Introduction

Muromachi SUPERMEX is a brand-new epoch-making activity monitoring system that enables researchers to perform a multi-channel measurement for a low cost. Any size home cage may be used unless it intercepts infrared beam in between the sensor and the animal.

Each sensor monitors motion in multiple zones of the cage through an array of fresnel lenses from a position up above the cage. So movement in X, Y and Z can be covered. The sensor head consists of paired infrared pyroelectric detectors which measure the radiated body heat of the animal. The sensor’s output signals representing magnitude of the animal’s movement are digitally converted, stored in the interface memory and transferred to a personal computer.

SUPERMEX can be a powerful tool for the assessment of drug efficacy, toxicological tests or for the studies of circadian rhythm by using PYB-003 Sound Attenuating Chamber with power and light-dark cycle control designed exclusively for SUPERMEX. Further, drinking and rearing can be monitored with the optional drinking sensors and rearing sensors, respectively. Forced swimming test can also be performed by the use of CompACT FSS software.

Further, Place Preference Test ( CPP Test ) can be performed, too using CompACT CPP software.

Main Features

• A variety of animals ranging from small rodents such as mice, rats, marmosets to large animals like dogs, monkeys, pigs etc. can be monitored.
• Any size home cage may be used unless it intercepts infrared beam in between the sensor and the animal.
• Drinking and rearing can be monitored with the optional drinking sensors and rearing sensors, respectively along with activity measurement.
• Forced swimming test of mouse can be performed by the use of CompACT FSS software.
• Tail Suspention test of mouse can be performed by the use of CompACT FSS software.
• Place Preference Test ( CPP Test ) can be performed using CompACT CPP software.
• Activity can be monitored during the measurements with micro-dialysis or telemetry systems.
• A multi-channel system can be obtained for a lower cost compared to the conventional activity monitoring systems.
• Data covering up to 64 channels can be collected by the Model DI-064W Interface.
• Operation is very simple and sensitivity adjustment is not required once the sensor mount position and height from the cage floor are fixed.
• The number of sensors can be increased so easily.
• Four ( 4 ) models of Data Interface ( 8ch, 16ch, 32ch and 64ch ) are available depending upon application and budget.

For small rodents there are four ( 4 ) ways of sensor installation as shown below.

Data Collection/Analysis Software

Pulse data sent out from SUPERMEX will be collected and stored with the DI-064W Interface and sent to a personal computer for data analysis. Since all the measurements can be controlled by the DI-064W Interface, a personal computer can be used for another application once the measurement started.

Data Collection Program CompACT AMS Ver.3

• All the channels can be started at the same time.
  Each channel can be started separately.
  Multiple channels can be started by the group. (Up to 32 groups can be registered.)
  Sampling time can be preset for the range of 1 – 60 min.
• Designated multiple data files can be stored as a CSV file.
• Light-Dark cycle can be controlled at the user’s discretion.
• Timer-Start & Timer-Stop function enables a fully automatic measurement.
• Double-Plot formatted graph can be displayed.

For a comfortable working environment the following specifications of PC are recommended.

• OS : Windows 2000 or later (32bit only)
• CPU : Core 2 Duo or later
• RAM : 2GB or lager
• Display Resolution : 1024 x 768 or higer recommended
• Communication Port : RS232C

Software for Forced Swimming Test CompACT FSS (Optional Extra)

A multi-channel measurement can be done for a much lower cost compared to the conventional forced swimming test methods.

Reference :M. Sugiura et al:Japanese Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology, 19:287-291, 1997

SPECIFICATIONS

 

SUPERMEX SENSOR PYS-001

Pyroelectric Sensor
Detection Area : Approx. 110°
Multi-Fresnel Lens
Dimensions	Approx.W55 x D85 x H75 mm
Weight	Approx. 100 g
Power	Supplied from MPU-4A Power Unit

POWER UNIT MPU-4A

Power Output	×4
Modular Connector Signal Output	×1
Modular Connector Signal Input	×1
Input LED Display	×4
Dimensions	W220 × D110 × H55 mm
Weight	Approx. 350 g
Power	5V DC 2A

INTERFACE DI-064W

Input	64ch
8ch Modular Connector	×8
Output	Light Control x 4
Communication	RS-232C
BUFFER RAM	512K or 2M byte
Dimensions	W330 × D215 × H105 mm
Weight	Approx. 4 kg
Power	100V AC 50/60Hz

INTERFACE DI-032W

Input	32ch
8ch Modular Connector	×4
Output	Light Control x 4
Communication	RS-232C
BUFFER RAM	512K or 2M byte
Dimensions	W330 × D215 × H105 mm
Weight	Approx. 4 kg
Power	100V AC 50/60Hz

INTERFACE DI-016W

Input	16ch
8ch Modular Connector	×2
Output	Light Control x 4
Communication	RS-232C
BUFFER RAM	512K or 2M byte
Dimensions	W330 × D215 × H105 mm
Weight	Approx. 4 kg
Power	100V AC 50/60Hz

INTERFACE DI-008W

Input	8ch
8ch Modular Connector	×1
Output	Light Control x 4
Communication	RS-232C
BUFFER RAM	512K or 2M byte
Dimensions	W330 × D215 × H105 mm
Weight	Approx. 4 kg
Power	100V AC 50/60Hz

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

DRINKING SENSOR MDS-1B

Detection	Contact
Water Drop Volume	Approx. 0.05 cc/DROP
Dimensions	W55 x D60 x H85 mm
Weight	Approx. 150 g
Power	Supplied from MPU-4D Power Unit

REARING SENSOR MRS-110TX-RX WITH LONG-TERM TEST CAGE

Rearing Sensor: MRS-110TX-RX
Detection	Infrared Beam
Beam-to-Beam Distance	16 mm
Number of Beam	16
Dimensions	W280 × D30 × H30 mm
Long-Term Test Cage
Dimensions	W330 x D440 x H320 mm
Weight	Approx.  4.5 kg

CONTROL UNIT FOR REARING SENSOR MRS-110

Number of Control Channel	8
Indicator	LED (Comes on at rearing)
Output	DI-064W,  DI-032W,  DI-016W,  DI-008W, Open Collector for Printer
Sampling Rate	50 msec
Dimensions	W300 × D250 × H80 mm
Weight	Approx. 2.5 kg

 CPP Test Accessories

CPP Test Cage		CompACT CPP
	2 – Compartment Test Cage	Ambulation and stay time in each chamber can be measured by CompACT CPP.
	3 – Compartment Test Cage

 

Specifications are subject to change without notice.