A Dual Fiber-optic Cannula features two implantable fibers at a prescribed distance and protrusion length held by a single ferrule. The tolerance on the protrusion for each fiber is better than 0.1 mm. These cannulas are perfectly suited for a bilateral brain stimulation or silencing. The alternatives to a Dual Fiber-optic Cannula are two mono fiber cannulas. However, positioning two cannulas with stereotaxic equipment, one at a time, has a greater likelihood of positioning errors, prolongs the duration of the operation, complicates the fixation of the cannulas and increases the minimum possible distance between the two fiber tips. With Dual Fiber-optic Cannula the insertion of the fiber is faster (single shot), while the distance between the fiber tips and the protrusion depth are factory set, precisely. The precision fiber-to-fiber mating of the cannula with the corresponding fiber-optic patch cord is vital for good coupling and this is achieved by a guiding pin or by a guiding socket.

Notes:
• Angled and conical tips (Axx and Cxx) are offered to facilitate the insertion of the fiber-optic in the tissue (see table below). However, they have little influence on the light spread.
• The Dual Fiber-optic Cannula with guiding pin is implanted using the Stereotaxic Cannula Holders 2.5 (SCH_2.5), while the guiding socket model requires a specific adapter (available for 1.25 or 2.5 Stereotaxic Cannula Holders; FCA).