Automatic electronic device for maintaining the temperature of curarized animals at a constant level in acute...

As animals under the effect of myorelaxants or deep anaesthesia lose most of their thermogenesis and cannot compensate heat losses, thermal homeostasis is no longer maintained and hypothermia ensues. In order to maintain a constant temperature the animals must receive their heat from an outer source. An electronic device is described which measures the animal's temperature by a thermistor and, according to the recordings, controls the heating circuit of an ultrathermostat that in turn pumps hot water through a heat exchanger (coils or plastic bag, etc.) and keeps the animal warm. The temperature of the curarized animal is thus maintained at a constant level, varying within the range of +/- 0.2 degrees C (possibly also +/- 0.1 degree C).