Habitest - Response Sensors, Video Cameras, Accessories
OTHER RESPONSE SENSORS
H24-05 : Contact Sensor
H24-61: Infrared Activity Monitor (Ceiling Mount)
H24-61-MC : Mouse Cage Ceiling Kit for Infrared Activity Monitor
H25-01 : Ceiling Chain
H25-06 : Universal Ceiling Mount Bump Rod
VIDEO CAMERAS
H27-01M : Video Camera Module – Mouse
H27-01R: Video Camera Module – Rat
H27-02 : Ceiling Mount Camera
H27-91M : Optional IR Illuminator – Mouse
H27-91R : Optional IR Illuminator – Rat
ACCESSORY MODULES
H21-01 : Hand (Shaping) Switch
H21-02M : Experimenter's Manual Switch Module – Mouse
H21-02R : Experimenter's Manual Switch Module – Rat
H29-01 : Balance Arm for All Cages And Hubs
H29-05M : Fan Module – Mouse
H29-05R : Fan Module – Rat
The Contact Sensor is an electronic switch that senses the passage of a very low current through the subject. The current level is less than 5 microamps and is well below sensation threshold. The standard response connector on the unit connects to any switch input on the ECB just as do levers, photo cell sensors, pecking keys, etc.
The sensing leads may be connected to any two conducting parts of the environment. When the subject touches both, completing the circuit, the switch reports the response. This device may used to sense animal contact with novel stimulus devices mounted on a module panel.
Note: The contact sensor is not the optimal method for sensing contact with a drink tube. A photocell sensor with the Optical Lickometer (H24-01M or H24-01R) is recommended. When the subject makes contact with the lick tube, a meniscus bridge is formed between the tube and the subject. The contact sensor will detect a single "lick". The Optical Lickometer will detect the movement of the subject's tongue providing a record of the number of licks. The Optical Lickometer also eliminates the problem of disengaging the Contact Sensor in a Vogel Procedure. Since there is no electrical contact between the photo cells and the lick tube, shock can be delivered directly through the lick tube.
H24-61: Infrared Activity Monitor (Ceiling Mount)
H24-61-MC : Mouse Cage Ceiling Kit for Infrared Activity Monitor
This monitor mounts on the top of standard test cages and hubs. It mounts in the standard ceiling hole array on the tops of these arenas. An optional suspended ceiling kit is available (H24-61-MC – see picture) for the Mouse Test Cage to lower the sensor for increased sensitivity. The kit consists of a false ceiling plate to hold the H24-61 and 4 blank module plates with pins to support it. The plates, like any module, may be mounted at various elevations.
The wide field of view will detect animals while rearing or leaning on a wall. It can see both rats and mice in this posture and senses movement at any elevation in the cage. For flexibility in defining the response for program control and data acquisition purposes, a selector switch permits the user to choose either of two output modes. You may choose movement units (brief pulses representing the minimum resolution of detection), or movement episodes (a continuous output for the entire duration that movement units occur with inter-event intervals of less than 400 milliseconds).
The dual element, differential detector senses the emitted infrared body-heat (13 µM) of the subject through an array of lens facets which create a field of multiple images on the two detector elements. Any relative change in the energy falling on the elements is defined as a movement unit and results in a 10 ms pulsed switch closure output in the “unit” mode).
This design gives excellent sensitivity, linearity, and inter-unit consistency, because a variable pulse rate (where each pulse represents a uniformly defined movement unit) produces the magnitude measurement (pulses per unit of time). The Vivak in the cage walls is opaque to 13 mM radiation. Therefore, interference from outside moving heat sources (eg experimenter) is not a problem. All electronics are on board so that the unit connects to a standard “switch connector” of the Environment Connection Boards.
The Ceiling Chain mounts on top of the test cages, the shuttle cages and the hexagon, octagon or dodecagon hubs. It may be used as a simple operant for escape or positive reinforcement.
The climbing response is ideal for escape designs. Hanging on the chain to avoid floor shock is useful in fatigue and motor studies. When the animal pulls or climbs on the chain, the switch closes and reports the response. The chain is corrosion and chew-proof stainless steel and is long enough to reach the floors of cages and hubs.
H25-06 : Universal Ceiling Mount Bump Rod
This unit mounts on the ceiling of the test cages, the shuttle cages and the hexagon, octagon or dodecagon hubs in the same manner as the chain. It reports a response any time the stainless steel rod is moved off plumb in any direction. It comes down to within 1" (2.54cm) of the floor in the test cages and shuttle cages. It may be cut for use in the hubs.
H27-01M : Video Camera Module – Mouse
H27-01R: Video Camera Module – Rat
This is a ceiling-mount version of the H27-01R and -01M above. It mounts on the roof of the cages and hubs using the same holes as the Ceiling Chain, Bump Rod, and IR Activity Monitor. It can see the full floor area and well up the walls in the test cages and the Hexagon Hub; the full floor area in the Octagon Hub, and most of the floor in the Dodecagon Hub. These micro TV cameras work in extremely low light conditions and can even be used in total (visible light) darkness with the optional 880 nM LED illuminators: H27-91M or H27-91R.
H27-91M : Optional IR Illuminator – Mouse
H27-91R : Optional IR Illuminator – Rat
For use with cameras in total darkness
The illuminator is built on the same module panels, using the same circuit board as the Triple Cue Lights, H11-03M and R. When mounted near the top of any bay in either a cage or hub, it will provide sufficient light at 880 nM for a bright picutre. 880 nM light is invisible to animals but not to the CCD in the camera.
H21-01 : Hand (Shaping) Switch
The hand switch is used for experimenter control and hand shaping. It connects to one of the switch inputs on the ECB and has an 7-foot cable so the operator may sit well back from the arena. Use this switch with an H91-16-SPLT-03 Fanout Adapter and plug both the hand switch and the subject's response switch into the fan out adapter to allow either the experimenter's switch or the animal's response to report a closure.
H21-02M : Experimenter's Manual Switch Module – Mouse
H21-02R : Experimenter's Manual Switch Module – Rat
This switch mounts in the bay tracks of any Mouse arena like any Stimulus-Response module but the switch is on the outside of the cage where it may be pressed by the experimenter. It is connected to one of the switch inputs on the ECB. Use this switch when the starting of an experiment must be accomplished as soon as the animal is placed in the arena rather than from the computer.
H29-01 : Balance Arm for All Cages And Hubs
The balance arm mounts on the ceiling of the modular test cage or hubs. They are used to carry electrode leads, catheters, swivels and commutators. The balance weight on the arm may be moved as a counterpoise and locked in place. The mounting holes in the mounting bracket of the balance arm aligns with holes on the ceilings of the test cages and hubs. Two thumbscrews are included with the balance arms for securing the balance arm to the ceiling of the test cage or hub.
H29-05M : Fan Module – Mouse
H29-05R : Fan Module – Rat
The fan module is used to boost air exhaust from any Mouse runway, hub, or cage. It is generally used for olfactory studies to "flush" air from the arena in the vicinity of controlled olfactory stimulus delivery devices or to keep "free flow" olfactory stimuli in multi-arena environments from mixing.