X-Headstage
Notes on X-Headstage IP68 rating
The X-Headstage has been tested for IP68 rating by a third party (test report here). The rating is achieved with the following: An IP armor is configured with the headstage The optional moisture resistance coating must be specified at the time of the ...
Is the accelerometer sensor available for the SR Stim-Record X-Headstage?
The SR headstage does not support the use of a 3-axis accelerometer sensor.
How to access the ground and reference inputs of the X-Headstages?
The X-Headstage has GND and REF inputs in the board-to-board connectors. The external pads are omitted to maintain a minimal footprint. Access to these signals can be found on the EIB or the probe.
How do I interface the electrode with the X-Headstage?
If you make your electrode, we offer EIBs with a direct interface to the X-Headstage. If the existing EIB designs do not satisfy your research needs, contact us for customization. There is a selection of off-the-shelf adapters for commonly used ...
How much do the adapters weight?
SKU Description Weight (g) Adpt-A16 Acute 16ch Probe Adapter 16.35 Adpt-A32 Acute 32ch Probe Adapter 15.10 Adpt-A64 Acute 64ch Probe Adapter 19.50 Adpt-OM16 Omnetics 16ch Probe Adapter 0.47 Adpt-OM16V Omnetics 16ch Probe Adapter Vertical Design 0.49 ...
Designing electrode interface board (EIB) for the X-Headstage
Designing an electrode interface board (EIB) for the X-Headstages is easy. Download the example EIB Eagle PCB design in the Download/PCB Design/ section. You must register an account here to see the link. Here are a few things to keep in mind: X3R32, ...
Can the X-Headstage be configured with an Omnetics connector?
X-Headstage can be configured with a 12-pin Omnetics connector. However, we strongly recommend that new users consider the µHDMI connector. It is easy to plug in and unplug and uses a low-cost, flexible cable.
Notes on X3SR headstage pinout
X-Headstage is manufactured based on advanced packaging technology such that there are multiple ICs inside each chip. X3SR32 has two Intan RHS2116 dies inside therefore each die is connected to one of the two X3BtB connectors (to maintain the ...
Handling the X-Headstage
Properly handling the X-Headstage will prolong its lifetime and reliability. To plugin connect the EIB/Probe/Adapter, align the two units directly on top of each other and exert equal force along the entire area. If the connectors are plugged in ...
What is the difference between X3R32/64, X3SR, and X6R128 headstages?
The X3R32/64 is a recording-only headstage with a base footprint of about 8.5x8.5mm and includes a built-in accelerometer. The X3SR32 is the stim-record headstage, with a base footprint of about 8.5x8.5mm. The SR X-Headstages do not support ...
What is the intended use of the vertical or no-lock adapter for the same probe connector?
The regular X-Headstage adapters include screw sockets to lock the X-Headstage to the adapter securely. The no-lock (or SKU with -M) adapter has a minimal footprint and can be used with M armor. The vertical design (or SKU with -V) moves the ...
Notes regarding the reliability of the connectors used on the X-Headstage
X-Headstage uses ultra-small connectors, called board-to-board connectors, commonly used in the PC industry. These types of connectors have a cycle rating of about 50 cycles according to the manufacturers. But that doesn't mean it will fail at the ...
What to do if dental cement accidentally got into the board-to-board connector?
Try submerging the X-Headstage in acetone for a few hours, then use a swab (preferably cotton-less) to remove the residue.
How is X-Headstage more cost-effective than headstages offered by other vendors?
The X-Headstage is a better headstage solution. It is super small and supported by a wide variety of accessories for more flexible surgery. It can transform passive probes into an active design, offering better noise rejection and signal acquisition ...
How do X3R, X3SR, and X6R headstages differ?
The X3R is an ultra-small headstage supporting 32ch or 64ch of high-speed neural recording. The X3SR is electrical stimulation-capable with 32ch per chip and up to 64ch can be configured per headstage. The X3 line has a base dimension of 8.5x8.5x5mm. ...
My electrode uses a different kind of connector than what is on the X-Headstage. Can I still use the X-Headstage?
Yes. If you use connectors commonly used in neuroscience, chances are we already have adaptors made. The X-Headstage is designed for minimal size and thus has carefully chosen these small industrial connectors. The adaptor-based approach offers the ...
What are the weights of the various armor types?
Screw Armor (with screws): 0.24g Mini Armor: 0.20g IP Armor: 0.27g Adhesive adds about 0.10g. The difference between Omnetics and HDMI connector armor designs is negligible.
What probes or electrodes are compatible with X-Headstage?
The X-Headstage can be used with most high (1-5MOhm) or low (1-100kOhm) impedance electrodes, commercially available or homemade. Be mindful that high-impedance electrodes might not be suitable for stimulation experiments, as x3SR has a compliance ...
I have the OpenEphys or Intan Controller with the blue or purple Intan SPI cables, can they still be used with the X-Headstage?
We recommend the HDMI connector/cable solution as it is easy to plug in and unplug, low-cost, and flexible. However, you can configure the X-Headstage with the Omnetics connectors and use your existing cable system.
Do I need to use the KONTEX XDAQ system to use the X-Headstage?
No, you could use any existing Intan-compatible controllers (from Intan, Open-Ephys, NeuroNexus Smartbox, etc.). The X-Headstage is designed to use the micro HDMI connector, which is easy to plug in and can leverage our low-cost, ultra-flexible cable ...
What kind of stimulation pattern can be delivered by the x3SR headstages?
X3SR can be programmed to deliver a wide variety of stimulus patterns with pulse timing as fine as 33.3 µs. When driven by XDAQ, our software allows delivery of biphasic, triphasic, burst pulses with amplitude ranging from 10nA to 2.55mA.
Is armor necessary for the X-Headstage?
It is possible to use the X-Headstage without the armor, but having an additional layer will offer additional mechanical protection and will likely prolong its lifetime.
Can I customize the shape or material of X-Headstage's protective armor?
Yes, please contact us for more information.
Is X-Headstage's HDMI connector solution same as ones used by other vendors (such as NeuroNexus' Smartbox)?
The X-Headstage is designed to leverage consumer tech HDMI accessories, so we carefully mapped the signal circuit to ensure maximum compatibility. NeuroNexus and other vendors custom-made the HDMI cable for their specifications and, therefore, have ...
Why is the SR X-Headstage not detected in the Open-Ephys GUI?
Currently, Open-Ephys GUI supports only the recording-type headstage. Therefore, the software will not be able to detect the SR X-Headstage.
What screws are used in the S Armors?
S Armors by default is equipped with M1.2, 0.25pitch, 3mm captive screw (SKU: ME-CNC-029) For users using remapper or cycle-extender, an optional 5mm long screw should be used (SKU: ME-CNC-030)
What is the advantage of implanting/cementing the X-Headstage with the electrode?
In general, signal quality and longevity can be improved when the headstage and electrode are firmly cemented on the skull. Due to the lower height from the cantilever effect, mechanical strain is minimized on the connector interface, drastically ...
Is the X-Headstage compatible with NeuroNexus SmartBox or other Intan-based digital control systems?
Yes, a pin-remap adaptor will be needed. If no existing adapter is available, KONTEX can custom-make the adaptors to interface with other systems if pinouts can be provided. Contact us for more details.
How much current can X3SR headstage deliver?
The X3SR includes constant current stimulators that can deliver currents ranging from 10 nA to 2.55 mA over a 14 V compliance. XDAQ CORE supplies a +/- 7V to the headstage; XDAQ ONE supplies additional options of 10V/-4V or 4V/-10V. Please be mindful ...
Selecting and Configuring the X-Headstage
Currently, KONTEX offers several types of X-Headstages X3R32: 32ch recording headstage X3R64: 64ch recording headstage XeR64: e-series 64ch recording headstage XeSR16: e-series 16ch switchable stimulation + recording headstage XeSR32: e-series 32ch ...
Are tracking LEDs available with the X-Headstages?
Tracking LEDs can be installed to the probe adaptor. Contact us for customization.
Can X-Headstage be used for non-human primate experiments?
X-Headstage can be easily adapted for NHP experiments. KONTEX is experienced with various pedestal or chamber designs commonly used in the NHP experiments. We are working on a few solutions for NHP in our lab. Contact us for more details.
What connectors are used on the X-Headstage?
The connectors on the X3 line (X3 Probe Interface) are Molex PN: 5050663422. The mating connector to be used is Molex PN: 5050703422. For X6, the connectors on the headstage (X6 Probe Interface) are Panasonic PN: AXG144144A, and the mating connector ...
What chips are used in the X3 and X6 series X-Headstages?
The X3- and X6- X-Headstages are performance-tuned headstages based on Intan Technologies ASIC. KONTEX leverages advanced chip packaging technologies to pack multiple ICs in each chip. Specifically, here are the actual compositions: X3R32 - 1 RHD2132 ...
3D print the X-Headstages
The X-Headstage is designed with an adapter-based approach to interface with various connectors. We offer off-the-shelf designs and can provide custom designs. Contact us for more information. Browse all the available probe adapters here: ...
Are there adaptors to interface the X-Headstage with my electrode?
The X-Headstage is designed with an adapter-based approach to interface with various connectors. We offer off-the-shelf designs and can provide custom designs. Contact us for more information. Browse all the available probe adapters here: ...
How is X-Headstage different than Intan's RHD-/RHS-2000 chips?
The X-Headstage features a KONTEX-designed chip package based on Intan's frontend ASICs. Our chip package enables multi-die integration and SiP class interposer technology to route IOs across the top and the bottom of the chip. This enables more ...