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Solutions for Behavioural Research
IR Mazes
Overview
Difficulties in video tracking rodents on mazes are compounded by coat colour variation, low-build quality of apparatus and reflections (e.g from urine). Tracking small subjects like zebra-fish when high through-put and accurate tracking is needed is also difficult under normal light conditions.
Our IR mazes eliminate the above problems, are built to order and also supplied in a range of standard sizes.
How it Works
Attach an IR pass filter to your camera.
Position one of our IR mazes beneath the camera.
Track the ‘IR shadow’ of your animal with no errors.
Features and Benefits
| Feature | Benefit | |
|---|---|---|
| Underfloor IR lighting. Eliminates coat colour variation issues by tracking the IR-shadow of the animal. | Accurate tracking. | |
| Urine pools are invisible in IR light and cause no reflection problems. | Potential sources of error are eliminated. | |
| High-quality build allows for easy, thorough cleaning. | Animals are not influenced by the secretions of their predecessors. | |
| Standard or bespoke behavioural mazes in a range of colours and dimensions. | Mazes designed to meet your needs. | |
| Automated components available eg: maze doors, which can be controlled through EthoVision XT | Experimenter does not need to be present in room with animal |
Scenarios
Here are some of the many scenarios which have used IR Mazes:
- Pharmacologists
- tracking mice in multiple open field mazes.
- Behavioural neuroscientists
- studying avoidance behaviour in rats.