A fully automated system using a microcomputer for the hypertensive activity assays of drugs in the anesthetized rat

A complete system is described for the computerized automation of the determination of activity of hypertensive drugs in the anesthetized rat. The microcomputer used was the Apple IIe, and the automation was performed by a purpose-designed command module. The series of injections of hypertensive drugs was controlled by the microcomputer through the intermediary of the command module. All processing of the signal (hypertension peak), calculation of the data obtained, statistical processing, and archive storage of the results was carried out entirely by the microcomputer. The computer was able unaided to control three work stations simultaneously without requiring synchronization.