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Main Menu - Block
- Overview
- Anatomy and Histology
- Cryo-Electron Microscopy
- Electron Microscopy
- Flow Cytometry
- Gene Targeting and Transgenics
- Immortalized Cell Line Culture
- Integrative Imaging
- Invertebrate Shared Resource
- Janelia Experimental Technology
- Mass Spectrometry
- Media Prep
- Molecular Genomics
- Primary & iPS Cell Culture
- Project Pipeline Support
- Project Technical Resources
- Quantitative Genomics
- Scientific Computing Software
- Scientific Computing Systems
- Viral Tools
- Vivarium
Large Spherical Treadmill for Rodents
About the Innovation
Recent advances in the use of awake, head-fixed preparation for small rodents (e.g., rats and mice) have led to an array of new interactive tools for studying brain and behavior. Here we present a method for creating large, lightweight spherical treadmills of arbitrary size. To accommodate different treadmill sizes, we provide a sparse, point-based floatation mechanism that is highly scalable.
For mice (8-12 wk, 20-30 g), we present a 16” (40.64 cm, approx. 65-70 g) diameter spherical treadmill. For young-adult rats (3-8 wk, 60-150 g), we present a 24” (60.96 cm, approx. 225-275 g) diameter system.
Features & Benefits:
- A larger spherical diameter creates a flatter treadmill surface area that allows for a more comfortable animal. It positively promotes the expression of natural behaviors (sleeping, resting, grooming, and goal-directed walking and running).
- The point-based floatation system reduces oscillations in airflow around the treadmill and provides excellent stability under different behavioral and recording conditions.
- The point-based floatation and minimal frame design accommodate well for slight irregularities and differences between the size of individual spherical treadmills.
- The point-based floatation system reduces airflow and system volume
- The minimal frame design allows for increased access to the lower half of the treadmill surface for motion-tracking and other potential manipulations
Opportunity:
Free to make for Non-Profit Research by downloading designs at Flintbox link at the right.
Rights and designs available for Commercial License.
For inquiries, please reference:
Janelia 2012-019