Grip Strength Meter (GSM) for Mice and Rats

Name: Grip Strength Meter (GSM) for Mice and Rats
Brand: Ugo Basile
SKU: 47200

Product Code:47200

Category: Motory Coordination

The Grip Strength Meter determines the maximum force displayed by an animal in the forelimb, hind-limb or all four limbs, thanks to the full set of accessories included in the Ugo Basile Grip Strength Meter package.

The technique exploits the instinctive resistance of rodents to backward movements and their consequence tendency to grasp (grip) against the pull-back movement that the operator applies. The device has a self-calibrating and auto-zeroing force sensor, amplifier and peak detector, embedded in stand-alone (battery powered) controller and sturdy base, where grasp accessories are mounted (stainless-steel T-shaped bar, 2 stainless-steel trapeze bars, a plastic grasping grid, a plastic grasping grid partly blind and a stainless-steel orientable grid).

It also includes easy data transfer into .csv, Excel-compatible files and a PC software to pre-determine the slope of the force applied to the animal when pulling back.

Detailed description +-

Background

The grip strength meter determines the maximum force (skeletal muscle function) displayed by an animal thanks to the instinctive resistance of rodents to backward movements and their consequence tendency to grasp (grip) against the pull-back movement that the operator applies. Because of its simplicity and economy, the grip strength meter is the most commonly used in vivo test for monitoring impaired limb strength (fore and/or hind limb) caused by pathology progression and/or chronic exercise in rodents Because this test is non-invasive and does not damage the muscle, it can be performed over time, being a useful tool to assess the effect of either a short or long-term treatment. When the test is performed in a fashion that maintains rigorous timing, the animals do not lose interest in the test over time.

Automated detection, standalone or PC-based

The Ugo Basile grip strength meter can measure the 2 forelimbs, the 2 hindlimbs and the 4 limbs in rats and mice, thanks to the included stainless-steel T-shaped bar, 2 stainless-steel trapeze bars, the plastic grasping grid, the plastic grasping grid partly blind (for 2 limbs) and a stainless-steel orientable grid (see pictures above).
The device automatically stores and displays the peak pull-force (peak tension) achieved by the limbs before the animal loses grip, thanks to its peak detector algorithm.
The PC slope feature is useful to verify if the desired force has been applied with consistent rate, serving as a quality control tool, showing the applied pulling force, the desired target force rate and the peak detection in real time.
A force sensor and a peak amplifier have been integrated for high-precision measurements with a grip strength meter. The maximum applicable force is 1’500g with a resolution of 0.1g.
The device can be used stand-alone or can be connected to a PC via the USB port to monitor the experiment and record the data.
Control unit with internal memory to view and save data. Quick data transfer in .csv or .txt format for data analysis.
There is no need of manual calibration since the instrument has an auto-calibration feature before running any trial.

Features & Benefits +-

Feature	Benefit
Multiple grasping tools	Allows for measurement of 2 fore-, hind-limbs and 4 limbs in rats and mice, according to the animal model and experimenter preference (T-shape, trapeze, grids)
Battery powered compact control unit with intuitive setting and result view	Does not take much space on the bench and is feature rich, while still easy to use
Sturdy base with attached and height-adjustable height	Decreases the experimenter bias of hand-held devices and provides flexibility in the pulling procedure
PC-software with slope for force rate control	Allows the experimenter to apply the force in a pre-determined and consistent manner, live, during the test

Specifications +-

Operation
Commands	Via soft buttons on the electronic unit
Read-out	Multifunction graphic display, PC
Start	Automatic when force applies to the instrument
Stop	Automatic or by pedal
Force ranges	0-100gf, 0-500gf, 0-1500gf
Force increasing rate	Monitored via GSM Electronic Unit or via the DCA Software on the PC
Force response	0.1gf steps
Latency time	0.1s steps
Connection to PC	Via USB cable (A to mini-B) and GSM Software (DCA)
Power requirement	Either rechargeable battery operated, via USB cable connected to PC; includes power supply (100-240 VAC, 50-60Hz)
Operating temperature	10° to 40° C
Physical
Base dimension	26 x 22 x 2,5 cm
Pole height	13 cm
Pole diameter	1,3 cm
Total weight	3.8Kg
Packing Dimensions	46 x 38 x 27 cm
Shipping weight	6,5 Kg
Warranty
Warranty	Grip Strength Meter is covered by a 12 months warranty + 12 months upon product registration
UB-Care	Warranty can be extended for additional 12 or 24 months

Application +-

The test measures grasping force and hence skeletal muscle performance, however it is a flexible tool for many other purposes, for example for determination of fatigue: when repetitive tests are performed in sequence with a short latency between each test, the reduction in strength between the first and the last determination can be taken as an index of fatigue.

The classic use of the grip strength meter is hind or whole limb strength measurement.

The hind limb strength is generally measured with a grid and the animal grasps with the four limbs, but it is pulled until the hind limb are released, which happens after the fore-limbs.

To measure the four limbs, generally it is important to apply a stronger and faster rate so that all the limbs are released at the same time.

Applications range from drug testing to toxicology, ageing, and phenotyping, especially on models of Parkinson’s, inflammation, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) on both rats and mice.

Ordering informations +-

47200 GSM Grip Strength Meter
47200-001	Electronic Unit
47200-002	Force Transducer
47200-004	Black PVC Base width 13mm upright
M-LM 590	Trapeze (Rat)
M-LM 588	Trapeze (Mouse)
M-LM 589	T-shaped bar
47200-325	Grasping grid for mouse
47200-326	Grasping grid (partly blind)
47200-328	Metal grasping grid
38500-303	External trigger switch (foot pedal)
E-AU 101	USB Key, including DCA Software