mini-posts for implantations (see photos). At the other end, we carve out a small plastic tube to fit onto the end of the mini-post to act as a non-piercing headbar. You can 3D print it too, but carving the teeth with a blade was much faster. Make sure they don’t move (add tape behind them. Voila, you got yourself a stereotax! We do not use the incisor holder as the vaporizer mask does a good job of holding the head. We also lift the head up a bit during surgeries to ensure good ventilation.
As the actual stereotax for getting the coordinates right for injections, etc., we use Warner Instruments failproof, sturdy MM33. You can mount this one on large Thorlabs optical posts (see photos). We use TR5-8 (they’re long), coupled with a RA90 clamp that holds the rod for the MM33 (see photos). MM33 holds our injector from Legato (see Rigs). Clamp the post using pedestal post holders (depending on the height of your post) and the amazing CF175 clamps. When assembled, the whole setup is more stable than stereotactic setups I used during the postdoc-ThorLabs parts are designed for optics and therefore stability.
Microscopes-these are up to you. We use WPI, Fein Optic, and Olympus, with articulating arms from Microscope World or Amazon. Sterilizers (glass beads): Amazon (for nail salons). Drills: we use simple dental or nail salon drills you can buy on Amazon with adjustable speeds (this is crucial). Drill bits are from Fine Science Tools. Yes, you can use Dremmel, but they can be bulky. You can get microscopes at used lab equipment storefronts, along with the illuminators-this will save you some serious $$$. In the end, we find that even with the most expensive and best equipment, people fail if they don’t practice surgeries enough OR if they don’t keep everything clean. Always keep that in mind and good luck with your preps!
