Assessment of the design and performance of the Sage syringe pump model 341A, with particular reference to its accuracy and stability

From foraging to operant conditioning: a new computer-controlled Skinner box to study free-flying nectar gathering behavior in bees

The experimental study of nectar foraging behavior in free-flying bees requires the use of automated devices to control solution delivery and measure dependent variables associated with nectar gathering. We describe a new computer-controlled artificial flower and provide calibration data to measure the precision of the apparatus. Our device is similar to a "Skinner box" and we present data of an experiment where various amounts of a 50% sugar solution are presented randomly to individual bees. These data show large individual variations among subjects across several dependent variables. Finally, we discuss possible applications of our device to problems in behavioral sciences.

A high precision dual feedback pump for unsteady perfusion of small organs

A dynamic pump system is described for perfusion of small organs with whole blood. The pump system was designed with the following aims: Very low flowrates to perfuse single organs in small rodents; high dynamic response for pressure or flow to permit experimenting with a harmonic signal at frequencies up to 20 Hz or by way of sharp step transients in less than 10 msec; high precision to allow detection of fine physiological details, and minimum blood cell trauma or cell activation by use of a piston principle. Representative pressure-flow curves are shown for the rat gracilis muscle after vasodilation. The curves are highly reproducible and serve as a complimentary dataset for microvascular observations in the same organ.

A syringe pump tester

The equipment described allows the accuracy of a syringe pump to be tested quickly and conveniently. A digital micrometer assembly clips in place of the disposable syringe and transmits readings to a separate unit which displays flow rates in ml/h. Initial readings of pump output are given in 30 s, with readings to a higher accuracy within 4 min.