Plexon Offline Sorter (OFS) v4 is a leading offline spike sorting software developed by Plexon Inc. for electrophysiology research. It is widely used in neuroscience to process and classify extracellular neural recordings, enabling researchers to isolate individual neuron spikes from multi-channel data. With over 1,700 peer-reviewed publications citing its use, OFS v4 is a trusted tool for tasks like waveform analysis, cluster separation, and quality validation in studies of neural coding, brain activity, and animal behavior. It supports a broad range of file formats from various acquisition systems, making it versatile for post-hoc analysis.
Key Features
- Spike Sorting Algorithms: Includes template matching, principal component analysis (PCA), and advanced methods like scan sorting for automatic cluster detection. Users can manually refine clusters via 2D/3D scatter plots, waveform views, and timeline inspections.
- Data Import/Export: Compatible with formats such as Plexon (.PL2, .PLX), Neuralynx (.NTT, .NSE), Blackrock (.NEV, .NS5), Alpha Omega (.MAP), and others including Matlab spike files. Exports to formats like .OMF, Excel, or Matlab variables, with options for per-waveform or per-unit data.
- Visualization and Analysis Tools: Features waveform inspection, cross-correlation views (supporting up to 702 units per channel), SNR/L-ratio/Isolation Distance metrics, and paginated unit views for handling large datasets.
- Batch Processing: Supports automated sorting via batch files, quick batch modes, and integration with tools like NeuroExplorer for further analysis.
- Quality Metrics: Calculates signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), isolation distance, and L-ratio to assess cluster quality; handles dual thresholds and overlapping waveforms.
