

Rodent Surgical Monitor+ (RSM+)
The Indus Rodent Surgical Monitor+ is an advanced, integrated surgical warming and vital signs monitoring solution for preclinical research in mice, rats and other small animals. The system provides detailed information, in real time, regarding subject body temperature, ECG, heart rate, pressure and respiration. The system incorporates intelligent zone heating, ultra-low noise, high-resolution ECG electronics, noninvasive electrodes, and a port for external needle electrodes for when subjects cannot be laid prone or supine.
A standard setup consists of three components:
- Touchscreen Display Unit
- Heated Surgical Platform
- Temperature Probe
Optional components:
- Pulse Oximetry Thigh Clip
- Pressure Adapter Cable and Pressure Catheter
- External Needle Electrodes
Temperature

Core body temperature is measured by rectal probe and regulated via the Heated Surgical Platform.
ECG

High-resolution multi-lead ECG measured by noninvasive paw or subcutaneous needle electrodes.
Heart Rate

Heart rates between 60 – 999 bpm are automatically calculated from the R peaks of the ECG signal.
Respiration

Properly titrate anesthesia based on respiration rate, measured using electrical impedance.
Pressure

Measure high fidelity arterial and ventricle pressure in mice and rats using a solid state pressure catheter.
SPO2

Measure arterial blood oxygenation non-invasively in mice and rats using a thigh clip sensor.
Touchscreen Display Unit
Configurable, clear waveforms and numeric panels provide information to monitor subject physiological status. Recording, playback and export functions are included to make data collection easy.
Touchscreen Display Unit | |
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Type | High Resolution Color with Capacitive Touch |
Size & Resolution | 10.1 Inches; 2560 x 1600 pixels |
Storage Capacity | 25 GB available |
Power Supply | Universal Adapter (100 – 240 VAC) |
Connection to the Heated Surgical Platform | Wireless or optional USB-C |

Physiologic Measurements
Measurement | Range |
---|---|
Heart Rate (Lead I, II, II) | 60-999 BPM |
Respiration Rate | 15-400 BrPM |
Core Temperature | 0 – 50°C |
Pad Temperature | 25.0 – 43.5°C |
R-R Interval (Lead I, II, III) | 60 – 1000 ms |
SpO2 * | 80 – 100% |
Pressure ** | -50 – 300 mmHg |
Waveform Display Options |
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ECG Lead I, II, III |
ECG Lead aVL, aVR, aVF |
Respiration |
Respiration (from ECG) |
Pulse Plethysmogram * |
Pressure ** |
* SpO2 and Pulse Plethysmogram measurements require the “Pulse Oximeter software and clip”
** Pressure measurements require the “Pressure software upgrade and pressure catheters”
Features that help you do better science…
Real Time Monitoring
clearly labelled numeric panels and measurement waveforms make it easy to monitor critical parameters
Customizable Presets
define optimal study conditions and ensure consistency between subjects and collaborating labs
Easy Documentation
a single image can capture animal ID, vital signs, study ID, researcher, date, time and all filter settings
Standalone Data Collection
capture data, make comments and view recordings on the tablet to quickly take measurements and verify experiment details
Heated Surgical Platform
The surgical-grade stainless steel operating platform is easy to clean and disinfect, designed to support surgical best practices. It incorporates intelligent zone heating, ultra-low noise, high-resolution ECG electronics, noninvasive electrodes and a port for external needle electrodes for when subjects cannot be laid prone or supine.

Heated Surgical Platform | |
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Dimensions | 7.6 x 11.6 x 0.75 inches |
Weight | 3.4 pounds |
Heater Type | Responsive with Multiple Zone Control |
Heater Uniformity | < 0.5°C Across Active Area |
Startup Time | < 2 minutes from room temperature |
Heater Set Temperature | Adjustable, 25.0 – 43.5°C by 0.1°C |
Power Supply | Universal Adapter (100-240 VAC) |
Noninvasive Electrodes | Two sets of limb ECG contact electrodes; inner set for mouse, outer for rats or subjects of similar size |
Optional External Electrodes | 3.5mm 4-pole audio jack to four 13mm stainless steel needle electrodes |
Temperature Probe
Each Rodent Surgical Monitor+ is delivered with a single rectal temperature probe. Customers may select between probes ideal for adult mice or for adult rats.
The temperature probe sensor is a Copper-Constantan Thermocouple, located at the tip of the probe. Probe temperature resolution is +/-0.1°C. Calibrated probe accuracy is +/-0.1°C at operating temperature.

Versatile
three sets of electrodes make it easy to work with small mice, large rats and many small animals in between
Dynamic
responsive electronic heating can respond to changing lab conditions within seconds, not minutes
Flexible
expansion modules allow you to easily add functionality later as your lab and study’s needs change
Pressure Catheter Option
The Pressure Catheter Option includes a software and firmware update, along with a catheter connection cable. When connected to an Indus pressure catheter, measurements of arterial and ventricular pressures can be performed. This adds another real-time continuous data stream to the Rodent Surgical Monitor+.
The Indus high fidelity rodent pressure catheters are specifically designed for use with mice and rats. These catheters have solid state sensors mounted at the tip that measure pressures with a high degree of precision. They are ideal for arterial, venous, or ventricular pressures due to the solid state sensor’s ability to accurately respond to minute and rapid changes in pressure.

Pressure Catheter Specifications | ||
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Available Sizes | 1.2F and 1.6F | |
Sensor Type | Solid state sensor, mounted at the tip of the catheter; pressure membrane recessed for protection | |
Catheter Material | Polymide tubing, providing balance of flexibility and rigidity | |
Pressure Resolution | 10uV/mmHg; higher than the industry standard |
Pressure Amplifier Specifications | ||
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Input Pressure Range | -50 – 300 mmHg | |
High Pass Filter Settings | None | |
Low Pass Filter Settings | Can be set to Off, 30Hz, 100Hz, 200Hz, 500Hz, or 1000Hz | |
Notch Filter Settings | Can be set to Off, 50Hz, or 60Hz | |
Calibration | Allows zero calibration and a high-point calibration |
Pulse Oximetery Option
The Pulse Oximeter Option includes a software and firmware update, along with a sensor clip. This option allows you to noninvasively measure arterial blood oxygenation. This adds another real-time continuous data stream to the Rodent Surgical Monitor+, providing valuable information about depth of anesthesia and ventilation efficacy. Pulse oximetry has been mandated in hospital care for more than a decade: the preclinical research community has taken note of this and current NIH guidelines repeatedly suggest monitoring pulse oximetry during surgery and postoperative care to ensure correct anesthesia delivery and ventilation.

Cable Specifications | ||
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Pulse Rate Range | 200-999 BPM | |
Pulse Rate Resolution | 1 BPM | |
Sp02 Range | 80% – 100% | |
Sp02 Resolution | 1% | |
Connector | Built-In Connector | |
Available Sensors | Thigh Clip (Mouse & Rat) |
4 or 8 Channel Analog Output Cable
The 4 or 8 Channel Analog Output Cable provides the capability to acquire raw data from the Rodent Surgical Monitor+, in real time, with virtually any data acquisition system. A total of four or eight output channels are included, each configurable for optimal data output. In addition, the cable can be used as an R-trigger for ultrasound imaging systems, as a TTL trigger for high-speed dual camera image capture systems and to supply data to many different brands of data acquisition systems. Each channel can be individually configured with its own filtering options.

Analog Output Specifications | ||
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BNC Outputs | 4 or 8 Channels | |
Sample Rate | 4 kHz | |
DAC Resolution | 14-bit | |
Output Impedance | 75 ohms typical | |
Output Voltage | ± 5V | |
Maximum Output Current | 30mA short circuit current | |
Slew Rates | 1.8V per microsecond | |
Settling Time | 5µs typical | |
Linearity Error | ± 1 LSB | |
High Pass Filtering | Can be set to Off, 0.2Hz, 0.5Hz, 1Hz, 2Hz, 5Hz, or 10Hz | |
Low Pass Filtering | Can be set to Off, 1Hz, 2Hz, 5Hz, 10Hz, 20Hz, 30Hz, 100Hz, 200Hz, 500Hz, or 1000Hz. There is also a 2000Hz hardware filter setting | |
Notch Filtering | This filter suppresses cyclic 50Hz or 60Hz AC power line noise that can interfere with the instrumentation. |
Available Signal Outputs | |
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ECG Lead I, II, III | ECG Lead II Trigger |
Respiration Waveform | Core Temperature |
Pad Temperature | Pulse Plethysmography (IR) |
Pulse Plethysmography (R) | Pressure |
NRC Guide for the Care and use of Laboratory Animals
The Indus Rodent Surgical Monitor+ ensures scientist meet today’s laboratory standards as detailed by the NRC. The following are excerpts from the guide… to download a full copy, click here.
“Careful monitoring and timely attention to problems increase the likelihood of a successful surgical outcome. Monitoring includes routine evaluation of anesthetic depth and physiologic functions and conditions, such as body temperature, cardiac and respiratory rates and pattern, and blood pressure, and should be appropriately documented… Maintenance of normal body temperature minimizes cardiovascular and respiratory disturbances caused by anesthetic agents, and is of particular importance in small animals where the high ratio of surface area to body weight may easily lead to hypothermia.” [pg. 119]
“For anesthesia delivery, precision vaporizers and monitoring equipment (e.g., pulse oximeter for determining arterial blood oxygen saturation levels) increase the safety and choices of anesthetic agents for use in rodents and other small species.” [pg. 122]
NRC Guide for the Care and use of Laboratory Animals, 8th edition, 2011