Stable, Comfortable Head Fixation for Awake Mice
Secure or release the mouse in seconds, adjust the body height to its age and size, and get the stability you need for electrophysiology and any type of imaging, including two-photon, OCT and widefield imaging with the OiS200.
Secure in Seconds
The headbar slides into the holder slots and locks with simple thumb screws. Releasing the mouse is just as fast, so handling time and stress stay low.
Adjustable Body Height
Raise or lower the body support to relieve pressure on the spine and neck, based on the age and size of the mouse. A 40 mm transparent acrylic tube contains the body.
Mounts on Any Setup
The device comes on a 150 × 150 mm metric breadboard (M6 taps) that attaches to your existing system. Mount behavioral or sensory equipment on the same breadboard. Imperial breadboard on request.
Standard and U-Shaped Models
Both models work with all types of imaging. The U-Shaped model adds head angle adjustment, more vertical travel and support for flat headbars.
| Standard | U-Shaped | |
|---|---|---|
| Vertical travel | 10 mm | 20 mm |
| Head angle | Fixed | Pitch and yaw adjustment of ±30° |
| Headbars | 25 mm square titanium headbars. Flat bars with a free adapter | All our titanium headbars, square and flat. Custom holder on request |
| Recording | Electrophysiology and all types of imaging: two-photon, OCT, widefield (OiS200) and more | |
| Body tube | 40 mm transparent acrylic tube | |
| Base | 150 × 150 mm metric breadboard (M6 taps), imperial on request | |
Made for Our Titanium Headbars
The holder is designed around our titanium headbars / head plates: lightweight, strong, and shaped for a secure fit that minimizes discomfort for the animal.
- Square bars (25 × 3.2 × 3.2 mm): fit both the Standard and U-Shaped models.
- Flat bars (1.0 mm): fit the U-Shaped model directly. The Standard model takes them with a free adapter.
- Your own headbars: contact us to design a custom holder for the U-Shaped model.
Not sure which headbar to choose? Contact us with your imaging setup and we'll recommend one.
Free Implantation, Training and Habituation Protocols
Request a free copy of our surgical protocol, with detailed photos and videos of every step. We also provide training and habituation protocols to help your mice adapt to head fixation.
Built Into Your Experimental Setup
Head fixation is rarely used alone. The system is compact enough to sit under an objective and leaves room on the breadboard for the rest of your experiment.
- Imaging: stable fixation for all types of imaging, including two-photon microscopy, OCT and widefield imaging with the OiS200 Modular Optical Imaging System.
- Behavioral recording: combine it with our Behavioral Camera with Infrared Illumination to record the paws, whiskers or pupils while the head is fixed.
- Stimulation and reward: add devices such as the Air Puff Whisker & Olfactory Stimulator or the Water Dispenser with Lickometer, saving space and setup time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a mouse head fixation system?
It is a device that holds the head of a mouse still during awake imaging or behavioral experiments. A small headbar is implanted on the skull, then locked into the holder, so the brain stays stable under the microscope while the animal remains awake and comfortable.
Which model should I choose, Standard or U-Shaped?
The Standard model is a simple, fixed-angle holder for 25 mm square headbars, with 10 mm of vertical travel. Choose the U-Shaped model if you need to tilt the head (±30° in pitch and yaw), want more vertical travel (20 mm), or use flat headbars. Both models work with all types of imaging.
Which headbars are compatible?
Both models accept our 25 mm square titanium headbars. The U-Shaped model also accepts our flat headbars; the Standard model takes them with a free adapter. For your own headbars, contact us to design a custom holder.
Can I adjust it to the size of the mouse?
Yes. The body support moves vertically (10 mm on the Standard model, 20 mm on the U-Shaped model) to relieve pressure on the spine and neck based on the age and size of the mouse.
How do I mount it on my setup?
The device comes on a 150 × 150 mm metric breadboard with M6 taps that attaches to any existing system. An imperial breadboard is available on request. You can also mount behavioral or sensory equipment on the same breadboard.
Do you provide protocols?
Yes. Request a free copy of our surgical protocol for implanting the headbars, with detailed photos and videos. We also provide training and habituation protocols.
Who uses this system?
Neuroscience laboratories, universities and institutes working with awake mice, especially for brain imaging, electrophysiology and behavioral studies where a stable head position is critical.
