Microdrive
Mechanical device for adjusting probe depth in small increments during or after surgical insertion.
A microdrive is a mechanical device that allows precise adjustment of probe depth in small increments (typically 25–100 µm per step) during intra-operative insertion or after chronic implantation.
Why it matters: Microdrives enable targeting of specific brain layers and recovery from tissue settling that occurs after initial insertion. In chronic experiments, they allow repositioning to find new neurons after initial units are lost.
Types: Manual screw-driven (most common for chronic), motorized (for automated positioning during acute experiments), and multi-probe drives that independently position multiple shanks.
NeuroNexus products: The Chronic Microdrive package integrates a microdrive mechanism directly into the probe package, providing a compact, implantable system for depth adjustment in freely moving animals.