Ugo Basile Dynamic Plantar Aesthesiometer

Description

Background

• The automated Dynamic Plantar Aesthesiometer (DPA) is a quick, accurate way of delivering mechanical stimulation and measuring a response.
• The impaired cutaneous sensation is usually first manifested in a loss of light touch detection. Mechanical stimulation is used clinically to diagnose pathologies of hyper- or hypo-aesthesia, brought about by drugs, neural pathology, or experimental lesions.

Application & Disease Models

• Automatically detects and records latency time, and actual force at the time of paw withdrawal reflex.
• A movable force actuator is positioned below the plantar surface of the animal. The desired force and force speed (ramp) is applied, as pre-set by the operator.
• Increasing force is exerted by rigid Von Frey filament (0.5mm tip) until the animal twitches its paw.
• Adjustable touching force and touching pause (to control the stimulus approaching phase).
• Paw withdrawal detection is automatic. Manual detection is also available (useful if the animal motor response is unusual).
• The device comprises:
  • A movable touch-stimulator unit complete with filament actuator and adjustable angled-mirror
  • A microprocessor-controlled electronic unit with a touch screen, graphic display, internal memory for data storage, USB key, and optional printer
  • Large testing surface (perforated metal platform), laser cut for smooth and precise grid spacing
  • Modular animal enclosure offering from 3 to 12 spaces is convenient for holding rats and mice
• Supplied with accessories to work with both mice and rats.
• Data can be transferred to a computer via a memory stick.
• TTL outputs for Start/Stop and Detection (Manual/Automatic), as well as TTL Input for an external start, provide an easy interface to external instruments such as DAQs. Analog output is also available.

The impaired cutaneous sensation is usually first manifested in a loss of light touch detection. So “mechanical” stimulation has a long history of effective clinical use to diagnose pathologies of hyper- or hypo-aesthesia, brought about by drugs, neural pathology, experimental lesions, etc.

The Dynamic Plantar Aesthesiometer was developed to apply a reproducible light touch to the rodent plantar surface, and quantify the force which causes the animal to react by withdrawing the paw.