Mini Matrix System
The multielectrode manipulator “Mini Matrix” was developed by Thomas RECORDING in 1998. This microdrive system is based on our patented rubber tube drive also used in our multielectrode manipulator “System Eckhorn”.

The small and lightweight multielectrode manipulator “Mini Matrix” was designed to be mounted directly on a monkey head but also can be used with stereotaxic instruments available from Thomas RECORDING.

Key features:

Axial resolution better than 1μm, x-y-z-Positioning with xyz-manipulator and special holder
Patented rubber-tube drive, no hysteresis, slick or free motion due to patented rubber tube drive (avoids drawbacks of cable, direct or hydraulic driven systems)
Electrode travel range up to 24.000μm
Variable speed range from 0…250μm/s, higher velocity on request
Small and lightweight
No electrode connection cables free in air! Complete metal shield around all microelectrodes
Suitable for cortical and deep brain recordings
Very close electrode spacing available (down to 80μm)
Different electrode arrangements available (linear, concentric, etc.)
Stable long-term recordings with thin microelectrodes for hours
Integrated low noise preamplifier

Micro Matrix System
The Thomas Tetrode Micro Matrix is a small and lightweight microdrive system for electrode and tetrode recordings. The system consists of a single miniaturized microdrive system, which is equipped with a single tetrode or single core microelectrode. A four channel preamplifier and a precision motor is integrated in the single drive system
Key features:

High precision & quality “Made in GERMANY” by Thomas RECORDING
Axial resolution better than 1μm, x-y-Positioning with a grid or xyz manipulator
Patented rubber-tube drive, no hysteresis, slick or free motion due to patented rubber tube drive (avoids drawbacks of cable, direct or hydraulic driven systems)
Flexible electrode travel range by chassis extension
Variable speed range from 0…250μm/s, higher velocity on request
No 50/60Hz noise pickup from the environment,
No electrode connection cables free in air!
Integrated 1 channel electrode preamplifiers
Custom made solutions for each recording application
Stable long-term recordings with thin microelectrodes for hours

System Eckhorn Microdrive
The multielectrode manipulator “System Eckhorn” was developed in the laboratory of Prof. Dr. R. Eckhorn at the Department of Neurophysics, Philipps-University Marburg, Germany and successfully used for parallel independent insertion of fiber microelectrodes through the intact dura into the brain of chronically prepared cats and monkeys (see “downloads & publications”: [20],[21]).

The 7 electrode Eckhorn microdrive allows to drive up to seven fiber microelectrodes (diameter=80µm) independently from each other to different depths of the brain. The max. electrode travel distance of each fiber microelectrode is up to 35mm (electrode travel extensions are possible and available on request!). A 7 channel low noise preamplifier is integrated in the microdrive metal chassis. The microelectrodes are completely shielded by the microdrive chassis (working like a Faraday cage) so that electrical interference from the laboratory environment does not cause noise problems. Due to the rubber tube driving principle of the Eckhorn Matrix it is possible to record neural signals while the electrodes are moving in brain tissue!
Key features:

Axial resolution better than 1μm, x-y-Positioning with a grid and special holder
Patented rubber-tube drive, no hysteresis, slick or free motion due to patented rubber tube drive (avoids drawbacks of cable, direct or hydraulic driven systems)
Electrode travel range up to 35.000μm
Variable speed range from 0…250μm/s, higher velocity on request
7- and 16- channel Version available
28 or 64 channel Tetrode Versions available
49 or 112 channel Heptode Versions available
No electrode connection cables free in air! Complete metal shield around all microelectrodes
Suitable for cortical and deep brain recordings
Very close electrode spacing available (down to 80μm)
Different electrode arrangements available (linear, concentric, etc.)
Integrated low noise preamplifiers

Motorized XYZ-Manipulator

Positioning system for neurophysiological applications

This device has three axis motorized with precision linear motors. The Z-axis is equipped with an electrode holder which can be customized.

A Thomas Pencil Microdrive can be mounted to the Z-axis of the motorized XYZ-manipulator (see figure 1). This Pencil Microdrive is optional available and can move a Thomas microelectrode (single electrode, tetrode, heptode or multitrode) with an axial resolution of 1µm into neural tissue.
Key features:
X-, Y– and Z-axis motorized
No powered-off mode, record while electrode is moving
Thomas pencil drive can be mounted to the manipulator
Other electrode holders are available on request
System for slice recording applications is available
Manipulator is delivered with motor control unit and software
Small and lightweight
Plug-and-play technology
Low cost

Thomas Motorized Electrode Manipulator (MEM)™

The Thomas Motorized Electrode Manipulator (MEM)™ is a small and lightweight low-cost microdrive system for extracellular recordings. This microdrive can be used with different conventional extracellular recording electrodes and preamplifier systems presently available on the market. The microdrive consists of a precision drive motor, a guide tube unit and a holder for mounting the microdrive to different stereotaxic setups like shown in the gallery.
Key features:

Low-cost precision microdrive system
High precision & quality “Made in GERMANY” by Thomas RECORDING
Axial resolution better than 1µm, x-y-Positioning with a grid.
Flexible electrode travel range by chassis extension
Short microdrive length for cortical recording applications
Variable speed range from 0…250µm/s, higher velocity on request
Custom-made solutions for each recording application
Modular number of drives mountable to the chamber holder
Networkable motor control unit (LAN communication via TCP/IP)
Special designed electrode holder prevents bending of electrodes at the top

Thomas Pencil Drive

Single Electrode Microdrive system

The Thomas Pencil Drive System is a single electrode microdrive with integrated preamplifier. This microelectrode manipulator can drive Thomas microelectrodes with the patented rubber tube mechanism as well as Thomas multitrodes. This device has an integrated 8 channel low-noise preamplifier.
Key features:

High precision & quality “Made in GERMANY” by Thomas RECORDING
Axial resolution better than 1μm
Patented rubber-tube drive, no hysteresis, slick or free motion due to patented ruber tube drive (avoids drawbacks of cable, direct or hydraulic driven systems)
Eletrode travel range 10.000 micrometers
Variable speed range from 0…250μm/s, higher velocity on request
Small and lightweight (just 33g per drive unit incl. motor)
No electrode connection cables free in air!
Easy electrode exchange
Custom made solutions for each recording application
Stable long-term recordings with thin microelectrodes for hours