Touch sensitivity is traditionally tested with Von Frey filaments, which is a tedious and experimenter-dependent assay.
The Dynamic Plantar Aesthesiometer is a unique system, which fully automates the amount of force applied by an electromagnetic, silent motor exerting from 0 to 100 grams at a rate adjustable from 0 to 50 seconds.
When the animal responds, by withdrawing its paw, the device automatically scores the time and the force at which the response occurred and the data can be stored or exported in CSV format.
One model for Mice or Rats in modular enclosures (up to 6 rats or 12 mice)
The Ugo Basile system comes complete with:
Additional features include:
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
|
Fully automated force and force rate application |
Higher throughput and improved accuracy |
|
Automated scoring of paw withdrawal |
Higher throughput and improved accuracy, thanks to decrease in experimenter bias |
|
Large force range (0,5-100 grams) |
Flexibility for performing many types of experiments from severe allodynia to hyperalgesia |
|
Touch force and touch pause can be adjusted |
The way the probe approaches the paw can be changed, depending on paw sensitivity |
|
Touch screen and multiple data output (internal storage and CSV export) |
Data can be quickly saved in the electronic unit or on the USB stick for CSV export and further analysis |
|
Optional manual scoring of paw withdrawal |
Allows for scoring animals which present an unusual position of the paw, and do require the experimenter to visually score |
|
Painted metal grid and modular animal cages |
Works with rats and mice in high throughput (6 rats and 12 mice at the time) |
| General | |
|---|---|
| Read out and commands |
4,3 inches touch-screen (Resistive) |
| Power Requirements | Universal input 100-240 VAC, 50-60 Hz, 30W |
| Sound Level | Negligible |
| Operating Temperature |
10°C to 40°C; 5% to 95% RH (non-condensing) |
|
Operation | |
| Force Range |
0.5 to 100 grams, in 0.1g steps |
| Force Increasing Rate (ramp) | Adjustable in the interval 0 to 50 seconds, in 1 s steps |
| Latency Time | Display in 0.1s steps |
|
Measurement Mode |
Automatic/Manual |
|
Start Experiment |
By Start button, push buttons or TTL input |
| Stop experiment |
By Stop button, push buttons, cut-off or TTL input |
| Data input | Experiment protocol |
|
Data export |
.csv format |
| TTL/IO | Start/Stop, Detection Mode, Force level |
| Calibration | Calibration Weights (5g, 50g, 100g) |
|
Physical | |
| Total Weight | 10Kg |
| Shipping Weight | 13Kg |
| Dimensions (all parts) | 135 (w) x 40 (d) x 50 (h) cm (required space on table; all parts) |
| Packing Dimensions | 98x49x47 cm |
|
Physical animal enclosure setup (internal dimensions) | |
| Mouse | 96mm x 96mm x 140mm (h) (max 12 animals) |
| Rat | 96mm x 196 mm x 140mm (h) (max 6 animals) |
| Fat Rat | 196mm x 196 mm x 140mm (h) (max 3 animals) |
|
Warranty | |
| Warranty | Dynamic Plantar Aesthesiometer is covered by a 12-month warranty + 12 after product registration. |
| UB-Care | Additional UB-Care can be added for other 12 or 24 months |
The Dynamic Plantar Aesthesiometer has been used in a variety of applications in nerve injury, from partial sciatic nerve ligation (PNL, to chronic constrinction injury (CCI) and spinal nerve ligation (SNL) to screen phenotypes and drugs to treat allodynia and hyperalgesia.
The main advantages of the Dynamic Plantar Aesthesiometer over the Von Frey Hairs, Semmes-Weinstein set of monofilaments and the Electronic Von Frey systems (hand-held) are:
Altogether this brings about a high reproducibility, sensitivity and accuracy which no other mechanical stimulation application can provide. The sensitivity is by far the result of the fact that the force application does not rely on hand movement.
Moreover, the Dynamic Plantar Aesthesiometer, differently than Von Frey filaments, provide a linear and not logarithmic scale of stimulation.
| 37550 Dynamic Plantar Aesthesiometer - What's in the box? | |
|---|---|
| 37550-001 | Electronic Unit for Dynamic Plantar Aesthesiometer |
| 37550-002 | Touch Stimulator, complete with filament actuator, adjustable angled-mirror and accessories in plastic case 37550-321 |
| 37000-003 | Large Base Platform for Plantar Test & Dynamic Plantar Aesthesiometer, without supporting columns |
| 37400-327 | Supporting Column for Dynamic Plantar Aesthesiometer, 20.3cm h (4 pieces each 37550) |
| 37000-007 | Modular Configuration Animal Enclosure, from 3 to 12 spaces |
| 37450-005 | Large Perforated Metal Sheet for Dynamic Plantar Aesthesiometer |
| 37550-321 |
Spare Plastic Case lodging 2 Stainless-Steel Filaments, 3 Calibration Weights (6g, 51g and 101g) and 2 hex. wrenches, for 37550 |
| E-AU 101 | Memory Key, including the user manual and Xpad software |
| Optional | |
| 37450-278 | Base assembly for plantar stimulation, including support with columns, perforated platform and multiple-configuration animal-enclosure, from 3 to 12 spaces. |
| 37100 | Set of two Rat Holders (one medium size, one large size) for use with Plantar Test and Dynamic Plantar Aesthesiometer |
| 37102 | Rat Holder, medium size, for use with Plantar Test and Dynamic Plantar Aesthesiometer |
| 37103 | Rat Holder, large size, for use with Plantar Test and Dynamic Plantar Aesthesiometer |
| 37550-330 | Dynamic Plantar filament assembly diameter 0.3 mm |
| 37550-340 | Dynamic Plantar filament assembly diameter 0.4 mm |
| 37550-UBC12 | UB Care 12 Additional hardware warranty extension 12 months for DPA (Valid for SKU 37550) |
| 37550-UBC24 | UB Care 12 Additional hardware warranty extension 24 months for DPA (Valid for SKU 37550) |
Kang, D. et al. (2025), “Regulation of senescence-associated secretory phenotypes in osteoarthritis by cytosolic UDP-GlcNAc retention and O-GlcNAcylation”, Nature Communications
Amodeo, G. et al. (2024), “Neuroinflammation in osteoarthritis: From pain to mood disorders”, Biochemical Pharmacology
Malley, K. M. et al. (2024), “Neural mechanisms responsible for vagus nerve stimulation-dependent enhancement of somatosensory recovery”, Scientific Reports (Nature)
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Adcock, K. S. et al. (2022), Vagus nerve stimulation does not improve recovery of forelimb motor or somatosensory function in a model of neuropathic pain, Nature
Rullo, L. et al. (2021), Nociceptive behavior and central neuropeptidergic dysregulations in male and female mice of a Fabry disease animal model, Elsevier
Du, H. et al. (2019), Identification of the Genome-wide Expression Patterns of Long Non-coding RNAs and mRNAs in Mice with Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Neuropathic Pain, Elsevier
Mitrić, M. et al. (2019), Layer- and subregion-specific electrophysiological and morphological changes of the medial prefrontal cortex in a mouse model of neuropathic pain, Nature
Jokinen, V. et al. (2018), Differential Spinal and Supraspinal Activation of Glia in a Rat Model of M*rphine Tolerance, Elsevier
In addition to the one-year Regular Warranty and in addition to the one-year product registration extended warranty, Ugo Basile offers an Optional Extended Warranty that extends the warranty period for the product for additional one or two years called “UB Care12”/“UB Care24”. Customers may purchase the “UB Care” at the maximum of 3 months after buying. For more detailed information, please contact your local representatives.
Thermal Conditioned Cabinet is an essential accessory for your TGR setup. It ensures optimal and stable environmental temperature from 0° up to 70° C (32° up to 158°F), improving test reliability and operator comfort. It holds up to two TGR units and provides insulation from light and noise, with built-in air suction and full connectivity to ANY-maze.
Thermal Conditioned Cabinet is an essential accessory for your TGR setup. It ensures optimal and stable environmental temperature from 0° up to 70° C (32° up to 158°F), improving test reliability and operator comfort. It holds up to two TGR units and provides insulation from light and noise, with built-in air suction and full connectivity to ANY-maze.
