What are the MRI Stereotaxic Instruments?

The RWD MRI Stereotaxic Instruments bring the full precision of RWD’s large-animal stereotaxic platform into the magnetic resonance environment. Constructed entirely from non-metallic, MRI-compatible materials, these frames allow researchers to perform accurate head fixation and brain targeting in dogs, monkeys, pigs, and other large animals — both inside the MRI bore and in adjacent nuclear environments — without introducing imaging artifacts or field distortions.

The instrument preserves all the capabilities of RWD’s standard large-animal frame: Y-axis slide travel of ±100 mm, support for up to six independent manipulator arms, and the unique jaw plate and eye bar system that securely immobilizes large animals of varying head dimensions. All components are MRI-safe, enabling seamless integration with fMRI and structural MRI protocols that require stereotaxically-guided interventions.

Key Features

• Fully MRI-Compatible Materials: Every component is manufactured from non-metallic materials specifically selected for use in nuclear magnetic environments, eliminating susceptibility artifacts and safely operating within high-field MRI scanners.
• Extended Y-Axis Range (±100 mm): The Y-axis slide accommodates the longer skulls of large animals with 1 mm standard resolution, upgradeable to 50 μm with the optional AP Micro-driver for high-precision targeting.
• Frame Bar Centerline Distance: 178.5 mm centerline-to-centerline frame bar spacing is precisely calibrated for use with standardized dog and monkey stereotaxic atlases.
• Up to Six Manipulator Arms: The large base accommodates six independent 2-axis manipulator arms, supporting complex multi-site procedures alongside imaging.
• Unique Jaw Plate & Eye Bar System: The combination of jaw plate, eye bar, and upper jaw fixation provides multi-point head restraint that prevents rotation and displacement during long MRI sessions.
• Extended Base Plate (420 × 200 mm): The spacious base plate accommodates monitoring leads, anesthesia tubing, and accessory equipment in a compact footprint compatible with scanner bores.
• Compatible Adaptors: The 68081 adaptor is optimized for monkeys and large primates; contact RWD for custom adaptors for other large-animal species.