Digitalization of a Pressure-Transducer Based
Plethysmograph through a PowerLab Equipment for Recording Rat Paw
Volume
Gonzalo Bustos1,
Carlos Valdés1, José L Martinez2 and Claudio
Laurido1*
1Laboratory of Neurobiology,
Faculty of Chemistry and Biology, University ofSantiago of Chile, P.O. Box 40, Correo 33, 917002, Santiago,
Chile; 2Vicerrectory of Research, Development and
Innovation, University of Santiago of Chile;
*Corresponding author: claudio.laurido@usach.cl
Abstract
We presented a plethysmograph built from an old
pressure transducer associated with a mercury column. The paw under study
was immersed into a mercury vessel for
making the measurements. The resultant upward force exerted by the
paw was equal to the weight of the fluid
that the paw displaced. Since the force
exerted equals to the product of the pressure times the area, and the area of
the pressure sensor was constant, then the
force was directly proportional to the pressure.The accuracy of the measured volume was dependent on the precision of the
sensor. In this case, the sensitivity was 50 to 300 µV per Volt, per
10 mm
of mercury. This plethysmograph was tested by immersing objects with different
volumes and shapes. Results showed a very good linearity. The values recorded
were coupled to a PowerLab model 4/30, allowed
us to digitalize the values obtained.