diff --git a/src/probeinterface/library.py b/src/probeinterface/library.py
index 2f638bb..912e953 100644
--- a/src/probeinterface/library.py
+++ b/src/probeinterface/library.py
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ def get_from_cache(manufacturer: str, probe_name: str) -> Optional["Probe"]:
         return probe
 
 
-def get_probe(manufacturer: str, probe_name: str) -> "Probe":
+def get_probe(manufacturer: str, probe_name: str, name: Optional[str] = None) -> "Probe":
     """
     Get probe from ProbeInterface library
 
@@ -96,9 +96,9 @@ def get_probe(manufacturer: str, probe_name: str) -> "Probe":
     if probe is None:
         download_probeinterface_file(manufacturer, probe_name)
         probe = get_from_cache(manufacturer, probe_name)
-    if probe.annotations["manufacturer"] == "":
-        probe.annotations["manufacturer"] = manufacturer
+    if probe.manufacturer == "":
+        probe.manufacturer = manufacturer
     if name is not None:
-        probe.annotations["name"] = name
+        probe.name = name
 
     return probe
diff --git a/src/probeinterface/probe.py b/src/probeinterface/probe.py
index ad2f81e..5a7a9ba 100644
--- a/src/probeinterface/probe.py
+++ b/src/probeinterface/probe.py
@@ -81,12 +81,13 @@ def __init__(
         # annotation:  a dict that contains all meta information about
         # the probe (name, manufacturor, date of production, ...)
         self.annotations = dict()
-        self.annotate(
-            name=name if name is not None else "",
-            serial_number=serial_number if serial_number is not None else "",
-            model_name=model_name if model_name is not None else "",
-            manufacturer=manufacturer if manufacturer is not None else "",
-        )
+
+        # set key properties
+        self.name = name
+        self.serial_number = serial_number
+        self.model_name = model_name
+        self.manufacturer = manufacturer
+
         # same idea but handle in vector way for contacts
         self.contact_annotations = dict()
 
@@ -122,18 +123,38 @@ def shank_ids(self):
     def name(self):
         return self.annotations.get("name", "")
 
+    @name.setter
+    def name(self, value):
+        if value is not None:
+            self.annotate(name=value)
+
     @property
     def serial_number(self):
         return self.annotations.get("serial_number", "")
 
+    @serial_number.setter
+    def serial_number(self, value):
+        if value is not None:
+            self.annotate(serial_number=value)
+
     @property
     def model_name(self):
         return self.annotations.get("model_name", "")
 
+    @model_name.setter
+    def model_name(self, value):
+        if value is not None:
+            self.annotate(model_name=value)
+
     @property
     def manufacturer(self):
         return self.annotations.get("manufacturer", "")
 
+    @manufacturer.setter
+    def manufacturer(self, value):
+        if value is not None:
+            self.annotate(manufacturer=value)
+
     def get_title(self) -> str:
         if self.contact_positions is None:
             txt = "Undefined probe"