Collaborator: Professor Mikko Juusola, University of Sheffield, UK
Project: Development of a Multisensory Measurement Instrument (MUSA)
In collaboration with Professor Mikko Juusola from the University of Sheffield (lab webpage), we embarked on an exciting project to commercialize the GHS-DPP (Goniometric High-Speed Deep PseudoPupil) imaging system, which had previously been developed in his laboratory. The goal was to overcome the limitations of the original system and create a more versatile and efficient platform for advanced scientific research.
The Challenge
Professor Juusola approached us with the challenge of transforming the existing GHS-DPP system into a commercially viable solution, capable of supporting cutting-edge biological research. We were tasked with designing a new configuration that could improve flexibility, precision, and expandability.
Our Solution
We began by designing a modular octagonal frame to mount the scientific equipment in a flexible and efficient way around a central specimen. The frame's design was crafted using 3D CAD modeling in OpenSCAD.
This new configuration, named MUSA (the MUltiSensory Apparatus), offers a robust platform for high-resolution imaging and multi-modal stimulation.
Key Features of the MUSA Configuration
MUSA can be configured in multiple ways. This is the configuration we helped Professor Juusola to set up:
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Modular Design: The octagonal frame provides flexibility in mounting and positioning scientific instruments around the specimen, ensuring adaptability for a range of experiments.
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Full Metal Frame: Our core MUSA design was refined by Cairn Research to create machineable designs for an aluminum frame. The aluminium MUSA they produced offers significantly higher stiffness and dimensional stability compared to our 3D-printed designs.
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Custom Mini-Microscopes: The configuration incorporates up to six custom mini-microscopes (designed and manufactured by Cairn Research), each mounted to a manual fine XYZ micro-manipulator (MS01/M by Thorlabs). These microscopes are crucial for non-invasive, real-time monitoring of photoreceptor microsaccades and retinal movements in both compound eyes of a fruit fly.
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High-Speed Optical Imaging: The microscopes are equipped with high-frame-rate monochrome cameras from Basler (Germany), with options for either 160 fps or 523 fps, depending on the resolution required. For experiments that need enhanced spatial resolution, we utilize a 2x magnifier to provide additional optical zoom.
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Precise Stimulation: Each mini-microscope is fitted with a 500 µm pinhole and UV-LED or a green pigtail laser for precise activation of individual photoreceptors. This setup enables highly controlled visual point stimuli for in-depth research on neural responses.
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Synchronization and Control: Visual stimuli were delivered through a PC DAQ System (National Instruments, USA) with 16-bit analog output. Cameras were synchronized to these stimuli via hardware triggers, ensuring precise temporal alignment for the experiments.
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Software: The system is powered by the GHS-DPP open-source imaging software, GonioImsoft, originally developed in Professor Juusola’s lab. The software integrates seamlessly with the MicroManager's camera system, supporting a wide range of industrial cameras for diverse experimental setups.
Ongoing Collaboration
Our partnership with Professor Juusola continues to evolve, as we work together to further expand the MUSA framework by incorporating additional research modules and enhancing its capabilities for future research needs.
Why This Matters
The MUSA system exemplifies how we can take existing academic research and apply our engineering expertise to turn it into a functional, scalable, and commercially viable product. This case study highlights our strengths as industrial collaborators in the academic space, providing cutting-edge solutions that bridge the gap between research and real-world application.