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| Sophisticated Life Science Research Instrumentation |
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TSE MotoRater System
The TSE MotoRater represents a novel and standardized set-up for quantitative and objective evaluation of locomotor functions of the whole animal, not restricted to foot prints like other classic gate analysis systems. The unique modular design of the TSE MotoRater allows to investigate the kinematics of rats and mice during skilled walking on a ladder or beam, overground walking, wading and swimming. Objective, sensitive and specific readouts of locomotor impairments, recovery or improvement can be obtained. Moreover, movements of all relevant body parts, i.e. forelimbs, hindlimbs, trunk and tail can be assessed at the same time, leading to a complete profile of the animal's motor abilities. As a consequence, the TSE MotoRater is an improvement in the standardization of behavioral assessment of rodent locomoter skills by replacing traditional scoring methods. An arrangement of mirrors allows the recording of animals from the left and right side and from below at the same time. A color-based tracking software allows automatic tracking of an unrestricted number of markers, such as knee, toe, hip or iliac crest and other skin overlying anatomical landmarks. Therefore, a variety of behaviorally meaningful parameters can be obtained and are accomplished by detailed biomechanical measurements.
RotaRod Advanced
Motor speed for drum rotation is controlled electronically. Each RotaRod Advanced is supplied complete with a control unit & PC interface. A user-friendly Windows softwareallows you to define, store and run automatically speed profiles with up to 100 steps per profile. Within each step the initial speed, final speed as well as time for linear acceleration/deceleration can be defined according to your choice / requirements. All RotaRod Advanced units are also equipped with a programmable reverse rotation mode. Stored results data is easily transferred to Excel. With its most flexible test protocols (uniqueon the market), performance differences between animals can be detected that cannot be differentiated by other systems. Each lane is controlled by its own timer which is operated independently. Animal falls are detected by light-beam sensors mounted into each lane. Optional floor grids can be equipped with an electric shocker module to optionally apply an electric reinforcement stimulus of variable length and intensity after falling.
Grip Strength Meter
The TSE Grip Strength Meter is a measuring system for determining the gripping strength of a small laboratory animal (rat, mouse). Within the context of neuromuscular investigations this test system can be used to quantify the effects of hormones, toxins, muscle relaxants as well as disease or the aging process on the muscular strength of the animal. In the trial setup the animal pulls a special height-adjustable grip which is mounted on a high-precision force sensor. The standard sensor for mice allows measurement of up to 600 ponds; that for rats up to 2000 ponds. If the animal releases the grip the force exerted is shown on the digital display of a connected control unit. In addition, the analog waveform can be shown on a chart recorder. For maximum convenience the setup can be connected to a PC. The TSE Grip Strength Meter software for Windows allows easy data acquisition. If the animal releases the grip the value is shown on the computer monitor and is simultaneously stored in a format that can be easily imported into Excel for further statistical calculations.
Running Wheel Systems Passive
The TSE family of Running Wheels is used to measure voluntary (spontaneous) activity of the animal in a home cage. The wheel drum is fixed to a base with integrated rotary sensor that detects movement with 90° resolution in both directions. A cage-specific separating panel prevents the rotary sensor from becoming soiled by litter. An optional lid is available to close the wheel if it is intended to be operated outside the home cage. Wheels for voluntary running are available with a stand-alone counter or as computer-controlled systems. In computer-controlled versions the wheels can be equipped with a software-adjustable rotation resistance module for applying different work loads to study motivation or endurance. Wheel running availability can be modified with the brand-new "Enabled/Disabled" function – selectable criteria are time-control and/or distance run. In combination with our new automated behavioral PhenoMaster platform this feature can also be useful as a new measure of reinforcement in operant studies. All automated wheel systems are integrated into the powerful TSE PhenoMaster / LabMaster platform and can therefore be used as part of a multi-dimensional metabolism & behavior testing platform.
Running Wheel Systems Active
TSE Active Wheels are equipped with a motor for forced wheel activity. This can be useful in the context of sleep deprivation studies or in studies of controlled exercise. These running wheels are usually operated outside the home cage and are provided with a removable waste pan underneath. The stainless steel rods have species-specific dimensions. The wheel can be easily removed from the motor base unit for cleaning purposes. TSE Active Wheels are available as stand-alone units or as computer-controlled systems. In the economical stand-alone configuration the wheel is connected to a motor control that allows the stepless adjustment of the motor speed to control the exercise intensity. The current speed can be read from a digital display. The computer-controlled systems are provided with a Windows software that allows the free definition of speed profiles for advanced exercise protocols. In the CaloWheel configuration these wheels allow the performance of calorimetric exercise tests with the calorimetry module of the TSE PhenoMaster / LabMaster platform.
CaloWheel – Calorimetric Exercise Wheel
The CaloWheel system is an automated running wheel for rats or mice suitable for measurements of metabolic parameters during physical activity ("exercise calorimetry"). The wheel is coupled to a motor with adjustable speed control – the selected speed is displayed on a digital readout. For cleaning purposes the wheel can be easily removed from the motor drive. The sealed housing has separate air inlet, air outlet and sample air connections and is coupled to a fully computer-controlled TSE calorimetry setup. The calorimetry module of the TSE PhenoMaster / LabMaster platform features a user-friendly software that controls the experimental procedure and collects the measuring data. Measurement of O2 consumption and CO2 production during exercise allows the automatic calculation of a number of calorimetric parameters such as energy expenditure and respiratory exchange rate. Data is presented graphically and numerically and is available as an export file for statistical evaluation.
Treadmill Systems Advanced
The Treadmill Advanced system is also available in a calorimetric configuration (CaloTreadmill) if metabolic parameters are to be measured in parallel by indirect calorimetry with the calorimetry module of the TSE PhenoMaster / LabMaster platform.
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