Plantar Test for Thermal Stimulation - Hargreaves Apparatus

Product Code:37570

Measures paw withdrawal latency in unrestrained and unhandled rodents during experiments, in response to an infrared heat stimulus. For studying pain sensitization and thermal pain response recovery.

Automatic detection of paw withdrawal for accuracy.

Detailed description +-

Background

In 1988 K. Hargreaves et al. showed paw withdrawal latency in rodents by thermally stimulating the paws through a transparent glass pane.
This method has significantly enhanced pain behavioral testing possibilities.
First made available to the scientific community worldwide by Ugo Basile, which started producing the Plantar Test device for mice and rats.
The Plantar test is performed through a very simple procedure, during which a rodent hind paw is stimulated with a radiant heat, through a glass pane, using the plantar paw as surface to be irradiated.

Automatic detection for accuracy

Automatic detection of paw withdrawal for accurate data. No mistakes. No visual score needed.
User-defined amount and duration of thermal energy.
Manual scoring option (useful if animal motor response is unusual or difficult to score).
Automatically records the time (latency) paw is withdrawn after the thermal beam is applied to the freely moving animal.
Easy touch screen controls for complete management of settings, testing, viewing results and saving data.
Supplied as a complete kit for rat or mouse tests containing:
- A movable I.R. (infrared) generator with embedded paw withdrawal detector
- A glass pane for placement above the IR source
- Modular animal enclosures (positioned above the glass pane) for holding up to 6 rats or 12 mice.
Proprietary to our model is a specific filter, cutting off the visible part of the light spectrum, which would disturb the animal on test and provide an unwanted clue.
A feedback circuit detects false starts.
Easy transfer of data from USB key. Export data as csv format for further analysis in Excel and other programs.

Features & Benefits +-

Features	Benefits
Automatic or manual detection of paw withdrawal	No visual score needed! No mistakes, precise measurement
Touch screen controlling all functions and result viewing	Intuitive user interface, new functions, faster use compared to button-based displays
Export Software included	Direct export from the electronic unit into USB pen of CSV files
Adjustabl energy intensity	1-99 scale, for ensuring a broad range from light to intense stimulation
Modular Animal Enclosure	from 3 to 12 spaces, conveniently designed to restrain up to 12 mice or 6 rats
Optional I.R. Flux Radiometer for calibration	to guarantee the same emission in different machines, and after years of use
0.1s sensitivity for paw withdrawal latency	Avoid operator variability and bias through a fully automated system

Specifications +-

General
Command input and readout	via 4.3" touch-screen
Power requirements	Universal input 100-240 VAC, 50-60Hz, 50W
Data Portability	via USB flash drive provided
Calibration	via appropriate I.R. Radiometer (not included)
Operating Temperature	10° to 40° C, 5% to 95% RH (non-condensing)
Sound Level	<54dB
Operation
I.R. Intensity	Adjustable in the interval 01-99 (in one digit steps)
Latency Time	0.1s steps
Cut off function	From 5 to 30 seconds
Measurement mode	Manual or Automatic
Start experiment	By start icon, push button or TTL input
Stop experiment	By start icon, push button, cut-off, or TTL input
Data export	.csv format, from USB key
TTL I/O	Input and output TTL signal
Physical
Dimensions	135 (w) x 40 (d) x 50 (h) cm (required space on the table)
Weight	11.0Kg
Packing dimensions	98x49x47cm
Shipping Weight	14Kg approx.
Warranty
Warranty	37570 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

Application +-

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.

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

In addition, unilateral/contralateral experimental designs are possible by the single stimulation of individual paw (injured or not)

Ordering informations +-

37570 Plantar Test
37570-001	Plantar Test Controller
37570-002	Emitter/Detector Vessel
37000-003	Large Platform
37370-327	4 Supporting column
37000-007	Modular Animal Enclosure
37370-005	Framed Glass Pane
E-WP 008	Main Cable
Optional
37300	Heat-Flux I.R. Radiometer
37370-278	Additional Stimulation Base, complete with glass pane and animal enclosure
37100	Set of 2 Durham Holders for Orofacial Stimulation