NIMH Instrumentation Core Facility

NIMH 仪器核心设施

• 批准号: 8557123
• 负责人: George Dold
• 金额: $ 104.46万
• 依托单位: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 至
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/8557123
• 关键词: 3-Dimensional; Affect; Amplifiers; Anxiety; Area; Arts; Attention; Basic Science; Behavior; Behavioral; Brain; Callithrix; Cells; Chronic; Clinical; Collaborations; Computer software; Computers; Consult; Core Facility; Custom; Data Files; Deep Brain Stimulation; Development; Device Designs; Devices; Drosophila genus; Effectiveness; Electrodes; Electronics; Electrophysiology (science); Engineering; Environment; Environmental Risk Factor; Equipment; Feedback; Fiber Optics; Frequencies; Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Goals; Head; Helmet; High Chair; Hour; Housing; Human; Image; Implant; Implanted Electrodes; Individual; Insecta; Intramural Research Program; Learning; Life; Light; MRI Scans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Mails; Mechanics; Memory; Metals; Microinjections; Microprocessor; Microscope; Mission; Monitor; Monkeys; Movement; Mus; National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; National Institute of Mental Health; National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke; Noise; Occupations; Optics; Paint; Patients; Perfusion; Photic Stimulation; Plastics; Positioning Attribute; Primates; Printing; Productivity; Radio; Radiochemistry; Rattus; Recommendation; Research; Research Personnel; Research Project Grants; Research Support; Resolution; Rewards; Rodent; Scanning; Scientist; Secure; Services; Signal Transduction; Site; Solutions; System; Systems Development; Techniques; Technology; Telephone; Temperature; Testing; Therapeutic Human Experimentation; Three-Dimensional Image; Time; Translating; Translations; Ultrasonography; Uncertainty; Variant; Walking; Work; attenuation; base; behavior test; cost; data acquisition; design; design and construction; experience; improved; instrument; instrumentation; locust; magnetic field; millisecond; motor learning; neuronal patterning; new technology; nonhuman primate; novel; programs; repaired; response; restraint; sensor; sound; surgical research; three-dimensional modeling; tool; vibration; visual stimulus

This past year, our Section had the unique opportunity to support the research from more than 35 different Labs & Sections within NIMH, NINDS and NICHD. During the past twelve months, investigators from these labs and branches requested 498 formal projects from our staff. Each of these requests was documented and the time recorded to complete the job. In addition to the formal requests we are available daily for numerous walk-in, phone call or e-mail requests for assistance. In general, our technical support this past year can be divided into the following research areas: Electrophysiology The Section on Instrumentation staff continuously strives to improve the utility of various components that comprise electrophysiology. We have continued to improve the engineering and fabrication of multiple-hole grid arrays that allow precise, repeatable placement of a single or multiple electrodes over a wide area. Noise is a major concern when recording with electrodes. Shielding and grounding are used to minimize noise, but this can be a black art where different techniques are empirically tried. We recently fabricated a unique system to shield a multiple electrode positioning system, using 3D plastic printed pars and electrically conductive paint. The noise attenuation was significant. Surgically implanted recording chambers with removable grids are routinely used for studying patterns of neuronal activities in primate brains. We continued our previous work designing a novel removable grid using the three-dimensional modeling software that permitted microinjections to reach the targeted sites far beyond the standard reach of the recording chamber. Both on-axis and angled holes are now possible. The grid was fabricated using a combination of conventional machining techniques and three-dimensional printing. fMRI The Section on Instrumentation provides a wide range of support for fMRI-related research. Fabrication of devices for use in MRI environments is a specialized area of expertise, with great attention given to design without ferrous metals and minimization of all metal components. In addition, commercial industrial fiber optic components and systems are evaluated and integrated into many designs and devices we fabricate. This past year we provided extensive engineering and fabrication of a new microcontroller and discrete amplifier-based pin-diode control systems. With this system it is possible to manually adjust which of eight capacitors on a gradient coil will be activated, in any combination. We also continued our support for the human, primate and rodent magnet imaging facilities. Non-Human Primate (NHP) Our group is responsible for providing a wide range of engineering and fabrication services to support non-human primate research. Many of the mechanical assemblies that are necessary for this type of research are engineered and fabricated in-house. Our group provides a diverse array of custom systems and components to many different investigators, such as custom primate chairs, high-strength restraints, MRI positioning systems, custom head coils, reward systems, data acquisition, analysis and optical response systems, plus a wide range of small mechanical components. We have become experts in many different types of force and load cells and the integration of these into working research tools. We recently developed a new microdrive for the movement of chronic electrodes implanted in NHPs. The electrodes are bundled into a very fragile array, and must be held firmly enough to allow translation into the brain but not so hard as to crush the bundle. The electrodes must also be moved precisely along a single axis, since any bending movements will break the bundle. The need for strong reliable monkey chairs is critical to the intramural research program. The elegance of the design of the monkey chairs we manufacture is confirmed when we have to repair chairs that are broken. Since the chairs are used daily, a quick turnaround time is important. Our turnaround time is a day or less for major repairs. Human Human research requires the creation of many novel devices that are compatible with the high-magnetic field environment. When a new magnet is installed, we are consulted with and provide the necessary components for presenting visual stimuli in the bore of the magnet, including image periscopes, screens, and mirrors. These devices are designed and manufactured with specific space and material constraints. Custom head coils are important for various fMRI applications. Using our 3D printers, we were able to design and fabricate various custom head holding (cradle) systems as requested by our investigators. These cradles allow for precise placement of imaging coils in the scanner, enabling higher-resolution scanning. Behavioral Several different types of mazes are used to study spatial learning and memory in rats. These studies have been used to help understand general principles about learning that can be applied to humans, and to determine what effect different treatments affect learning and memory in mice. We produce a variety of custom T and Y mazes for behavioral testing. This past year, as requested by an investigator testing mouse anxiety, we fabricated custom, adjustable LED strips for illuminating sections of the mazes in a darkened room. We were also asked to consider a project were incorporated a number of sensors to monitor the rodent housing room to check for variation in their living environment that might affect their behavior during testing. We have constructed a unit that will monitor sound levels, vibration, temperature variations, light and also ultrasound levels. The monitoring signals will be controlled by a computer that will alert the investigator to any abnormal environmental factors. Imaging The addition of small secondary coils at specific regional sites enhances the resolution of MRI images at those sites. By exploiting the capabilities of our 3D rapid prototyping systems, we are able to fabricate custom coil holders for these specific sites. In collaboration with NINDS physicists, a plethora of such devices have been designed and implemented. Also, various means to minimize radio frequency noise introduced by the associated cabling for the coils have been collaboratively designed and fabricated. A continuing request is for custom helmets for securing the heads of marmosets which are undergoing MRI scans. Custom data files are sent to us that can be translated into 3-D images and fabricated on our 3-D printer. The custom helmets reduce anxiety for the marmosets that are being scanned. Clinical Our Section also supports a number of clinical based research requests under the broad areas of surgical, therapeutic and basic research. In particular, we developed several applications for studies involving motor learning under feedback uncertainty. These applications are programmed with Labview, a high-level software package. Millisecond timing of visual stimulation and recording of operator feedback are critical for these applications. This past year we were also asked to fabricate an interface for a deep brain stimulation cable. The purpose of this cable is to allow the patient to be mobile while under stimulation testing. Technology By using the latest technology in CAD/CAM programming, Rapid Prototyping techniques, and reverse engineering, SI is able to increase productivity and effectiveness while at the same time decreasing the amount of time needed to engineer and machine the components. We recently invested in a Labview-based embedded microprocessor development system, which allows us to quickly produce low-cost but highly-functional electronic equipment.

去年，我们的部门获得了独特的机会来支持 NIMH、NINDS 和 NICHD 内超过 35 个不同实验室和部门的研究。在过去 12 个月中，这些实验室和分支机构的研究人员向我们的员工索取了 498 个正式项目。每个请求都被记录下来，并记录完成工作的时间。除了正式请求外，我们每天还可以接受大量上门、电话或电子邮件请求以寻求帮助。 总的来说，我们这一年的技术支持可以分为以下几个研究领域： 电生理学 仪器部门的工作人员不断努力提高构成电生理学的各种组件的实用性。我们不断改进多孔网格阵列的工程和制造，允许在大面积上精确、可重复地放置单个或多个电极。 使用电极记录时，噪声是一个主要问题。 屏蔽和接地用于最大限度地减少噪声，但这可能是一种需要凭经验尝试不同技术的黑术。 我们最近使用 3D 塑料打印零件和导电涂料制造了一种独特的系统来屏蔽多电极定位系统。 噪声衰减显着。 通过手术植入带有可拆卸网格的记录室通常用于研究灵长类动物大脑中的神经元活动模式。我们继续之前的工作，使用三维建模软件设计了一种新颖的可移动网格，该软件允许显微注射到达远远超出记录室标准范围的目标部位。 现在可以使用同轴孔和斜孔。 该网格是采用传统加工技术和三维打印相结合的方式制造的。 功能磁共振成像 仪器部分为功能磁共振成像相关研究提供广泛的支持。 MRI 环境中使用的设备的制造是一个专门的专业领域，非常注重不含黑色金属的设计和最小化所有金属组件。此外，商业工业光纤组件和系统经过评估并集成到我们制造的许多设计和设备中。去年，我们提供了新型微控制器和基于分立放大器的 pin 二极管控制系统的广泛工程和制造。 通过该系统，可以手动调整梯度线圈上的八个电容器中的哪一个将被激活，无论是任意组合。 我们还继续支持人类、灵长类动物和啮齿动物磁成像设施。 非人类灵长类动物 (NHP) 我们的团队负责提供广泛的工程和制造服务以支持非人类灵长类动物研究。此类研究所需的许多机械组件都是内部设计和制造的。我们的团队为许多不同的研究人员提供各种定制系统和组件，例如定制灵长类动物椅子、高强度约束装置、MRI 定位系统、定制头部线圈、奖励系统、数据采集、分析和光学响应系统，以及各种小型机械组件。我们已成为许多不同类型的力和称重传感器以及将这些传感器集成到工作研究工具中的专家。 我们最近开发了一种新的微驱动器，用于移动植入 NHP 的慢性电极。 电极被捆绑成一个非常脆弱的阵列，必须保持足够牢固以允许转移到大脑中，但又不能太用力以致压碎电极束。 电极还必须沿着单个轴精确移动，因为任何弯曲运动都会破坏电极束。 对坚固可靠的猴椅的需求对于校内研究项目至关重要。当我们必须修理损坏的椅子时，我们制造的猴椅设计的优雅性就得到了证实。由于椅子每天都会使用，因此快速周转时间非常重要。对于大修，我们的周转时间为一天或更短。 人类 人类研究需要创造许多与高磁场环境兼容的新颖设备。当安装新磁铁时，我们会咨询并提供必要的组件，以便在磁铁的孔中呈现视觉刺激，包括图像潜望镜、屏幕和镜子。这些设备的设计和制造受到特定空间和材料的限制。 定制头部线圈对于各种功能磁共振成像应用非常重要。使用我们的 3D 打印机，我们能够根据研究人员的要求设计和制造各种定制头部固定（支架）系统。 这些支架可以将成像线圈精确放置在扫描仪中，从而实现更高分辨率的扫描。 行为方面 几种不同类型的迷宫用于研究大鼠的空间学习和记忆。 这些研究被用来帮助理解可应用于人类的学习的一般原理，并确定不同的治疗对小鼠学习和记忆的影响。 我们生产各种用于行为测试的定制 T 和 Y 迷宫。 去年，根据测试小鼠焦虑的研究人员的要求，我们制作了定制的可调节 LED 灯条，用于照亮黑暗房间中迷宫的各个部分。我们还被要求考虑一个项目，其中包含许多传感器来监控啮齿动物的住房房间，以检查它们的生活环境的变化，这些变化可能会影响它们在测试期间的行为。我们建造了一个装置，可以监测声音水平、振动、温度变化、光线和超声波水平。监测信号将由计算机控制，该计算机将向调查人员发出任何异常环境因素的警报。 影像学 在特定区域位置添加小型次级线圈可增强这些位置的 MRI 图像的分辨率。通过利用我们的 3D 快速原型系统的功能，我们能够为这些特定地点制造定制线圈支架。与 NINDS 物理学家合作，设计并实现了大量此类设备。 此外，还共同设计和制造了各种方法来最大限度地减少由线圈相关布线引入的射频噪声。 人们不断要求定制头盔来保护正在接受核磁共振扫描的狨猴的头部。定制数据文件发送给我们，可以将其转换为 3D 图像并在我们的 3D 打印机上制作。定制头盔减少了正在扫描的狨猴的焦虑。 临床 我们的科室还支持外科、治疗和基础研究等广泛领域内的许多临床研究请求。特别是，我们开发了几种涉及反馈不确定性下运动学习的研究应用程序。 这些应用程序使用高级软件包 Labview 进行编程。 毫秒级的视觉刺激和记录操作员反馈对于这些应用至关重要。 去年，我们还被要求为深部脑刺激电缆制造一个接口。 该电缆的目的是让患者在刺激测试时能够活动。 技术 通过使用最新的 CAD/CAM 编程技术、快速原型技术和逆向工程，SI 能够提高生产率和效率，同时减少设计和加工组件所需的时间。我们最近投资了基于Labview的嵌入式微处理器开发系统，这使我们能够快速生产低成本但功能强大的电子设备。