Cannula Holders and Adapters for Stereotaxic Equipment

• Easy-to-Use Chuck Provides Simple Detachment from Cannula After Implantation
• Versions for Ø1.25 mm or Ø2.5 mm Cannulae
• Compatible with Stainless Steel and Ceramic Ferrules
• Stainless Steel Construction for Easy Sterilization
• Left-Handed 8-32 Tapped Hole Compatible with Adapter Arms Sold Below

The XCL and XCF Stereotaxic Cannula Holders are designed to securely hold a Ø1.25 mm or Ø2.5 mm fiber optic cannula, respectively, when using stereotaxic guidance to implant the cannula. For easy sterilization and repeated use, the holder and chuck are constructed entirely using stainless steel. The chuck is designed to hold a cannula with either a ceramic or stainless steel ferrule without slipping during implantation. It can be tightened and loosened by rotating the knurled sleeve; the engraved arrow indicates the rotation direction for tightening (please see the Usage Tips tab for more information).

Each cannula holder features one Ø0.11" (Ø2.7 mm) side bore in the shaft for providing added torque with a balldriver when needed. The end of each cannula holder is equipped with a left-handed 8-32 tapped hole that is compatible with the Ø5 mm and Ø7.9 mm adapter arms below. The left-handed design ensures that a cannula can be released without loosening the cannula holder. This design, along with the low disconnect force of 1.1 N (0.25 lbf), helps to minimize stress on a specimen when releasing the cannula holder from an implanted cannula. 

These cannula holders can be attached directly to an adapter arm (sold below) by using the left-handed 8-32 tap at the end of the cannula holder. Alternatively, the XC-CLAMP (also sold below) can be used to allow for coarse height adjustment between either cannula holder and the XC7 adapter arm.

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The adapter clamp can be used to allow coarse height adjustment when using the Ø7.9 mm adapter arm with either the XCL or XCF.

• Ø5 mm and Ø7.9 mm Adapter Arms for Stereotaxic Cannula Holders
• Ø7.9 mm Adapter Arm Features a Stackable Design
• Clamp with 3/16" Hex Thumbscrews for Use with a Balldriver or Hex Key
• Stainless Steel Construction for Easy Sterilization

Cannula Adapter Arms provide an interface between Thorlabs' Cannula Holders and stereotaxic equipment designed for industry-standard Ø5 mm or Ø7.9 mm cannula holders. The adapter arms are constructed from stainless steel for easy sterilization and are equipped with an external left-handed 8-32 stud that is compatible with the XCL and XCF cannula holders. Each adapter arm features at least one Ø0.11" (Ø2.7 mm) side bore in the shaft for providing added torque with a balldriver when needed.

The XC7 Ø7.9 mm adapter arm also features a left-handed 8-32 tapped hole in the end opposite of the left-handed 8-32 stud to allow for stacking to create longer Ø7.9 mm adapter arms.

The XC-CLAMP is a stainless steel clamp that can hold an XCL or XCF cannula holder and an XC7 adapter arm within the clamp arms, offering an alternative to direct mounting of the adapter arm. As seen in the image to the right, the height of the cannula holder and adapter arm can be adjusted by using the thumbscrews on the clamp. This clamp has a non-marring flexure design in which the thumbscrews make no contact with the adapter arms. For added convenience, the thumbscrews can also be tightened using a 3/16" balldriver or hex key.