PMC

KnobSlider is a shape-changing device that changes between a rotational knob and a linear slider to accommodate users' needs. In the situation depicted (A) a sound engineer uses it as a slider to coarsely control a sound volume. She/he then presses the central button to change the device into (B) a low control-display (CD) gain knob, and (C) she/he can use it for fine adjustment.

(A) Prior to lens contact with the eye, the ON was positioned in the center of the vision by moving the mouse support (a) and adjusting the height through knob b. (B) After lens contact with cornea, the ON was re-positioned in the center of the vision by fine adjustment through knob c and mouse platform (d). (C) Demonstration of representative incorrect alignment showed retinal ON fibers unevenly in the vision with the bottom half (solid arrow) much clearer than the upper half (hollow arrow), indicating the camera axis was not aligned with the eye axis. θ, the intersection angle between the eye and camera axises. (D) Even radial reflection of retinal ON fibers (yellow arrows) in all of the 4 quadrants indicated an ideal alignment (θ = 0) of the eye axis with the camera axis, which is critical to induce consistent and reliable laser photocoagulation.

The micromanipulation assembly. The manipulators are clamped to the base plate. Each manipulator can hold up to two instrument holders. Movement of the instruments is controlled by screw-knobs (a and b) that allow positioning of the manipulator in the X–Y horizontal plane. There is a third control (c) by which the angle of inclination of the manipulator can be adjusted. Coarse and fine adjustment of the position of the manipulator in the Z-vertical plane is controlled by the fourth knob (d). Fine X–Y movement of the instrument under the microscope is controlled by joysticks (arrowhead). The holding instrument is on the left-hand side of the assembly and the suction and expulsion of fluid are controlled by the micrometer syringe (ms) on the right-hand side. Conversely, the manipulating (labeling or grafting) instruments are on the right-hand side, controlled by the de Fonbrune syringe (fs) on the left-hand side. This setup enables the positioning of the instruments and the control of syringe to be accomplished simultaneously.

Animal holder used for in vivo ¹³C NMR spectroscopy in young rats. The animal holder and the mounting head function as a lock and key mechanism and guarantee fixed rotation angle. The inner ring of the mounting head facilitates fine adjustment of rotation (range: ± 20 degree) and the animal holder can be secured in this position for the duration of the study by tightening the two diagonally opposite rotation-tightening knobs. The translational (anterior-posterior) position can be adjusted using the fine adjustment knob on the holder while the translatable locking pin is anchored in the locking pin bracket on the mounting head. The optimal position is then secured using two translation-tightening knobs. Releasing the locking pin bracket and loosening the translation-tightening knobs enables removal of the holder from the magnet for blood draw. Returning the holder inside the magnet and locking the translation pin in the bracket guarantees repositioning of the rat in the exact presampling position.