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2-photon microscopy is a highly useful tool for examining a variety of characteristics. In neuroscience, it has become particularly useful for imaging of synapses in the brain to determine brain function. Other groups have successfully used a cranial window in mice to perform synapse imaging by holding the mouse’s skull rigidly to the stage of the microscope while leaving the body free to move. It is the goal of this project to create a similar device that will allow a mouse’s head to be held in a fixed stereotaxic frame to be used for examination of synapses during sleep and waking periods.
Current goals: None. Project Complete!
From Left: Jon Seaton, David Leinweber, Mark Reagan, Jay Sekhon
The project design was broken down into two components: a "treadmill," upon which the mouse can rest and move, and a head restraint which keeps the mouse’s head in a fixed position.
Images from the design process:
CAD Drawing of Phase 1, Prototype 1
CAD Drawing of Phase 1, Prototype 1
CAD Drawing of Phase 1, Final Design
CAD Drawing of Phase 2, Final Design
CAD Drawing of Final Design
CAD Drawing of Final Design
CAD Drawing of Final Design
Picture of device installed on microscope
Picture of device installed on microscope
Picture of device installed on microscope
Picture of device installed on microscope
| Week | Reporting Period Beginning | Activities |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 5 | First client meeting, assigned roles for project, begin brainstorming |
| 2 | September 12 | Write PDS, order parts for prototype, begin prototype construction |
| 3 | September 19 | Went shopping for additional prototype parts, tested rough prototype, selected treadmill design |
| 4 | September 26 | Built treadmill, created CAD drawings, demonstrated treadmill to client |
| 5 | October 3 | Worked on midsemester deliverables, obtained and tested dental cement on head restraint |
| 6 | October 10 | Began frame designs |
| 7 | October 17 | Worked on new designs given the increased flexibility in design restrictions |
| 8 | October 24 | Purchased and began fabricating a rough prototype of "treadmill" |
| 9 | October 31 | Tested second rough prototype using a computer fan motor, took dimensions for head restraint |
| 10 | November 7 | Sketched final frame design, began planning final construction |
| 11 | November 14 | Complete device construction, design and complete poster, begin end-of-semester deliverables |
| 12 | November 21 | |
| 13 | November 28 | |
| 14 | December 5 | |
| 15 | December 12 |
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Mid-Semester Presentation (Oct 17 2008, 4718 kb) |
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Product Design Specifications (Sept 2008) (Oct 21 2008, 90 kb) |
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Mid-Semester Report (Oct 22 2008, 545 kb) |
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End of Semester Poster (Dec 10 2008, 5747 kb) |
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Final Report (Dec 12 2008, 1895 kb) |
