Configurations
As detailed in Chung et al., 2023, we have created many different configurations of the Myomatrix array, allowing researchers to examine muscle activity across a range of muscle sizes (as small as a songbird vocal muscle and as large as a primate biceps) and experimental conditions (chronic or acute recordings).
Currently available designs are listed below and the list will be updated as new configurations become available. If interested, you can sign up for our CAMBER newletter which will keep you informed of new design releases, updated training materials or other CAMBER-related activities.
Example array for chronic implantation
Example array RF-4x8-BVS-8
Recording site layout: This array has four “threads,” each bearing eight electrodes (32 electrodes total).
Size: The “neck” of the electrode (distance from the connector to the most proximal electrode contact) is approximately 8 cm.
Design features: This configuration includes flexible “barbs” (B) adjacent to the electrode contacts and suture holes located proximal and distal to the electrodes for anchoring the array in muscle.
Applications: This design can be used for chronic high-resolution EMG in
- Rat forelimb muscles
- Rat vocal muscles
- Mouse hindlimb muscles
- Acute recordings (from any species)
Implantation: This design can be implanted using either the epimysial or intramuscular method as described in Chung et al., 2023.
Example array for percutaneous implantation
Example array NP-1x32-XVI-8
Recording site layout: This array has a single “thread” bearing 32 electrode contacts.
Size: The “neck” of the electrode (distance from the connector to the most proximal electrode contact) is approximately 8 cm in this configuration.
Design features: This configuration includes a thin “tail” for loading into a syringe needle for percutaneous insertion as described in Chung et al., 2023.
Applications: This design can be used for acute high-resolution EMG in
- Primate forelimb muscles
- Primate neck muscles
Implantation: This design can be implanted using the percutaneous method described in Chung et al., 2023, in which the array is injected via a standard hypodermic syringe.
Array Configurations
| CODE | Example application | Acute recording | Chronic recording | Threads | Contacts per thread | Total # of contacts | (1) Length of thread (cm) | Barbs (B) or no Barbs (X) | (2,3) Connector orientation | (4) Anchoring mechanism |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RF-4x8-BVS-8 | rat forelimb; rat larynx | Y | Y | 4 | 8 | 32 | 8.25 | B | V | Epimysial or intramuscular |
| RF-4x8-BVS-5 | mouse forelimb; mouse orofacial | Y | Y | 4 | 8 | 32 | 5.25 | B | V | Epimysial or intramuscular |
| RF-4x8-BHS-5 | mouse forelimb | Y | Y | 4 | 8 | 32 | 5.25 | B | H | Epimysial or intramuscular |
| NP-1x32-XVI-8 | NHP forelimb; NHP neck and trunk | Y | N | 1 | 32 | 32 | 7.5 | X | V | Intramuscular |
| NP-1x32-XVI-10 | NHP forelimb | Y | N | 1 | 32 | 32 | 10.4 | X | V | Intramuscular |
| NP-1x32-XZI-8 | NHP forelimb; NHP neck and trunk | Y | N | 1 | 32 | 32 | 7.5 | X | Z | Intramuscular |
| NP-1x32-XZI-10 | NHP forelimb | Y | N | 1 | 32 | 32 | 10.4 | X | Z | Intramuscular |
- NHP = Non-human primate
- (1) Length of thread is from center of connector to proximal electrode
- (2) "Vertical (V)" means that the connector is parallel to the long axis of the array; "Horizontal (H)" is perpendicular to the long axis; ZIF (Z) interface
- (3) Omnetics connector: part number NPD-36-VV-GS (A79026)
- (4) Refer to Chung et al., 2023.
Connectorization details
The arrays are assembled with a 36-pin Omnetics connector with 4 guide posts — Omnetics part number NPD-36-VV-GS (A79026) which is compatible with a variety of electrophysiology recording hardware. Here is a list of headstages that are compatible with the Omnetics NPD-36-VV-GS connector based on the descriptions available online.
| Company | Option 1 | Option 2 | Option 3 | Option 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blackrock | CerePlex mu (32 channel) | |||
| Intan, Open Ephys | RHD (32 or 64 channels) | RHS 32 | ||
| NeuraLynx | HS-64-mux-PTB | QuickClip 72 to Dual Omnetics | HS-36-PTB | ADPT-HS36-N2T-32 |
| Ripple | Nano2 | Pico (32 channel) | ||
| Plexon | F3 | R |