Elevated Plus Maze

 

Our new mazes have higher resolution and specially created measures which enhance the ability to quantify anxiety. For example, with beams mounted on the edge of the open arms we capture the subject hanging its head over the edge. Going out on the cliff is one thing, hanging over the edge of it is another. And the high resolution can separate arms into multiple zones. These multiple zones report how far an animal retreats from the intersection into closed arms and how far it dares into the open arms. A truly new ability in quantifying the animals emotionality.

As with all our activity systems, the plus maze systems has been designed with advanced features and ease-of-use in mind. It uses Windows NT compatible MotorMonitor software common throughout our activity line.

MotorMonitor's post analysis software provides greater flexibility in analyzing and re-analyzing data based on different parameters. The new measure Pokes Into Zone was specially designed for plus mazes; it differentiates between an animals complete entry into a zone and when it conducts only a small head poke into a zone. The advanced diagnostics use the exclusive Hamilton-Kinder 4 level test which runs automatically before each session. Each maze operates through a single cable making for an exceptionally clean connection setup by eliminating the "rats nest" of cables of the past. And the cables are available at you local computer store, providing easy and cost effective replacement. Because of its unique design, it is possible to run 2 more mazes simultaneously, thereby increasing throughput! Systems are available in both rat and mouse versions.

All Hamilton-Kinder Elevated Plus Mazes are constructed of high quality, square aluminum tubing which is precisely machined. This method allows the user the ability to collapse the maze in just a few minutes for storage. The maze collapses down to 15" by 44" as demonstrated in the picture below. All surfaces which the subject comes into contact with are made of high quality cast Plexiglas and are also machined for accuracy.

Before After!

The maze dimensions have been selected from a literature review of plus mazes and are the most common dimensions used. Additionally the electronic beam configuration contains the following features:

1. 32 Total Position Beams - 16 X beams and 16 Y beams providing the highest resolution system available. This permits 6 beams for each arm and 2 additional beams, which finitely capture the subject when located in the intersection.
2. The high density beams also permit the capture of "corner stretches", a common risk assessment behavior.
3. Edge Beams – 4 independent beam sets are placed along the edge of the open arms allowing the system to capture each time the subject pokes its head over the edge. A unique design enables the system to differentiate between the head and the tail.

Features:
  • Windows NT or 2000 platform
  • 48 Infrared PhotoBeams (4 X & 8 Y)
  • Individual start button at each station
  • Automatic 4 level diagnostics
  • Maximum Stations 8
  • Computer Interface - a single RS232 Serial Port
  • User Definable Zones - not factory installed
  • Post Processing Analysis
  • Session Templates
  • Individual Runtime Clocks for each station
  • User selectable output measures
  • Optional Advanced Graphic Comparators - HotSpots, Playback and OverTime

 Measures:

  • X Ambulations
  • Y Ambulations
  • Time in Zone
  • Time at Rest
  • Entries into Zone
  • Time Active
  • Fine Movements
  • Pokes into Zone
  • Total Breaks
  • Distance

Hardware Specifications:

  • Computer Requirements: IBM PC Compatible with Windows NT or 2000, Pentium 133Mhz processor, 32 meg Ram, SVGA monitor, 50 megabyte free hard disk space.
  • Power: 90-240vac 50-60 Hz
  • PhotoBeams: 48 Infrared PhotoBeams
  • Computer Interface: A single RS232 serial port, regardless of the size of the system!
  • Rat Maze Overall dimensions: 44" wide x 44" deep x 33.5" tall
  • Rat Arena dimensions: each arm is 4.25" wide and 19.75" long, intersection is 4.25" by 4.25", closed walls are 15.75" high.
  • Maximum number of stations: 8
  • Mouse Maze Overall dimensions: 30.5" wide by 30.5" deep by 30.5" tall
  • Mouse arena dimensions: Each arm is 2" wide and 15" long, intersection is 2" by 2", closed are wall is 6" high.