David Kopf Instruments

What David Kopf Instruments does

David Kopf Instruments is a privately held, founder/family-owned manufacturer of precision stereotaxic instruments for animal research, founded in 1956 and headquartered in Tujunga, California. The company designs, manufactures, and services a comprehensive catalog of small-animal and large-animal stereotaxic frames (900, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700 series), MRI-compatible non-metallic frames (900M, 1430M, 1530M), spinal instruments (Models 980 and 1780), electrode and micro manipulators (100, 10, and 1 micron resolution), and an extensive accessories line including animal adaptors, ear bars, microinjection units, temperature controllers, pipette pullers, and the patented Model 1900 alignment system with 1 micron digital readout. Underlying technology relies on precision-ground dovetail slides, backlash-free drive screws, custom linear encoders, and proprietary non-metallic thermoplastics (ULTEM-1000, Delrin, Nylon 6-6) for MRI compatibility.

The company sells exclusively to the animal neuroscience and biomedical research community — academic researchers, universities, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, and government laboratories — and explicitly warrants products for animal research only. Its commercial model is direct quote-based one-time instrument sales supplemented by factory repair, calibration, and modification services, with a $50 minimum order, F.O.B. Tujunga shipping terms, and Net-30 payment to established institutions. Global reach is delivered through a network of 11 authorized factory representatives covering North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa, supported by the long-running KOPF Carrier publication and an Atlas Reference Listing curated for the neuroscience community.

Strategically, David Kopf Instruments competes on precision, breadth of catalog (largest variety of animal adaptors and ear bars in the field), custom-holder capability, and switching costs tied to published stereotaxic atlases calibrated to Kopf Model 900 coordinates. The business is operationally stable, debt-free, and privately held with no disclosed funding rounds, acquisitions, or executive turnover in the available record.

Name

David Kopf Instruments

Legal name

David Kopf Instruments

Website

https://kopfinstruments.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1956

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

David Kopf Instruments, founded in 1956 and based in Tujunga, California, manufactures precision stereotaxic instruments — frames, manipulators, MRI-compatible devices, spinal units, and accessories — exclusively for animal neuroscience and biomedical research, sold worldwide through 11 authorized factory representatives.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Neuroscience Research Instruments

NAICS

Surgical and Medical Instrument Manufacturing (339112)

SIC

Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841)

akta.pro primary industry

Surgical & Procedural Instruments (Scalpels, Forceps, Retractors) (HLAMAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Metrology, Calibration & Testing Equipment (Balances, pH/DO, Standards) (HLAGAIAL)

Keywords

• Stereotaxic instruments
• Neuroscience research equipment
• Animal research tools
• MRI-compatible stereotaxics
• Spinal instrumentation

Headquarters

HQ city

Tujunga

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Stereotaxic Instruments and Frames: Sale of precision stereotaxic instruments and frames for small and large animals, including MRI-compatible models. Products include small animal frames (900 series), large animal frames (1400/1500/1600/1700 series), and MRI-compatible frames (900M, 1430M, 1530M). Sold as complete systems with accessories.
2. Manipulators and Accessories: Sale of electrode manipulators (100 micron resolution) and micro manipulators (10 micron resolution), ear bars, animal adaptors, brain matrices, microinjection units, temperature controllers, pipette pullers, and specialized tools. Custom holders available for specific applications.
3. Spinal Instruments: Sale of spinal instruments including Model 980 (small animal) and Model 1780 (large animal) spinal units, along with accessories such as vertebrae clamps, retractors, A/P bars, and the Model 990 spinal compression device.
4. Repair, Calibration, and Modification Services: Complete service facilities at the Tujunga, California factory for repairs, modifications, and calibration. Some items rendered obsolete by design changes can generally be substituted with replacement items. Quotations provided upon receipt and examination.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

David Kopf Instruments designs, manufactures, and sells precision stereotaxic instruments, frames, manipulators, animal adaptors, MRI-compatible instruments, and spinal instruments for laboratory animal neuroscience research. Products are built with precision-ground dovetail slides, backlash-free drive screws, and calibrated vernier or digital scales enabling 1-, 10-, and 100-micron resolution placement of electrodes, micropipettes, cannulae, and other devices. The company also provides factory-based repair, calibration, and modification services along with custom holders for specialized applications.

Product overview

David Kopf Instruments manufactures precision stereotaxic instruments for animal research, offering a comprehensive portfolio organized into core product lines and specialized equipment. The Small Animal Stereotaxic Instruments and Large Animal Stereotaxic Instruments constitute the primary platform, available with varying resolution options (1, 10, and 100 microns) including manual and digital configurations. The MRI Stereotaxic Instruments specialized line provides non-metallic, MRI-compatible frames for small and large animals. Supporting the core frames, the company offers specialized Spinal Instruments (Models 980 and 1780), Animal Adaptors for over a dozen species, Electrode and Micro Manipulators (Models 1460/1460-61 and 1760/1760-61), the Model 1900 advanced alignment system, and comprehensive accessories including temperature controllers and pipette pullers. All products are exclusively intended for animal research applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Small Animal Stereotaxic Instruments Precision stereotaxic instruments for small animals enabling accurate placement of electrodes, micropipettes, and cannulae; available with 100, 10, and 1 micron resolution options in both manual (analog) and digital configurations. Intended for neuroscience and biomedical research laboratories.
• Large Animal Stereotaxic Instruments Heavy-duty stereotaxic frames for large animals including cat, monkey, dog, and sheep/goat; compatible with multiple stereotaxic manipulators and offered in 100 and 10 micron resolution options.
• MRI Stereotaxic Instruments MRI-compatible stereotaxic instruments constructed from non-metallic engineering thermoplastics to prevent electromagnetic interference. Small animal frames accommodate rat or mouse; large animal frames are designed for cat, monkey, and dog.
• Spinal Instruments Specialized instruments for spinal procedures including Model 980 Small Animal Spinal Unit and Model 1780 Large Animal Spinal Unit, with accessories for clamping and positioning.
• Animal Adaptors Species-specific adaptors for positioning bird, cat, dog, ferret/mink, guinea pig, monkey, mouse, neonatal lamb, neonatal rat, piglet, prairie vole, rabbit, rat, and Siberian hamster in stereotaxic frames.
• Electrode Manipulators Models 1460, 1460-61 Manipulators with 100 micron resolution designed to manipulate stereotaxic drills, cannula insertion kits, and micro injectors. Model 1460-61 adds fine adjustment A/P slide assembly.
• Micro Manipulators Models 1760, 1760-61 High-precision micropositioners with 10 micron resolution, backlash-free drive screws, precision-ground dovetail slides, universal joint angle adjustment, and 360-degree rotation. Model 1760-61 adds fine adjustment A/P slide assembly.
• Model 1900 Stereotaxic Alignment System Patented advanced alignment system providing 3D head position manipulation independent of head holder clamping, with 1 micron resolution digital readout, common centerline positioning, and alignment indicator for head leveling; supports dorsal/ventral, dorsal tilt, coronal tilt, anterior/posterior, and midline alignment adjustments.
• Model 905 Stereotaxic Alignment Indicator User-friendly tool that streamlines the head leveling process; attaches to any Kopf manipulator, facilitates precise head leveling verification in A/P and M/L planes with adjustable probe tips (2mm to 12mm) for various species.
• Stereotaxic Accessories Comprehensive line of accessories including adjustable stage platforms, alignment tools, anesthesia masks, A/P slide attachments, base plates, brain matrices, drills, ear bars, microinjection units, stereotaxic holders, temperature controllers, and pipette puller heating elements.
• Model TCAT-2LV Small Animal Temperature Control System Temperature controller combined with heating plate and rectal probe, designed to maintain body temperature of anesthetized animals during stereotaxic surgery; features low voltage DC output and dual set point control circuit to prevent overshooting.
• Model 720, 730, 750 Needle Pipette Pullers Precision pipette pullers for manufacturing micropipettes and needles, with platinum alloy heater filaments and optional preformed platinum omega filaments.
• Model 990 Spinal Compression Device Device designed to apply a specified amount of weight to a target area on the spine; includes stereotaxic holder with pressure applicator and an assortment of weights (5 or 10 gram options).
• Repair, Calibration, and Modification Services Complete service facilities at the Tujunga, California factory for repair, modification, and calibration of Kopf stereotaxic instruments and accessories, with quotations provided upon receipt and examination; obsolete items can generally be substituted with replacement items.

Quantifiable outcome

• Precision stereotaxic placement accuracy validated by use in producing major brain atlases (e.g., Paxinos atlases)

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Agnthos ABminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized factory representative covering Denmark, Finland, Sweden, and Norway. Located in Lidingo, Sweden.
• Bilaney Consultants GmbHminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized factory representative covering the European Union, Switzerland, Israel, Central/East Europe, and Near/Middle East. Based in Dusseldorf, Germany.
• Bilaney Consultants Ltd.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized factory representative covering the United Kingdom, European Union, Switzerland, Israel, Central/East Europe, and Near/Middle East. Located in Kent, United Kingdom.
• Bio Research Center Co., Ltd.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized factory representative covering Japan. Located in Nagoya, Japan.
• Consent Biotechnology (Changsha) Co., Ltd.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized factory representative covering China. Located in Changsha, Hunan Province, China.
• Modern Medical EquipmentminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized factory representative covering Africa, Asia, Austria, Central America, East Europe, Japan, Near/Middle East, South America, South Europe, and China. Based in Moorpark, California.
• PhymepminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized factory representative covering France. Located in Paris, France.
• SDR ScientificminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized factory representative covering Australia and New Zealand. Located in Chatswood, N.S.W., Australia.
• SELLEX, INC.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized factory representative covering Brazil. Located in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
• Shanghai Yongzhou Experiment Equipment Co., LTDminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized factory representative covering China. Located in Shanghai, China.
• LabAssistant (Scientific Consulting)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorScientific consulting representative providing guidance and services from expert scientists. Located in Florida, USA.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Stoelting Co. Direct US competitor manufacturing stereotaxic instruments, micromanipulators, and animal research apparatus, serving the same neuroscience research customer base with overlapping product categories.
• World Precision Instruments (WPI): Manufactures micromanipulators, microinjection systems, and stereotaxic accessories for neuroscience and physiology research; closely comparable in target customers and instrument category.
• Narishige International: Japanese manufacturer of micromanipulators, stereotaxic frames, and microinjection equipment for animal research, directly competing with Kopf in precision positioning.
• Harvard Apparatus: Broad life-science research equipment manufacturer with stereotaxic frames and pumps; serves the same neuroscience/animal-research buyers with comparable instrumentation.
• Braintree Scientific: Specialty manufacturer of stereotaxic equipment and rodent surgical instrumentation, directly competing with Kopf in small-animal research apparatus.
• Kent Scientific Corporation: Manufactures stereotaxic frames and animal physiology monitoring equipment, serving overlapping neuroscience and laboratory-animal research customers.

Emerging players

• RWD Life Science: Chinese manufacturer of stereotaxic frames, microinjection pumps, and animal research instruments; an emerging low-cost competitor gaining share in APAC markets served by Kopf's distributor network.
• Hamilton Company: Manufactures precision syringes and liquid-handling instruments used in microinjection workflows adjacent to stereotaxic research; an adjacent precision-instrument peer serving the same neuroscience labs.

Broad incumbents

• Thermo Fisher Scientific: Large life-science tools conglomerate with research instruments spanning microscopy, imaging, and lab equipment; a broad incumbent whose portfolio overlaps with Kopf's customer workflows but not its specialty niche.

Others

• Carl Zeiss Microscopy: Global microscopy and imaging leader often used alongside stereotaxic equipment in neuroscience workflows; not a direct competitor but a complementary ecosystem participant at the same research sites.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/david-kopf-instruments

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about David Kopf Instruments