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Method Article
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July 8th, 2025
Source: Charng, J. et al. Implantation and Recording of Wireless Electroretinogram and Visual Evoked Potential in Conscious Rats. J. Vis. Exp. (2016).
This video demonstrates how to record electroretinogram (ERG) and visual evoked potential (VEP) in a conscious rat. The rat, with surgically implanted electrodes, is first dark-adapted. After applying dilating drops, the animal is placed in a restrainer and positioned in a Ganzfeld bowl. The ERG and VEP signals are then recorded.
All procedures involving animal models have been reviewed by the local institutional animal care committee and the JoVE veterinary review board.
1. Preparing Electrodes
Note: A three-channel transmitter is used for surgical implantation, which enables 2 electroretinogram (ERG) and 1 visual evoked potential (VEP) recording to be conducted simultaneously. The three active and three inactive electrodes need to be pre-fashioned into a ring shape before implantation in order to attach to the eye. For identification purposes, the manufacturer has enclosed active electrodes in half-white,....
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| Name | Company | Catalog Number | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bioamplifier | ADInstruments | ML 135 | Amplifies ERG and VEP signals |
| Carboxymethylcellulose sodium 1.0% | Allergan | CAS 0009000-11-7 | Maintain corneal hydration during surgery |
| Carprofen 0.5% | Pfizer Animal Health Group | CAS 53716-49-7 | Post-surgery analgesia, given with injectable saline for fluid replenishment |
| Chlorhexadine 0.5% | Orion Laboratories | 27411, 80085 | Disinfection of surgical instrument |
| Cyanoacrylate gel activator | RS components | 473-439 | Quickly dries cyanoacrylate gel |
| Cyanocrylate gel | RS components | 473-423 | Fix stainless screws to skull |
| Dental burr | Storz Instruments, Bausch and Lomb | E0824A | Miniature drill head of ~0.7mm diameter for making a small hole in the skull over each hemisphere to implant VEP screws |
| Drill | Bosch | Dremel 300 series | Automatic drill for trepanning |
| Enrofloxin | Troy Laboratories | Prophylactic antibiotic post surgey | |
| Ganzfeld integrating sphere | Photometric Solutions International | Custom designed light stimulator: 36 mm diameter, 13 cm aperture size | |
| Gauze swabs | Multigate Medical Products Pty Ltd | 57-100B | Dries surgical incision and exposed skull surface during surgery |
| Isoflurane 99.9% | Abbott Australasia Pty Ltd | CAS 26675-46-7 | Proprietory Name: Isoflo(TM) Inhalation anaaesthetic. Pharmaceutical-grade inhalation anesthetic mixed with oxygen gas for VEP electrode implant surgery |
| Kenacomb ointment | Aspen Pharma Pty Ltd | To reduce skin irritation and itching after surgery | |
| Luxeon LEDs | Phillips Lighting Co. | For light stimulation, twenty 5 watt and one 1 watt LEDs, controlled by Scope software | |
| Needle (macrosurgery) | World Precision Instruments | 501959 | for suturing abdominal and head surgery, used with 3-0 suture, eye needle, cutting edge 5/16 circle Size 1, 15mm |
| Needle holder (macrosurgery) | World Precision Instruments | 500224 | To hold needle during abdominal and head surgery |
| Needle holder (microsurgery) | World Precision Instruments | 555419NT | To hold needle during ocular surgery |
| Optiva catheter | Smiths Medical International LTD | 16 or 21 G | Guide corneal active electrodes from skull to conjunctiva |
| Povidone iodine 10% | Sanofi-Aventis | CAS 25655-41-8 | Proprietory name: Betadine, Antiseptic to prepare the shaved skin for surgery 10%, 500 mL |
| Powerlab data acquisition system | ADInstruments | ML 785 | Acquire signal from telemetry transmitter, paired to telemetry data converter |
| Proxymetacaine 0.5% | Alcon Laboratories | CAS 5875-06-9 | Topical ocular analgesia |
| Restrainer | cutom made | Front of the restrainer is tapered to minimize head movement, length can be adjusted to accommodate different rat length, overall diameter is 60 mm. | |
| Scapel blade | R.G. Medical Supplies | SNSM0206 | For surgical incision |
| Scissors (macrosurgery) | World Precision Instruments | 501225 | for cutting tissue on the abodmen and forhead |
| Scissors (microsurgery) | World Precision Instruments | 501232 | To dissect the conjunctiva for electrode attachment |
| Scope Software | ADInstruments | version 3.7.6 | Simultaneously triggers the stimulus via the ADI Powerlab system and collects data |
| Shaver | Oster | Golden A5 | Shave fur from surgical areas |
| Stainless streel screws | MicroFasteners | L001.003CS304 | 0.7 mm shaft diameter, 3 mm in length |
| Stereotaxic frame | David Kopf | Model 900 | A small animal stereotaxic instrument for locating the implantation landmarks on the skull |
| Surgical drape | Vital Medical Supplies | GM29-612EE | Ensure sterile enviornment during surgery |
| Suture (macrosurgery) | Ninbo medical needles | 3-0 | for suturing abdominal and head surgery, sterile silk braided, 60cm |
| Suture needle (microsurgery) | Ninbo medical needles | 8-0 or 9-0 | for ocular surgery including, suturing electrode to sclera and closing conjunctival wound, nylon suture, 3/8 circle 1×5, 30cm |
| Telemetry data converter | DataSciences International | R08 | allows telemetry signal to interface with data collection software |
| Telemetry Data Exchange Matrix | DataSciences International | Gathers data from transmitters, pair with receiver | |
| Telemetry data receiver | DataSciences International | RPC-1 | Receives telemetry data from transmitter |
| Telemetry transmitter | DataSciences International | F50-EEE | 3 channel telemetry transmitter |
| Tropicamide 0.5% | Alcon Laboratories | Iris dilation | |
| Tweezers (macrosurgery) | World Precision Instruments | 500092 | Manipulate tissues during abdominal and head surgery |
| Tweezers (microsurgery) | World Precision Instruments | 500342 | Manipulate tissues during ocular surgery |
