Hardware for 5-poke

[LNS-KU]

I'm setting up a 5-choice operant box for mice, so I just bought the starter kit from OEPS (https://open-ephys.org/pycontrol/pycontrol). However, I realized that the kit only includes 3 pokes. Should I purchase 2 additional pokes separately? Is there anything else I need to buy?

Also, in Figure 1 of this paper (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-01717-1), there's a component labeled as a "5-poke board," but it doesn’t seem to be included in the kit, and I couldn’t find where to purchase it.

I’m not very experienced with hardware setup, so I’d really appreciate a detailed guide.

Thanks!

[alustig3]

Hi @LNS-KU,

@ThomasAkam would know better, but I'm pretty sure that the 5-poke hardware is not currently available for purchase anywhere.

For those that want to build it themselves, the design files are available here. To build it yourself it would involve ordering the printed circuit board (PCB) using the files in the gerber folder, ordering the electronic components (IR LEDs, phototransistors, white LEDs, RJ45 connectors etc.), soldering the components onto the PCB, and getting the plastic parts lasercut using the design files in the laser cut parts folder.

If you're not comfortable building the 5-poke hardware yourself, purchasing 2 additional pokes to add to your kit of 3 will also get the job done as far as setting up a task with 5 nosepokes. I'll let Thomas chime in, but it may be worth reaching out to OEPS or Labmaker to see if they could make the 5-poke hardware available for purchase.

Best,
Andy