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Rodent Hot/Cold Plate Pain Assay
SKU ME-8012
In Stock — ships now$4,990.00
IncludesStandard care
Precision thermal nociception testing apparatus for quantitative assessment of hot and cold pain thresholds in laboratory rodents with temperature control from -10°C to 80°C.
CE MarkedBAA available
Scientist guidance
Louise Corscadden, PhD
Director of Science · ConductScience
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Key Specifications
Full details →- Model fit
- Mouse, Rat
- SKU family
- ME-8012
- Shipping box
- 43.18 x 35.56 x 53.34 cm
- Ordering
- Online checkout and quote request available
- Category
- Behavioral Mazes
- Build notes
- glass, Metal
The Rodent Hot/Cold Plate Pain Assay is a precision thermal nociception testing apparatus designed for quantitative assessment of pain thresholds and analgesic efficacy in laboratory rodents. This integrated system combines hot plate and cold plate testing capabilities in a single platform, allowing researchers to evaluate both heat and cold sensitivity responses using standardized protocols. The apparatus features precise temperature control across a wide range (-10°C to 80°C) with high accuracy (±0.2°C) and fine adjustment resolution (0.1°C).
The system incorporates a glass and metal testing surface enclosed by an acrylic cylinder (24 cm diameter × 29 cm height) that contains the test subject while permitting clear observation of behavioral responses. Built-in timing functions provide millisecond precision for measuring paw withdrawal latencies, jump responses, and other nociceptive behaviors. The apparatus supports standardized thermal pain protocols commonly used in preclinical pain research, behavioral pharmacology studies, and analgesic drug development programs.
How It Works
The apparatus operates by delivering controlled thermal stimuli through direct contact with the plantar surface of the rodent's hind paw. The testing surface uses thermoelectric cooling/heating elements to achieve precise temperature control across the full range from -10°C to 80°C. Temperature regulation is maintained through feedback control systems that monitor surface temperature and adjust heating/cooling output to maintain the target temperature within ±0.2°C.
During testing, the rodent is placed within the acrylic cylinder enclosure, which allows natural movement while preventing escape. The animal's paws make contact with the temperature-controlled surface, and nociceptive responses (paw withdrawal, jumping, licking) are observed and timed. The integrated timing system records behavioral responses with 0.01-second precision across a range from 0.01 to 1999.99 seconds.
Thermal nociception occurs when tissue temperature activates peripheral nociceptors, including TRPV1 channels for heat detection and TRPM8/TRPA1 channels for cold sensation. The measured withdrawal latency correlates with pain threshold, allowing quantitative assessment of thermal sensitivity and analgesic drug effects.
Features & Benefits
Wide temperature range (-10°C to 80°C)
Enables comprehensive thermal nociception studies covering both cold and heat sensitivity in a single apparatus.
High temperature accuracy (±0.2°C)
Ensures consistent and reproducible thermal stimuli for reliable pain threshold measurements across experimental sessions.
Fine temperature adjustment (0.1°C steps)
Allows precise titration of thermal stimuli to determine exact pain thresholds and dose-response relationships.
Millisecond timing precision (0.01 seconds)
Provides accurate measurement of rapid nociceptive responses for sensitive detection of analgesic drug effects.
24 cm diameter acrylic cylinder
Provides adequate space for natural rodent movement while preventing escape and ensuring consistent paw contact with testing surface.
Panel button control system
Offers direct operator control of temperature settings and timing functions without requiring computer interface.
Extended timing range (0.01 to 1999.99 seconds)
Accommodates various testing protocols from rapid withdrawal responses to extended behavioral observations.
Rapid temperature transitions
Warming time of 2 minutes (0°C to 55°C) and cooling time of 5 minutes enables efficient testing protocols with minimal inter-trial intervals.
Add-ons and modifications
| Add-on | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Hot Cold Plate | $4,990 | Acrylic Wall: Diameter 20 cm × 25 cm Volume: Depth: 35 cm × Width: 30 cm × Height: 23 cm Temperature setting range: -5℃ to 65℃ with 0.01℃ precision |
Add any of these to your quote request.
Cylinder Diameter
- 24 cm
Cylinder Height
- 29 cm
Time Display Range
- 0.01 seconds to 1999.99 seconds
Timing Error
- 0.01 seconds
Warming Time
- Approx 2 min (0°C to 55°C at 20°C)
Cooling Time
- 5 minutes (20°C to 0°C, or 0°C to -10°C)
Temperature Adjustment Step
- 0.1°C
Control Mode
- panel buttons
Behavioral Construct
- thermal nociception
- pain threshold
- analgesic response
- thermal hyperalgesia
- paw withdrawal latency
Automation Level
- semi-automated
Material
- glass
- Metal
Temperature Range
- -10°C to 80°C
Accuracy
- 0.1°C
Research Domain
- Addiction Research
- Aging Research
- Behavioral Pharmacology
- Neurodegeneration
- Pain Research
- Toxicology
Species
- Mouse
- Rat
Compatible Tracking Software
- ConductVision
Shipping weight
- 21.0 lb
Shipping box
- L: 43.18 cm
- W: 35.56 cm
- H: 53.34 cm
| Feature | This Product | Typical Alternative | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature Range | -10°C to 80°C in single apparatus | Separate hot plate (up to 70°C) and cold plate (down to 0°C) systems required | Enables comprehensive thermal nociception studies with consistent methodology and reduced equipment investment. |
| Temperature Accuracy | ±0.2°C control precision | Entry-level models often provide ±0.5°C to ±1°C accuracy | Ensures reproducible thermal stimuli for sensitive detection of small changes in pain thresholds. |
| Temperature Adjustment Resolution | 0.1°C incremental adjustment | Basic systems typically offer 1°C or 0.5°C steps | Allows precise protocol optimization and fine-tuned dose-response studies for thermal sensitivity. |
| Timing Precision | 0.01-second resolution up to 1999.99 seconds | Standard models often limited to 0.1-second precision | Provides accurate measurement of rapid nociceptive responses critical for analgesic drug evaluation. |
| Cylinder Size | 24 cm diameter × 29 cm height | Smaller enclosures common in basic models | Accommodates natural rodent movement while maintaining experimental control and paw contact consistency. |
| Temperature Transition Speed | 2 minutes warming, 5 minutes cooling | Slower transition times typical in lower-cost systems | Enables efficient experimental protocols with reduced inter-trial intervals and higher throughput testing. |
This apparatus provides research-grade temperature control accuracy and timing precision in an integrated hot/cold platform. The wide temperature range, fine adjustment resolution, and rapid transitions support comprehensive thermal nociception studies with methodological consistency.
Pain Research
Quantifying thermal pain thresholds and measuring paw withdrawal latencies in rodent models of acute and chronic pain conditions.
Behavioral Pharmacology
Evaluating analgesic drug efficacy by measuring changes in thermal nociceptive responses before and after pharmaceutical interventions.
Neurodegeneration
Assessing sensory dysfunction and thermal hyperalgesia in rodent models of diabetic neuropathy, chemotherapy-induced neuropathy, and other neurodegenerative conditions.
Toxicology
Monitoring thermal nociceptive sensitivity as a neurological endpoint in safety assessment studies of pharmaceutical compounds and environmental toxicants.
Addiction Research
Measuring thermal pain sensitivity during drug withdrawal states and evaluating interactions between pain perception and addiction-related behaviors.
Aging Research
Documenting age-related changes in thermal nociception and pain processing in geriatric rodent models.
Practical Tips
Calibration
Verify temperature accuracy at three points (low, mid, high range) using a calibrated thermometer before each experimental series.
Why: Temperature drift over time can affect stimulus consistency and compromise data reproducibility across sessions.
Maintenance
Clean the testing surface with 70% ethanol between animals and inspect for scratches or damage that could affect heat conduction.
Why: Surface contamination and damage can create temperature inconsistencies and introduce confounding variables.
Best Practices
Allow 30-minute system stabilization after power-on and 5-minute animal acclimation before testing.
Why: Temperature stability and reduced animal stress improve measurement reliability and minimize non-specific behavioral responses.
Troubleshooting
If temperature recovery seems slow, check ambient conditions and ensure adequate ventilation around the apparatus.
Why: Environmental factors significantly influence heating and cooling performance, especially at temperature extremes.
Data Quality
Record ambient temperature, humidity, and time of day for each test session as potential confounding variables.
Why: Environmental conditions can influence both apparatus performance and animal thermal sensitivity responses.
Safety
Program appropriate cut-off times (15-20 seconds for hot, 20-30 seconds for cold) and monitor continuously during testing.
Why: Prevents tissue damage while allowing sufficient time for nociceptive response measurement.
Best Practices
Randomize temperature sequence when conducting both hot and cold testing to minimize order effects.
Why: Sequential testing can introduce sensitization or habituation effects that confound thermal threshold measurements.
Calibration
Document all calibration readings and maintain calibration logs for regulatory compliance and data integrity.
Why: Traceable calibration records support data validity and meet requirements for pharmaceutical and regulatory studies.
Setup Guide
Unpack and Inspect
Remove the apparatus from packaging and verify all components are present and undamaged, including the main unit, acrylic cylinder, and control panel.
Position and Connect
Place the apparatus on a stable, level surface away from air currents and connect to appropriate power supply.
Temperature Calibration
Allow the system to stabilize for 30 minutes, then verify temperature accuracy using a calibrated thermometer at multiple temperature points across the operating range.
Timing System Check
Test the timing functions using the panel buttons to ensure accurate response measurement and proper display function.
Environmental Setup
Establish consistent testing environment with controlled ambient temperature and lighting, allowing for animal acclimation period before testing.
Protocol Configuration
Set target temperature parameters and cut-off times according to experimental protocol, typically 15-20 seconds for hot plate testing and 20-30 seconds for cold plate testing.
Safety Verification
Confirm proper temperature limits are programmed and emergency stop procedures are established to prevent tissue damage during testing.
What’s in the Box
- Hot/Cold Plate main unit (typical)
- Acrylic cylinder enclosure (typical)
- Power adapter and cables (typical)
- User manual and protocol guide (typical)
- Temperature calibration certificate (typical)
Warranty
ConductScience provides a standard one-year manufacturer warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship, with comprehensive technical support for calibration and operational guidance.
Compliance
ARRIVE GuidelinesSupports standardized reporting of animal research experiments involving pain assessment and analgesic testing protocols.
IASP Guidelines for Pain ResearchCommonly used in studies following International Association for the Study of Pain recommendations for preclinical pain research methodology.
IACUC Protocol RequirementsSupports institutional animal care and use committee protocols requiring standardized, validated methods for pain assessment in laboratory animals.
Protocol and background
Introduction
Hot/Cold Plate test is a blend of the Hot and Cold plate test. These tests are usually performed individually on their standalone apparatuses. The Hot/Cold Plate subjects the animal to either noxious hot temperatures or innocuous cold temperatures to evoke nocifensive behaviors. The Cold plate is useful in the assessment of cold-induced hyperalgesia and allodynia. The measure of cold temperature sensitivity allows observation and evaluation of unilateral pain. By combining the two pain response tests, experimenters can easily compare results between the two conditions and perform both tests using the same apparatus. Another temperature-based assay is the Thermal Gradient test.
The Hot/Cold Plate apparatus consists of a plantar surface that can be set to a constant temperature or programmed to increase or decrease the temperature gradually. When subjected to warm or cold temperatures, subjects can show varied nocifensive behaviors such as jumping, licking paw and stamping. However, hind paw withdrawal and licking are considered better indications of nociception than forepaw related response in hot plate trials, since forepaws of the animals are usually busy in exploration and grooming.
Apparatus & Equipment
The Hot/Cold Plate apparatus is composed of a transparent glass cylinder and a hot/cold plate. The plantar surface is a metal floor equipped with adjustable temperature control. The glass cylinder (diameter 24 cm, height 29 cm) is used to limit the subject to the plate and prevent it from jumping off the apparatus while allowing an unobstructed view.
Training Protocol
Before beginning the experiment, the entire apparatus must be cleaned thoroughly with 70% ethanol solution. Ensure the apparatus is cleaned in between trials as well.
Cold Plate
Set the metal plate temperature to 5°C. Bring the subject into the test area and allow it at least 30 to 60 minutes to acclimate. Once the subject has familiarized with the test area, place it on the apparatus and immediately start the timer. Each trial lasts until 5 minutes have expired. Trials are repeated as required with at least 10-minute inter-trial intervals.
Hot Plate
Pre-heat the metal plate to a maximum temperature (between 52° to 55°). Bring the subject into the test area and allow it at least 30 to 60 minutes to acclimate. Once the subject has familiarized with the test area, place it on the hot plate and immediately start the timer. Remove the subject immediately after it has shown a nocifensive response such as hind paw licking, hind paw flicking, vocalization or jumping. If the subject shows no such response within 30 seconds, remove the subject from the apparatus and terminate the test. Repeating trials may not be advantageous.
To assist observation, tracking and video system such as Noldus EthoVision XT may be used.
Data Analysis
The data obtained from the Hot/Cold Plate test is straightforward. The latency to react to the pain associated with the heat/cold is recorded. The latency is recorded as the time between the placement of the subject on the plate and the first sign of nocifensive response such as paw licking or jumping. Other data that can be recorded is the duration of the nocifensive response and the temperature at which nocifensive behavior is shown in an increasing Hot/Cold Plate temperature test.
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
The Hot/Cold plate test combines both cold and hot stimulus apparatus into a single unit. The cold plate test allows an understanding of animal’s sensitivity to cold temperatures that enables assessment of cold-induced hyperalgesia and allodynia. The apparatus allows testing of unilateral pain quantification using the cold plate which isn't possible with the hot plate test alone. The feature to increase or decrease the rate of cooling and heating allows observation of thermal stimulus temperatures that incite nocifensive responses. The apparatus is effective in the assessment of the effectiveness of analgesics.
Limitations
The Hot/Cold Plate test performance can be affected by the anxiety arising from the enclosed space. The test also allows free exploration of the surface during the trial which may lead to incorrect observations of the nocifensive responses. The test also may not be advantageous when used at a constant temperature set-up due to learned behavioral responses which may lead to reduced response time. The gender of the subject may also be a factor in the response behavior.
Summary & Key Points
- Hot/Cold plate apparatus allows investigation of nocifensive responses to cold or hot temperatures within a single apparatus.
- Hot/Cold Plate test is one of the many nociception tests available to test for pain response behaviors.
- Hind paw withdrawal or licking is taken as the best indication of nocifensive response to thermal pain in hot plate test.
- Hot/Cold Plate test is commonly used in evaluating the effectiveness of analgesics.
- The cold plate allows assessment of cold-induced hyperalgesia and allodynia
From the Maze Engineers documentation for this apparatus.
Q
What are the recommended temperature settings for standard hot and cold plate protocols?
A
Hot plate testing typically uses 50-55°C with 15-20 second cut-off times, while cold plate protocols commonly employ 0-5°C with 20-30 second cut-offs. The apparatus allows precise adjustment in 0.1°C increments to optimize protocols for specific experimental requirements.
Q
How quickly can the apparatus transition between hot and cold testing temperatures?
A
The system requires approximately 2 minutes to warm from 0°C to 55°C and 5 minutes to cool from 20°C to 0°C. Plan experimental sessions to accommodate these transition times for efficient protocol execution.
Q
What behavioral responses can be measured with this apparatus?
A
The timing system accurately records paw withdrawal latency, jump responses, paw licking, and other nociceptive behaviors with 0.01-second precision. The transparent acrylic cylinder allows clear observation of all behavioral responses.
Q
How does this compare to separate hot plate and cold plate systems?
A
This integrated system eliminates the need for separate apparatus while maintaining the precision of dedicated systems. The wide temperature range and accurate control match the performance of standalone hot and cold plates.
Q
What calibration procedures are required for accurate temperature control?
A
Regular calibration using a certified thermometer at multiple temperature points across the operating range is recommended. The ±0.2°C accuracy specification should be verified monthly or before critical experiments.
Q
Can the apparatus accommodate different rodent species and sizes?
A
The 24 cm diameter cylinder accommodates both mice and rats, providing adequate space for natural movement while ensuring consistent paw contact with the testing surface.
Q
What data output and recording capabilities are available?
A
The panel-based timing system displays response latencies to 0.01-second precision. External data recording systems can be integrated for automated data collection and analysis.
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ConductVision is our video-tracking software. Record your sessions on video, and it scores standard rodent tests, such as those listed below.
Examples of tests it scores
To check whether ConductVision scores your protocol in this apparatus, ask in your quote request.
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Rodent Hot/Cold Plate Pain Assay
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