Plantar Test (Hargreaves Method) & Tail Flick Analgesia Meter In One

The IITC Plantar Test and Tail Flick Test Analgesia Meter is used to test the properties of narcotic and stronger non-narcotic drugs on unrestrained mice and rats. The test is made on the plantar surface of rodents by a focused, radiant heat light source which emits from the test head. The test head is placed under a tempered glass surface and slides on top of the supplied base with Teflon balls to the desired position. The light beam is focused to the top of the glass and creates a 4X6mm intense spot on the paw. Prior to testing there is a “guide” light to assist in directing the beam to the precise spot. An adjustable angled mirror is mounted on top of the test head to help the operator to view the paw without constant bending.

Tail Temperature for Tail Flick test
Precise Programmable digital control
Humane cut-off feature, set by user
Adjustable beam intensity in 1% increments
Reaction is detected automatically (Tail Flick set-up)
Manual override of all timer functions
Alphanumeric readout
All Functions and parameters entered via key-pad
Unrestrained animals
Heated glass option only from IITC
RS232 Standard
Printer output standard
Footswitch standard
Software for data collection (optional)
Thermal printer (optional)

IITC Life Science supplies the Tail Flick test method and tail temperature measurement this is not available on any other Tail Flick Analgesia Meter on the market today; at the start of each test the temperature will be the exactly the same for each test.

No Animal acclimation required!

Uniform preset temperature on all tail's when performing the Tail Flick test.

No energy calibrator required the exact temperature is shown at all times.

The use of visible light compares favorably with an infrared light source since the user does not always know exactly where the test will start, this causes false starts and conditioning of animals which occurs with other versions of this type of test on the market.

*The IITC TRUE TAIL TEMPERATURE OPTION:*(T): IITC is the first company to bring this unique feature to market .

Measurement of tail temperature at all times during test.
Trigger temperature is automatic at start of every Tail Flick test

This optional feature allows automatic preheating of the tail. To ensure experiment protocols to be precisely controlled and repeated. This feature allows the user to SET the tail temperature at which the test is to be started at up to 75 degrees Celsius. Once that preset temperature is reached the test and the timer starts automatically and after the tail flicks the timer and light stop and the result is displayed. Readout will now show in repeatable sequence the start and end temperatures as well as test time. We recommend that animals be restrained with one of our restrainers: Model 82, 180-270 grams, Model 83, 80-170 grams or the Model 84, 20-35 grams.

This unit solves the problem associated with “tail temperature prior to and at the end of testing.”
See article: KJELL HOLE AND ARNE TJOLSEN: The Tail Flick Formalin Test in Rodents: Changes in Skin Temperature as a Confounding Factor. Pain 53 (1993) pages. 247-254 Elsevier).

Mirror for sight alignment on animal subject

The instrument has a built-in timer which displays the reaction time in .01 second increments. A push-button mounted into the handle of the test head allowing the operator to stop the test cycle, thus eliminating false triggering. A sturdy, acrylic animal enclosure is placed on top of the glass and has room for six rats or twelve mice. The height of the glass is adjustable and thereby the focal point of the light is adjustable allowing to stimulate other body parts. A Humane cut-off timer is standard. The unit can be preset for a cut-off period, at the end of which the light beam is shut off automatically if the animal has not responded, avoiding any tissue damage. The test head is silent without any clicking or whining noises as reported on comparable units during heat cycles. Built-in heating strips can be supplied on the glass. The suffix “G” is added to the model number. A small controller keeps the temperature constant between 34-50 deg. C. This option prevents the glass acting as a heat sink which is a known fact despite others who dispute this fact. In the Tail Flick mode: A built-in Timer is automatically stopped when the animals’ tail flicks out of the beam of light. The overhead halogen light source projects a pre-focused 4X6mm stimulation area at the end of the attached tail groove. If the animal does not flick his tail within the entered cut-off time then the light beam shuts off automatically avoiding tissue damage. A built-in timer displays the reaction time in 0.01 second increments. Manual override of all timer functions is possible. The tail groove is a non-metallic material to avoid unnecessary conditioning. The unit can be controlled by the front panel or footswitch controls: Start, Stop and Reset of test.

All functions and parameters are entered via key-pad on front panel of the 336 Plantar and Tail Flick Analgesia Meter they are:

Part #:

336 Plantar Test (Hargreaves) and Tail Flick Analgesia Meter

336G Plantar Test (Hargreaves) and Tail Flick Analgesia Meter with heated glass

336T Plantar Test (Hargreaves) and Tail Flick Analgesia Meter with Tail Temperature

336TG Plantar Test (Hargreaves) and Tail Flick Analgesia Meter with Heated Glass and Tail Temperature

Two year Warranty and CE Certified

Dimensions:
17" X 17" X 5.25"
Base 36" X 15.75" X 3.25" (Heated)
Base 36" X 15.25" X 5" (Non-Heated)
Glass 35.625" X 14" X .25"
Animal Enclosure 27" X 8.625" X 5"