Orofacial Pain Assessment Device (OPAD)

Automated measurement of hot, cold or mechanical orofacial pain

Item Product Price QTY
67500 OPAD System, Hot/Cold & Mechanical, Mouse/Rat Login
67501MR OPAD, Additional Unit, Hot/Cold & Mechanical, Mouse/Rat Login
67500M OPAD System, Hot/Cold & Mechanical, Mouse Login
67501M OPAD, Additional Unit, Hot/Cold & Mechanical, Mouse Login
67500R OPAD System, Hot/Cold & Mechanical, Rat Login
67501R OPAD, Additional Unit, Hot/Cold & Mechanical, Rat Login
67500H OPAD System, Hot/Cold Login
67501 OPAD, Additional Unit, Hot/Cold, Software Not Included Login

The Stoelting OroFacial Pain Assessment Device (OPAD) provides an automated measurement of temperature (hot or cold) or mechanical orofacial pain assessment in the trigeminal nerve of rats and mice. Using an operant behaviour conflict paradigm, rodents voluntarily decide between receiving a reward or escaping an aversive stimulus.

The OPAD begins to work when the animal touches and presses between dual peltier-controlled temperature elements to obtain a liquid reward. As the temperature (hot or cold) becomes aversive, the animal can withdraw. The OroFacial Software will automatically track the number of licks, contact with elements and the temperature at which contact is broken.

OPAD connects to a PC via USB and experiments are performed using the ANY-maze software.

  • Designed for use with mice and rats
  • Hot or cold temperature control
  • Objective pain assessment
  • Operant testing and measures
  • High throughput
  • Rackable system
  • Up to 16 cages with a single computer
  • 4° to 75°C temperature range
  • Easy to clean

Jove video

Donertas-Ayaz B et al; Assessment of Nerve Injury-induced Mechanical Hypersensitivity in Rats using an Orofacial Operant Pain Assay. J. Vis. Exp. (185), e64221, doi:10.3791/64221 (2022)

The Stoelting OroFacial Pain Assessment Device (OPAD) provides an automated measurement orofacial pain assessment in the trigeminal nerve in rats and mice via hot or cold or mechanical stimulation. Using an operant behavior conflict paradigm, rodents voluntarily (cognitive-based) decide between receiving a reward or avoiding an aversive stimulus to the orofacila region.

30-DAY DEMO TRIALS AVAILABLE! CONTACT STOELTING FOR DETAILS!

The OPAD begins to work when the animal touches and presses its head between dual peltier-controlled temperature elements or mechanical protrusions to obtain a liquid reward (sweetened consensed milk and water). As the temperature (hot or cold) becomes aversive or if the mechanical protrusions are uncomfortable, the animal can withdraw. The ANY-maze OroFacial Software will automatically track, the number of licks, contact with elements (both the Peltier and mechanical protrusions), and amount of liquid consumed.

Features

  • Hot or cold temperature control
  • Mechanical stimulation
  • Objective pain assessment and easy to use!
  • Operant testing and measures (not reflexive based like Hargreaves plantar testing or tail flick)
  • High throughput
  • Rackable system
  • Up to 16 cages with a single computer
  • 4° to 75°C temperature range
  • Easy to clean
  • Easy USB connection
  • Designed for use with mice and rats

Hardware
The OPAD cage for either mice or rats is seated on a metal base that is easily cleaned. A metal rack is enclosed and can be removed and cleaned between animals. Animals are trained and tested in the cage; the reward bottle is positioned to allow access when simultaneously contacting the thermode or mechanical protrusions with its orofacial region. The water bottle is connected to the data acquisition for recording each lick, in addition, contact with the thermode or mechanical protrusions will record every touch and duration. Each cage is easily attached to computer via USB port.

  • Easy to clean
  • Thermode adjustable
  • Single cage for mice and rats
  • LCD display     
  • Bottle can be moved easily
  • Easy On/Off

Software
All of this data taken from the hardware will then be displayed and analyzed using the ANY-maze OroFacial Software, a module of our popular ANY-maze software. The software will display and track in real-time the following events: temperature changes, contacts with the thermode, and licks. Following completion of the test, the ANY-maze OroFacial Software will display graphs and statistical analysis of the experiment(s); of course data can be downloaded to other software programs.


The following functions are available with the ANY-maze Orofacial Software:

  • Set and change thermode temperature        
  • Automatically tracks licks, and touches to reward bottle & thermode
  • Ability to ramp temperature during experiment
  • Graphs and statistical analysis available
  • Up to 16 cages with a single computer        
  • Easy to use interface and protocol set-up