Tail Flick
An easy-to-use instrument for determining pain sensitivity accurately and reproducibly in rats and mice.
Product Description
The Tail-Flick provides an efficient way to measure pain sensitivity in small animals. The system uses a heat stimulus lamp and records the time it takes for the animal to flick or withdraw its tail in response. By measuring this sensory response, the Tail-Flick system offers a reliable method for evaluating pain perception, thermal pain thresholds, and the effectiveness of analgesic treatments. It is an essential tool for researchers studying pain sensitivity, analgesia, and the impact of drugs on the nervous system.
Features and Benefits
Shutter-Controlled Heat Source for Consistency
The Tail-Flick features a shutter-controlled lamp that ensures constant temperature throughout the experiment. By maintaining the heat source in an illuminated state, the system avoids temperature inconsistencies associated with lamp warm-up in non-shuttered designs. This ensures that each measurement is accurate and reproducible across multiple tests.
Hands-Free Operation
The device offers both manual and automatic modes for detecting the tail flick response. In manual mode, the user can activate the heat source with a footswitch, allowing hands-free handling of the animal. The automatic detection mode uses a built-in photocell to sense tail motion and stop the timer, ensuring precise and efficient operation.
Adjustable Lamp Intensity
The Tail-Flick meter includes 25 intensity settings for the heat source, allowing researchers to fine-tune the stimulus according to the specific requirements of their experiments. This flexibility makes the system adaptable to different animal models and pain sensitivity thresholds.
Applications
Specifications
- Timer Resolution: 0.1 seconds
- Testing Area Dimensions: 19” x 13” (48 cm x 33 cm)
- Lamp Intensity Settings: 25 adjustable settings
- Detection Methods: Manual via footswitch or automatic with photocell
- Data Output: USB or RS-232 for PC connection
The Tail-Flick provides an efficient way to measure pain sensitivity in small animals. The system uses a heat stimulus lamp and records the time it takes for the animal to flick or withdraw its tail in response. By measuring this sensory response, the Tail-Flick system offers a reliable method for evaluating pain perception, thermal pain thresholds, and the effectiveness of analgesic treatments. It is an essential tool for researchers studying pain sensitivity, analgesia, and the impact of drugs on the nervous system.
Citations
Papers coming soon, presently in peer review.
Downloads
Request info
Contact us for ordering
Tail Flick