TDT RZ2 Manual page 538

13-20
the wires to the screws before fixing them to the skull. Later in Step 8, ground and
reference wires from the microdrive are soldered to these wires.
The screws must pierce the skull but shouldn't be completely tightened. Leave some
space under the screw head so the cement can grip the screw and skull.
Step 3 – Perform the craniotomy.
Open the skull in the desired penetration area. The size of the craniotomy should
depend on the size of the microelectrode array used. On average 0.5-1 mm are
added to each side of the rectangular shape with the same size of the array and
centered in the craniotomy. That means for a standard 16 channel array, 2.3 mm x
0.425 mm, the size of the craniotomy would be no more than 4.3 mm × 2.425
mm and no less than 3.3 mm × 1.425 mm.
The craniotomy should be as small as possible. While a large craniotomy could help
the surgeon to better control the penetration of the electrodes, it would also increase
the possibility of ECF leakage, amplify the dimpling effect and increase the possibility
of infections.
Procedure for zDrive Implantation and Maintenance
System 3