Lightweight 1-photon Miniscope for Imaging in Freely Behaving Animals at Subcellular Resolution

Miniaturization of imaging systems has become an important requirement for studying the brains of freely behaving animals (mice, birds, etc.). The author presents a 1-photon miniscope device with significant mechanical (weight: 1.3g, small size: 10mm × 17mm × 12mm) and optical (lateral resolution: 1 μm, magnification: 12.5, etc.) advantages compared to existing systems. This device can be used to image and study fine brain structures and its design is well-suited for the incorporation of future generations of depth scanning, aberration correction, structured illumination and wireless approaches.