KNOSYS

KNOSYS Olfactometers for Rats and Mice


WE offer complete units and components for animal behavior studies using odor stimuli. The units are adaptable for neurophysiology and incorporate the best features of those that have been widely used in studies of olfactory psychophysics and odor discrimination. They allow excellent control of odor quality and concentration yet are simple to operate, maintain and clean. Simplicity and low cost are achieved by avoiding unnecessary over-design and expensive 'state of the art' controllers.

The USB Liquid Dilution Olfactometer

The odor generator is a multi-channel system, allowing control of up to 8 different odorants or vapor phase mixture of odorants.
Odorant materials are diluted to the desired concentration in an appropriate solvent and are held in glass or disposable odor saturator bottles.
The air input and output of each bottle is isolated by separate normally closed pinch valves.

Operation of the control valves is nearly silent and results in a bolus of odorized air being added to a clean air stream connected to the subject chamber.
Air flows are controlled by a glass and Teflon needle valves and monitored by calibrated flowmeters. The entire system can be easily washed in place with alcohol or other solvents.
When ordered with the optional KNOSYS USB digital interface, all electrical connections between the system and computer are pre-wired.
The complete system contains all the components needed for behavioral studies using odor stimuli and includes:

      1. Quiet diaphragm compressor
      2. Activated carbon and particle filters for the air supply
      3. The multiple channel odor generator
      4. The KNOSYS mouse or rat operant conditioning chamber for behavior studies
      5. The KNOSYS USB digital interface
      6. Software programs for automated training and studies of odor detection, odor descrimination, and odor memory

The entire unit is contained on a 0.8 meter square panel that can be mounted on the wall, on a desk top or on a laboratory cart.

The Air Dilution System
This unit is designed for psychophysical studies and allows the operator to generate any concentration (10-2 - 10-8 % of vapor saturation) of a single odor.
The initial dilution is made from a saturated vapor and, in each subsequent dilution step, a fraction of the odorized air is mixed with clean air.
All air flows are controlled by needle valves and monitored by calibrated flowmeters. The system is constructed of glass and Teflon.
Delivery of a preset concentration of the odor to the subject is achieved by manifolding the continuously generated odor with a clean air carrier stream connected to the subject's odor sampling port. Odor flows are controlled by 3-way Teflon-body solenoids or by pinch valves.
An optional modification allows intensity difference threshold determinations.

The entire system can easily be washed in place with an appropriate solvent. The air dilution system requires a large volume of air generated at a 10-15 psi. This can be supplied by an appropriately filtered laboratory air line or by an oil-free piston-type compressor and buffer tank.
When ordered with the optional KNOSYS interface, all electrical connections between the system and computer are pre-wired.

The complete system contains all the components (except the air supply) needed for psychophysical tests of odor sensitivity and includes

The entire unit is contained on a 1.2 meter square panel and can be mounted on the wall, on a desk top or on a laboratory cart.

(Last update: November 2009)