Homeothermic Blanket Systems with Flexible Probe

Feedback loop warming system that allows for the animal's temperature to be maintained. Each system is supplied complete with control unit, flexible temperature probe, blanket, and plastic cover for the blanket.

Animal body temperature control at its simplest — feedback loop maintains animal’s temperature
Versatile, offered in two sizes — for mice, rats, cats, or similar sized animals
New lightweight package
Improved electronic circuitry
Suitable with high gain recording equipment
Displays actual body temperature on Control Unit from 20° to 50°C (68° to 122°F)

Additional blankets and spare plastic covers can be purchased separately.

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Item Listing

Grouped product items
Item#	Description	Qty
50-7217	Flexible Probe For Size 1 and Size 5 Operating Tables, 1.6 mm OD	Please login to add to Quote
50-7210	Spare Plastic Cover for Large Blankets	Please login to add to Quote

Details

This homeothermic blanket system is a feedback loop warming system that enables the researcher to maintain an animal’s temperature within the preset range of 20° to 50°C (68° to 122°F).

Each system is supplied complete with a control unit, a flexible temperature probe, blanket, and plastic cover for the blanket. The flexible probe is a precision thermistor encapsulated in a bead of epoxy resin at the top of a flexible hollow plastic tube. The 1.7 mm diameter probe is 100 mm (4 in) long and has a 2 m (6 ft) long cable with plug for attachment to the control unit. It is suitable for a wide range of laboratory animals from mice to cats.

Simple and Easy

Wrap the animal tightly in the heating blanket, using tape if necessary. Insert the temperature-sensing probe rectally, and set the required temperature by means of the control on the front panel.

Should the animal’s core temperature fall, power is automatically increased to the blanket; conversely, power will automatically reduce if the animal’s temperature rises. During this process the animal’s temperature is continuously displayed on a front panel LCD display.

How It Works

The output of the temperature sensing probe is used by the control unit to proportionally control the regulated, low-voltage DC supply to the blanket. This method of control alleviates the interference problems associated with that of non-proportional control, such as switching contacts, thus enabling the system to be used in conjunction with high-gain recording systems.

The control temperature is preset at 37°C (98.6°F) at the factory, but can be adjusted within the range of 20° to 50°C (68° to 122°F) by means of a control on the front panel. An LCD display on the control unit continuously displays the probe temperature. A horizontal LED bar graph indicates the level of power being delivered to the blanket. When core temperature is substantially below the desired temperature the bar graph will indicate maximum power being delivered.

About the Blanket

The blanket consists of a highly flexible insulated heating element, which can be folded without risking internal damage. It is electrically floating, with respect to ground however, one end of the heating element can be grounded by a switch on the front panel of the control unit. The system operates satisfactorily whether or not the blanket is grounded. Special circuitry eliminates electrical noise thus permitting sensitive recordings.

Blankets are available in two sizes:

Small Blanket: Measures 15 x 20 cm (6 x 8 in) and is suitable for rodents
Medium Blanket: Measures 45 x 70 cm (18 x 27 in) and is suitable for rabbits and cats

The blanket is supplied with a 2 m (6 ft) cable attached to a plug for connection to the control unit. Replacement parts are available.

Specifications

Specifications	50-7221F	50-7220F	50-7223F	50-7222F
Blanket Size, L x W	6 x 8 in (15 x 20 cm)	6 x 8 in (15 x 20 cm)	6 x 8 in (15 x 20 cm)	6 x 8 in (15 x 20 cm)
Cable Length	6 in (15 cm)	6 in (15 cm)	6 in (15 cm)	6 in (15 cm)
Power	230 VAC, 50 Hz	230 VAC, 50 Hz	230 VAC, 50 Hz	230 VAC, 50 Hz
Probe Configuration	Flexible	Flexible	Flexible	Flexible
Probe Diameter	1.7 mm	1.7 mm	1.7 mm	1.7 mm
Probe Length	4 in (10 cm)	4 in (10 cm)	4 in (10 cm)	4 in (10 cm)
Probe Material	Precision thermistor encapsulated in a bead of epoxy resin at the top of a flexible hollow plastic tube	Precision thermistor encapsulated in a bead of epoxy resin at the top of a flexible hollow plastic tube	Precision thermistor encapsulated in a bead of epoxy resin at the top of a flexible hollow plastic tube	Precision thermistor encapsulated in a bead of epoxy resin at the top of a flexible hollow plastic tube
Size	Small	Small	Small	Small
Temperature Range	68 to 122 °F (20 to 50 °C)	68 to 122 °F (20 to 50 °C)	68 to 122 °F (20 to 50 °C)	68 to 122 °F (20 to 50 °C)

Journal Articles

Rapid Onset of Specific Diaphragm Weakness in a Healthy Murine Model of Ventilator-induced Diaphragmatic Dysfunction Segolene Mrozek, M.D., M.Sc.,* Boris Jung, M.D., Ph.D.,â€ Basil J. Petrof, M.D.,â€¡ Marion Pauly, M.Sc.,Â§ Stephanie Roberge, M.Sc.,Â§ Alain Lacampagne, Ph.D., CeÂ´ cile Cassan, Ph.D.,# Jerome Thireau, Ph.D.,** Nicolas Molinari, Ph.D.,â€ â€ Emmanuel Futier, M.D., M.Sc.,â€¡â€¡ Valerie Scheuermann, M.S.,Â§Â§ Jean Michel Constantin, M.D., Ph.D., Stefan Matecki, M.D., Ph.D.,## Samir Jaber, M.D., Ph.D.*** Background: Controlled mechanical ventilation is associated with ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction, which impedes weaning from mechanical ventilation. To design future clinical trials in humans, a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms using knockout models, which exist only in the mouse, is needed. The aims of this study were to ascertain the feasibility of developing a murine model of ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction and to determine whether atrophy, sarcolemmal injury, and the main proteolysis systems are activated under these conditions. Methods: Healthy adult male C57/BL6 mice were assigned to three groups: (1) mechanical ventilation with end-expiratory positive pressure of 2â€“ 4 cm H2O for 6 h (n 6), (2) spontaneous breathing with continuous positive airway pressure of 2â€“ 4 cm H2O for 6 h (n 6), and (3) controls with no specific intervention (n 6). Airway pressure and hemodynamic parameters were monitored. Upon euthanasia, arterial blood gases and isometric contractile properties of the diaphragm and extensor digitorum longus were evaluated. Histology and immunoblotting for the main proteolysis pathways were performed. Results: Hemodynamic parameters and arterial blood gases were comparable between groups and within normal physiologic ranges. Diaphragmatic but not extensor digitorum longus force production declined in the mechanical ventilation group (maximal force decreased by approximately 40%) compared with the control and continuous positive airway pressure groups. No histologic difference was found between groups. In opposition with the calpains, caspase 3 was activated in the mechanical ventilation group. Conclusion: Controlled mechanical ventilation for 6 h in the mouse is associated with significant diaphragmatic but not limb muscle weakness without atrophy or sarcolemmal injury and activates proteolysis.