Implants for large animals

easyTEL+ is a fully implantable digital system, that transmits physiological data from conscious freely moving laboratory animals. It can be remotely managed and configured.
Intended for use in preclinical research (primarily toxicology, pharmacology and safety pharmacology studies) and biodefense, the easyTEL+ implants are ideal for large animals > 1 kg such as rabbits, swine, dogs or primates.
Various models offer the ability to continuously record:
- Biopotential (ECG, EEG, EMG, EOG)*
- Blood pressure (Arterial and/or Left Ventricular Pressure)
- Respiratory rate**
- Temperature
- Acceleration from 3-axis accelerometer (activity)
*Electrocardiogram (ECG), electroencephalogram (EEG), electromyography (EMG), electrooculography (EOG)
**Derived from pleural or blood pressure or diaphragmatic EMG
Benefits
Customizable & remote control
Clean data
Simple design & cost effective
Description
Customizable
easyTEL+ implanted telemetry is a customizable system, easy to implement and to manage, offering continuous reliable data recording during up to 330 days.
A variety of physiological signals, including biopotentials, blood pressure, respiratory rate, temperature, and postural activity data can be recorded, depending on the implant model.
L size implants are larger and offer a higher battery life, while M2 size implants were designed with toxicology studies in mind. Lighter and smaller, with 2F or 4.5F pressure catheters, M2 implants are intended for subcutaneous placement in small primates or other large animal models used in toxicology.
Optional synchronized signals, including video and non-invasive endpoints, can be combined with easyTEL+ system (see configuration & extension section).
Clean data
Up to 32 animals can be group-housed in the same room or cage, with no cross talk. Group-housing advantages include reduced stress and subject socialization, helping with the 3R’s* of research.
Quality of Signal (QoS) is available as its own signal, continuously monitoring the connection quality between the implant and the acquisition PC, and quickly detecting any change in the radiofrequency environment. QoS can be used to automatically differentiate between true events and data loss to avoid incorrect analysis (i.e. long RR intervals).
Solid-tip electrodes are available, providing an intravascular ECG with a better signal to noise ratio compared to subcutaneous placement, while avoiding the thoracotomy required in an epicardial surgery.
*Replacement, reduction, refinement
Remote control
- Easily control implant state (on/off) without subject interaction.
- Use default settings or wirelessly customize sampling rate, resolution, power, transmission frequency, etc. before and after implantation.
Simple design and cost effective
easyTEL+ system design is compact, with a direct receiver-computer link, and easy to use, with no external antenna and a collar on Left Ventricular Catheter, for an easier implantation.
Implants are priced for a single use, eliminating the need for refurbishment and associated logistics (implants can be re-implanted as long as battery lasts).
Techniques & measurement
Physiological measurements are captured by a transmitter surgically implanted and wirelessly transmitted to a receiver within 3 to 5 meters distance.
With emka digital telemetry, the signal is already digitized by the transmitter. Therefore, when received by the telemetry receiver, it can be directly sent to the acquisition computer, via Ethernet.
Wireless technology is ideal to reliably transfer high volumes of data from a freely moving animal. Advantages associated with this technique are well known: Longer and better-quality data obtained from less stressed subjects, allowing compliance with 3Rs principles*.
Wireless implanted telemetry provides the unique ability to look into long-term physiological trends, as well as rare or isolated physiological events (arrhythmias, seizures, etc.).
*Replacement, reduction, refinement
Configuration & extensions
A typical setup includes implants, receivers, an ethernet switch and an acquisition comptuer. A single ethernet cable provides power and data transmission between the receiver and PC.
Optional synchronized signals include video and non-invasive endpoints.
easyTEL+ can be combined with the non-invasive emkaPACK4G system, on the same platform.
It can be beneficial when lung volumes need to be recorded.
Software acquisition & analysis
easyTEL system runs with IOX2 software for signal acquisition and real time analysis.
ecgAUTO serves as a single analysis platform with à la carte modules to meet your unique analysis needs. Cardiovascular, neurological, and respiratory analysis utilize custom parameters and protocols to produce comprehensive data reports. Additional, advanced modules are available for interval analysis, arrhythmia and seizure detection, heart rate variability, and more.
Technical specifications
L size implants are larger and offer a higher battery life while M2 size implants are smaller, to be used for toxicology studies.
easyTEL | Biopotential | Pressure | Temperature | Activity | Battery life* (days) |
Volume (cc) |
Animal weight |
+L-TA | 1 | 1 | 330 | 27.5 | >1kg | ||
+L-PTA | 1 | 1 | 1 | 220 | 27.5 | >1kg | |
+L-ETA | 1 | 1 | 1 | 175 | 27.5 | >1kg | |
+L-EPTA | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 130 | 27.5 | >1kg |
+L-EPPTA | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 95 | 27.5 | >1kg |
+L-EEPTA | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 100 | 27.5 | >1kg |
+L-EEPPTA | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 70 | 27.5 | >1kg |
+L-EEEETA | 4 | 1 | 1 | 125 |
27.5 | >1kg | |
+M2-TA | 1 | 1 | 175 | 12 | >1kg | ||
+M2-PTA | 1 | 1 | 1 | 110 | 12 | >1kg | |
+M2-ETA | 1 | 1 | 1 | 85 | 12 | >1kg | |
+M2-EPTA | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 65 | 12 | >1kg |
*Battery life refers to days of continuous recording and is given for a data rate set to “high” and for standard sampling frequencies: Biop.: 500Hz, except EEEETA @ 250Hz; Pressure 1: 250Hz; Pressure 2: 500Hz. |
Applications
And many more!
Related publications
Strategies to encourage the adoption of social housing during cardiovascular telemetry recordings in non-rodents
Helen Prior et al. Journal of Pharmacological and Toxicological Methods. 2021
A Proof-of-Concept Evaluation of JTPc and Tp-Tec as Proarrhythmia Biomarkers in Preclinical Species: A Retrospective Analysis by an HESI-Sponsored Consortium
Emmanuel Boulay et al, International Journal of Toxicology 2019
Telemetered Left-Ventricular Pressure in Yucatan Mini-Pigs: Chronic Evaluation in a Novel Genetic Model of Non-Obstructed Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Beth Geist et al, poster presented at the Safety Pharmacology Society, 2018
Radio-Telemetric Assessment of Cardiac Variables and Locomotion With Experimentally Induced Hypermagnesemia in Horses Using Chronically Implanted Catheters
Stephen A. Schumacher et al, Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 2019
Evaluation of Respiratory Rate Measurements Derived from Blood Pressure Waveforms in Telemetered Dogs
Hai-Ming Tang et al, Poster presented at the Safety Pharmacology Society 2018
Development of A Large Animal Model for Combined Seizure and Cardiovascular Liability Assessment
Nataliya Sadekova et al, Poster from Charles River, SPS annual meeting 2019