Manufacturer
630 Komas Drive | Suite 200
Salt Lake City | UT 84108 | USA
P +1 801.582.5533 | F +1 801.582.1509
www.blackrockmicro.com
CerePlex Direct
Instructions for Use
Revision 7.00 / LB-0462 – CerePlex Direct: Instructions for Use 2019/08
© 2019 Blackrock Microsystems, LLC
2
Table of Contents
What This Manual Covers ............................................................. 4
Warnings and Precautions ............................................................ 5
Safety Specifications ..................................................................... 6
Hardware Specifications ............................................................... 6
Symbols ........................................................................................ 8
Setting Up the CerePlex Direct ..................................................... 9
Overview of Hardware ................................................................. 10
CerePlex Direct Inputs .................................................................. 11
Digital Headstage Input Banks .................................................... 11
Analog Input ............................................................................... 12
Digital Input ................................................................................. 12
Fast Settle Input ......................................................................... 12
CerePlex Direct Outputs ................................................................ 12
USB Data Line to PC .................................................................. 12
Patient Ground ........................................................................... 13
NeuroMotive Camera Sync ......................................................... 13
CerePlex Direct Software Suite ................................................... 13
Cleaning, Maintenance, and Disposal ......................................... 14
Cleaning ........................................................................................ 14
Maintenance .................................................................................. 14
Disposal ........................................................................................ 15
Magnetic Resonance .................................................................. 15
Troubleshooting ........................................................................... 15
No CerePlex Direct Detected ........................................................ 15
nPlayServer is Not Running .......................................................... 16
Packet Loss................................................................................... 16
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Digital Headstage Connectivity ...................................................... 16
Return Merchandise Authorizations ............................................ 17
Warranty ...................................................................................... 17
Support ........................................................................................ 17
Manuals, Software Downloads, and Application Notes .................. 18
Complaints .................................................................................... 18
Issues or Questions ....................................................................... 18
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What This Manual Covers
This manual contains information on the CerePlex Direct, a plug-and-play biosignal data
acquisition system. The system is designed for use with many of Blackrock’s CerePlex digital
headstages and is compatible with the NeuroMotive video tracking system. The CerePlex Direct
is capable of recording from 16, 32, 64, 96, 128, or 256 channels over 3 headstage input banks,
depending on the model.
Figure 1 - CerePlex Direct Data Acquisition System
This manual will cover the system requirements, associated software, and an overview of the
system’s hardware features. Note that the CerePlex Direct is offered in a number of system
packages, so the exterior packaging may be labeled with a different part number than listed in
this document.
For questions on this product or any other Blackrock products, contact our 24/7 support service
at support@blackrockmicro.com.
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Warnings and Precautions
Do not use with devices not approved by Blackrock Microsystems.
Do not touch any exposed electrical conductors or use damaged digital data cables
when using the CerePlex Direct.
Keep cables out of traffic paths. Injury to user or patient can occur.
The user/patient/subject should not attempt to open the CerePlex Direct.
Use caution when operating the CerePlex Direct, especially when connecting and
disconnecting cables to minimize risk of CerePlex Direct falling and/or injury.
Do not rest objects on or against the CerePlex Direct.
Avoid strong static discharges from sources like television or computer monitors; they
may damage the electrical components of the system.
Always operate the CerePlex Direct system in a clean environment.
Keep the CerePlex Direct system away from liquids. Contact with water, shower spray,
or wet surfaces can result in a device malfunction and/or electrical shock.
Connection of external instruments to the CerePlex Direct may compromise electrical
safety.
Always use antistatic or electrostatic discharge (ESD) safe gloves when connecting the
CerePlex Direct.
Use only Blackrock Microsystems supplied components (CerePlex Direct, CerePlex
Headstages, Blackrock Microsystems Cables and Adaptors). Substitution of components
not supplied by Blackrock Microsystems may affect system performance and patient /
subject safety.
Do not leave the patient / subject connected to the CerePlex Direct when system is not
in use.
Plug in all connections and wires to the patient / subject and the system prior to
powering on the CerePlex Direct.
Power off the system prior to removing or disconnecting any cables from the patient /
subject and the system.
Regularly inspect cables for compromised insulation or bad connections. This can help
prevent electrical shock as well as data corruption.
Read this entire manual prior to using the device.
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Model Name
CerePlex Direct
–
220 V
50-60 Hz
0.32
– 0.17
A
Serviceable Fuses
Input Protocol
Water
Ingress Protection
16, 32,
64, 96, 128, or
256 Channels, Depending on Model
16-bit digital output, with 0.25 µV per bit resolution
Up to ±5 V between any input and ground
Safety Specifications
Power Requirements
Mode of Operation Continuous
Operating Environment 10° C to 40° C, 5 to 95% relative humidity (non-
Storage Environment
-20° C to 50° C, 5 to 100% relative humidity (non-
100
1/4” x 1 ¼”, 250 V, 2 Amps, Slow Blow
Low-voltage differential signaling
Ordinary equipment, not fluid resistant, IP20
Hardware Specifications
Model Name
Digital Signal Processing Adaptive line noise cancellation filter, 4th-order hi/lo
pass digital filtering for all channels. Separate filters
for simultaneous continuous and spike streams along
with online spike classification using time/amplitude
and/or template matching
(
condensing)
condensing)
CerePlex Direct
) ,
Experimental Analog Inputs Three ±5 V inputs for experiment or neural signal
Analog to Digital Conversion
Maximum Input Voltage Range
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Neural Signal Inputs
Input Protocol
Sampling Frequency 30 kHz maximum data acquisition rate, 50 MHz data
Low-voltage differential signaling
transfer
processing
7
One ±5 V input for controlling fast settle functionality of the
connected headstages
>90 dB at 50/60 Hz
Experimental Digital Inputs
Sixteen 0
-5
V TTL Logic Level inputs for
experiment event
Standard 3
-
pin PC power connector for accepting 110
-
240
PC Hardware Interface
Hi-Speed USB 2.0
PC Software OS supported
Windows 7
– 32 and 64 bit
, Windows 10
- 32 and 64 bit
Fast Settle Inputs
Common Mode Rejection Ratio
signaling
Power Supply
VAC, 50-60 Hz
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Symbols
ISO 15223-1: 2016 Medical Devices – Symbols to Be Used with Medical Device Labels,
Labeling, and Information to Be Supplied
Reference Symbol Title Meaning
5.1.1
5.1.5
5.1.6
5.1.7
5.2.8
5.4.3
Manufacturer Indicates the medical device
manufacturer.
Batch Code Indicates the manufacturer’s batch
or lot code.
Catalog
Number
Serial Number Indicates the manufacturer’s serial
Do Not Use if
Package is
Damaged
Consult
Instructions for
Use
Indicates the manufacturer’s catalog
number so that the device may be
identified. For Blackrock
Microsystems it is called the Part
Number (PN).
number so that a specific medical
device can be identified.
Indicates that a medical device
should not be used if the package
has been damaged or opened.
Indicates the need for the user to
consult the instructions for use,
which you are currently reading.
ISO 15223-1: 2016 Medical Devices – Symbols to Be Used with Medical Device Labels,
Labeling, and Information to Be Supplied
Reference Symbol Title Meaning
5.4.4
Revision 7.00 / LB-0462 – CerePlex Direct Instructions for Use
Caution Indicates the need for the user to
consult the instructions for use for
important cautionary information
such as warning and precautions
that cannot, for a variety of reasons,
be presented on the medical device
itself.
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Setting Up the CerePlex Direct
The software CD included with the CerePlex Direct contains two executable installers:
CerePlex-Direct-Central-Suite-7.X.X.msi installs the CerePlex Direct Software Suite and USB
drivers for communicating with the CerePlex Direct. The latest version can be downloaded from
the ‘Software Downloads’ section of the Blackrock Microsystems website.
MCRInstaller-7.16.exe is the MATLAB Compiler Runtime installer—this is required to use
Central’s custom digital filter editor.
NOTE: Before installing: make sure the CerePlex Direct is not plugged into the PC with the
USB A-B cable. Installing the CerePlex Direct Software Suite with the CerePlex Direct
connected to the host PC may result in driver installation issues and cause the host PC to fail to
recognize the CerePlex Direct. If this happens, please refer to the ‘Troubleshooting’ section of
this manual or contact Blackrock Support.
Figure 2 - CerePlex Direct Driver Installer
To start the installation process, run CerePlex-Direct-Central-Suite-X.X.X.msi and follow the
onscreen instructions from the installation wizard (as shown in the figure above). After installing
the software, the CerePlex Direct can be connected to the host PC via the USB A-B cable.
When plugged into a USB port for the first time, the CerePlex Direct will install the device
drivers. Windows will re-install these drivers when the USB port is changed.
If you intend on using Central’s custom digital filter editor to create your own filters, you will
need to run MCRInstaller-7.16.exe.
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Figure
3 - CerePlex Direct Front Panel
Figure
4 - CerePlex Direct Rear Panel
Overview of Hardware
The CerePlex Direct is a non-real-time data acquisition system that collects data from up to 256
digital data channels, 3 analog inputs, and a 16-bit digital input. Data is sampled at 30,000
samples/second and transmitted over hi-speed USB to a host PC with a bandwidth of 50 Mbps.
The CerePlex Direct is designed to have several isolated ground planes. The CerePlex Direct
chassis is tied to earth ground through the ground pin of the power plug. Patient ground is found
on the digital headstage connections and the touchproof ground connector on the front panel. It
is not recommended to bridge these isolated ground planes; it can introduce noise into the
signal and compromise the safety isolation of the patient circuitry.
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Figure
5 – Digital Data Cable
Pinout
D Pin #
Description
10
14
17 V-
19 Ground
18 V+
7
9
CerePlex Direct Inputs
Digital Headstage Input Banks
The CerePlex Direct has 3 digital headstage input connectors located on the
front panel labeled A, B, and C for digital headstage inputs.
There is an LED on each of the digital headstage input banks that will be lit blue
when the Direct is receiving valid data packets from the digital headstage. For
more information on the LED light conditions, please see the troubleshooting
section.
12
Clock+
Clock -
Fast Settle
Data+
Data-
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Figure
6 - Digital Input Port Pinout
Analog Input
Auxiliary analog signals can be recorded through three analog input BNC ports
located to the left of the digital headstage input connectors on the front panel.
The analog input range is ±5.0 V and should come from a source of less than
100 Ω.
Digital Input
Digital events can be recorded through the 16-bit DB37 input port.
Fast Settle Input
The CerePlex Direct has a BNC connector located on the back panel labeled ‘FS’
that serves as a fast settle input. The fast settle connector is tied to each of the
digital headstage banks in the front. The signal fed into the BNC connector is
passed straight through the system to Pin 14 on the digital data connector, so
that downstream digital headstages can receive a fast settle signal. The two
other BNC connectors are labeled NC and reserved for future feature use.
Digital Input Pin # Description
1, 18, 19 NC
2 Dig In 0
3 Dig In 1
… …
16 Dig In 14
17 Dig In 15
20-37 GND
CerePlex Direct Outputs
USB Data Line to PC
The CerePlex Direct has a Hi-Speed USB 2.0 B connector on the back panel that
can connect the CerePlex Direct to the host PC via a USB A-B cable.
The USB LED on the front panel indicates the status of the CerePlex Direct:
upon powering on the CerePlex Direct, the USB will be a brightly lit yellow. When
CerePlex Direct Suite is initialized, the LED will flash blue briefly, then turn yellow
while Central loads the configuration file. Once the configurations have been
loaded by Central, the LED will turn continuously blue.
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Figure
7 - Temporary Window Indicating a CerePlex Direct Software
Launch
Patient Ground
The CerePlex Direct has a touch-proof connector to patient ground located on
the front panel to the right of the digital headstage digital headstage banks
labeled ‘G.’ The digital data cable and headstage also communicate patient
ground through the pin 19 of the digital headstage input. The touchproof
connector provides an additional low-impedance connection to patient ground.
NeuroMotive Camera Sync
If using the NeuroMotive video tracking system, the CerePlex Direct can be
hardware synchronized with the tracking and recording system. The BNC
connector outputs a TTL digital signal to trigger the NeuroMotive camera.
CerePlex Direct Software Suite
The CerePlex Direct Software Suite consists of two applications that run simultaneously:
nPlayServer and Central Software Suite via nPlay File Control.
Upon running CerePlex Direct Software Suite, a window titled, ‘CerePlex Direct’ will briefly
open:
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Figure
8 - nPlayServer Process
Running
in Background
The ‘CerePlex Direct’ window will close, and Central will launch and run simultaneously with
nPlayServer in the background:
nPlayServer receives data from the CerePlex Direct then broadcasts this data to Central for
visualization and analysis. The end user interface is identical to Central. For more detailed
instructions and use on Central Software Suite, please see LB-0574 Central Software Suite IFU.
Cleaning, Maintenance, and Disposal
Cleaning
The CerePlex Direct may be cleaned with solutions that are safe for cleaning general
purpose electronics such as screen cleaners and cloths damp with water.
Maintenance
The CerePlex Direct requires no ongoing maintenance and no calibration. There are no
user serviceable components.
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Disposal
All devices, both used and unused, should not be disposed with household
waste. Return to a recycling point for electric and electronic devices.
Magnetic Resonance
The CerePlex Direct has not been evaluated for safety and compatibility in the MR environment.
The CerePlex Direct has not been tested for heating, migration, or image artifact in the MR
environment.
Troubleshooting
No CerePlex Direct Detected
Figure 9 - Error Message Showing No CerePlex Direct Detected
This error indicates an error has occurred in communication between nPlayServer and
Central Software Suite. If the CerePlex Direct and the PC are connected through the
USB cable and the CerePlex Direct is powered on, this may be caused by an error with
the USB driver.
To correct this, uninstall the Total Phase USB driver in the Control Panel’s Programs
and Features menu.
After the uninstall is complete, run CDM21224_Setup.exe from the installation directory
of the software.
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nPlayServer is Not Running
Figure 10 - Error Message Showing nPlayServer Is Not Running
This error occurs when a previous instance of nPlayServer has not closed properly and
is still running in the background. In the Windows Task Manager (accessible with
CTRL+SHIFT+ESC), close any instances of nplay.exe and nplayserver.exe before
starting CerePlex Direct Suite again.
Packet Loss
Figure 11 - Packet Drop/Loss Error Message
In rare cases, USB hardware can have compatibility conflicts with the CerePlex Direct,
causing periodic packet loss between the Direct and host PC. If this happens, try
switching to a different USB port on the PC (e.g., moving from a front cap to a rear port
or vice versa; moving between USB 3.0 to USB 2.0, et cetera). If the problem persists,
please contact Blackrock Microsystems Support.
Digital Headstage Connectivity
The LED near the digital headstage connector will briefly flash yellow upon initially
plugging in the digital headstage, then turn blue. A continuously blue LED means that
the bank is plugged in and receiving valid signals from the headstage.
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If the LED turns yellow again, it indicates a data transmission error and packets may
have been invalidated. If this happens, check that the digital data cable is plugged into
the bank securely. If the LED stays unlit, this indicates that the Direct is not recognizing
and powering the headstage. Contact Blackrock Support at
support@blackrockmicro.com for assistance with headstage compatibility issues if this
occurs.
Return Merchandise Authorizations
In the event that your device needs to be returned to Blackrock for repair or maintenance, do
not send any equipment back without a Return Merchandise Authorization Number. An RMA
number will be issued to you by a Blackrock representative. If you need to obtain an RMA
number, you may contact a product support representative at +1 801 582 5533 or via email at
support@blackrockmicro.com.
Once an RMA number has been issued, it is important to safely pack the returned item for
shipping back to Blackrock. It is preferred that you save the original boxes and packing
materials that your device arrived in for return shipment. Please address the package as
follows:
Blackrock Microsystems
ATTN: RMA # XXXX
630 S. Komas Drive, Suite 200
Salt Lake City, UT 84108 USA
T +1 801 582 5533
Warranty
Blackrock Microsystems (“Blackrock”) warrants its products are free from defects in materials
and manufacturing for a period of one year from the date of shipment. At its option, Blackrock
will repair or replace any product that does not comply with this warranty. This warranty is
voided by: (1) any modification or attempted modification to the product done by anyone other
than an authorized Blackrock employee; (2) any abuse, negligent handling or misapplication of
the product; or (3) any sale or other transfer of the product by the original purchaser.
Except for the warranty set forth in the preceding paragraph, Blackrock provides no warranties
of any kind, either express or implied, by fact or law, and hereby disclaims all other warranties,
including without limitation the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular
purpose, and non-infringement of third-party patent or other intellectual property rights.
Blackrock shall not be liable for special, indirect, incidental, punitive, exemplary or consequential
damages (including without limitation, damages resulting from loss of use, loss of profits,
interruption or loss of business or other economic loss) arising out of non-compliance with any
warranty. Blackrock’s entire liability shall be limited to providing the remedy set forth in the
previous paragraph.
Support
Blackrock prides itself in its customer support. For additional information on this product or any
of our products, you can contact our Support team through the contact information below:
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Manuals, Software Downloads, and Application
Notes
www.blackrockmicro.com/technical-support
Complaints
When filing a complaint, please provide the product description, product number,
software version, lot number, complainant's name and address, and the nature of the
complaint.
Issues or Questions
www.blackrockmicro.com/technical-support
support@blackrockmicro.com
U.S.: +1 (801) 582-5533
The CerePlex Direct is not for use on human subjects.
Revision 7.00 / LB-0462 – CerePlex Direct Instructions for Use
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