SR-A Stereo Microscope Stage Plate for Narishige SR Series

Overview

The SR-A Stereo Microscope Stage Plate is a precision-engineered accessory designed exclusively for integration with Narishige’s SR-series stereotaxic instruments. Developed in Japan and manufactured to stringent quality control standards, the SR-A plate serves as a modular mounting platform that enables reproducible, three-dimensional positioning of small animal subjects—primarily adult mice and neonatal rats—during neurosurgical, electrophysiological, or optogenetic procedures. Its mechanical design adheres to the fundamental principles of stereotaxic alignment: orthogonal rigidity, minimal parasitic motion, and repeatable coordinate registration relative to the bregma-lambda reference plane. Unlike universal mounting plates, the SR-A features proprietary interface geometry—including precisely spaced T-slot grooves and standardized M3 threaded inserts—that ensures mechanical interoperability only with Narishige SR-series base frames, ear bars, auxiliary ear bars, and oral/nasal fixation clamps. This intentional compatibility constraint guarantees sub-millimeter positional fidelity across experimental sessions, a prerequisite for longitudinal studies requiring high inter-session repeatability.

Key Features

• Optimized dimensional footprint (300 × 120 × 77 mm) and mass distribution (2.1 kg) ensure stable placement on standard laboratory vibration-dampened tables without requiring additional anchoring.
• Integrated auxiliary ear bar mounting points with calibrated depth stops allow rapid, tool-assisted alignment of bilateral ear bar insertion depth—critical for minimizing skull tilt and ensuring accurate dorsoventral targeting.
• Included hex key (2.5 mm) and precision-machined adjustment knobs enable fine-tuned leveling and rotational calibration prior to craniotomy or electrode insertion.
• Non-ferromagnetic aluminum alloy construction prevents interference with MRI-compatible setups and eliminates magnetic hysteresis during high-resolution imaging workflows.
• Surface-treated anodized finish resists ethanol, isopropanol, and enzymatic decontamination agents used in biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) rodent surgery suites.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The SR-A plate is validated for use with C57BL/6, BALB/c, and CD-1 adult mice (P30–P90), as well as Sprague-Dawley and Wistar neonatal rats (P0–P7). Its ear bar support geometry accommodates fully ossified tympanic bullae in mature mice while permitting gentle, non-traumatic stabilization of underdeveloped pinnae in neonates. The plate does not support integration with Narishige GM-3 or GM-4 gas anesthesia delivery systems due to incompatible port spacing and vacuum seal interface requirements—a design decision aligned with ISO 5356-1:2015 specifications for anesthesia gas pathway integrity. All materials comply with RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU and are documented per EU Medical Device Regulation (MDR) Annex II technical file requirements for Class I non-invasive accessories.

Software & Data Management

As a passive mechanical component, the SR-A plate requires no firmware, drivers, or software integration. However, its dimensional repeatability directly supports digital workflow traceability when used with Narishige’s optional SR-1000 digital coordinate logger or third-party stereotaxic planning platforms (e.g., Stereotaxic Atlas Navigator v4.2+). When combined with DICOM-aligned MRI or CT datasets, the plate’s fixed origin point (defined at the intersection of the mid-sagittal suture and interaural line) enables direct transformation matrix application in MATLAB-based analysis pipelines compliant with NIH BRAIN Initiative data standards (BICCN v2.1). Audit trails for plate installation, leveling verification, and subject-specific coordinate logging may be maintained in accordance with FDA 21 CFR Part 11–compliant electronic lab notebooks (ELNs).

Applications

• Chronic intracranial electrode implantation for in vivo electrophysiology (tetrode, silicon probe, or microwire arrays).
• Stereotaxic viral vector delivery (AAV, lentivirus) into discrete nuclei such as the hippocampus, amygdala, or ventral tegmental area.
• Craniotomy-stabilized two-photon calcium imaging in awake, head-fixed mice.
• Neonatal rat pup surgery including cortical aspiration, subplate ablation, or early postnatal optogenetic stimulation.
• Validation of atlas-based coordinate mapping against histological ground truth (e.g., Nissl staining, immunofluorescence).

FAQ

Is the SR-A plate compatible with non-Narishige stereotaxic frames?
No. The SR-A plate is mechanically and dimensionally engineered for exclusive use with Narishige SR-series mainframes. Interchangeability with competitors’ systems is not supported.
Can the SR-A plate be autoclaved?
No. Autoclaving is not recommended due to thermal expansion mismatch between aluminum alloy and embedded stainless steel inserts. Ethanol (70%) or hydrogen peroxide vapor (HPV) sterilization is validated.
Does the SR-A include ear bars or clamps?
No. Ear bars (SR-EA series), auxiliary ear bars (SR-EA-AUX), and oral/nasal clamps (SR-ONC) are sold separately and must be ordered as matched components.
What is the tolerance for horizontal leveling accuracy after adjustment?
When calibrated using the included hex key and spirit level (not supplied), the plate achieves ≤ ±0.1° angular deviation across its full surface area, verified per ISO 10360-2:2020 geometric acceptance testing.
Is there documentation available for GLP audit readiness?
Yes. Narishige provides a Certificate of Conformance (CoC), material traceability report, and dimensional inspection certificate upon request—fully aligned with OECD GLP Principles Section 5.2.2 for test facility equipment qualification.