CAROLINE
SCHOENEWALD
CHRONIC CAT EXPERIMENT
Experimental Structure
This "cat pegway" is a platform used to record kinematics and forces during ambulation over an inconsistent peg surface. I am responsible for the design, construction, and software integration of motion capture systems and integrated force sensors. More design features can be found below.
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The finished platform measures
9 ft x 6 ft x 3 ft
WHERE
WHEN
RNEL
2018-2020
As the lead engineer on this project, I led and developed all mechanical, electrical, software, and system engineering aspects. There were many moving parts to this experiment some of which include:
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Design and build of experimental structure (cat pegway)
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Design and build of structural and electrical connections between cat body and environmental variables such as EMG recordings, DRG neural recordings, epidural stimulation, and force measurements during ambulation.
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Software development of stimulation control, camera recording modules compatibility, user GUIs, and recording capabilities.
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Integration and communication between hardware and software systems including Plexon stimulator, SpikeGadgets DAC, force sensors, Matlab, and Trodes (SpikeGadgets software platform)
Cat 'Backpack'
This "cat backpack" is a 3D printed container specifically designed to hold recording and stimulation equipment during cat ambulation.
Experimental Design
Experimental GUI
This GUI is the experimenters main control system for the experiment. The GUI communicates directly with the stimulation system to start/stop stimulation during any given trial. There are 3 different experiment types we planned to run. These include: sending a stimulation pulse after the force level on an individual peg is crossed during loading, sending a stimulation pulse after the force level on an individual peg is crossed during unloading, and lastly sending a stimulation pulse at any time desired by the experimenter (user control).
The GUI is also in direct communication with Trodes (the SpikeGadgets control software) during loading and unloading trials to send digital triggers when the force threshold is crossed.
Example documentation of systems and experimental designs. One example of an experiment may include cat ambulation across the peg way with epidural stimulation once a force threshold is crossed on an individual peg.
pegway Design Features
Pegs; all adjustable via linear sliders and interfaced with load cells for force measurement
6 foot height and roof coverings to limit cat's ability of escaping
Hinged doors for easy access to cat platform
Cat platform; used for cat to turn around during ambulation
Sliding doors for access to cat platforms
Sliding doors for access to electronics and peg linear sliders