Attaching Ecg Electrodes; Connecting The Battery Pack Cable; Positioning Ecg Lead Wires - SA Instruments 1030 Operation Manual

Mr-compatible small animal monitoring and gating system

Table of Contents

ERT Module

The Battery Pack Cable attaches to the ERT module and Battery Pack using small

Lemo connectors. To make the connection, align the red dots and push the connector

straight into the receptacle. To disconnect the sensor grasp the connector with the

thumb and index finger near the red dot and pull straight back. Do not turn or twist the

connector housing.

Attaching ECG electrodes

Active electrode placement (red and white) in mice is typically in or on the right front leg

and left rear leg. For larger animals (rats and rabbits) it is best to avoid large electrode

separation (due to detection of large blood flow artifacts). In the case of rats, the front

legs work well, for rabbits a good location is under the front legs at the chest. In all

cases the third black lead can be connected to one of the unused legs or any other

convenient location on the animal. In cases where it is desirable to use only 2 ECG

leads, the black lead can be eliminated using the 3-lead to 2-lead jumper cable.

Attachment of sub-dermal ECG needle electrodes

Make certain the needle does not enter the muscle, but rather is positioned between the

muscle and skin. At least half the length of the needle should be inserted in the animal.

Make certain the needle tip does not protrude. Secure the electrode with tape. If the

needle electrodes are inserted in the muscle, a large offset voltage can occur. The

offset voltage should be 2.5 +/- 1 V. It is displayed in the SYSTEM INFO window.

Attachment of electrode pads

Pad electrodes may be used by shaving the attachment site. Tape can be helpful in

securing the electrode.

Attachment of gold surface electrodes

Surface electrodes may be used by shaving the attached site or by application to the

animal's paws. Apply electrode gel to the cup of the electrode before taping to the

animal's paw. Rubbing electrode gel in the pores of the paw before taping the electrode

will improve the signal.

ECG lead wires should be twisted with each other and as short as possible. Excess

wire should be wrapped in a loop and taped to collapse or eliminate the loop. Wrap

excess wire around two or three fingers creating a loop, then pull the loop into a line and

Revision C, August 2013

4-2

Table of Contents