Hybrid Package
Probe assembly with a flexible polyimide cable between the shank and connector, reducing tethering forces for chronic recording.
Overview
The Hybrid Package (pkg_hyb) replaces the conventional rigid PCB interconnect between probe shank and headstage connector with a thin, flexible polyimide ribbon cable. This flexibility absorbs mechanical forces transmitted from the headstage cable to the implanted shank, improving recording stability in chronic freely moving preparations.
Design
- Interconnect: Flexible polyimide ribbon cable (12–20µm thick)
- Cable Length: 15–30mm (routing through skull cement and to headstage)
- Connector: Standard Omnetics nano-strip (18 or 36-pin)
- Shank: Compatible with A-Series and select other probe bodies
- Weight: Lighter than standard rigid PCB assemblies
Why Flexibility Matters
In chronic preparations, the brain is not fixed — it moves slightly with respiration, heartbeat, and locomotion. A rigid connector transmits these movements directly from the headstage to the probe shank, causing micro-motion artifacts. The flexible cable acts as a mechanical buffer, decoupling headstage motion from shank motion.
Performance Benefits
- Reduced Drift: Lower rate of unit loss over recording sessions
- Lower Noise Floor: Less mechanical noise from cable artifacts
- Longer Implant Stability: Weeks to months of consistent recordings in chronic preparations
Available Configurations
Hybrid packages are available for 16, 32, and 64-channel A-Series probes. The H-series naming convention (H16, H32, H64) reflects channel count.
Related
See also: A-Series Silicon Probes, Chronic Microdrive Package, ZIF Package