Frequently Asked Questions


Analgesia - Plantar Test

Do I need the heated glass for the Plantar Test Systems?

Glass acts as a heat sink and can alter the reaction time of the animal therefore IITC recommends heated glass when temperature in the lab is kept at cool temperatures.

Do I need to order software for each Analgesia Series 8 equipment I purchase or can I order one software to be used on all the units?

Yes, software needs to be ordered for each individual piece of equipment that is ordered. the proprietary information requires the purchase of software for each unit ordered as well as the information being supplied from each system is different and therefore requires programming of the chips for each unit.

Is there anything in your equipment that can cause preconditioning of the animals prior to testing?

No there is not...No clicking, beeping or any other type of sounds are emitted out of our systems that would cause your animals to become forewarned that the test is about to begin.

Is the warranty period two years as stated?

Yes, warranty is two years on almost all items in the Analgesia Equipment line, Rotarods and Animal Treadmills.

What is the combination Tail Flick Test and Plantar System?

This is the only system commercially available that has the capability of the Tail Flick Test and the Plantar Test in one complete system.

Is the glass on the Plantar systems tempered?

Yes they are tempered for safety purposes.

What is the supplied with the Plantar System?

The system is supplied complete with the following
Electronics, test head, standard base or heated base, legs, animal enclosure, RS232 and printer outputs all standard.

Do I need the purchase any type of calibration unit for the heat source?

No, not needed or required.

Can I adjust the temperature of the heated glass if ordered?

Yes, the glass is preset by us at 34 deg. C but can be adjusted in 2 degree increments, 32, 34, and 38 degrees Celsius. Temperature setting is dependent upon environment.

Does your Plantar Test have automatic detection?

No for obvious reasons that when working with live animals, they will move or flinch, flick and therefore with automatic detection there is the possibility of the system reading these natural movements as "reaction" versus movement, stop the test; causing a stop and reset by the investigator

Electronic von Frey Anesthesiometer (ElectrovonFrey), EVF

What test subjects can the EVF be use on?

Humans, mice, rats, cats, dogs, monkeys, the most universal system on the market.

What are the "flexible von Frey hairs"?

They are 15 individual hairs with an 8 mm uniform tip diameter on each hair. Why? Because the varying tip diameters can cause false reactions to the difference in the amount of hair touching test subjects in the traditional hairs and that is the reason IITC developed the "uniform tip diameter".

What is the maximum range of the probes?

Depending on which probe is ordered will determine the maximum force range the probe will allow. When testing mice the 90 gram probe should be ordered. When testing rats and other larger test subjects the 400 (now 800 gram supplied) probe should be ordered. When testing larger subjects (dogs, cats, monkeys) the 100 gram probe should be ordered.

My research will be for pain and or sensory reactions, which system should I order?

If your studies will include both pain threshold and sensory values then both the rigid tips as well as the 15 flexible von Frey hairs need to be ordered to allow measurement of both.

Am I able to perform all three of the following tests with one system? (EVF, Digital Randall Selitto and Paw Edema Test

Yes absolutely! A true first on the market which will finally allow you to purchase one of the three available systems complete and the only additional purchase required is the individual modules to perform the various tests in one electronic system.

Do I need to order your complete Mesh Test Stand?

No it is not required to be ordered for the EVF testing but is recommended when you studies will have a large group of animals in the study. the animal enclosure allows up to 6 rats and 12 mice in one enclosure supplied standard. Or if your studies will be with a smaller group of animals the smaller Mesh Stand may be ordered - 2 rats - 4 mice.

How many probes am I able to have connected to the electronics?

A total of three pressure probes can be connected at any one time.

What is the warranty supplied on the system?

One year warranty supplied.

How does your Electronic von Frey system differ from the traditional hairs?

Our system will record, display and store the readings of the pressure of the test subjects reaction in the electronics. No need to test and manually record data. all data is displayed and stored.

How accurate is the system?

It is the most accurate system on the market today. It has been compared to the traditional von frey hairs and has come out far ahead with the statement that "If one is to test allodynia then the best method or choice would be the IITC Life Science Electronic von Frey.

Digital Randall Selitto

It is the first commercially available system in the world that finally allows automatic pressure readings of the paw pressure test. You are no longer required to perform this test in a cumbersome manner. A simple pressure applicator is all that is needed which is connected to the electronics. apply the pressure and upon reaction release the applicator and your display will show the pressure in grams.

Can it be used on mice and rats?

Yes.

Rotarod

Am I able to test both mice and rats wit just the purchase of one Rotarod system?

Yes, no other items are required to enable testing of both mice and rats.

How does the Rotarod system record the tests?

The animals are placed on the drums and the system is started, once the animals fall onto the platforms below the platforms trigger the electronics which in turn shut down for that individual lane and the test data for that test are displayed, recorded and stored in the system and shown on the digital read out..

Rat and Mouse Blood Pressure

What temperature is the recommended temperature when measuring rat and mouse blood pressure?

Recommended temperature for rats is 32 deg. C and mice 34 deg. C. Depending on the environment, type and animal and weight the above average temperatures might need adjustment up or down accordingly, but within the known temperature threshold without causing thermostress to the animal

How long does it take to perfom a blood pressure test on an animal?

Our systems average 15 seconds per test. (Inflation/Deflation cycle)

What is the best method to warm an animal?

1. Heating pads sitting directly against the animal?
2. Heating pads placed underneath a metal plate where the animals sit?
3. Blowing hot air onto the the tail back end of an animal?
4. Warming Chambers?

Answer: 4

Reason is:

Warming chambers supply light constant warm circulating air continuously around the animal not direct high heat in turn causing thermostress and in some cases death.

All other systems on the current market require temperatures over the known threshold when obtaining rat or mouse blood pressure measurements and having the high heat applied directly to the animal. This is necessary in order for their cuffs to pickup pulses.

Which method is best Photoelectric or Piezoelectric aka (VPR)?

The Photoelectric method is by far the superior choice, lowest temperature, accurate. The system is the only system that has been validated to telemetry and direct blood presssure. See articles under "literature references" on the mouse rat blood pressure section. Still the only method that uses low temperature due to the method.

Attention! We continue to receive information from customers that a particular company in the field of rat and mouse blood pressure measurement equipment is supplying verbal and written lies about our equipment, features and functions.

We cannot stress enough that any person interested in IITC Life Sciences rat and mouse blood pressure systems contact us directly and feel free to ask for facts, references, documentation that only IITC Life Science can provide accurately.

 


IITC Life Science Inc.
23924 Victory Blvd Woodland Hills, CA 91367
818 710 8843 fax 818 992 5185

 
Copyright (c) 2009. IITC Life Science
All rights reserved.
 
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