The LE7406 Hot-Plate performs rapid and precise screening of analgesic drug properties on small-laboratory animals according to the ‘hot-plate test’. The animal’s pain sensitivity alterations induced by a specific experimental context change and/or genetic manipulations can also be evaluated through this method.

Basically, the hot-plate test, initially described by N.B. Eddy and D. Leimbach (1953), evaluates thermal pain reflexes due to footpad contact with a heated surface. During the experiments, the animal is confined in a removable clear acrylic cylinder where the latency time to the first hind paw or/and jumping responses are measured.

In the LE7406 Hot-Plate, a thick aluminium plate (10 mm) provides a high temperature stability and even surface distribution. The plate temperature can be held at a set point between 45 and 62°C (± 0.1ºC) by multiple proportional feedback circuits that minimize overshoot. A built-in timer activated by an external foot switch allows precise measurement of reaction time (0.1 sec precision). A remote foot-switch controls the test start/stop allowing rapid hands-free experiments. The operator can read the animal reaction time from the display or from a PC computer using the SeDaCom software. Trial number, plate temperature and reaction time are then sent to the PC through a RS 232 port.