Consumable types

Type-specific details of consumables in the shared catalog, such as probe designs and virus constructs.

Table of contents

• Reagents and Solutions: Chemicals, drugs, biologicals, solutions and gases that are administered to subjects or used to prepare and process tissue.
  Biological material · Chemical reagent · Histology reagent · Antibody or immunoreagent · Medical or carrier gas · Pharmacological agent · Physiological solution · Tracer or dye · Virus construct
• Device-Linked Consumables: Recording, stimulation and optical hardware that is implanted, mounted on a subject or attached to a rig, together with the connectors and electrode materials that link it to the acquisition system.
  Connector component · Consumable device · ECoG array design · Electrode component · Optic fiber design · Optical component · Silicon probe design · Single wire electrode
• Surgical Consumables: Materials and disposables used during surgery to fix, close or support implants, from cements and screws to sutures and blades.
  Adhesive or cement · Fastener or anchor · Implant or fixation material · Surgical disposable
• Other types
  External Identifiers

Reagents and Solutions

Chemicals, drugs, biologicals, solutions and gases that are administered to subjects or used to prepare and process tissue.

Biological material

A cell line, pluripotent stem cell line, primary-cell product, organoid line, hybridoma or tissue product, as the supplier or repository describes it. Sera, matrices and purified proteins are reagents; viral vectors are Virus constructs.

Field	Description
Product ID	Text. Catalog number of the line or product as the supplier or repository writes it.
Kind of material	Required. Choice. What the material is, as the repository classes it. Options: Cell line, Induced pluripotent stem cell line, Embryonic stem cell line, Primary cells, Organoid line, Hybridoma, Tissue, Other.
Species of origin	Text. Species the material derives from, as the repository names it.
Strain of origin	Text. Strain or genetic background of the donor animal, as the supplier names it.
Tissue of origin	Text. Tissue the cells were taken from, as the repository names it.
Cell type	Text. Cell type the product consists of, as the supplier states it.
Donor age at sampling	Text. Age of the donor at sampling as the repository codes it, reference point included (E18, P7, 16FW, 48Y).
Donor sex	Choice. Sex of the donor as declared; mixed for pooled preparations. Options: Male, Female, Mixed, Unknown.
Disease	Text. Disease the donor carries or the line models, named with the registry’s term.
Reprogramming method	Choice. How an induced pluripotent line was reprogrammed; not applicable for other kinds. Options: Sendai virus, Episomal, Lentivirus, Retrovirus, mRNA, Protein, Other, Not applicable.
Genetic modification	Text. Engineered modification the line carries, including any reporter or selection marker, as the generator states it.
Growth mode	Choice. How the line grows in culture, as the repository declares it. Options: Adherent, Suspension, Semi-adherent, 3D aggregates.
Biosafety level	Choice. Biosafety level the material requires, as the repository declares it. Options: BSL-1, BSL-2, BSL-3, Unknown.
Viable cells per vial or unit (nominal)	Integer. Viable cells per vial or unit as sold, taken from the supplier’s datasheet (nominal). Range: ≥ 0.

Chemical reagent

A defined laboratory chemical bought as a compound, such as a salt, detergent, buffer component or solvent. Use Pharmacological agent for a drug made to act on a subject, and Histology reagent for fixatives, clearing agents and mounting media.

Field	Description
Product ID	Text. Catalog or supplier product code (e.g., ‘T8787’, ‘P6148’).
Compound Name	Text. Name of the chemical (e.g., ‘Triton X-100’, ‘Paraformaldehyde’).
Chemical Type	Required. Choice. General laboratory chemicals. Tissue-processing reagents (fixatives, clearing, embedding and mounting media) belong to the Histology reagent type. Options: Detergent, Enzyme, Indicator or pH Adjuster, Salt or Buffer, Solvent, Stain or Dye, Other.
Concentration / Strength	Text. If supplied in solution (e.g., ‘4%’, ‘1 M’, ‘10X’).
Molecular Weight	Quantity with unit. Molecular weight of the chemical compound. Units: g/mol, kg/mol, Da, kDa.
Purity / Grade	Text. E.g., ‘≥99%’, ‘Analytical grade’, ‘ACS reagent’.
Storage Conditions	Text. E.g., ‘Room temp’, ‘4°C’, ‘Protect from light’.
Hazard Information	Text. Optional summary of safety hazards or GHS classification.
Experimental Use Context	Text (multi-line). Typical use cases for the reagent in experimental workflows (e.g. Perfusion, Fixation, Staining, Buffering)

Histology reagent

A reagent made for processing tissue after it leaves the subject, such as a fixative, permeabilization or clearing agent, or an embedding or mounting medium. Antibodies are Antibody or immunoreagent, and stains and dyes are Tracer or dye.

Field	Description
Product ID	Text. Catalog number or supplier reference.
Processing Role	Required. Choice. Where this reagent sits in the tissue-processing chain. Options: Fixative, Cryoprotectant, Dehydration reagent, Clearing reagent, Refractive-index matching medium, Permeabilization reagent, Antigen retrieval reagent, Blocking reagent, Embedding medium, Mounting medium, Decalcification reagent, Other.
Composition	Text (multi-line). Active constituents and their concentrations as supplied.
Concentration	Text. Concentration as supplied, before any working dilution.
Refractive Index	Number. Refractive index, for clearing, index-matching, and mounting media. Range: ≥ 0.
pH	Number. pH as supplied. Range: ≥ 0 and ≤ 14.
Contains Antifade	Yes/no. Whether a mounting medium contains an antifade agent.
Storage Conditions	Text. Recommended storage conditions.
Hazard Information	Text (multi-line). Safety and handling information. Many fixatives and clearing reagents are toxic.

Antibody or immunoreagent

An antibody or other binding reagent bought to detect a target, such as a primary antibody, a conjugated secondary, a nanobody or a streptavidin conjugate. Dyes and tracers that label without binding a specific target are Tracer or dye.

Field	Description
Product ID	Text. Supplier product code or catalog number.
Target Antigen	Required. Text. What the reagent binds to (e.g., ‘GFAP’, ‘c-Fos’, ‘NeuN’).
Reagent Type	Required. Choice. General classification of the reagent. Options: Primary Antibody, Secondary Antibody, Fluorescent Label, DNA Counterstain, Other.
Host Species	Text. Host in which the antibody was raised (e.g., ‘Rabbit’, ‘Mouse’).
Reactivity Species	Text. Species the antibody is reactive against (e.g., ‘Rat’, ‘Mouse’, ‘Human’).
Clonality	Choice. Whether the antibody is monoclonal or polyclonal. Options: Monoclonal, Polyclonal, Recombinant, Unknown.
Conjugated Fluorophore or Enzyme	Text. E.g., ‘Alexa Fluor 488’, ‘HRP’, ‘None’.
Validated Applications	Multi-select. Supported or validated experimental applications. Options: IHC, ICC, Western Blot, Flow Cytometry, Immunoprecipitation, Other.
Recommended Dilution	Text. Recommended dilution (e.g., ‘1:500’, ‘2 µg/mL’).
Storage Conditions	Text. E.g., ‘4°C’, ‘-20°C’, ‘Avoid repeated freeze/thaw cycles’.

Medical or carrier gas

A gas bought for use on subjects or in the rig, such as oxygen, medical air, carbogen, CO₂ or a premixed blend, whether as anesthetic carrier, for euthanasia or to gas a bath. Volatile anesthetics such as isoflurane are Pharmacological agents.

Field	Description
Product ID	Text. Catalog number or supplier reference.
Gas	Required. Choice. Gas or gas mixture supplied. Options: Oxygen, Medical air, Carbogen (95% O₂ / 5% CO₂), Carbon dioxide, Nitrogen, Nitrous oxide, Argon, Helium, Other.
Composition	Text. Exact mixture, for blended or custom gases.
Purity Grade	Text. Supplier purity or regulatory grade.
Supply Form	Choice. How the gas is delivered to the rig. Options: Cylinder, House line, Concentrator, Generator, Other.

Pharmacological agent

A drug made to act on a subject or tissue, such as an anesthetic, analgesic, antibiotic or receptor agonist or antagonist. File by what the product is made for: a compound bought for lab chemistry is a Chemical reagent even when it is pharmacologically active.

Field	Description
Product ID	Text. Catalog or supplier ID (e.g., ‘C2128’).
Active Ingredient	Required. Text. Primary pharmacologically active substance (e.g., ‘Ketamine’, ‘Buprenorphine’, ‘Isoflurane’).
Concentration	Text. Stated strength of the active ingredient (e.g., ‘10 mg/mL’, ‘0.1%’, ‘50 µg/tablet’).
Dosage Form	Choice. Physical form in which the drug is supplied. Options: Solution, Suspension, Tablet, Capsule, Injection, Topical, Patch, Other.
Route of Administration	Choice. Typical method of administration in experiments. Options: Intraperitoneal (IP), Intravenous (IV), Subcutaneous (SC), Oral, Topical, Inhalation, Intracerebral, Other.
Pharmacological Category	Required. Choice. Broad category of action or use. Options: Analgesic, Anesthetic, Antibiotic, Neuroactive, Recreational, Vehicle, Experimental, Other.
Pharmacological Class	Text. Mechanistic or therapeutic class (e.g., ‘NSAID’, ‘GABA agonist’, ‘NMDA antagonist’).
Formulation	Text. List of excipients, solvents, or carriers (e.g., ‘in 10% DMSO + saline’).
Storage Conditions	Text. E.g., ‘4°C’, ‘-20°C’, or ‘Protect from light’.
Purity / Grade	Text. E.g., ‘≥98%’, ‘USP’, ‘Analytical grade’.
Experimental Use Context	Multi-select. Contexts in which this agent is typically used. Options: Surgical, Behavioral, Electrophysiology, Histology, Imaging, Other.

Physiological solution

A solution that living tissue or a subject is kept in or given, such as saline, PBS, Ringer’s or aCSF. Use Histology reagent for solutions that fix or process tissue, and Pharmacological agent when the solution is itself a drug.

Field	Description
Composition	Required. Text (multi-line). Full recipe or formula (e.g., ‘0.9% NaCl in H2O’, ‘aCSF with 10 mM HEPES’).
Target pH value	Number. Target pH value as numeric value (e.g., ‘7.4’). Range: ≥ 0.
Osmolality	Text. In mOsm/kg, if known (e.g., ‘300 mOsm’).
Storage Conditions	Text. E.g., ‘Room temperature’, ‘4°C’, ‘Frozen’.
Preparation Instructions	Text (multi-line). Steps for preparing or dissolving the solution (e.g., buffer components, filter sterilization).
Sterile	Yes/no. Is the solution sterile?
Purpose / Use	Multi-select. What is the primary use case for this solution? Options: Vehicle, Perfusion, Fixation, Dissection, Buffering, Storage, Slice Preparation, Other.

Tracer or dye

A dye or tracer that labels structures or reveals connections without binding a specific antigen, such as a retrograde tracer, a lipophilic dye, a histological stain or an injection marker. Labels delivered genetically by a virus are Virus constructs.

Field	Description
Product ID	Text. Catalog number or supplier reference (e.g., ‘D282’, ‘F347’).
Type of Dye or Tracer	Required. Choice. Function or classification of the dye/tracer. Options: Fluorescent Tracer, Lipophilic Dye, Retrograde Tracer, Anterograde Tracer, Histological Dye, Vital Stain, Injection Marker, Other.
Fluorophore	Text. Fluorophore or spectral tag used (e.g., ‘Alexa Fluor 555’, ‘FITC’).
Route of Application	Choice. How the dye is typically applied. Options: Injection, Perfusion, Topical, Incubation, Other.
Excitation Peak	Quantity with unit. Peak wavelength for excitation (e.g., 550 nm). Units: nm, µm, mm, m.
Emission Peak	Quantity with unit. Peak wavelength for emission (e.g., 665 nm). Units: nm, µm, mm, m.
Solvent / Vehicle	Text. Solvent used for preparation (e.g., ‘DMSO’, ‘Saline’, ‘Ethanol’).
Storage Conditions	Text. E.g., ‘4°C, dark’, ‘-20°C’.
Preparation Instructions	Text (multi-line). Preparation or dilution steps before application.
Experimental Use Context	Multi-select. Typical applications of this tracer or dye. Options: Circuit Tracing, Histology, Injection Visualization, Vital Staining, Other.

Virus construct

A viral vector as designed, such as an AAV carrying a calcium indicator or an opsin under a cell-type promoter, identified by its plasmid or repository entry. The titered preparation in your freezer is Virus solution stock pointing at this entry.

Field	Description
Product ID	Text. A unique identifier for the virus construct as defined by the supplier.
Virus type	Choice. The type of virus used as the vector for gene delivery. Options: Adenovirus, Lentivirus, Adeno-associated virus (AAV), Retrovirus, Herpes simplex virus (HSV), Baculovirus.
Capsid	Text. The protein shell of the virus that encloses its genetic material. Capsid modifications can affect the virus’s targeting and delivery efficiency.
Promoter	Text. The DNA sequence that initiates the transcription of the inserted gene. Different promoters can control the level and location of gene expression.
Gene	Text. The gene of interest that is being delivered by the virus. This could be a therapeutic gene, a reporter gene, or any other gene used in research.
Reporter	Text. A reporter gene included in the virus construct that produces an easily observable phenotype for monitoring the expression of the gene of interest.
Other element	Text. Any additional genetic elements included in the construct such as regulatory sequences, enhancers, or other genes that assist or modify the primary gene’s expression.

Device-Linked Consumables

Recording, stimulation and optical hardware that is implanted, mounted on a subject or attached to a rig, together with the connectors and electrode materials that link it to the acquisition system.

Connector component

A part that joins an implant to recording or stimulation hardware, such as an electrode interface board, a connector, an adapter, a tether or a commutator. Subject-mounted assemblies such as fiber cannulas are Consumable devices.

Field	Description
Product ID	Text. Catalog number or supplier reference.
Class	Required. Choice. Category of interconnect hardware. Options: Electrode interface board (EIB), Connector, Adapter, Cable assembly, Commutator, Pin header, Protective cap, Other.
Connector Family	Text. Manufacturer connector series, which determines what it mates with.
Contact Count	Integer. Number of electrical contacts. Range: ≥ 0.
Gender	Choice. Mating gender of the connector. Options: Male, Female, Hermaphroditic, Not applicable.
Compatible With	Text. Devices or headstages this component mates with.
Mass	Quantity with unit. Mass of the component, which matters for chronic headcap load. Units: mg, g.

Consumable device

A manufactured device dedicated to or used up on one subject that no more specific type covers, such as a headstage, a microdrive, a drive mount, a fiber-optic cannula assembly or a miniscope baseplate. Probes, arrays and fibers have their own design types.

Field	Description
Product ID	Text. Supplier or catalog identifier (e.g., ‘DORIC_MFC_2x200’).
Device Class	Required. Choice. Subject-mounted assemblies. Interconnect hardware (EIBs, connectors, adapters, commutators) belongs to the Connector component type. Options: Headstage, Headstage Adapter, Miniscope Baseplate, Microdrive, Drive Mount, Fiber Cannula Assembly, Thermal Interface Board, Custom Fixture, Other.
Compatible Systems	Text. E.g., ‘Neuropixels’, ‘Inscopix’, ‘Open Ephys’, ‘Doric’.
Physical Dimensions	Text. Key geometry (e.g., ‘1.25 mm ferrule, 5 mm length’).
Material	Text. Main material (e.g., stainless steel, zirconia, PEEK, plastic).
Connectivity	Text. Connector/interface type (e.g., ‘LC/PC’, ‘Omnetics’, ‘pin header’).
Storage Conditions	Text. E.g., ‘Room temperature’, ‘Dry box’, ‘Protect from dust’.
Experimental Use Context	Multi-select. Intended or validated experimental uses. Options: Chronic Implantation, Acute Recording, Optogenetics, Imaging, Behavioral Interface, Other.

ECoG array design

A surface electrode array design for electrocorticography: a grid or strip of contacts on a flexible substrate that lies on the dura, the brain surface or the skull. Penetrating probes are Silicon probe designs; the arrays you hold are ECoG array stock.

Field	Description
Product ID	Text. A unique identifier for the ECoG array design as defined by the supplier.
Contact layout	Choice. Arrangement family of the contacts on the array; rows, columns and pitch are recorded separately. Options: Not specified, Strip (single row or column), Grid, Other.
Contact rows	Integer. Number of contact rows in a regular grid or strip; omit for irregular layouts. Range: ≥ 1.
Contact columns	Integer. Number of contact columns in a regular grid or strip; omit for irregular layouts. Range: ≥ 1.
Custom-manufactured design	Choice. Whether the manufacturer made this as a custom design; excludes later modifications to individual arrays. Options: Not specified, Custom design, Standard design.
Simultaneous recording channels	Required. Integer. Maximum number of independent recording signals supported simultaneously; this can be lower than the total contact count. Range: ≥ 1.
Contacts (total)	Required. Integer. Total recording contacts on the array, including selectable contacts not recorded simultaneously; excludes dedicated reference contacts. Range: ≥ 1.
Contact material	Text. Exposed contact material when uniform across the array.
Contact shape	Choice. Source-specified shape shared by all recording contacts. Options: Not specified, Circular, Square, Rectangular, Other.
Contact diameter	Quantity with unit. Exposed diameter of a circular contact; give the area instead for other shapes. Units: nm, µm, mm, m.
Contact area	Quantity with unit. Nominal exposed area of one contact when uniform; this does not specify contact shape. Units: nm², µm², mm², m².
Pitch along a row	Quantity with unit. Center-to-center contact spacing along a row of the array; equal to the column pitch on a square grid. Units: nm, µm, mm, m.
Pitch along a column	Quantity with unit. Center-to-center contact spacing along a column of the array; omit on a single-row strip. Units: nm, µm, mm, m.
Substrate material	Text. Flexible carrier material the contacts are embedded in, as the supplier names it.
Array thickness	Quantity with unit. Nominal overall thickness of the array body, as the source prints it. Units: nm, µm, mm, m.
Array length	Quantity with unit. Overall extent of the array body along its rows (x); excludes tails and cables. Units: nm, µm, mm, m.
Array width	Quantity with unit. Overall extent of the array body along its columns (y); excludes tails and cables. Units: nm, µm, mm, m.
Contact groups	Table of rows. Groups of contacts that differ in shape, size or material, such as stimulation pads among recording contacts.
Contact groups › Contact group ID	Text. Identifier for a group of contacts sharing these specifications.
Contact groups › Contact IDs	List of integers. Numeric IDs of the contacts in this group, as used in the contact coordinates. Omit when unknown.
Contact groups › Contact shape	Choice. Shape explicitly specified for these contacts; never inferred from area alone. Options: Not specified, Circular, Square, Rectangular, Other.
Contact groups › Area	Quantity with unit. Exposed area of each contact in this group, as specified by the source. Units: nm², µm², mm², m².
Contact groups › Width	Quantity with unit. Source-specified extent of each contact in this group along a row. Units: nm, µm, mm, m.
Contact groups › Height	Quantity with unit. Source-specified extent of each contact in this group along a column. Units: nm, µm, mm, m.
Contact groups › Contact material	Text. Exposed contact material for the contacts in this group.
Contact coordinates	Object. Center of every recording contact as parallel lists, in the supplier’s drawing frame: x along the rows, y along the columns.
Contact coordinates › X coordinates	Required. Multi-select. Position of each contact along the row direction, one value per contact, in the shared frame.
Contact coordinates › Y coordinates	Required. Multi-select. Position of each contact along the column direction, one value per contact; the cable side is recorded under Tails.
Contact coordinates › Contact IDs	Required. List of integers. Numeric contact IDs, one per coordinate: the source’s numbering where it numbers contacts, otherwise diagram numbering.
Contact coordinates › Coordinate unit	Required. Choice. Length unit shared by every coordinate below. Options: nm, µm, mm, m.
Reference contacts	Table of rows. Dedicated reference or ground contacts on the array, one row each; they are not counted among the recording contacts. Coordinates share the contact frame.
Reference contacts › Reference ID	Required. Text. The source’s name for this contact, for example ref or gnd.
Reference contacts › Role	Choice. Whether the source designates this contact as a reference or a ground. Options: Not specified, Reference, Ground.
Reference contacts › Coordinate unit	Choice. Length unit of the x and y position below. Options: nm, µm, mm, m.
Reference contacts › X coordinate	Number. Position of the contact along the row direction, in the frame shared with the contact coordinates.
Reference contacts › Y coordinate	Number. Position of the contact along the column direction, in the shared frame.
Reference contacts › Contact shape	Choice. Shape explicitly specified for this contact; never inferred from area alone. Options: Not specified, Circular, Square, Rectangular, Other.
Reference contacts › Area	Quantity with unit. Exposed area of this contact, as specified by the source. Units: nm², µm², mm², m².
Reference contacts › Width	Quantity with unit. Source-specified extent of this contact along a row. Units: nm, µm, mm, m.
Reference contacts › Height	Quantity with unit. Source-specified extent of this contact along a column. Units: nm, µm, mm, m.
Reference contacts › Material	Text. Exposed material of this contact when it differs from the recording contacts.
Body outlines	Table of rows. Outline of each separately drawn piece of the array body as a polygon in the contact frame, closed across the tail roots; one row per piece.
Body outlines › Outline unit	Required. Choice. Length unit shared by the outline x and y lists of this piece. Options: nm, µm, mm, m.
Body outlines › Outline x	Required. Multi-select. Vertex x positions of this piece’s outline in drawing order.
Body outlines › Outline y	Required. Multi-select. Vertex y positions paired with outline x, in the frame shared with the contact coordinates.
Tails	Table of rows. Ribbons or cables leaving the array body, one row each, in the supplier’s order; the first row is the rotation reference.
Tails › Direction	Choice. Which way the tail leaves the body on the supplier’s drawing, as the contacts are stored. Options: Not specified, Left (as drawn), Right (as drawn), Up (as drawn), Down (as drawn), Other.
Tails › Coordinate unit	Choice. Length unit of the exit point below. Options: nm, µm, mm, m.
Tails › Exit x	Number. Where the tail’s center line crosses the body outline, along the row direction, in the contact frame.
Tails › Exit y	Number. Where the tail’s center line crosses the body outline, along the column direction.
Tails › Width	Quantity with unit. Nominal width of the tail across its run, at its widest where the source gives a maximum. Units: nm, µm, mm, m.
Tails › Length	Quantity with unit. Nominal length from the body outline to the connector end, unfolded. Units: nm, µm, mm, m.
Openings	Table of rows. Holes, slots and windows through the array body, one row per group of identical openings, with their centers when known.
Openings › Shape	Choice. Shape of each opening in this group. Options: Not specified, Circular, Rectangular, Slot (rounded ends), Other.
Openings › Diameter	Quantity with unit. Diameter of each circular opening in this group. Units: nm, µm, mm, m.
Openings › Width	Quantity with unit. Extent of each non-circular opening along a row (x). Units: nm, µm, mm, m.
Openings › Height	Quantity with unit. Extent of each non-circular opening along a column (y). Units: nm, µm, mm, m.
Openings › Coordinate unit	Choice. Length unit shared by the center lists of this group. Options: nm, µm, mm, m.
Openings › Center x	Multi-select. Center of each opening along the row direction, in the contact frame; omit when positions are unknown.
Openings › Center y	Multi-select. Center of each opening along the column direction, paired with center x.
Package options	Table of rows. Published compatible connector, cable and accessory options for this design, one row each.
Package options › Part number	Text. Supplier’s orderable identifier for this package, when it has one. Each row needs a part number or a name.
Package options › Package name	Text. What the package is in words, including its connector when the source states one; omit when the part number says it all.

Electrode component

A loose part from which an electrode is built or completed, such as a reference or ground wire, a screw electrode, a silver chloride pellet or contact foil. Use Single wire electrode for wire meant to record or stimulate on its own.

Field	Description
Product ID	Text. Catalog number or supplier reference.
Role	Required. Choice. What this contact is supplied for. The material role recorded on a procedure remains authoritative for a given use. Options: Reference, Ground, Recording, Stimulating, Combined reference and ground, Other.
Physical form	Choice. Physical form of the contact. Options: Wire, Screw, Pellet, Foil, Mesh, Pin, Other.
Conductor Material	Choice. Conductor material, which sets the electrochemical properties of the contact. Options: Silver, Silver / silver chloride, Platinum, Platinum-iridium, Gold, Stainless steel, Tungsten, Nichrome, Carbon, Other.
Insulation	Text. Insulation material, or ‘bare’ if uninsulated.
Diameter	Quantity with unit. Conductor diameter. Units: µm, mm.
Nominal Impedance	Text. Manufacturer-quoted impedance, with the test frequency.

Optic fiber design

An optical fiber or fiber implant design used to deliver or collect light, as in optogenetics or fiber photometry. Lenses, prisms and windows are Optical components; the fibers you cut, build or buy are Optic fiber stock.

Field	Description
Product ID	Text. A unique product identifier for the optic fiber design as defined by the supplier.
Numerical aperture	Number. The numerical aperture (NA) of the optic fiber. Range: ≥ 0.
Wavelength minimum	Quantity with unit. The minimum wavelength the optic fiber transmits efficiently without significant loss. Units: nm, µm, mm, m.
Wavelength maximum	Quantity with unit. The maximum wavelength the optic fiber can handle. Units: nm, µm, mm, m.
Fiber type	Required. Text. Type of fiber used in the optic fiber design, influencing how light propagates.
Core diameter	Required. Quantity with unit. Diameter of the fiber core affecting transmission properties like attenuation and bandwidth. Units: nm, µm, mm, m.
Cladding diameter	Quantity with unit. Diameter of cladding layer around the fiber core, crucial for keeping the light signals within the core by reflection. Units: nm, µm, mm, m.
Coating diameter	Quantity with unit. Diameter of the external protective coating of the optic fiber, protecting it from physical damage and environmental factors. Units: nm, µm, mm, m.
Core material	Text. Material or composition of the optic fiber core impacting its refractive index and transmission characteristics.
Cladding material	Text. Material or composition of the cladding layer, having a lower refractive index than the core for reflection within the fiber.
Coating material	Text. Material or composition of the outer coating providing durability and protection.

Optical component

A passive optical element other than a fiber, such as a GRIN lens, cranial window glass, a coverslip, a microprism, a filter or a relay lens. Use Optic fiber design for fibers, and Consumable device when the optics come built into a mounted assembly.

Field	Description
Product ID	Text. Supplier or catalog ID (e.g., ‘GRIN1234’, ‘MP-0.5mm’).
Optical Component Type	Required. Choice. General class of optical element. Options: GRIN Lens, Cranial Window, Cover Glass, Microprism, Beamsplitter, Optical Filter, Relay Lens, Other.
Material	Text. E.g., glass, quartz, sapphire, polymer.
Physical Dimensions	Text. E.g., ‘1.0 mm diameter × 4 mm length’, ‘3×3×1 mm prism’.
Surface Coating	Text. E.g., anti-reflective, hydrophobic, no coating.
Wavelength minimum	Quantity with unit. The minimum wavelength of light that the optic component is designed to handle. Units: nm, µm, mm, m.
Wavelength maximum	Quantity with unit. The maximum wavelength of light that the optic component can handle. Units: nm, µm, mm, m.
Sterile	Yes/no. Is this item provided sterile by the manufacturer?
Storage Conditions	Text. E.g., ‘Room temperature’, ‘Dry box’, ‘Avoid moisture’.
Experimental Use Context	Multi-select. Contexts in which this component is typically used. Options: Chronic Imaging, Widefield Imaging, Two-Photon Imaging, Optogenetics, Histology, Other.

Silicon probe design

A silicon probe design for extracellular recording, such as a Neuropixels or a multishank probe, defined by its shanks and recording-site layout. Surface arrays are ECoG array designs; the probes you hold are Silicon probe stock.

Field	Description
Product ID	Text. A unique identifier for the silicon probe design as defined by the supplier.
Recording-site layout	Choice. Arrangement family of the recording sites; column alignment and coordinates are recorded separately. Options: Not specified, Linear, Edge, Tetrode, Stereotrode, Poly2 (two columns), Poly3 (three columns), Poly4 (four columns), Poly5 (five columns), Buzsaki, Grid, Mixed, Other.
Site column alignment	Choice. Whether adjacent site columns sit at the same heights or are shifted against each other. Options: Not specified, Aligned rows, Shifted rows.
Custom-manufactured design	Choice. Whether the manufacturer made this as a custom design; excludes later modifications to individual probes. Options: Not specified, Custom design, Standard design.
Simultaneous recording channels	Required. Integer. Maximum number of independent recording signals supported simultaneously; this can be lower than the total site count. Range: ≥ 1.
Recording sites (total)	Integer. Total physical recording sites, including selectable sites not recorded simultaneously; excludes dedicated reference contacts. Range: ≥ 1.
Number of shanks	Required. Integer. Number of separate penetrating shanks in this probe design. Range: ≥ 1.
Shank length	Quantity with unit. Nominal tip-to-base length shared by all shanks; use individual dimensions when shanks differ. Units: nm, µm, mm, m.
Shank pitch	Quantity with unit. Center-to-center distance between adjacent shanks in a uniform array. Units: nm, µm, mm, m.
Shank width	Quantity with unit. Nominal width at the widest point of the shank, shared by all shanks; tapers narrow towards the tip. Units: nm, µm, mm, m.
Shank width at the sites	Quantity with unit. Width of the shank alongside the recording sites; a tapered shank is narrower here than at its widest point. Units: nm, µm, mm, m.
Shank thickness	Quantity with unit. Nominal thickness shared by all shanks; use individual dimensions when shanks differ. Units: nm, µm, mm, m.
Recording-site material	Text. Exposed recording-site material when uniform; use site groups when materials differ.
Recording-site shape	Choice. Source-specified shape shared by all recording sites; use site groups when shapes differ. Options: Not specified, Circular, Square, Rectangular, Other.
Vertical column pitch	Quantity with unit. Center-to-center spacing along one site column; excludes offsets between shifted columns. Units: nm, µm, mm, m.
Horizontal site pitch	Quantity with unit. Source-defined center-to-center site pitch across the shank. Units: nm, µm, mm, m.
Recording-site area	Quantity with unit. Nominal exposed recording-site area when uniform; this does not specify site shape. Units: nm², µm², mm², m².
Individual shanks	Table of rows. Identified shanks: their sites, nominal dimensions when not uniform, and outline when known. A shank row takes precedence over the shared scalars.
Individual shanks › Shank ID	Required. Text. Identifier of the shank in the source drawing.
Individual shanks › Site IDs	List of integers. Numeric IDs of the recording sites on this shank, in source numbering; omit when unknown.
Individual shanks › Length	Quantity with unit. Nominal length from the shank tip to its base. Units: nm, µm, mm, m.
Individual shanks › Width	Quantity with unit. Nominal width of this shank at its widest point. Units: nm, µm, mm, m.
Individual shanks › Thickness	Quantity with unit. Nominal thickness of this shank. Units: nm, µm, mm, m.
Individual shanks › Outline unit	Choice. Length unit shared by the outline x and y lists of this shank. Options: nm, µm, mm, m.
Individual shanks › Outline x	Multi-select. Polygon vertex x positions of this shank’s outline, tip included, in drawing order.
Individual shanks › Outline y	Multi-select. Polygon vertex y positions paired with outline x, increasing away from the tip, in the frame shared with the site coordinates.
Recording-site groups	Table of rows. Groups of sites sharing shape, size or material; a group takes precedence over the shared site scalars. List site IDs only when the source establishes them.
Recording-site groups › Site group ID	Text. Identifier for a group of sites sharing these specifications.
Recording-site groups › Site IDs	List of integers. Numeric site IDs in source numbering (zero- or one-based); do not renumber. Omit when unknown.
Recording-site groups › Site shape	Choice. Shape explicitly specified for these sites; never inferred from area alone. Options: Not specified, Circular, Square, Rectangular, Other.
Recording-site groups › Area	Quantity with unit. Exposed area of each recording site in this group, as specified by the source. Units: nm², µm², mm², m².
Recording-site groups › Width	Quantity with unit. Source-specified horizontal extent of each recording site in this group. Units: nm, µm, mm, m.
Recording-site groups › Height	Quantity with unit. Source-specified vertical extent of each recording site in this group. Units: nm, µm, mm, m.
Recording-site groups › Recording-site material	Text. Exposed recording-site material for the sites in this group.
Recording-site coordinates	Object. Center of every recording site as parallel lists; any origin, shared with the shank outlines.
Recording-site coordinates › X coordinates	Required. Multi-select. Position of each site across the shank width, one value per site, in the shared frame.
Recording-site coordinates › Y coordinates	Required. Multi-select. Position of each site along the shank, increasing away from the tip, one value per site.
Recording-site coordinates › Site IDs	Required. List of integers. Numeric site IDs in source numbering, one per coordinate; never renumbered.
Recording-site coordinates › Coordinate unit	Required. Choice. Length unit shared by every coordinate below. Options: nm, µm, mm, m.
Reference contacts	Table of rows. Dedicated reference or ground contacts on the probe, one row each; they are not counted among the recording sites. Coordinates share the recording-site frame.
Reference contacts › Reference ID	Required. Text. The source’s name for this contact, for example ref, gnd or tip.
Reference contacts › Role	Choice. Whether the source designates this contact as a reference or a ground. Options: Not specified, Reference, Ground.
Reference contacts › Shank ID	Text. Shank carrying this contact, matching a row of the shanks table; omit on single-shank designs.
Reference contacts › Coordinate unit	Choice. Length unit of the x and y position below. Options: nm, µm, mm, m.
Reference contacts › X coordinate	Number. Position of the contact across the shank width, in the frame shared with the recording-site coordinates.
Reference contacts › Y coordinate	Number. Position of the contact along the shank, increasing away from the tip, in the shared frame.
Reference contacts › Shape	Choice. Shape explicitly specified for this contact; never inferred from area alone. Options: Not specified, Circular, Square, Rectangular, Other.
Reference contacts › Area	Quantity with unit. Exposed area of this contact as specified by the source. Units: nm², µm², mm², m².
Reference contacts › Width	Quantity with unit. Source-specified horizontal extent of this contact. Units: nm, µm, mm, m.
Reference contacts › Height	Quantity with unit. Source-specified vertical extent of this contact. Units: nm, µm, mm, m.
Reference contacts › Material	Text. Exposed material of this contact when it differs from the recording sites.
Package options	Table of rows. Published compatible assembly, connector and accessory options for this design, one row each.
Package options › Part number	Text. Supplier’s orderable identifier for this package, when it has one. Each row needs a part number or a name.
Package options › Package name	Text. What the package is in words, including its connector when the source states one; omit when the part number says it all.

Single wire electrode

A single insulated wire used as an electrode, such as a tungsten, stainless steel or platinum-iridium microwire, bought to record, stimulate or build tetrodes. Reference and ground parts that are not plain wire are Electrode components.

Field	Description
Product ID	Text. A unique identifier for the wire electrode as defined by the supplier.
Material	Text. The type of material used for the conductive part of the electrode. Common materials include stainless steel, platinum, and gold, each providing different levels of conductivity and biocompatibility.
Insulation/Coating	Text. The type of insulation or coating used for electrical insulation.
Diameter	Quantity with unit. The diameter of the wire, which affects its flexibility, impedance, and recording surface area. Units: nm, µm, mm, m.
Insulation diameter	Quantity with unit. The outer diameter of the insulation or coating. Units: nm, µm, mm, m.

Surgical Consumables

Materials and disposables used during surgery to fix, close or support implants, from cements and screws to sutures and blades.

Adhesive or cement

A material that bonds or seals during surgery, such as dental acrylic, light-cured cement, cyanoacrylate glue or silicone elastomer. Use Implant or fixation material for structural parts, and Fastener or anchor for screws and pins.

Field	Description
Product ID	Text. Catalog number or supplier reference.
Type	Required. Choice. Category of adhesive, cement, or sealant. Options: Dental cement, Acrylic polymer, Cyanoacrylate glue, Silicone elastomer, Epoxy, UV-curing adhesive, Bone wax, Tissue adhesive, Other.
Number of Components	Integer. Number of parts that must be mixed before use (1 for single-component products). Range: ≥ 1.
Mixing Ratio	Text. Manufacturer-recommended ratio for multi-component products.
Curing Method	Choice. How the product is cured after application. Options: Air cure, UV cure, Chemical cure, Thermal cure, Other.
Working Time	Text. Time available for positioning before the product sets.
Storage Conditions	Text. Recommended storage conditions.
Biocompatible	Yes/no. Whether the product is biocompatible for in vivo use.

Fastener or anchor

A screw, pin or anchor that holds an implant or headcap to bone, including skull screws that also serve as ground or reference. Use Adhesive or cement for what bonds them, and Implant or fixation material for the parts they hold.

Field	Description
Product ID	Text. Catalog number or supplier reference.
Type	Required. Choice. Category of fastener or anchor. Options: Bone screw, Skull anchor, Machine screw, Nut, Washer, Pin, Clamp, Other.
Thread Size	Text. Thread designation or gauge.
Length	Quantity with unit. Overall length of the fastener. Units: mm, µm, inch.
Head Type	Text. Head or drive geometry.
Material	Choice. Material the fastener is made from. Non-magnetic and non-conductive options matter for imaging and recording. Options: Stainless steel, Titanium, Brass, Nylon, PEEK, Gold plated, Other.
Conductive	Yes/no. Whether the fastener conducts, which matters when it doubles as a reference or ground contact.
Biocompatible	Yes/no. Whether the fastener is biocompatible for in vivo use.

Implant or fixation material

Structural hardware or material an implant is built from or fixed with, such as a headpost, a recording chamber, a baseplate or shielding mesh. Bonding materials are Adhesive or cement; manufactured assemblies are Consumable devices.

Field	Description
Product ID	Text. Catalog number or supplier reference.
Type	Required. Choice. Structural implant hardware. Adhesives and cements belong to the Adhesive or cement type; screws and anchors to Fastener or anchor. Options: Headpost, Chamber, Baseplate, Shielding mesh, Other.
Preparation Instructions	Text (multi-line). Preparation steps before application.
Storage Conditions	Text. Recommended storage conditions.
Biocompatible	Yes/no. Whether the material is biocompatible for in vivo use.

Surgical disposable

A single-use item consumed during surgery or handling, such as a suture, a needle, a blade, a swab, a drape or gloves. Anything that becomes part of an implant is Implant or fixation material.

Field	Description
Product ID	Text. Catalog number or supplier reference.
Type	Required. Choice. Category of surgical disposable. Options: Scalpel blade, Needle, Syringe, Suture, Gauze/Swab, Surgical drape, Catheter, Other.
Material	Text. Primary material (e.g., stainless steel, plastic, absorbable).
Specification	Text. Short free-text detail to disambiguate similar items (size, gauge, blade number, etc.).
Sterile	Yes/no. Whether the item is sterile.

Other types

External Identifiers

Add external identifiers from databases like NCBI, JAX, DOI, etc. Include URLs when available.

Field	Description
Source	Required. Choice. Options: NCBI, JAX, DOI, UniProt, PubMed, Addgene, Sigma-Aldrich, Thermo Fisher, Abcam, Cell Signaling, Custom, Other.
Identifier	Required. Text.
URL (optional)	Text.

API access

The same types are documented for API users, with property codes, versions and payload examples, on the Consumable schemas API page.