Table 6 The different programs within the OptoArm software

Program 1: The testing menu. This menu is used to set-up your experiment. The menu allows the user to select the intensity of the LED by changing the analog scale: 0–255 (buttons up and down) and to turn the LED ON at that intensity. This menu is ideal for adjusting the working distance and incidence angle to gain the appropriate intensity before starting an actual experiment. Importantly, as long as the Arduino is powered, the set intensity will be saved and the standard for the other menu options (Fig. 10D—I/II, Table 3).

Program 2: The single run menu. In this menu, the user can select the time of the light pulse (Fig. 10D—III/IV). The buttons are time-sensitive: the longer one pushes, the steeper the steps. There is standard a 1-s waiting step before the pulse when the run is started. When the run is completed, the users get the opportunity to rerun the assay, without setting the parameters again (Fig. 10E, Table 3).

Program 3: The series pulse menu. In this menu, the user light pulse duration, the waiting time (between two light pulses), and the number of cycle repeats (Fig. 10D—IV-VI). By going up and down in the menu, the different parameters can be adjusted (Table 3). There is again a 1-s waiting step before the first pulse when the run is started. When the run is completed, the users get the opportunity to rerun the assay, without setting the parameters again (Fig. 10E).