The SquidBox Sleep Acquisition System (SAS) can monitor sleep/wake states in up to 32 cages/mice and can be purchased in two models; a standard version and a plus version. The SquidBox SAS +Plus allows for greater versatility when used in alternative monitoring environments.
| SquidBox Features | Standard – Model | Plus – Model |
| # of Cages Supported | 16, 32 | 16 |
| Data Marker push button | N | Y – Two |
| Cage Status Indicators | None | Y – 16 LEDs |
| Isolated Digital I/O | None | 2-DI / 2-DO or 4-DO or 4-DI † |
| Digital I/O Indicators | None | Y for all I/O |
| Audio / Analog Out | None | 2 – Analog Outputs |
| Analog Out Activation Indicators | N/A | 2 – One for each Output |
| Indicator Illumination Control | Y | Y |
| Auxiliary Analog Input | None | 8 Channels ‡ |
| Piezo Signal Pass Through | None | 8 Channels ‡ |
| Status Indicator | Y | Y |
| Power Indicator | Y | Y |
| Enclosure | Plastic | Plastic |
† If your application requires two Digital Inputs (DI) or two Digital Outputs (DO), we can accommodate this request. Isolated digital inputs and outputs ensure the interfacing equipment does not impose any signal quality issues and provides a level of Sleep Acquisition System protection.
‡ Our Squid Box family offers the flexibility to forward some or all of the internal amplified piezo signal to an external data acquisition system supplied by the customer. Alternately, the user can specify some or all the connection can be configured as auxiliary analog inputs and capture signal data from the user’s equipment by our software.
Explanation of Features
Data Marker button allows the user to mark the captured data in real-time.
Cage Status Indicators, closely indicates if the animal is asleep. This can be customized to the user’s application, such as activity level, or if the animal need attention. Some researchers found it beneficial to record cage and activation indicators in the field of view of a video system to synchronize recorded events.
Audio out and Digital I/O Activation Indicators shows when automatic or manual activation are occurring. These indicators aid debugging the system and they can be disabled (turned off) to minimize light disturbances of the animal such as during circadian rhythm studies.
Isolated Digital I/O: SquidBox Plus version includes a digital input and a digital output. These enable activation of external equipment and recording of a digital output via software control. Digital I/O activation could be based on sleep state, activity level or some custom state.
Power Indicator: shows the status of the system in regards to the Windows PC. If off the device is not connected or the PC is in suspend mode. Blinking shows Windows is trying to find and installing drivers. If the indicator is on solid then Windows drivers have found the device and is functioning normally. This indicator will only be dimmed substantially, when ‘All Indicators Off’ mode is selected so the user can determine if the system is powered and operation.
Piezo Signal Pass Through: when configured by the factory may be helpful in aligning animal activity as sensed by our piezo system user’s other research instruments. For example, utilizing our signal pass through enables the user to run PiezoSleep Software while also recording the same piezo signal on an auxiliary channel of their EEG or EMG data acquisition system.
Auxiliary Analog Input: This feature when requested enables the user to input their own 0-5v analog signal which can be useful in measuring and recording other physical phenomena.
| Input / Output Maximum Specifications † | |
| Status Indicators | Red LED |
| Power Indicator | Blue LED |
| Cage Status Indicators | 8 – Green LEDs |
| Isolated Digital Input – Dry Relay† | 3.3 – 24V DC with min. 5mA needed |
| Isolated Digital Output – Dry Relay‡ | 3-24V AC or DC at 100mA (max) |
| Digital I/O Indicators | 2 – Amber LEDs on Left Side |
| Stimulus – Analog Out A/B (L/R) | +/-10 V 1mA(max), software controlled |
| Stimulus – Activation Indicators | 2 – Amber LEDs on Right Side |
| Piezo Signal Pass Through | 0 to 5V with 2.5v offset |
| Auxiliary Analog Input | 0-5VDC |
† Going beyond maximum specifications may damage the Sleep Acquisition system.
‡ Wet Relay configurations are also available up on request but without isolation barrier.
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