Neuralynx, Inc. HS-27 Manual
Rev 1.20 Last Revised: March 3, 2009
7 Mounting the Headstage to the Electrode Interface
Board (EIB)
The EIB-27 is usually permanently attached to the animal. The Headstage Amplifier is
mounted to the EIB by placing the Headstage Amplifier on top of the EIB and carefully
pressing the connectors together. Each board has a female socket type connector to
reduce the possibility of damage to the board assemblies. An additional connector set,
“double male headers,” is used to make the connections between the two boards allowing
for easy replacement of a damaged header.
Note: The header pins should normally be left with the Headstage Amplifier and not
with the Electrode Interface Board. Headstage power should be turned off when
connecting and disconnecting to the animal. The Blue LED (white packaged surface
mount component) indicates the TOP side of the HS-27.
When connecting to the EIB-27 the BLUE LED side (the top side) of the HS -27 PC
board should be aligned with the “A1-12” inputs side of the EIB-27. If the HS-27 is
reversed when connecting to the EIB-27 all inputs will be connected to inputs and
grounds to grounds so there will not be any damage to the animal or tissue; but all signals
will be reversed and the reference and EE1/EE2 signals will be also swapped.
A spare double male header connector is included with the Headstage Amplifier. Extra
sets of the header connectors may be ordered from Neuralynx.
8 Practical Tips
ALWAYS WEAR AN ANTISTATIC WRIST STRAP WHEN HANDLING AN
ANIMAL OR WHEN HANDLING THE HEADSTAGE AMPLIFIER. These are
available at most electronics stores. It is very convenient to leave the headstage amplifier
physically connected to the in between experiment recording sessions. When this is done,
protect the headstage by placing it in the black antistatic shipping box. A piece of black
conductive foam in the bottom of the box will also help. Keep the double male header
connector attached to bottom side of the Headstage Amplifier and not to the top of the
Electrode Interface Board (attached to the animal). A small amount of heat glue or other
removable adhesive can be used to hold the double male header connectors to the bottom
side of the Headstage Amplifier. This will help the header connectors stay with the
Headstage Amplifier when the animal is disconnected. Remember that you will want to
replace the header connectors if one is damaged or bent.
8.1 Antistatic Precautions
As with all electronics, static discharges cause damage to semiconductor devices and
especially to impedance inputs. The Op-amp inputs are protected against a 2000-volt
discharge but care must still be used when handling and using the Headstage Amplifier.
Please observe the following guidelines:
1) Always wear a grounding wrist strap when handling an animal which is connected
for recording;
