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cardiorespiratory studies in rodents

iox2, data acquisition and analysis software from emka TECHNOLOGIES, is fully compatible with implantable telemetry from DSI^TM. Signals from the implants flow seamlessly into iox2.

This compatibility opens up several data acquisition possibilities.

For pulmonary studies, resistance and compliance measurements can be made in conscious restrained rat or mice, with the pressure signal coming from DSI^TM implants and the flow signal from emka TECHNOLOGIES' head-out plethysmograph.

The study of cardiorespiratory function in rodents is another option. In this case, pulmonary, blood pressure and ecg data are recorded simultaneously by combining DSI^TM implants with a whole-body plethysmograph setup from emka TECHNOLOGIES. Such a setup is discussed below for rats.

The differential pressure transducer (model dpt) measures the pressure difference between the reference and subject chambers of the rat plethysmograph. It produces a signal proportional to the volume breathed in and out by the subject. The transducer is connected to a strain-gauge amplifier board, then to iox2 data acquisition software. The bias-flow pump renews air inside the plethysmograph.

On the telemetry side, the rat is fitted with ecg/pressure implants for chronic long-term measurements (model C50.PXT from DSI^TM). The receiver (model RPC-1 from DSI^TM) is positioned under the plethysmograph. The signal travels along cabling from the receiver to the acquisition card (DSI^TM), via the matrix (DSI^TM).

The interface between iox2 and DSI^TM hardware is provided by OpenART^TM software (DSI^TM) and datalink-dsi software (emka TECHNOLOGIES).

Two acquisition cards are installed inside the computer: one is linked to DSI^TM telemetry equipment, the other receives signals from the plethysmograph. Output from both cards is combined and synchronized into a single file.

Analysis can be performed in iox2 through the use of add-on modules called analyzers. In the above setup, the rf, bp and ecgr analyzers are used.

 

parameters

rf analyzer (respiratory flow)
Inspiratory & expiratory times, peak inspiratory and expiratory flows, expired and inspired volumes, relaxation time, tidal & minute volumes, breathing frequency, end-inspiratory and -expiratory pauses, enhanced pause (Penh)

ecg-r analyzer (ecg rhythm)
r amplitude, rr interval, qrs interval, isoelectric line, st elevation, s average, s area, heart rate

bp analyzer (blood pressure)
systolic and diastolic pressures, amplitude, mean pressure, heart rate.

 

notes

All components are supplied and installed by emka TECHNOLOGIES

Software running under Windows XP® (development for Vista compatibility is ongoing)

A range of rat implants are available from DSI^TM to record other parameters (eeg, emg, temperature, activity and/or pressure).

A setup for mouse measurements is also available (different implants and plethysmograph).

 

Please visit our minisite at pulmonary.emka.fr to find out more about how emka TECHNOLOGIES can help you perform pulmonary studies. The minisite contains further information about our different setups; how to find the right system for your needs; FAQs; literature to download; list of customers and how they are using telemetry; acquired parameters etc.