Products HomeMotorized Micromanipulators
- Zero Drift Piezo Technology
- Intuitive Touchscreen and Rotary Wheel Control
- Slide, Flip, & Rotation Accessories
MMS3 Micromanipulators with Headstages Attached,
Mounted on Rigid Stands with Motorized Translation Stages;
Shown with Cerna Microscope
Application Idea
MMSTSC2 Touchscreen,
MMSRW4 Rotary Wheel,
MMSHUBL Hub, and
MMS4 4-Axis Micromanipulator
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| Key Manipulator Specs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Item # | MMS3 | MMS4 |
| Axes | 3 (X-Y-Z) | 4 (X-Y-Z-D) |
| Travel Per Axis | 20 mm | |
| Resolution | 5 nm | |
| Repeatability | 100 nm | |
| Max Speed | 5 mm/s | |
| Load Capacity | 150 g | |
| X-Axis Tilt Angle | 0 - 45° | 0 - 90° |
Click for Details
Micromanipulator Installed on Stacked Dovetail Stands
(Flip, Rotation, & Linear Slide)
Features
- Highly Precise, Repeatable Micromanipulation with Piezo Translation
- 20 mm Travel with 5 nm Resolution Along Each Axis
- Vibration-Free Piezo Translation Minimizes Sample Disturbance
- Zero Drift Technology Eliminates Drift During Experiments
- Repeatable Automated Probe Insertion
- Coarsely Adjustable Approach Angle
- Highly Scalable Modular Design
- Base System Components (Required):
- 3- or 4-Axis Micromanipulators
- Touchscreen Controller, Connection Hub, and Rotary Wheel Controllers
- Optional Stands and Adapters:
- Flip, Rotation, and Linear Slide Stands
- Headstage and Pipette Adapters
These micromanipulators, which are manufactured by Sensapex, are based on patented piezo and motion control technologies to provide leading positioning accuracy and stability in a compact package. They are ideal for use in combination with Thorlabs' microscopy systems, such as our Mini-2P, Cerna, Bergamo, and Veneto microscopes for electrophysiology and life sciences research. Typical applications include patch clamping, Neuropixels, or any other use of neuronal probes. When combined with rigid stands and translation stages, or translating mounting platforms, they achieve unparalleled stability and control for headstage, pipette, or probe manipulation. Piezoelectric control provides vibration-free movement with no backlash (as illustrated in the fourth video below) and patented position hold technology ensures zero drift to achieve superior positioning compared to hydraulic manipulators, mechanical manipulators, or motorized lead screws. Automated approach routines enable consistent hands-free microelectrode and pipette techniques, as illustrated in the third video below.
The base system consists of the micromanipulator, touchscreen, hub, and rotary wheel controller. A PC may be used for remote control; refer to the manual for details. Up to four micromanipulators can be connected through one MMSHUBL hub and a system can consist of many hubs and manipulators connected via network switch(es). The MMS3 manipulator supports three-axis motion when used with the MMSRW3 controller; a fourth virtual axis can be enabled by detecting the mechanically-set approach angle and using the MMSRW4 controller, as illustrated in the second video below. The MMS4 manipulator supports four-axis motion and requires the use of the MMSRW4 controller.
Each MMS3 and MMS4 micromanipulator includes a separate mounting base for attaching the manipulator directly to a stage or post. Three modular stand options are also available that allow the manipulated device to be retracted away from the sample for convenient and safe handling, as illustrated in the first video below. Adapters are available for mounting dovetail-type headstages and pipettes or probes. Each manipulator and accessory includes sufficient standard metric and imperial screws for installation. The mounting base and MMSSLD slide stand feature mounting slots and counterbores for 1/4" (M6) screw mounting to breadboards, platforms, and rigid stands.
Modular stands for patch-clamp micromanipulators allow for linear translation, flip, and rotation functionality. Within this video, note that MMSSLD, MMSFLP, and MMSROT will be referred to as uMp-SLD, uMp-FLP, and uMp-ROT, respectively.
The virtual axis feature provides the MMS3 3-axis micromanipulator (referred to as uMp-3 in this video) with a virtual 4th axis when used with an MMSRW4 rotary wheel. This is achieved by combining movement of the physical X- and Z-axes and using angle information provided by the poll axis angle feature.
These micromanipulators provide an Auto Insertion Mode, enabling automated probe insertion at speeds down to 1 µm/s and with closed-loop resolution of 5 nm. This is ideal for Neuropixel recordings, for example. Slow insertion minimizes damage to the sample.
MMS series micromanipulators are vibration-free due to their piezo technology. Stepper motor manipulators, in contrast, introduce vibrations into the system during translation.
| Manipulator Specifications | ||
|---|---|---|
| Item # | MMS3 | MMS4 |
| Axes | Three (X-Y-Z) | Four (X-Y-Z-D) |
| Travel Per Axis | 20 mm | |
| Resolution | 5 nm | |
| Repeatability | 100 nm | |
| Max Speed | 5 mm/s | |
| Load Capacity | 150 g | |
| X-Axis Tilt Angle | 0 - 45° | 0 - 90° |
| Dimensions (L x W x H)a | 128.0 mm x 49.0 mm x 81.0 mm | 136.0 mm x 49.0 mm x 107.5 mm |
| Massa | 642 g | 892 g |
| MMSTSC2 Touchscreen Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Power Supply (Included) | 5 VDC, 3.6 A |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 126.0 mm x 127.4 mm x 94.5 mm |
| Mass | 687 g |
| MMSHUBL Hub Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Power Supply (Included) | 24 VDC, 2.71 A |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 99.0 mm x 95.3 mm x 30.1 mm |
| Mass | 259 g |
| Rotary Wheel Controller Specifications | ||
|---|---|---|
| Item # | MMSRW3 | MMSRW4 |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 168.9 mm x 167.9 mm x 54.5 mm | |
| Mass | 1037 g | 1164 g |
Firmware
Version 2.7 (April 17, 2024)
The firmware update tool covers the MMSTSC2 touchscreen and MMS3 and MMS4 micromanipulators. The software is compatible with Windows® 7 (64 bit) and later systems.
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Zoom
- 3- or 4-Axis Translation with 5 nm Resolution and 100 nm Repeatability
- Zero Drift and Vibration-Free Piezo Technology
- Coarsely Adjustable Approach Angle
These micromanipulators incorporate piezo stages that lock when stationary using Zero Drift patented technology. Each axis features 20 mm of travel with a resolution of 5 nm. The approach angle is coarsely adjustable through a 45° arc for the MMS3 3-axis micromanipulator and a 90° arc for the MMS4 4-axis micromanipulator, allowing for simple optimization when used with inverted or upright microscopes. Coarse Z-axis adjustments across a 16 mm can also be made. Both of these adjustments are made by loosening two different sets of screws using 2 mm hex keys.
Control electronics are sold separately below. An MMSTSC2 touchscreen controller, MMSHUBL hub, and MMSRW3 or MMSRW4 rotary wheel controller with the appropriate number of axes are required. Note that the MMSRW4 4-axis rotary wheel is also compatible with the MMS3 3-axis micromanipulator through use of the virtual axis feature illustrated in the video above. Up to four micromanipulators can be connected through one hub and a system can consist of many hubs and manipulators connected via network switch(es). The micromanipulators are powered through the hub(s) to which they are connected.
Each manipulator includes a removable mounting base for direct attachment to an optical post or breadboard using 1/4"-20 (M6 x 1.0) screws. Removing this mounting base using a 1.5 mm hex key also exposes a dovetail that allows the manipulator to be connected to modular mounting stands (available below) that provide flip, rotation, and linear translation functionality for ease of access to the sample and attached devices. These mounting stands can be used alone or combined to stack the desired functionalities, as shown in the photo above. Additionally, two adapters are offered below to connect headstages or pipettes and probes to the manipulators. The hex keys needed for adjustment and installation are included in the hex key set that ships with the MMSTC2 touchscreen controller.
Zoom- Touchscreen Controller with Intuitive Interface
- Connect up to Four Manipulators to One Hub
- 3- or 4-Axis Rotary Wheel Controllers
- Programmable Movements Available
The MMSTSC2 touchscreen controller connects to the rotary wheel(s) (up to two are supported) and MMSHUBL hub (or network switch with multiple connected hubs) needed to power the micromanipulators. The GUI provides axis position readouts and translation settings including speed, home and target positions, automated insertion, and more. Up to four micromanipulators can be connected to one hub and multiple hubs can be connected to the touchscreen using network switches. The touchscreen and hub each include an ethernet cable and power supply with region-specific cable. The touchscreen controller also includes a set of metric hex keys for adjustment of the manipulators and accessory attachment.
The MMSRW3 and MMSRW4 rotary wheel controllers feature 3 or 4 wheels, respectively, which control the piezo stages on the micromanipulators; each knob is an independent axis. The 3-axis MMSRW3 controller is designed for use with the MMS3 3-axis micromanipulator but the 4-axis MMSRW4 controller may also be used with the virtual axis feature activated via the touchscreen. A pair of buttons on the left side of each controller allow the user to change the travel speed to achieve the fine or coarse movement desired. The two buttons on the right side enable cycling through multiple manipulators with a single controller.
ZoomClick to Enlarge
Stacked Flip, Rotation, & Slide Stands with Micromanipulator
- Flip, Rotation, and Linear Slide Stands Available
- Modular Stands with Dovetail Stacking
- Smooth Manipulator Retraction for Minimal Disturbance
- Locking Levers for Ease of Use
These mounting stands allow the attached manipulator to move smoothly away from the sample for adjustments. The MMSFLP stand flips the manipulator backwards, the MMSROT stand allows it to rotate up to 105°, and the MMSSLD stand adds 87.5 mm of linear translation. Each stand features a dovetail mechanism for attachment directly to the micromanipulator or to another stand to suit individual needs. Locking lever mechanisms ensure the stands do not drift or vibrate while an experiment is running and the compact footprint of each stand allows them to fit into complex setups.
Using the dovetail mechanism, the manipulators, MMSROT rotation stand, and MMSFLP flip stand can be attached directly to each other. With the mounting base included with each manipulator, the manipulators, MMSROT, or MMSFLP stands can be mounted to the MMSSLD linear slide stand; the MMSROT and MMSFLP stands may also be mounted directly to the MMSSLD stand using included hardware. Each dovetail mechanism incorporates a fixed cap screw that acts as a repeatable stop for the top component. The hex keys needed for adjustment and installation are included in the hex key set that ships with the MMSTC2 touchscreen controller.
The MMSSLD slide and MMSROT rotation stands feature 1/4" (M6) mounting slots for direct mounting to an imperial or metric breadboard. The MMSFLP stand may also be attached directly to a breadboard using the mounting base included with each manipulator.
Zoom- Mount Headstages, Pipettes, or Probes onto Motorized Micromanipulators
- Two Options Available:
- MMSDVT Dovetail-Type Headstage Adapter
- MMSRHL Adapter for Ø4-10 mm Rods
These adapters enable mounting of headstages, pipettes, or probes to MMS3 and MMS4 micromanipulators. The MMSDVT adapter holds compatible headstages using a dovetail clamp actuated by a 1.5 mm hex screw. The MMSRHL adapter secures a Ø4-10 mm pipette or probe to the micromanipulator using a clamp which is engaged by a thumbscrew; this adapter also has two mounting hole options to provide extra clearance near objectives. Both adapters mount to the micromanipulator using a 2 mm hex bolt and two optional dowel pins for alignment (included). The hex keys needed for adjustment and installation are included in the hex key set that ships with the MMSTC2 touchscreen controller.
Micromanipulators