TDT RZ2, Manual

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9-4 System 3
MZ60 MicroElectrode Array Interface
transferred to the PC for data storage. A PZ2 amplifier may be substituted for the
PZ5 in some cases. A single RZ2 and PZ5 system is capable of interfacing with up
to two MZ60’s.
Stimulation can be delivered to any of the MZ60's electrode sites while the RZ2
processor simultaneously records from non-stimulus channels and may be provided by
the RZ2 processor or an optional stimulus device.
The MEA Interface
The MZ60 is compatible with the standard 49 x 49 mm arrays from NMI or Ayanda
Biosystems and can accommodate a wide selection of readily available arrays. The
arrays are placed on an aluminum plate and spring loaded connections are secured
over the contact pads when the top is lowered and locked using the twist lock
mechanism.
A voltage-follower headstage provides a high input impedance and low output
impedance with unity-gain. The dynamic range of the MZ60 and PZ5 is 500 mV
with a signal resolution of 3 μ Volt or less at ~25kHz sampling rate.
The MZ60 channels are organized in four individual 16-channel banks that
correspond to banks of channels on the PZ5 digitizer. Each bank transmits 15 analog
signals recorded from the MEA to the PZ5 digitizer (the sixteenth channel of each
bank is connected to ground and is not used). If any channel is designated for
stimulation, it is grounded internally on the PZ5.
Voltage Range
The voltage input range of the PZ5 digitizer is lower than the MZ60 and must be
considered the effective range of the system. If using another preamplifier,
check the specifications for voltage range. Also keep in mind that the range of
the MZ60 varies depending on the power supply provided by the digitizer or
preamplifier. the TDT digitizer and preamplifiers /- 1.5 V, but third party
preamplifiers may vary. TDT recommends using preamplifiers which d/- 2.5
V or less. Check the preamplifier voltage input and power supply specifications and
headstage gain to determine the voltage range of the system.
Hardware Set ‐ up
To insert the MEA into the MZ60:
1. Twist the knob on the front edge of the MZ60 counterclockwise to release
the hinged top.
2. Lift the top and position the MEA on the aluminum plate.
3. Lower the top and twist the knob clockwise to secure the MEA inside the
interface housing.
Important!: The securing knob on the MEA turns on a screw that allows for
pressure adjustment between the MEA plate and the MZ60 interface contact
pins. The pressure should be set to achieve only light contact between the
spring loaded contact pins and the MEA plate (enough pressure to visually
depress the spring contacts). Excessive pressure may cause damage to the
device or MEA plate.
Input range when using +/- 1.5 V
power source:
Input range when using +/- 2.5 V
power source:
+/- 0.9 V +/- 1.9 V