An ambulatory physiological monitor for animal welfare studies

Monitoring physiological activity in freely moving subjects poses a conside rable challenge. The Free-Range Physiological Monitor (FRPM) is a novel ins trumentation pack designed to record and analyze physiological processes in ambulatory subjects for periods of 4 weeks and greater with no researcher intervention. Up to 255 monitors can be used simultaneously, with data comp ression ratios of up to 100:1 being achieved by data analysis being perform ed on the unit before the summarized results are transmitted by a 2 km rang e, 2.4 GHz radio link back to a base computer. Power for indefinite operati on is provided by a solar panel. Currently the FRPM is being used to record the Auditory Evoked Response, electrocardiogram and body temperature to in vestigate stress levels in farm animals during transportation and handling for animal welfare studies. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reser ved.