Figure 1. Exploded schematic detailing the individual microperfusion rig components.

(a) Perfusate well machined from acetal rod (150 μl volume, 9.5 mm O.D., 6 mm LN, 6 mm I.D.). Open-ended side (······) is beveled 30^o from vertical to accommodate seating of a silicone gasket. The closed side contains a horizontal channel (2.5 mm HT × 1 mm D) in which a low-profile cable tie (Thomas & Betts, SF100-18) (not pictured) sits to serve as a nonpermanent means of sealing the perfusion chamber. Inflow and outflow lines (Cole-Parmer, S-06418-02) enter through the top of the perfusion well and are affixed in place with high peel-strength urethane applied externally. (b) Silicone o-ring (Amazon, ORS-009-25) which serves as the liquid-tight gasket between the perfusion well and tissue well. It is affixed to the perfusion well using aquarium-safe silicone sealant. (c) Nylon retention ring (5 mm O.D., 4 mm I.D., 0.5 mm wall, 300 μm thick) fashioned by hand from a flat nylon washer (Amazon, B00DHVBPOO). The internal diameter was widened to 3.97 mm using a sheet-metal punch. The thickness was reduced using a metal file. Lastly, a notch (2 mm) was cut into the ring with a scalpel to allow for compression prior to insertion into the tissue well. (d) Woven nylon (Amazon, CMN-0053-C) of 50 μm pore size was used in construction of the retention mesh. A circular disk (4 mm Dia.) was cut from the sheet and a window (2 mm × 1.5 mm) was cut from the center portion overlapping the coil face. This window aided tissue placement by allowing for clear viewing of the sample region in contact with the coil and prevented nylon from entering the coil’s excitation profile. (e) Tissue slices (hippocampus pictured) 300 μm thick are placed in direct contact with the surface coil and suspended vertically using the mesh insert and retention ring. (f) The four-turn micro surface-coil (500 μm Dia.) is pictured at the bottom of the 5 mm Dia. tissue well. Additional components of the coil assembly (leads, capacitors, plastic base, etc.) are not shown.