rodentPACK, head mounted system for rat
rodentPACK is a digital telemetry system that can acquire up to 4 biopotentials and activity from conscious, freely moving small subjects.
This cost-effective solution is customizable for either a non-invasive or implantable design.
rodentPACK is particularly recommended for neurological applications, safety pharmacology and toxicology studies, and drug development.
In an interview, Dr. Poulsen from the Neurosurgery Department, in the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo, said “The combination of EEG, acceleration, and video is a huge upside to the emka system.” His research focuses on post-traumatic epilepsy and induced seizures as a result of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Read the complete interview here.
Benefits
1
Low noise signal
2
Simple design & cost-effective
3
Customizable
Description
This wireless digital telemetry system for rodents 50g or more, acquires up to 4 biopotentials (EEG, EMG, ECG, EOG*), and postural activity data in freely moving single or group housed subjects. Transmitters can be secured to the subject via an implanted head connector or non-invasive backpack option.
*Electroencephalogram (EEG), electromyography (EMG), electrocardiogram (ECG), electrooculogram (EOG).
Customizable
rodentPACK features include:
- Synchronized video
- MRI options (MR Conditional*)
- Customized electrode designs
- Remote transmitter state (on/standby) control, without subject interaction
- Customize sampling rate, resolution, power, transmission frequency, etc.
* Has been demonstrated to pose no known hazards in a specified MRI environment with specified conditions of use. Additional conditions, including specific configurations of the rodentPACK, may be required.
Low noise
With our customized electrodes and shorter lead length, researchers can experience increased signal-to-noise ratio providing cleaner data for analysis. Wireless telemetry eliminates the need for external grounding and significantly increases signal quality.
Simple design and cost-effective
Transmitters are reusable across subjects, cohorts, and studies, reducing total system cost. Batteries permit up to 6+ days of continuous acquisition and can be replaced at minimal cost without explantation, eliminating the need for refurbishment.
Technique & measurements
rodentPACK removable transmitters are attached to a head connector or housed in a jacket during recording sessions, while physiological signals are radio-transmitted to a receiver.
For EEG acquisition, a head connector is permanently implanted in the skull. This connector is the interface between the electrodes inside the brain and the rodentPACK transmitter, outside the body. The same transmitter is usable on any subject equipped with a connector.
For other signals, the transmitter can also be fixed to the skull connector (with implanted electrodes) or can be worn in a jacket (with external electrodes).
Digital telemetry receivers are positioned in the animals’ room, within 3 to 5 meters distance from their associated transmitters.
System configuration & extensions
The whole system is compact, as a single receiver can communicate with up to 4 transmitters. Receivers are powered and transmit data through a single Ethernet cable.
This system can be used in combination with easyTEL+ implants to monitor blood pressure (arterial and LVP) as well as temperature.
Technical specifications
- 150 hours of continuous recording with same batteries
- Up to 32 rats in the same room with no required shielding
- rodentPACK transmitter weight: 5.2g
- Up to 8 physiological signals per subjects
- Transmission range: 5 m
Data acquisition
Data are acquired by IOX2 software. Its video module allows video recording, synchronized to biological signal, to facilitate behavioral observations without the confounding effects of investigator interaction.
Single analysis platform
ecgAUTO serves as a single analysis platform with à la carte modules to meet your unique analysis needs. Neurological, cardiovascular, and respiratory analysis utilize custom parameters and protocols to produce comprehensive data reports. Additional, advanced modules are available for automated seizure detection, sleep scoring, power spectral analysis, ECG interval analysis, arrhythmia detection, heart rate variability, and more.
Protocol example
McGuire, M. J., Gertz, S. M., McCutcheon, J. D., Richardson, C. R., Poulsen, D. J. Use of a Wireless Video-EEG System to Monitor Epileptiform Discharges Following Lateral Fluid-Percussion Induced Traumatic Brain Injury. J. Vis. Exp. (148), e59637, doi:10.3791/59637 (2019).
Dr Poulsen’s interview
Dr. Poulsen works in the Neurosurgery Department, in the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo.
Their research focuses on the post-traumatic epilepsy and induced seizures as a result of traumatic brain injury (TBI).
He has been involved in the JoVE publication and he kindly shared his thoughts about his research with us.
Applications
But also Medical countermeasures, Neuromodulation and more.
Related publications
Use of a Wireless Video-EEG System to Monitor Epileptiform Discharges Following Lateral Fluid-Percussion Induced Traumatic Brain Injury
McGuire, M.J.et al, J. Vis. Exp. (148), 2019
Head mounted telemetry system for seizures monitoring and sleep scoring on non-human primate
J S Vuong et al, J Neurosci Methods . 2020 Aug
New insights from 22-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations to characterize fear responses: relationship with respiration and brain oscillatory dynamics
Dupin et al, eNeuro, 2019
Assessment of seizure activity in the telemetered dog: a new procedure using the rodentpack system
Poster presented by Posolt at the Society Of Toxicology meeting, 2017
Aroma of Eucommia leaf extract (ELE) causes reduced locomotor activity and increased NREM sleep, acting like the partially related factors of oral ELE’s effects with locomotor-activity-dependent-increase in NREM- and REM-sleep
Shouhei Miyazaki et al, 2017
Telemetry Physical Activity Monitoring in Minipig’s Model of Huntington’s Disease
M. Pokorný et al, Cesk Slov Ne urol, 2015
