IITC Plantar Test Apparatus (Hargreaves Method) and Tail Flick Test in 1 for Mice and Rats

Features

Description

 Details

The IITC Plantar Test Analgesia Meter for paw stimulation can be used on 12 mice, 6 rats and other animals (cats, rabbits) unrestrained when testing for narcotic drugs. Experiments are easy to perform, simply slide the test head under test subject, align the heat source via our exclusive guide light (idle state) by the attached, adjustable, angled mirror on test head to test subject and perform tests.

Start, stop and reset of tests is done by either the push button on test head, front panel controls or supplied footswitch.

With our exclusive “idle state” of the heat source one is assured of exact placement of the heat source. Tests are performed on the plantar surface by a focused, radiant heat light source. The light beam is focused to the top of the glass and creates a 4X6mm intense spot on the paw.

Our method of visible light is superior to the infrared light method, since a user will not always know exactly where/when the test will start, causing false starts and conditioning of animals. A built-in timer displays reaction time in .01 second increments.

The height of the glass is adjustable allowing the focal point of the light to be adjusted to stimulate other body parts if needed. A Humane cutoff timer is standard. The unit can be preset for a cutoff period, at the end of which the heat source shuts off automatically if the animal has not responded, avoiding tissue damage. Our test head does not emit , clicking or whining noises that cause preconditioning of animals prior to test as with other systems on the market.

Our exclusive heated glass option eliminates the glass acting as a heat sink. This feature will eliminate the reaction time of the animals to be altered due to the fact that they are placed on cold glass allowing the possibility of delayed response time to the applied heat source. Built-in heating elements in the glass which are digitally controlled for consistent temperatures. Temperature readout and adjustment from 30-40 degrees c. for the heated base is controlled on the heated base.

Tail Temperature Option

Animal enclosure

Three individual, acrylic animal enclosures are supplied. Each enclosure allows for 2 rats/4 mice allowing testing of up to 6 rats/12mice total. Enclsoures have strong magnets to prevent animals from possible escape., individual lids, clear dividers in-between test subjects.

Tail Flick Test mode – the test head is attached to the electronic gear and the heat source now sits over a tail groove that has a sensor that detects the when the animal flicks it tail. System records and displays time and temperature of test. A humane cutoff timer that can be set by user, preventing tail tissue damage if test subject has not reacted within preset time.

TAIL TEMPERATURE OPTION (T)
Measurement of tail temperature at all times.

Trigger temperature is automatic at the start of every 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 start of each 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 animals be restrained with one of the IITC restrainers.

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).

Specs

Articles

Software

The IITC Series 8 software is available for each Series 8 unit. The individual software will capture data in real-time from one of the units and can be exported into Excel or other spreadsheet programs.

Data supplied:
Test
Animal number
Date
Time
Duration
Temperature
Starting temperature
Stop temperature
Set point temperature
Active intensity
Idle intensity
Cut off time
Reaction time
Top end speed
Distance

The data supplied will depend on which Series 8 equipment is used with the corresponding software.

FAQ's

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.

Analgesia Section – Plantar Test Systems and Combination Tail Flick/Plantar Test

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.

Analgesia Section – Plantar Test and Combination Plantar/Tail Flick Analgesia Meter – each question

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