Wireless FED Operant Feeder

The widely popular FED3 Wireless is now part of the Actimetrics Wireless System

Accessible wirelessly with the Actimetrics Wireless Gateway, each FED Wireless unit can be programmed to administer different simple operant style schedules such as Fixed Ratio, Progressive Ratio, Fixed Interval and Ad-lib task.

Based on the widely popular FED3 developed by the Kravitz lab at Washington University in Saint Louis, this variation of the FED unit moves away from the microSD for programming and data collection. Data is reported back wirelessly to a control computer that can be aligned with other activity or circadian data to incorporate feeding data. The same consistent FED form factor was used to ensure existing enclosure or caging does not need to be updated.

Other improvements to the design include a transparent window above the pellet hopper to monitor pellet levels in each unit. An additional pellet sensor has also been added internally to the unit to provide increased accuracy for the number and when pellets are dispensed.

Wireless programming

Operation of up to 200 feeders can be configured on a single computer running ClockLab Wireless. The configurations are sent wirelessly to the feeders. Controls can be set individually for each feeder:

• Behavior protocol (Fixed ratio, random ratio, fixed interval, progressive ratio, etc.).
• Circadian Cycle (Period and start time).
• Feeding periods (up to 4 feeding periods during each circadian day).
• Stimulus configurations. Link LEDs and sound to behavioral events.

Wireless data collection

Minute-by-minute counts of pellets taken, and nose pokes are recorded in ClockLab-compatible files. In addition, time and duration of each nose poke, and pellet can be stored to text-based files.

Wireless status monitoring

The ClockLab Wireless program displays battery levels, wireless signal strength, and cumulative pellets delivered at a glance.

Improved pellet sensor

Internal pellet sensor provides increased accuracy for the number and timing of pellet dispensing. Sensor communicates feeder status directly to ClockLab Software for display.

External device control

A digital output can be linked to specific behavioral events for triggering experimental equipment, such as electrical and optogenetic stimulators, or physiological data recorders.

Specifications

• Dimensions: 4.5″ x 3″ x 3.5″
• Pellet size: 20 mg
• Capacity: 1000+ pellets
• Battery charger: USB-C 500 mA
• Battery life: ~4 weeks, depending on pellet frequency
• Mounting: 4 magnets on the feeder face can be used to secure to cage wall.
• Stimuli: LED in each poke hole can be linked to events or set to flash while poke is active
• 2 external LEDs can be linked to behavioral events (correct poke, incorrect poke, etc.)
• Auditory stimuli (buzz, tone, click) can be linked to behavioral events
• External output: Digital output (3.3 volt) can be linked to behavioral events.
• Data formats:
  • ClockLab Analysis compatible file: minute-by-minute pellet counts
  • Text file: minute-by-minute pellet and poke counts
• Text file: times and durations for individual pokes and pellets, 100-ms temporal resolution.