SiNAPS
Simultaneous Neural Recording Active Pixel Sensor Technology
Researchers interested in high-channel, high-density active electrode recording options no longer need to select only a subset of channels to record from or settle for streaming-only acquisition systems with incomplete software. The OmniPlex system enables users to record from all channels of a SiNAPS probe and utilize powerful referencing, thresholding, culling, and spike sorting features only available from Plexon.
SiNAPS
Simultaneous Neural Recording Active Pixel Sensor Technology
Researchers interested in high-channel, high-density active electrode recording options no longer need to select only a subset of channels to record from or settle for streaming-only acquisition systems with incomplete software. The OmniPlex system enables users to record from all channels of a SiNAPS probe and utilize powerful referencing, thresholding, culling, and spike sorting features only available from Plexon.
SiNAPS probes from Corticale utilize Active Pixel Sensor (APS), CMOS technology to enable high-channel, high-density configurations, which are now fully integrated into the OmniPlex hardware and software package. With SiNAPS and OmniPlex, Plexon users can record from hundreds to thousands of channels in a high-density package and benefit from all the sophisticated online processing functionality of OmniPlex (online sorting, referencing, visualization, etc.).
The OmniPlex system from Plexon is mature (10+ years of development) and popular (1,000+ peer-reviewed publications). Support for the SiNAPS probe technology is the latest innovation to the OmniPlex platform.
Probe view—live histogram showing the distribution of continuous signal energy or detected spike activity across all channels
SiNAPS probes from Corticale utilize Active Pixel Sensor (APS), CMOS technology to enable high-channel, high-density configurations, which are now fully integrated into the OmniPlex hardware and software package. With SiNAPS and OmniPlex, Plexon users can record from hundreds to thousands of channels in a high-density package and benefit from all the sophisticated online processing functionality of OmniPlex (online sorting, referencing, visualization, etc.).
The OmniPlex system from Plexon is mature (10+ years of development) and popular (1,000+ peer-reviewed publications). Support for the SiNAPS probe technology is the latest innovation to the OmniPlex platform.
Probe view—live histogram showing the distribution of continuous signal energy or detected spike activity across all channels
Probe Tester Unit (PTU)
The Probe Tester Unit (PTU) device is a next generation headstage tester unit (HTU) from Plexon and specific to the SiNAPS-OmniPlex system. The PTU will enable a user to feed a known signal into the SiNAPS-OmniPlex system via the SiNAPS probe itself. The PTU is a valuable device for testing and troubleshooting of the SiNAPS-OmniPlex system.
System Tester Unit (STU)
The System Tester Unit (STU) device is a new next generation headstage tester unit (HTU) from Plexon and specific to the SiNAPS-OmniPlex system. The STU enables a user to feed up to 32 independent signals into a SiNAPS-OmniPlex system via the SINAPS Adaptor. The STU includes its own software for creating playback files to feed into the SiNAPS-OmniPlex system. The STU is a valuable device for testing, troubleshooting, and demonstrating the functionality of the SiNAPS-OmniPlex system.
SiNAPS Adaptor
The SiNAPS Adaptor provides the interface to SiNAPS probes and high quality A/D conversion of SiNAPS signals.
SiNAPS probes are high-channel count, active electrodes, similar to other silicon active probes available and popular today (E.g., NeuroPixels). However, what makes SiNAPS probes unique is the ability to record from all the electrode sites, not only a subset. This means a user can record from all 256 channels of a 256 channel SiNAPS probe. The same is true for the 512 channel and 1,024 channel probes.
SiNAPS probes are high-channel count, active electrodes, similar to other silicon active probes available and popular today (E.g., NeuroPixels). However, what makes SiNAPS probes unique is the ability to record from all the electrode sites, not only a subset. This means a user can record from all 256 channels of a 256 channel SiNAPS probe. The same is true for the 512 channel and 1,024 channel probes.
SiNAPS Probe Features:
256 Pixels Available Now
512 and 1,024 pixel versions coming soonAcquisition From All Pixels
Not a subset like other active silicon probesSingle Shank Versions Available Today
Multi-shank versions coming soonAdvantages:
Modular Circuit Architecture
Versatile modular architecture enabling tailored and rapid solutions for any customer and applicationVersatile Fabrication Flow
Low-cost prototyping of CMOS-probesCompact and Scalable Devices
Incredibly compact electrode-pixels with local front-ends enable the realization of arrays with the highest electrode density available on the market and scalable numbers of simultaneously recording electrodesSiNAPS Probe Features:
256, 512, and 1024 Pixels Available Now
Acquisition From All Pixels
Not a subset like other active silicon probesSingle Shank and Multi Shank Versions Available Today
Advantages:
Modular Circuit Architecture
Versatile modular architecture enabling tailored and rapid solutions for any customer and applicationVersatile Fabrication Flow
Low-cost prototyping of CMOS-probesCompact and Scalable Devices
Incredibly compact electrode-pixels with local front-ends enable the realization of arrays with the highest electrode density available on the market and scalable numbers of simultaneously recording electrodesNew OmniPlex Software Features Specific to SiNAPS Probes
Signal Quality and Headroom Tuning
Signal quality refers to the integrity of neural data. Headroom tuning involves optimizing signal amplitude within a neural recording system to maximize dynamic range and minimize noise.
Array Thresholding
The process of determining a minimum activation level for neural responses in order to distinguish relevant signals from noise within an array of data.
Online Spike Culling
When a spike is detected on multiple adjacent pixels, OmniPlex culls (discards) all but the spike with the largest amplitude.
Online spike culling automatically selects the best (or highest signal to noise ratio) channel for each spike, out of all the channels that detect a given action potential.
On the left, the continuous traces in channel-number order; on the right, the corresponding detected waveforms in their positions along the probe. The largest spike (blue) is the "center channel" spike, which is passed through to the sorter and PlexControl. The neighbor spikes, which are within a specified distance and time offset from the center channel spike, are discarded (culled).
For offline processing of collected data, SiNAPS and OmniPlex users benefit from the efficient pl2 file format, which enables significantly faster channel read time compared to other open-source and commercially available file types. The pl2 file format is compatible with Kilosort, SpyKing Circus, and others via Plexon SDKs and processing pipeline software.
New OmniPlex Software Features Specific to SiNAPS Probes
Probe View
Live histogram showing the distribution of continuous signal energy or detected spike activity across all channels
Signal Quality and Headroom Tuning
Signal quality refers to the integrity of neural data. Headroom tuning involves optimizing signal amplitude within a neural recording system to maximize dynamic range and minimize noise.
Online Spike Culling
When a spike is detected on multiple adjacent pixels, OmniPlex culls (discards) all but the spike with the largest amplitude.
Online spike culling automatically selects the best (or highest signal to noise ratio) channel for each spike, out of all the channels that detect a given action potential.
On the left, the continuous traces in channel-number order; on the right, the corresponding detected waveforms in their positions along the probe. The largest spike (blue) is the "center channel" spike, which is passed through to the sorter and PlexControl. The neighbor spikes, which are within a specified distance and time offset from the center channel spike, are discarded (culled).
For offline processing of collected data, SiNAPS and OmniPlex users benefit from the efficient pl2 file format, which enables high-speed reading of large recording files. The pl2 file format is compatible with Kilosort, SpyKing Circus, and others via Plexon SDKs and processing pipeline software.
Technical Specifications
| Amplifier | In-pixel (DC-input) | |
| Electrode Size | 15 x 15 µm² | |
| Electrode Pitch | 29 μm | |
| Sampling Frequency | 40 kHz/channel effective sampling rate | |
| Electrode/Channels | 256, 512, 1024 | |
| Shank Separation | 560 µm (only for multi-shank probe) | |
| RMS noise | 6.5 µV (in action potential band) | |
| Electrode Material | Pt | |
| Power Consumption | <6 µW/electrode-pixel |
Dimensions: Click the appropriate option below to learn more about the dimensions for each type.
256 Channel Dimensions
Multi-Shank Dimensions (1024 Channels)
Additional Resources and References
Application | Acute | Chronic | Chronic | Acute | Acute, Chronic | Chronic |
Experimental Model | NHP, Large Animal | NHP, Large Animal | NHP, Large Animal, Rodent | NHP, Large Animal, Rodent | Rodent | NHP, Large Animal |
Channel Count Available | 8, 16, 24, 32, 64* | 4 - 128 | 8, 16, 24 | 256, 512, 1024 | 32 recording channels, 8 per shank | 8, 16, 24 |
Shank Length Available | Up to 150mm | 500μm - 15mm | 3 or 5 mm | 5 mm** | 5 mm | 3mm |
Stimulation Option | Optogenetic, Electrical | Electrical | N/A | N/A | Optogenetic | N/A |
Optional Fluid Delivery | Yes | Yes | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Connector Compatibility | Omnetics, Samtec | Omnetics, Samtec, ZIF | Omnetics | Samtec | Omnetics | Omnetics |
Geometry | Single shank | Single shank, Multi-shank, 3D Array | Single shank, Multi-shank | HD Single or Multi-shank | Multi-shank | Single shank |
References
- Ribeiro, J. F. et al. (2022) Channels, layout and size scalability of implantable CMOS-based multielectrode array probes
- Boi, F. et al.(2021) Coupling sinaps high-density neural recording CMOS-probes with optogenetic light stimulation.
- Ribeiro, J. F. et al. (2021) Bioelectrodes for high-channel count and small form factor CMOS neural probes
- Boi, F. et al. (2020) Multi-shanks SiNAPS Active Pixel Sensor CMOS probe: 1024 simultaneously recording channels for high-density intracortical brain mapping
- Angotzi, GN. et al. (2019) SiNAPS: An implantable active pixel sensor CMOS-probe for simultaneous large-scale neural recordings
Technical Specifications
| Amplifier | In-pixel (DC-input) | |
| Electrode Size | 15 x 15 µm² | |
| Electrode Pitch | 29 μm | |
| Sampling Frequency | up to 25 kHz/channel | |
| Electrode/Channels | 256, 512, 1024* | |
| Shank Separation | 560 µm (only for multi-shank probe) | |
| RMS noise | 6.5 µV (in action potential band) | |
| Electrode Material | Pt | |
| Power Consumption | <6 µW/electrode-pixel |
Dimensions : Probes are currently offered in single shank 256 channel configurations. Multi-Shank Arrays (512 and 1024 Channels) will soon be available. Click the appropriate option below to learn more about the dimensions for each type.
256 Channel Dimensions
Multi-Shank Dimensions (512 and 1024 Channels)*
*Multi-Shank Dimensions (512 and 1024 Channels) coming soon.
Additional Resources and References
Application | Acute | Chronic | Chronic | Acute | Acute, Chronic | Chronic |
Experimental Model | NHP, Large Animal | NHP, Large Animal | NHP, Large Animal, Rodent | NHP, Large Animal, Rodent | Rodent | NHP, Large Animal |
Channel Count Available | 8, 16, 24, 32, 64* | 4 - 128 | 8, 16, 24 | 256, 512, 1024 | 32 recording channels, 8 per shank | 8, 16, 24 |
Shank Length Available | Up to 150mm | 500μm - 15mm | 3 or 5 mm | 5 mm** | 5 mm | 3mm |
Stimulation Option | Optogenetic, Electrical | Electrical | N/A | N/A | Optogenetic | N/A |
Optional Fluid Delivery | Yes | Yes | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Connector Compatibility | Omnetics, Samtec | Omnetics, Samtec, ZIF | Omnetics | Samtec | Omnetics | Omnetics |
Geometry | Single shank | Single shank, Multi-shank, 3D Array | Single shank, Multi-shank | HD Single or Multi-shank | Multi-shank | Single shank |
References
- Ribeiro, J. F. et al. (2022) Channels, layout and size scalability of implantable CMOS-based multielectrode array probes
- Boi, F. et al.(2021) Coupling sinaps high-density neural recording CMOS-probes with optogenetic light stimulation.
- Ribeiro, J. F. et al. (2021) Bioelectrodes for high-channel count and small form factor CMOS neural probes
- Boi, F. et al. (2020) Multi-shanks SiNAPS Active Pixel Sensor CMOS probe: 1024 simultaneously recording channels for high-density intracortical brain mapping
- Angotzi, GN. et al. (2019) SiNAPS: An implantable active pixel sensor CMOS-probe for simultaneous large-scale neural recordings
Interested in trying SiNAPS?
SiNAPS probes are available now to Plexon OmniPlex users for beta testing. To start, the probes will be available and supported in a 256 channel configuration. Probes with 512 sites and 1,024 sites will be available and supported soon.
SiNAPS probes require an OmniPlex data acquisition system from Plexon. Please contact your salesperson at Plexon for more information or reach out via info@plexon.com.
Discuss your needs with a Plexon Sales Engineer to determine the best configuration for your upcoming experiments. It may also be possible to produce arrays beyond the specifications outlined in the Technical Specifications tab.
Interested in trying SiNAPS?
SiNAPS probes require an OmniPlex data acquisition system from Plexon. Please contact your salesperson at Plexon for more information or reach out via info@plexon.com.
Discuss your needs with a Plexon Sales Engineer to determine the best configuration for your upcoming experiments. It may also be possible to produce arrays beyond the specifications outlined in the Technical Specifications tab.