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The
Harvard Apparatus Homeothermic Blanket System is a simple
body temperature controller. Offered in a lightweight package
with improved electronic circuitry and Analogue Output.
The
homoeothermic blanket system consists of three parts: a probe,
a control unit, and a blanket.
The
flexible probe is a precision thermistor encapsulated in a
bead of epoxy resin at the top of a flexible hollow plastic
tube. The 2 mm diameter probe is 100 mm (4 in) long and has
a 2 m (6 ft) long cable with plug for attachment to the control
unit. It is suitable for a wide range of laboratory animals
from adult mice to large dogs.
The
rigid probe is a stainless steel shaft with a diameter of
1.6 mm and has a 2 m (6 ft) cable with a plug that connects
to the control unit. It is suitable for use with mice, rodents,
rabbits, cats and dogs.
The
output of the temperature sensing probe is used by the control
unit to proportionally control the regulated, low-voltage
DC supply to the blanket. This method of control alleviates
the interference problems associated with that of non-proportional
control, such as switching contacts, thus enabling the system
to be used in conjunction with high-gain recording systems.
The
control temperature is preset at 37°C (98.6°F) at
the factory, but can be adjusted within the range of 35°
to 40°C (95° to 104°F) by means of a control on
the front panel. An LCD display on the control unit continuously
displays the probe temperature.
A
horizontal LED bar graph indicates the level of power being
delivered to the blanket. When core temperature is substantially
below the desired temperature the bar graph will indicate
maximum power being delivered.
The
blanket consists of a highly flexible insulated heating element,
which can be folded without risking internal damage.
It
is electrically floating, with respect to ground however;
one end of the heating element can be grounded by a switch
on the front panel of the control unit. The system operates
satisfactorily whether or not the blanket is grounded.
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