Document Type
Thesis
Date of Award
5-31-1983
Degree Name
Master of Science in Electrical Engineering - (M.S.)
Department
Electrical Engineering
First Advisor
Stanley S. Reisman
Second Advisor
Gerald Martin Whitman
Third Advisor
Robert R. Meola
Abstract
The task of the instrumentation system is to measure the respiratory exchange in rats in a controlled experiment. Air is drawn at a predeter-mined rate in and out of rat chambers. The proportion of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the ensuing air indicates the respiratory rate of the rat. The entire operation is controlled by a microcomputer whose most important functions are: to direct the flow of air through the rat chambers by switching valves; and to collect data about the percentages of gases in question.
Thus with the help of a computer it is possible to monitor and control an experiment on several rats. The computer samples the chambers sequentially. The sampling cycle duration and frequency are programmable. The electronic interface accepts commands from the computer to switch valves and sends the experimental data gathered by the gas analysers to the computer. The computer processes this data to determine animal respiration. The computer also performs statistical analysis on this data and stores the results on the disc. Continu-ous printout of results is obtained during an experiment.
Presently the system is built to accommodate four rats but is expandable to fourteen. Programming in a high level language (BASIC) makes it easy to use. Future scope for expansion and advanced processing is explored.
Recommended Citation
Pathak, Suhas P., "Automated instrumentation system for studies of metabolic rates in rats" (1983). Theses. 3599.
https://digitalcommons.njit.edu/theses/3599
