Telemetry (Small Animals)

Overview:

Traditional tethered systems limit the recording environment when monitoring physiological signals such as blood pressure, ECG, EMG, EEG, EOG and nerve activity in conscious animals. Telemetry is based on wireless technology that allows recording and transfer of information from a remote system. Typically a small wireless transmitting device (transmitter or “telemeter”) is implanted in an animal, or attached to a subject, and it transmits via radio-frequency communication to a receiver unit located elsewhere. This allows the animal or subject to move around freely without being limited by any tethered wires.

 

Method:

ADInstruments provide a range of hardware to facilitate long-term wireless monitoring/recordings in freely moving small laboratory animals ≥ 200g (ideal for rats). Depending on the telemeters (previously known as transmitters) a variety of signals can be recorded including pressure (intravascular or intralumen pressure), biopotentials (ECG, EMG, EOG or EEG signals) and sympathetic nerve activity (SNA).

ADInstruments offer telemetry products by Telemetry Research (TR) which can interface with a PowerLab system for continuous data acquisition and analysis. The Small Animal Foundation System incorporates the following components:

  • SmartPad- acts as a receiver and charger to a single telemeter (require one per animal). Receives digital data from the telemeter and reconstructs an analog output which can be recorded by a PowerLab system via BNC cables.
  • Configurator- used to wirelessly configure and control telemeters and SmartPads (require one per site). Other features include:
    • Turns the telemeter on/off Safe Mode
    • Controls the charging field of the SmartPad
    • Supplied with ConfigSoft (Configurator Software)
  • PowerLab data acquisition system with LabChart software- provides fast and easy monitoring, recording and analysis.

Note: Due to the diversity of telemeters, they are NOT included in ADInstruments research systems and MUST be purchased separately.

  • Telemeter- detects, amplifies and transmits pressure or biopotential data to the remote receiver, the SmartPad. Telemeters are implanted in the animal which is then caged and placed on a SmartPad. Telemeter features include:
    • Silicone outer material
    • 2000 Hz sampling frequency
    • 8 to 41 °C operating temperature range
    • Up to 5 m transmission range (laboratory dependent)
    • Small animal telemeters feature Active (send/transmit data) and Safe Modes (cannot send data)
    • Telemeter types include; pressure, biopotential, dual pressure, dual biopotential and pressure biopotential combination
    • All telemeters record body temperature (NOT whilst recharging)

Note: Small Animal Telemeters are NOT suitable for rabbits.

The implantation of the telemeters requires specialized surgical techniques. The following processes are recommended to ensure rapid recovery and minimize adverse health effects:

  • Maintain a constant animal body temperature during surgery. This may be achieved using the ADInstruments Homeothermic Controller and Plate.
  • Minimize the dead space surrounding the implanted telemeter. It is recommended that the Telemeter body be placed inside the abdominal cavity, while the electrodes/catheter can be tunnelled subcutaneously to the recording site.
  • Use blunt dissection techniques to minimize tissue damage.
  • Ensure sterile surgical techniques are used to avoid infection.
  • Allow adequate time for the animal to recover (up to 1 week) before recording physiological signals.
     

 

Single Recording/Charging (Small Animal)
 

ADInstruments also supply a limited range of DSI adapters to integrate a customer’s existing DSI products with PowerLab data acquisition systems. Note: ADInstruments DO NOT offer other DSI hardware or software solutions.

Software:

The LabChart Advantage:

(may require additional Modules and Extensions)

  • LabChart (v7.2) features Sampling from Multiple Devices (Windows only), which allows the user to record a maximum of 32 channels of live data using multiple PowerLab units into a single LabChart file. Therefore, with the use of two 16 channel PowerLabs, i.e. 32 channels of recording, the user can record from:
    • Up to 16 single small animal telemeters (Maximum 2 signals from each telemeter)
    • Up to 10 dual small animal telemeters (Maximum 3 signals from each telemeter)
  • The ECG Analysis Module can average ECG cycles and calculate, display and record PQRST intervals and amplitudes.
  • The HRV Module provides analysis, display and reporting of variability in ECG and pulse recordings.
  • The Blood Pressure Module calculates and displays numerous cardiovascular parameters from arterial and ventricular pressure recordings including; mean pressure, pressure maxima and minima, dP/dt, end-diastolic pressure, contractility and more.
  • The Circadian Analysis Module is ideal for analysis of long-term recordings and provides offline analysis of trends in data.
  • The Spike Histogram Module can detect, discriminate and analyze extracellular neural spike activity.
  • The Peak Analysis Module provides automatic detection and analysis of multiple, but not overlapping, signal peaks in acquired waveforms.
  • Schedule recordings (SNA only) from multiple transmitters using a single master receiver with the LabChart Scheduler Extension (requires TR Scheduler Pod).

LabChart

LabChart software (for Windows and Macintosh) together with a PowerLab data acquisition system offers up to 32 channels of real-time data acquisition, data integrity, easy selection of hardware settings, powerful online and offline analysis, procedure automation, seamless extraction of experimental data and flexible display options. Additional acquisition and analysis functionality is provided with the use of specialized LabChart Extensions and LabChart Modules. Modules are available as part of LabChart Pro while Extensions are free for download from the website for existing LabChart users.

ECG Analysis Module

The ECG Analysis Module (Windows) provides a comprehensive set of tools that automatically detects and reports values of ECG recordings.

It provides:

  • Real-time analysis and data extraction of ECG parameters
    • PQRST amplitudes
    • Time intervals such as RR, PR, JT, QT and QTc
  • Analysis of ECG parameters in real-time or offline
  • Automated detection and averaging of ECG cycles
  • Automated tabulation and data extraction of ECG parameters
  • Automated real-time or offline ECG Plots
    • Graphical QT vs RR, QT vs Time & RR vs Time plots
    • Waterfall plot

Heart Rate Variability (HRV) Module

The HRV Module (Windows or Macintosh) provides a comprehensive set of tools for the analysis and display of variation in the interval between heartbeats in electrocardiogram recordings.

The HRV Module:

  • Detects and analyzes R waves & RR interval variation in ECG real-time or offline recordings
  • Includes or excludes ectopic beats from analysis
  • Adds R waves or remove short artifacts from analysis
  • Provides data export options such as Text, Excel, EDF, WAV, etc
  • Provides automated HRV Analysis Windows including:
    • Poincare Plot
    • Period Histogram
    • Delta R Histogram
    • Tachogram
    • Power Spectrum
    • Summary Report

Blood Pressure Module

The Blood Pressure Module (Windows) automatically detects, analyzes and reports cardiovascular parameters from arterial or ventricular pressure signals.

It provides:

  • Real-time analysis and data extraction of pressure parameters
    • Max and min pressures
    • Max and min dP/dt
  • Analysis of blood and cardiac pressure in real-time or offline
  • Automated detection of pressure cycles
  • Automated tabulation and data extraction of pressure parameters
  • Analysis View
    • Averaging of pressure waveforms
    • Automated pressure parameter labelling

Circadian Analysis Module

The Circadian Analysis Module (Windows) analyzes data with a daily pattern and generates graphical and tabular views of the daily and averaged circadian data. The Circadian Analysis Module features:

  • Circadian Analysis Settings dialog which allows;
    • Selection of channels to be included for analysis
    • Customizable time settings including day length, start time and averaging interval
    • A data exclusion filter which ignores data that falls outside preset upper and lower limits
    • Light on/off shading to demonstrate night and day in the Averaging View
  • Analysis Averaging View plots average interval data for single or multiple channels. You can choose to view the Average day, or show all days overlayed on top of the Average day.
  • Circadian Analysis Table View automatically displays calculated parameters for each single day. These parameters include:
    • Maximum
    • Minimum
    • Maximum-Minimum
    • Time at Maximum
    • Time at Minimum
    • Mean
  • Exportable Analysis Averaging View plot and Table View as text or image formats

Spike Histogram Module

The Spike Histogram Module (Windows or Macintosh) provides the ability to detect, discriminate and analyze extracellular neural spike activity online. Recorded spikes can also be reanalyzed offline with modified discrimination settings.

The Spike Histogram Module:

  • Provides easy to use spike discrimination and data analysis
  • Automatically indicates and examines changes in neural firing rate
  • Automatically determines the distribution of all interspike intervals
  • Performs auto- and cross-correlation analysis (Mac only)
  • Saves data in .nex format for easy transfer to NeuroExplorer software for further analyses (Windows only)

Peak Analysis Module

The Peak Analysis Module (Windows) provides automatic detection and analysis of multiple, but not overlapping, signal peaks in acquired waveforms. It can be applied to a wide range of waveforms including recorded signals from:

  • Isolated tissue studies
  • Hemodynamic measurements
  • Amperometry
  • Cardiac physiology
  • Neurophysiology
  • Current measurements.

It provides:

  • Real-time or offline analysis
  • Fast parameter extraction and analysis from single or multiple peaks
  • Automatic peak detection of an entire channel or a selection within a channel
  • Detection of positive or negative peaks
  • Several analysis presets suitable for general and specific types of waveforms
    • Evoked Response, Population Spike, Synaptic, Action Potential and Cardiac Action Potential
  • Instant tabulation of extracted parameters that can be exported to other applications
    • Height, width, area of the peak and time to peak

Scheduler Extension

The Scheduler Extension (Windows) allows the scheduling of recordings across one or more LabChart data files. A schedule may consist of an initial delay, followed by repeated recording cycles, until a specified end time. Scheduler can also be used with external scheduling devices, such as the TR Scheduler Pod.

GLP and 21 CFR Part 11

For those researchers working within a laboratory requiring GLP and 21 CFR Part 11 compliance the GLP Client and GLP Server are available for use with LabChart (Windows only) and PowerLab data acquisition systems. For more information, visit the Good Laboratory Practice application page or contact your nearest ADInstruments representative.

Hardware:

PowerLab Data Acquisition Systems

The PowerLab is a high-performance data acquisition unit capable of recording at speeds of up to 400,000 samples per second continuously to disk (aggregate). PowerLab units are compatible with instruments, signal conditioners and transducers supplied by ADInstruments, as well as many other third-party companies. In addition to standard single-ended BNC inputs, 4 differential Pod ports are also available for direct connection of Pod signal conditioners and appropriate transducers. Research PowerLab units include:

Research Systems

Telemetry Foundation Systems


Note: Due to the variation of type, telemeters are NOT included in ADInstruments research systems and MUST be purchased separately.

Signal Conditioners

ML319 TR Scheduler Pod and LabChart Scheduler Extension, allows the user to schedule recording periods and record data sequentially from individual telemeters (TR4 and TR7 series only). The TR Scheduler Pod allows the user to automate data collection:

  • from up to 8 wireless telemeters with a single receiver
  • for durations of seconds, minutes or hours
  • for periods over days to weeks

Note: For use ONLY with PL3516B107 Telemetry SNA and Pressure Foundation System.

Instruments

Transducers and Accessories

Telemeters

Note: Telemeters are NOT repairable

Other Accessories

Analog Adapters for DSI Transmitters (single-channel)

Novel technology for the provision of power to implantable physiological devices
Budgett D.M, Hu A.P, Si P, Pallas W.T, Donnelly M.G, Broad J.W.T, Barrett C.J, Guild S.-J and Malpas S.C., Journal of Applied Physiology, 1658-1663, 2007

Detection of low-frequency oscillations in renal blood flow
Siu KL, Sung B, Cupples WA, Moore LC, Chon KH, American Journal of Physiology: Renal Physiology, F155-F162, 2009

Persistent alterations in heart rate variability, baroreflex sensitivity, and anxiety-like behaviors during development of heart failure in the rat
Henze M, Hart D, Samarel A, Barakat J, Eckert L and Scrogin K, American Journal of Physiology: Heart and Circulatory Physiology, H29–H38, 2008

Citations Database


The material on this page is provided in good faith and believed accurate at the time of writing. No responsibility will be taken, or liability accepted, for damages arising from the use of information herein. Readers are urged to check with respective manufacturers the accuracy of all product related information.

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