GRIN Lens Holder

A GRIN lens is a small rod-shaped lens that behaves like a standard lens but has a width of less than 1mm, so it can be inserted into the brain. (1)

Implanted gradient index (grin) lenses are used to make multiphoton microscopy possible through lower cortical and subcortical regions in a mouse. In addition, they can facilitate visualization of measures like calcium transport and be used in repeated imaging for weeks and longer (2).

The lenses are expensive and surgeries to insert the frequently fail, so useful handling tools are necessary to hold the lens stably aligned with the microscope.

Features:

Janelia researchers and engineers have designed a GRIN lens holder to perform these functions and with the following features:

a) conveniently and accurately target the deep brain region of interest 

b) stably fix the GRIN lens for chronic imaging within several months 

c) be easy to clean up the GRIN lens surface 

Opportunity:

The designs for the GRIN lens holder are available for free to non-profit researchers through an open-source designs license at Flintbox link to the right. 

Use:

After manufacture, the GRIN lens is fixed in the holder with UV glue. The GRIN lens holder is calibrated to align the GRIN lens with the objective lens of the miniature microscope before implantation. The GRIN lens holder is fixed on the skull after implantation. Its arm provides strong stabilization of chronic imaging through the GRIN lens. 

Reference:

1. Biomed Opt Express. 2015 Nov 1; 6(11): 4546–4556.
2. PLoS One. 2016 Jan 22;11(1):e0146533. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0146533. eCollection 2016.

For inquiries, please reference:

Janelia 2018-003