Ugo Basile Thermal Plantar Analgesia Instrument

Product Code: 160

Measures paw sensitivity to heat stimulation

Determination of acute nociceptive thermal threshold in laboratory animals has primarily relied upon the tail flick and hot plate methods. Although both methods are used frequently in pharmacological studies, they are not without limitation. In addition, neither method has been extended to investigating behavioural responses to hyperalgesia.

The Plantar Test represents a remarkable advance in methodology, as it combines the best features of all other methods of measuring pain sensitivity. Unique to the Plantar Test, the animal is unrestrained and unhandled during experiments.

The Ugo Basile Plantar Analgesia Instrument is an advance in methodology for assessing pain sensitivity in laboratory animals.

The instrument comes complete with the sliding infrared source; a glass platform; multiple configuration animal enclosure; a controller, and a manual. The Multiple Configuration Animal Enclosure is appropriate for Mice and Rats and provides maximum flexibility.

The Instrument basically consists of:

A Movable I.R. (infra-red) Source

A Glass Pane onto which the Rat Enclosure is located

A Controller

A 3-compartment enclosure for rat or, in alternative a 6-compartment enclosure, convenient for the mouse

After the acclimation period, the I.R. source placed under the glass floor (see the picture) is positioned by the operator directly beneath the hind paw. A trial is commenced by depressing a key. When the rat feels pain and withdraws its paw, the I.R. source switches off and the reaction time counter stops. The withdrawal latency to the nearest 0.1 s is automati-cally determined.

The Thermal Plantar Test Instrument (Hargreave’s Method) measures response to infrared heat stimulus. Focus the infrared source below the Plantar surface and with the press of a button … latency to paw withdrawal and infrared intensity are recorded automatically (i.e. no manual scoring!). The Plantar Test represents a remarkable advance in methodology, as it combines the best features of all other methods of measuring pain sensitivity. Unique to the Plantar Test, the animal is unrestrained and unhandled during experiments.

DATA AQUISITION

This model has a microprocessor controlled unit. The experimental data, stored in its internal memory can be directly exported to the PC USB or serial ports.

Communication is managed by the dedicated CUB Data Acquisition Software Package, included as standard or by the Win-DAS Software.

The CUB Windows®-based Software Package enables the user to route the experimental data to the PC and store them into individual files, to be managed by most statistical analysis packages available on the market.

The model is provided with a memory key, to record all the experimental data of one or more sessions and to program the experiment layouts from a remote PC.

CALIBRATION RADIOMETER

Each Plantar Test Unit is accurately calibrated via an Heat-Flow I.R. Radiometer.

The end user should consider this extremely useful accessory, which enables the experimenter to:

Make sure that two or more units deliver thermal nocicep-tive stimuli (expressed in mW per square cm) of exactly the same intensity.

Know the I.R. energy (1 mW for the duration of 1s corresponds to 1 mJ) in absolute terms

Automatic measurement of hyperalgesia to thermal stimulation in unrestrained animals.

Computer compatibility: direct connection to a PC, via the dedicated software included as standard

PC Interface: USB and serial

Read-out: multifunction liquid-crystal graphic-display

Data Portability: via the Memory-Key provided with the standard package

Print-out: by optional thermal mini-printer

Universal Mains 85-264 VAC, 50-60Hz

Automatic detection of the behavioural end point

Validity unaffected by repeated testing

Greater bioassay sensitivity than other thermal or mechanical tests

Each animal can serve as its own control

Starting: via keys on the I.R. Vessel.

I.R. Intensity: adjustable in the interval 10-99 (in one digit steps)

Reaction Time: three-digit LED display, 0.1s steps

Calibration: via I.R. Radiometer

Related Products

ITEM DESCRIPTION

55370 Ugo Basile Thermal Plantar, Rats & Mice

57390 Ugo Basile Radiometer

57823 Multiple Configuration Animal Enclosure (12 Animals)

57102 Durham Animal Restrainers, Set of 2, 1 medium and 1 large

57390 Heat-Flux Radiometer

Physical

Dimensions (assembled) 85 x 40 x 35 cm

Weight 13.00 Kg

Shipping Weight 27.50 Kg approx.

ITEM DESCRIPTION

57102 Durham Animal Restrainers, Set of 2

Durham Animal Restrainers

The Durham Animal Holders are animal holders for trigeminal stimulation, the newest accessory for use with the Plantar Test and Dynamic Plantar Aesthesiometer.

Innovative Design and Material

The Ugo Basile Durham Holders are designed to hold an animal comfortably and effectively. They are made of proprietary polymer with a deep red color which minimizes animal distress.

The holders are available in two sizes; the small holder accommodates animals weighing 175g to 250g, whereas the larger holder accommodates animals weighing 225g to over 400g.

In practice, the rat crawls into the holder and the vertical plate ensures that the animal stays in place. The position of the removable back panel insert can be adjusted, which allows the animal to be securely held in place, without overcrowding.

Access Panels

There are two different windows through which the stimulus may be presented:

Submandibular Access Panel

The opening under the chin is a perfectly sized rectanglar aperture just below the animal’s chin. It allows the IR or mechanical stimulus to be aimed precisely and to stimulate the area innervated by the mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve. The aperture is large enough that both right and/or left side may be stimulated individually.

Plantar Access Panel

The holder allows the animal to be positioned such that classic Plantar Tests can be employed for stimulation of the hindpaw.