animalSQUID™ Family of Systems

The animalSQUID™ (pdf) is a set of research tools made to meet the specific requirements of research on mapping functional neurophysiology in animals or human neonates. Instruments are tailor made in size, shape, sensor geometry for detecting and mapping cortical sources. For basic research, animalSQUID™ provides an opportunity to make comparative cortical measurements with other modalities, such as EEG, and EcoG, sequentially, or even simultaneously. AnimalSQUID™ systems have been used to measure cortical sources in experimental animals such as rat, rabbit, pig, turtle, or monkey.

Model 607 animalSQUIDÔ in a small magnetic shielded room

Use of advanced materials such as diamond and sapphire let us achieve very close spacing from sensors to cortex or scalp. Tristan Technologies' dewar tails have the smallest gap from sensor to room temperature.

A choice of coil diameters, array sizes, and dewar geometry is available to the user, along with reference channels to reduce ambient noise, so that the animalSQUIDÔ is optomized for specific animal measurements, in vitro studies, or neonatal studies.

For basic research, animalSQUIDÔ provides an opportunity to make comparative cortical measurements with other modalities, such as EEG, and EcoG, sequentially, or even simultaneously.

Some of the advantages of magnetic measurements are that they:

· Detect magnetic fields associated with cortical activity
· Are preferentially sensitive to sulcal sources
· Give sub-millisecond temporal resolution
· Offer better spatial localization than electrodes
· Are non-invasive (no need to attach electrodes)

The key to Tristan's animalSQUIDÔ systems is our proprietary microSQUIDÔ technology. This brings the sensor coils very close to the subject. Because the sensitivity of biomagnetometers goes as the inverse square of the distance to the electrophysiological source, sub-cm spacing yields significant increases in signal/noise performance. Additionally, spatial resolution is greatly enhanced.
Tristan is unique in its capacity to build thin "windows" between (cryogenic) sensor and (room temperature) source. The use of advanced materials such as diamond and sapphire let us achieve very close spacing from sensors to cortex or scalp-in some cases smaller than 2 mm.

The combination of sensor array size, detector diameter, and channel count depends upon the area of coverage needed and the distance from cortical source to detector array. The design specifications are made for specific applications: (i.e. monkey or rat; intact or with craniotomy).

The standard N channel detection coil array is that of a Hexagonally Closed Packed (HCP) Array with N = 1, 4, 7, 19, 37, 61 …. or higher. The diameter of sensor coils diameter is typically 3 mm, but can range from 1 mm to 10 mm. Normally, the gradiometer baseline is five times sensor coil diameter, but it can be a customer defined value if desired. The standard sensor geometry is that of a first order axial gradiometer, but other geometries (e.g., asymmetric or planar gradiometers, magnetometer, higher order gradiometers) are available along with vector coils (Bx, By). Most animalSQUID™ systems utilize flat tail dewars, but curve tail dewars and sensor arrays are available (e.g., monkeySQUID™).

Tristan systems come with data acquisition hardware and software for data analysis ranging from basic LabView™ drivers to sophisticated magnetic dipole and current dipole fits. Systems can be supplied with vector and tensor reference arrays for noise reduction. Dewar gantries can be supplied with up to five degrees of freedom (X, Y, Z, q, f). If needed, we can also supply magnetically shielded rooms.

AnimalSQUID™ systems can be supplied in a wide variety of channel counts to match your measurements. A choice of coil diameters, array sizes, and dewar geometry is available to the user, along with reference channels to reduce ambient noise, so that the animalSQUID™ is optimized for specific animal measurements, in-vitro studies, or neonatal studies. The standard animal systems are comprised of 7, 19 and 37 detection channel systems.

Model 607A - Close-Spaced 7 Channel System

Features
· Seven detection coils in a hexagonally close packed (HCP) array
· 3-mm diameter 1st order gradiometer detection coils
· 3-mm coil-to-coil separation
· < 5 mm offset from room temperature outer dewar surface (dewar gap)
· Optional vector reference channels (dBZ/dz, BZ, BX, BY)
· Optional dewar gantry and positioning aids
· Optional data acquisition hardware and software

Model 619A - Close-Spaced 19 Channel System

Features
· Similar to model A607, but with 19 detection coils
· Four vector reference channels (dBZ/dz, BZ, BX, BY) standard. 8-element tensor reference array optional
· Coil-in-vacuum dewar/probe optional
· Integrated subject platform/gantry and positioning aids optional

Model 637M monkeySQUID™

Features
· 37 detection coils with curved tail coil-in-vacuum dewar
· 8-element tensor reference array standard
· Integrated subject platform/gantry and positioning aids standard

See <link here> for additional details.

Many of Tristan's systems have been the result of a collaborative effort between us and our customers. We can vary virtually any aspect of the system to meet your requirements. Please contact Tristan to discuss your needs.

animalSQUID™, monkeySQUID™ and microSQUID™ are all trademarks of Tristan Technologies, Inc