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ClockLab

ClockLab: Data Collection and Analysis for Circadian Biology

Configure a system from a complete array of components.

  • Data collection and analysis software.
  • Light-tight cabinets with programmable lights, temperature, humidity and light sensors.
  • Running-wheel cages: Vertical and horizontal wheels. Wired or wireless connection to the computer.
  • Infrared motion sensors: Wired or wireless connections to the computer.
  • Programmable feeders.

Software​

**ClockLab Analysis 6. **A widely used stand-alone program for the analysis of circadian rhythms. It can read and analyze records obtained from almost any circadian data collection system, including the ClockLab data collection program.

ClockLab Data Collection. Simultaneously record from 448 hard-wired sensors including mechanical switches, IR-based motion sensors, or other digital signals. Control lights in the animal chamber or room with programmable schedules.

ClockLab Wireless Data Collection. Record wirelessly from up to 250 running wheels or IR-based motion sensors. Wired and wireless connections can be used simultaneously on a single system.

ClockLab Chamber Control. Records from and controls light-tight circadian cabinets from Phenome Technologies. The program makes long-term records of temperature, light levels, and humidity, controls light schedules in any arbitrary waveform and period, controls chamber temperature in daily cycles, and can control and record from Phenome’s programmable pellet feeders.

Hardware​

Circadian cabinets. Light-tight, fully ventilated cabinets with integrated, programmable LED lighting, sensors for monitoring temperature, humidity and light, and optional heating elements for temperature control.

Cages, running wheels, running-wheel sensors, and motion sensors. Vertical or horizontal running wheels can be fitted with mechanical switches, magnetic switches, or infrared sensors. Sensors can be hard-wired directly to the ClockLab digital interface, or for easier setup connected wirelessly to the ClockLab base station. Stand-alone infrared motion sensors are also available can be connected to the computer via wires or wirelessly.

Programmable pellet feeders can be integrated with cages and running wheels. Feeding schedules are controlled and food consumption recorded via the Chamber Control program.

Data Collection​

ClockLab Data Collection

ClockLab 56-channel interface (ACT-556 or CL300) with 7-channel breakout box and cage with running wheel and switch. 8 breakout boxes can be connected with RJ-45 cables (blue) of up to 100 feet in length. USB connection to the computer is at upper right. Up to 8 CL300’s can be attached to one computer for a total of 488 channels.

ClockLab’s data collection application runs under any of the Windows operating systems and performs many functions that are not usually incorporated in similar systems.

  • Up to 448 channels. Multiple 56-channel USB interfaces for laptop or desktop computers. Easy setup and small footprint.
  • **New: Wireless connections. **In addition to hard-wired connections via the USB interface, ClockLab can now connect wireless to up to 1000 running wheels or infrared motion sensor.
  • Low cost per channel. High channel counts save computer costs and space.
  • Reliable. Our systems have logged over millions of hours of operation. Some of our systems have run continuously for several years without restarting or rebooting (not recommended).
  • **Start and Stop each channel independently. **Recording on any channel can be started (or stopped) at any time with a user-selectable file name. Different files can be located in different directories for convenient segregation of multiple, concurrent experiments.
  • **Simple, high-density connections. **RJ-45 (ethernet-style) connectors for compact wiring.
  • Monitor almost any sensor, including running wheels, infrared motion detectors, or any digital signal.
  • Light detection. ClockLab can easily be configured with light detectors (provided). Light levels are recorded with 1-minute precision in each data file. No need to guess about blown bulbs, accidental chamber openings or faulty, misprogrammed or inaccurate light timers.
  • **Integrated light control. **Control the lights or other devices in up to 32 different animal chambers independently using the simple menu-and-slider control panel shown below. Multiple daily 24-hour or T-cycles, or one-time pulse protocols. One-time pulses can be programmed days in advance. Right: 16 days of light control are programmed in advance.
  • Remote data access. To monitor ongoing experiments, download data files over the internet at any time using FTP or Windows’ network capabilities.
  • View actograms in real-time. A single click opens developing files in the ClockLab Analysis program.
  • Automatic detection of low activity levels. Low-activity warning for all channels can be viewed in a single window.
  • **Automated email warnings. **ClockLab can be configured to send email warnings to multiple email accounts when activity goes out of range or when other problems arise.
  • **Comes with the ClockLab Analysis package. **Multicomputer site license provided for the most sophisticated and easy-to-use circadian analysis package currently available.

Analysis​

** ClockLab Analysis Version 6 **

ClockLab Analysis combines a point-and-click interface with state-of-the-art algorithms. Embedded controls turn each graph into a powerful interactive tool for data analysis. Our users enjoy ClockLab’s speed and convenience. ClockLab’s Analysis program has been applied to mice, hamsters, rats, sheep, Drosophila, humans, bees, ants, algae, Eurasian lynx, wild grizzly bears, wild polar bears (current latitude record: 82.54N), wild Alaskan squirrels, wild gopher turtles, horseshoe crabs, tuco-tucos, molluscs, mosquitoes, and soil chemistry signals from the Mars Viking Lander.

ClockLab automatically reads data files from many data collection systems: ClockLab Data Collection, ClockLab Wireless, LumiCycle, Trikinetics, CamNTech, Actiwatch, DataQuest, Condor, VitalView, Sable Systems, Columbus Instruments, and more. It is also possible to create data files that ClockLab can read using a simple text-based or CSV format.

To Download the Free Demo Version please contact Actimetrics by e-mail at inquiry@actimetrics.com or by phone at (847) 556-8680 and instructions will be provided. The demo version allows access to all the features of the program, but is limited to opening and analyzing a small set of sample data files that come with the program.

ClockLab Chamber Control​

ClockLab Chamber Control is a stand-alone program for controlling and recording from light-tight Circadian Cabinets made by Phenome Technologies. The program monitors light levels, temperature and humidity sensors built in the cabinets, and will control lights, temperature and feeding schedules according to user-specified schedules.

  • Light control with continuously adjustable level, waveform and period
  • Temperature control with continuously adjustable level, waveform and period
  • Feeder control with user-settable schedules for Phenome Technologies’ programmable pellet feeders
  • Continuous monitoring of temperature, humidity and light levels. Light levels can be overlayed on actograms.
  • Send email alerts when temperature or other parameters exceed settable limits

Circadian Cabinets​

Circadian Cabinets from Phenome Technologies

  • Available in sizes to accommodate standard rat or mouse cages

  • Light-tight

  • Easily cleaned

  • Fully ventilated and filtered to meet Federal standards

  • Programmable LED lighting

  • Built-in connectors for running wheels or motion sensors

  • Temperature, humidity and light level sensors

  • Optional temperature control

  • Stackable

  • Fully integrated with ClockLab Data Collection and Chamber Control software

    Specifications for white LEDs

Specifications​

Material: PVC II

Air Exchange: 7.18 cfm

Lighting: Light Emitting Diodes (LED)

LED Lighting Color: White or Green

LUX: 1,000 max

Cleaning Solution: 10% Bleach Solution

MOUSE CABINET (pictured above)

Outside Dimensions (width x height x depth): 43.5″ x 23.5″ x 23.75″ (110.5 cm x 59.69 cm x 60.33 cm).

Add 1.25″ (3.2 cm) to depth for door handles.

Inside Dimensions (width x height x depth): 42.5″ x 20.5″ x 18.75″ inches (107.95 cm x 52.07 cm x 47.63 cm)

Shelf Height: 10″ (25.4 cm) (9.7″ from floor to light panel)

Number of Cages: Six (6) cages per shelf; 12 cages Total per Cabinet

RAT CABINET (pictured below)

Outside Dimensions (width x height x depth): 37″ x 30.5″x 29″ inches (93.98 cm x 77.47 cm x 30.25 cm)

Add 1.25″ (3.2 cm) to depth for door handles.

Inside Dimensions: 36″ x 28.5″ x 24″ (91.44 cm x 72.39 cm x 60.69 cm)

Shelf Height: 14 inches (35.56 cm)

Number of Cages: Three (3) cages per shelf; Six (6) cages Total per Cabinet