S

imple and Easy
Wrap the animal tightly in the heating blanket, using tape ifnecessary. Insert the temperature-sensing probe rectally, and setthe required temperature by means of the control on the frontpanel.
Should the animal’s core temperature fall, power is automaticallyincreased to the blanket; conversely, power will automaticallyreduce if the animal’s temperature rises. During this process theanimal’s temperature is continuously displayed on a front panel LCDdisplay.
This homeothermic blanket system consists of three parts: a probe,a control unit, and a blanket. The flexible probe is a precisionthermistor encapsulated in a bead of epoxy resin at the top of aflexible hollow plastic tube. The 2 mm diameter probe is 100 mm (4in) long and has a 2 m (6 ft) long cable with plug for attachmentto the control unit. It is suitable for a wide range of laboratoryanimals from adult mice to large dogs.
The rigid probe is a stainless steel shaft with a diameter of 1.6mm. The shaft attaches to a 2 m (6 ft) cable with a plug thatconnects to the control unit. It is suitable for use with mice,rodents, rabbits, cats and dogs. The output of the temperaturesensing probe is used by the control unit to proportionally controlthe regulated, low-voltage DC supply to the blanket. This method ofcontrol alleviates the interference problems associated with thatof non-proportional control, such as switching contacts, thusenabling the system to be used in conjunction with high-gainrecording systems.
The control temperature is preset at 37°C (98.6°F) at the factory,but can be adjusted within the range of 35° to 40°C (95° to 104°F)by means of a control on the front panel. An LCD display on thecontrol unit continuously displays the probe temperature. Ahorizontal LED bar graph indicates the level of power beingdelivered to the blanket. When core temperature is substantiallybelow the desired temperature the bar graph will indicate maximumpower being delivered.
The blanket consists of a highly flexible insulated heatingelement, which can be folded without risking internal damage. It iselectrically floating, with respect to ground however, one end ofthe heating element can be grounded by a switch on the front panelof the control unit. The system operates satisfactorily whether ornot the blanket is grounded. Special circuitry eliminateselectrical noise thus permitting sensitive recordings.
Blankets are available in three sizes:
• Small Blanket: Measures 15 x 20 cm (6 x 8 in) and is suitable forrodents
• Medium Blanket: Measures 45 x 70 cm (18 x 27 in) and is suitablefor rabbits and cats
• Large Blanket: Measures 60 x 90 cm (24 x 36 in) and is suitablefor dogs
The blanket is supplied with a 2 m (6 ft) cable attached to a plugfor connection to the control unit. This system enables theresearcher to maintain an animal’s temperature within the presetrange of 35° to 40°C (95° to 104°F). Each system is suppliedcomplete with control unit, temperature probe, blanket and plasticcover for blanket.