Animal Activity Meter: Opto M3 - Columbus Instruments

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The Columbus Instruments Opto M3 is a multi-channel activity monitor that supports a variety of sensor lengths and configurations. Up to 32 channels are supported providing both ambulatory and total counts for each channel. Communication is via serial RS-422 using the CI Bus protocol (MDI Software). Cabling is simplified by the use of 8 channel hubs that connect to the Opto M3 with 25 pin sheilded cables. Sensor cabling uses convenient RJ-45 connectors and sensor power is supplied from the Opto M3 controller over the signal cables so no external power supplies are required. Unique to this system is the ability to re-arrange sensors to change the coverage of each cage. For example, a 20 cage X axis only system can be reconfigured to measure X and Z axes in 10 cages. Additional sensors and brackets can be purchased to expand the number of cages or coverage per cage. The Opto M3 can also be integrated with other CI Bus compatible insruments to incorporates multiple measurement parameters such as feeding mass/bouts, drinking volume, VO2 and VCO2, etc.

Features / Specifications

Differentiates between Ambulatory movement vs. Total movement
Compact design
Rat Sensor Beam Spacing: 1" (2.54cm); available lengths are 8" (20.32cm), 12" (30.48cm) & 16" (40.64cm)
Mouse Sensor Beam Spacing: 0.5" (1.27cm); available lengths are 4" (10.16cm) & 8" (20.32cm)
MDI Software compatible
Beam Diameter: 0.125" (.32cm)
Beam Scan Rate: 160 Hz
Power Requirements: 50 Watts (110 VAC, 60 Hz, or 220 VAC, 50 Hz; factory selected)

Sensors can be re-arranged to allow for wider flexibility. A feature unique to Opto M3 system is the ability to re-arrange the sensor sets to cover more more cages with fewer axes of measurement, or fewer cages with measurement in more axes per cage.

Flexibility Example 1: A system purchased for Open Field measurement in 2 cages in X, Y and Z (rearing) axes...

can then be reconfigured to measure general locomotor activity and rearing in 3 home cages...

or measure general locomotor activity only in 6 home cages.

Flexibility Example 2: The distance between sensors is adjustable for X and XZ axis setups.

Flexibility Example 3: We can also make custom fixed frames around any cage of your choosing. Shown below are fixed frames that we have made for a 17.5" x 17.5" (44.5 cm x 44.5 cm) Open Field cage, a typical mouse shoebox cage, and another we made for a miniturized Open Field Cage for small mice.


17.5" x 17.5" Open Field	13" x 9" Mouse Cage	9.5" x 9.5" Mouse Open Field

Ordering Information

Opto-M3 Single Axis 1 Cage System
Opto-M3 Single Axis 2 Cage System
Opto-M3 Single Axis 4 Cage System
Opto-M3 Single Axis 6 Cage System
Opto-M3 Single Axis 8 Cage System

Opto-M3 Dual Axis 1 Cage System
Opto-M3 Dual Axis 2 Cage System
Opto-M3 Dual Axis 4 Cage System
Opto-M3 Dual Axis 6 Cage System
Opto-M3 Dual Axis 8 Cage System

Opto-M3 Triple Axis 1 Cage System
Opto-M3 Triple Axis 2 Cage System
Opto-M3 Triple Axis 4 Cage System
Opto-M3 Triple Axis 8 Cage System

Contact Columbus Instruments for Larger or Custom Configurations