OptoDrum: Automated Measurement of the Optomotor Reflex

OptoDrum - Automated Animal Visual Behavior Tracking

Item Product Price QTY
65300 OptoDrum: Automated Measurement of Optomotor Reflex, Mouse Login
65310 OptoDrum: Automated Measurement of Optomotor Reflex, PLUS Login
65300-3 OptoDrum Scotopic experiment kit Login
65350 Dark Adaptation Box Login

All animals have reflexes that help to stabilize the image of the environment on their retinas. Such reflexes are triggered, for example, by translational movement of the environment. Look out of the window of a moving train, and your eyes will jump back and forth! This is the optokinetic reflex. Similarly, there will be compensatory head movements, caused by the optomotor reflex. Observing those reflexes is an important tool widely used in research to assess the visual abilities of animals. After all, one cannot ask a mouse whether or not it has seen a stimulus. But only a stimulus that is actually seen can trigger such reflexes. So far, it has been very tedious and time consuming to analyze the corresponding reflex-driven behavior of mice. Our OptoDrum system automates this task. It delivers quick and objective results about their visual abilities, such as contrast sensitivity and spatial acuity.

The OptoDrum experience is fully automated. Place a mouse on the platform inside the arena, and the OptoDrum will present slowly rotating stripe patterns to the animal. Its behavior is monitored by a camera, and our software determines if the animal follows the stripe pattern with its head movement. The stripe pattern will be adjusted over time (made more difficult to be seen, e.g. by lowering the contrast), until the animal no longer shows the reflex-driven behavior. No training is necessary for the animal, and only very limited training is necessary for the user. The OptoDrum is incredibly easy to use, right out of the box.

The following features are available:

  • Automated detection of gaze direction with freely moving animals in a non-static illuminated background
  • Automated adjustment of stimulus pattern
  • Automated behavioral analysis
  • Minimal experience required
  • Dedicated expert support

Display Panels

23.8” full-HD IPS panels

178° vertical and horizontal viewing angle

DICOM color mode for faithful stimulus presentation. Brightness: 250 cd/m²

Camera

Compact industrial camera

IR-sensitive 1/3” CMOS sensor with global shutter

Wide angle lens, F1.6

Dimension

Inside: 54 x 54 x 30 cm

Outside: 70 x 70 x 75 cm

Weight: ca. 50 kg

Arena

Top and bottom mirror

Elevated platform in 3 different sizes and 2 different colors, easy to change and clean

Front door: Easy mouse handling and easy cleaning

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