SMART

SDI’s SMART video tracking system analyzes motor activity with accuracy through video. Utilizing digital imaging through your PC, SMART performs extremely precise analysis of the animal’s motor behavior, freeing you from manual data collection. 

While the Basic SMART System tracks one animal, extension software is easily added to track animals located in up to 16 separate enclosures. For any number of subjects, the system will provide you with both quantitative and qualitative analyses of each animal’s path.

The SMART video tracking system gathers the animal track data from the video input and saves it in a discrete file, available for several types of analysis.  One key analysis method involves dividing the animal enclosure into zones using the SMART video tracking software, which will then produce results such as number of entries into a zone, distance traveled in zone, time in zone, latency to enter zone, path angles, and other key data items.

Regardless of the analysis method chosen, your “animal track data” is available at any time along with video images—enabling you to re-analyze experiments with different parameters.

SMART’s animal tracking software takes full advantage of the Microsoft® Windows environment offering a flexible and easy to learn interface for setting up Morris Water Maze, Elevated Plus Maze, Radial Arm Maze, Zero Maze, T-Maze, Y-Maze, Multi Unit Open Field, Single Unit Open Field and Place Preference tests. In addition, SMART can be utilized in virtually any user-designed application.

System Components Include:

• Camcorder or camera
• Remote start/stop switch
• SMART software
• PC interface board
• Cables & connectors

# Color Zones

32

Resolution

Horizontal:  800 pixels   Vertical:  600 pixels

Built-In Zone Maps

Radial Arm, Open Field, T, Plus, Water, Preference Test

Session Timings

From 1 second to 24 hours in duration

Data Analysis

Path length; turning angles; latency to enter zones; dwell time in zones; absolute direction of movements; direction of movements relative to target; frequency of entry into zones; straight line chord distance from start to target; heading relative to target when entering  zone, velocity (min, max, avg.)

Standard Cable Length

20 ft.

• IR Camera for low light usage with variofocal lens (4mm-10mm)
• IR Camera with illuminator and 6mm lens for usage in complete darkness
• Wide angle lens (4.8mm)
• Camera ceiling mount bracket

Q: Why don’t I see an image on the computer screen?

A: Make sure the video card is set to 800x600 resolution and 32bit Tru Color for the color setting.

Q: Can I analyze more than one track at a time?

A: Yes you can analyze multiple tracks.

Q: Can I analyze stored video?

A: Yes you can from a tape recording, as long as you start by filming 30 seconds of background footage prior to beginning the actual experiment.

Q: What types of enclosures can SMART be used with?

A: Water maze, radial arm maze, almost any type of maze, enclosure or field that is visible from above or open fields.

Q: How big of an enclosure can I use with SMART?

A: For every one horizontal foot, you must have at least 1 ½ feet of vertical space available. For a six foot water maze, you must have a 9 foot ceiling. Wide angle lenses can be used to lower the vertical height requirement.