A Computer-Controlled Stereotaxic System

The stereotaxic technique serves as an invaluable tool for the reliable and accurate placement of electrodes in living brain tissue. By placing the stereotaxic device under computer control an entirely new set of operational procedures is established which enhances and enriches the basic capabilities of the stereotaxic technique. The system consists of a number of basic programs which provide for positioning of the electrode, executing the particular experiment and reviewing the data. Programs are available which allow the experimenter to position the electrode at coordinates typed in via an on-line keyboard. One program allows the investigator to specify multiple points at once. The operator merely fills in a simple format displayed on the oscilloscope that defines the geometry of the electrode path. These geometries include points, lines, planes, and volumes. The system successively positions the electrode at all points explicitly and implicitly specified by the format and, at each intermediate point, executes the experimenter's specially written program. The computer presents a display to the investigator after executing his program (for example for stimulating and storing the resultant averaged evoked potentials) at each of those points. A comment may be entered by the experimenter that remains a permanent part of the data set (electrode position-comment-evoked potentials) stored on tape. The data sets may be recalled for review at anytime.