The INFRA-E-MOTION Nutrition Monitor is a high precision scale for consumption measurement of food- and liquid intake of mice and rats and comparable rodents in individual

enclosures/standard cages. Even smallest consumption is recorded at the very minute in high resolution. As a dual scale the Nutrition Monitor serves with two separate recording units. Each unit can be configured either for liquid or food consumption. Additionall parameters like activity per defined time unit, temperature, humidity and lighting conditions can be recorded.
All data collected can be saved to a PC by means of the included INFRA-E-MOTION interface software. Multiple devices can be joined simply and clear in serial connection with a single cable to a single computer. Each device can be set up everywhere fast and flexible and is immediately “ready to record”. The device can be used easily and requires no maintenance. A calibration security check once every 3 years is recommended nonetheless.

Standard Cages

The INFRA-E-MOTION Nutrition Monitor fits all Euro-Standard cages. All non-Euro-Standard cages can be tightened by means of a specifically crafted cage covering. Prior ordering of multiple devices INFRA-E-MOTION offers fabrication of a test-cage-covering to a special rate. Patterns from former orders are immediately available.

Stable and high resolution measurement and recording

Electronic measuring equipment

With the INFRA-E-MOTION Nutrition Monitor it is possible to record even slightest amounts of consumption at the time of consumption.
This offers recording of behavioral patterns of food/liquid consumption of the test animal.
Measurement/recording intervals range from a minimum of 30 seconds to a maximum of 60 minutes.
When used in combination with a PC, recording duration is unlimited. Depending on the type of storage medium values recorded can be saved almost limitless.
The high degree of fineness and precision of the electronic measuring equipment offers recordings in a range between 20mg to 100mg.
The INFRA-E-MOTION Nutrition Monitor can be equipped with either a maximum weighing range of 450g using a resolution of 10mg or with a maximum weighing range of 900g using a resolution of 20mg.
In case a resolution of 10g is used (a hundredth gram) a consumption of 10 µg can be recorded.
A drop of water weights around 50mg. 30mg to 50mg of water is usually consumed by a mouse when drinking (session). The INFRA-E-Motion Nutrition Monitor captures each session’s liquid weight change.

(for a larger view klick the image)

The electronic measuring equipment records the signal from the sensor in extremely high resolution.
Compared to the measurement of distance the high recording resolution corresponds to a deviation of +/- 0,7mm (0,02756 inch) on a distance of 30 Kilometer (18,64 Miles).

Although the sensor signal is very small, it is stable nonetheless and not affected by fluctuations of ambience conditions like temperature change up to +/- 2 degree Celsius (+/- 35, 6 degree Fahrenheit).

The electronic measuring equipment is almost free of deterioration allowing recording for years and years without having to re-calibrate the device. More regarding the high tech electronic parts here.

(for a larger view klick the image)

During food recording, the mouse crawls into the food chamber and is being weighted. This is what caused the peak in the diagram. Food consumption is calculated by subtracting the food chamber weight prior usage with the chamber weight after usage (in the diagram prior and after the peak).

A sample data file with example data from the INFRA-E-MOTION Nutrition Monitor can be download using the following link:

INFRA-E-MOTION Software and Ways of Operation

The INFRA-E-MOTION Nutrition Monitor can be operated in two ways:

1. Usage with data logger
   In this mode, the INFRA-E-MOTION Nutrition Monitor is supplied with power by an INFRA-E-MOTION data logger.
   So no power socket or another external power supply is needed.
   The INFRA-E-MOTION data logger can record activity per time unit, room temperature, room humidity and lighting conditions. In connection with the INFRA-E-MOTION Nutrition Monitor also consumption data (food / liquid) are recorded.
   After finishing the recording, the data gathered are exported into Excel by means of a MOUSE-E-MOTION Add-In and presented both graphically and as raw data.
   With the new data logger generation, a recording performance between 7 and 10 days can be achieved; former logger generations usually reach 3 to 5 days.
   Data cannot be accessed or copied during a recording session.
2. Usage linked with a computer
   In this mode, up to 32 INFRA-E-MOTION Nutrition Monitors can be interconnected and relayed to a computer by means of an USB adapter. The USB adapter ensures power supply of all monitors. All data recorded by the monitors are constantly saved on the hard disk of the computer.
   Data can be accessed, copied and verified during recording session.
   The INFRA-E-MOTION Nutrition Monitor can be optionally equipped with additional sensors for activity, temperature and humidity monitoring. Also relative lighting conditions can be monitored. This sensor (lighting recording) is always part of the INFRA-E-MOTION Nutrition Monitor.
   In case of usage of a RS232 adapter it is possible to control/start the monitors remotely, e.g. via a local network or via the Internet.

		PC relay	Data Logger relay
Consumption recording of Food and Liquid
additional data recording	Test animal activity	optional
	Temperature	optional	optional
	Humidity	optional	optional
	Lighting
Maximum of possibly connected INFRA-E-MOTION Nutrition Monitors		32	1
Power Supply		Electrical outlet	Accumulator via INFRA-E-MOTION Data Logger
Max. recording		Unlimited (or until max. hard drive capacity is reached)	7 – 10 Days / Under ideal conditions
Availability of data		During and after recording	After recording
Software preconditions		Nutrition Monitor PC Software	Excel Add-in
Remote Control (LAN and via Internet)
Mutual Star

INFRA-E-MOTION Nutriton Monitor Connection