Arduino based intra-cerebral microinjector device for neuroscience research

Abstract

Stereotaxic surgery is a less invasive form of surgery that uses a three-dimensional coordinate system to place instruments at a specific location in the brain. Through this type of surgery, one can place needles among other tools within the structures of the brain. Therefore, injections can be given in order to deliver substances that cannot cross the blood–brain barrier. The two most important parameters of the microinjection to control are volume and speed. The volume should not be so large that it displaces the brain tissue and tears it. The injection speed must also be slow so that the liquid that comes out of the syringe can diffuse into the tissue without displacing it and damaging it. Thus, the objectives of the present work are: 1) To develop not a 3D printed prototype but an end-user device. 2) The device must be for animal research only. 3) It must have the same precision in volume and speed as commercial devices. 4) It must be adjustable for microsyringes from 0.5 µl to 1 ml. 5) It must be possible to place it directly on the stereotaxic surgery apparatus and to use it separately. 6) The price must be substantially lower than that of the commercial devices.

Keywords

• Arduino
• Intracerebral injection
• Stereotaxic surgery
• Neuroscience
• Microinjection
• Open hardware