PhenoSys VR Systems

Virtual reality (VR) systems create experimental environments with unlimited possibilities. The PhenoSys JetBall VR system affords multidirectional movement and multisensory feedback to head-fixed rodents to provide natural navigation in virtual environments. This innovative behavioral system is an essential tool to investigate fundamental mechanisms of navigation, cognition, learning, and memory in animals with this behavioral system.

Features

Advantages of VR in Rodent Research

VR affords the flexible modification of experimental environments and fast repetitions of simple tasks.

Animals remain stationary while interacting with a virtual world.

Animal activity can be correlated with external measurement data such as optical imaging or electrophysiology.

Multimodal sensory stimulation creates more immersive environments.

Standard mazes and experiments are provided that can be modified and extended according to specific experimental needs.

Hardware synchronization and data export allow the easy integration with complex experimental setups

Virtual Reality JetBall Features & Benefits

A highly advanced, virtual-reality experimental system, the Virtual Reality (VR) JetBall is based on an air-cushioned spherical treadmill that enables a restrained animal to navigate in virtual space. The VR JetBall provides a highly controllable experimental environment for investigating navigation, cognition, learning and memory. It enables an animal to perform simple or complex behaviors while instrumented with electrophysiology, optogenetic or imaging systems.

Easy construction of virtual mazes via software that can replicate most classical mazes
Placing of landmarks of various sizes and shapes that appear or disappear at predefined times
Combination of virtual reality with acoustic, olfactory and tactile stimuli
Export of timestamp, position and speed via an external interface for synchronization with other data types
Appropriate for all kinds of electrophysiology setups and most multi-photon microscopes
Easy interfacing with electrophysiology setups
Retractable operant device for reinforcement: positive (water) and negative (air puff)
Common mazes or customized virtual reality scenes
Operant conditioning protocols

PhenoSys VR Systems Brochure

JetBall-TFT

The JetBall-TFT is a unique combination of a TFT monitor ring and the JetBall with interactive, optional operant devices.

TFT surround monitor system with 270°
Large space for external setups, e.g. e-phys or multi-photon microscopes
High image contrast and luminance

JetBall-Dome

The JetBall-Dome is a worldwide unique product with a Dome for mirror projection of a virtual environment and a spherical treadmill with optional operant devices.

A quarter-sphere mirror reflects the warped image from a projector onto a spherical dome screen
Larger surface for presenting virtual reality
Continuous display

JetBall Omni-Directional Treadmill

The JetBall is a spherical treadmill that allows a restrained animal to move in 360° for VR navigation or locomotion research. The air-cushion mechanism, built into the base, provides fluid, low-resistance rolling to simulate natural movement. The system comes in two sizes (20cm or 30cm) to support mice and rat models. It features a dual XY-motion sensory, pressure regulator system and many optional add ons including: a liquid reward system, air puff system, whisker stimulator, brakes, stereo sound system, olfactometer, linear speed belt, social encounter system, and head fixation system.

Typical Virtual Mazes & Paradigms

Create your own virtual maze, place your own landmarks variable in size and shape appearing and disappearing at defined times, create endless mazes, run different mazes as test batteries without moving the animal from the top of the ball, or uncouple the virtual reality and the actual movement of the animal.

Additional Features

JetBall VR systems are customizable to meet your research needs. Every system comes with a spherical treadmill, computer with preinstalled PhenoSys software, a control monitor, a VR display (TFT or Dome), a Dual XY-Motion sensor, and other accessories. If you want to take your research to the next level, there are several add-on modules available for purchase:

Liquid Reward System (positive reward)
Air Puff System (negative reward)
Brakes
Stereo Sound System
Olfactometer
Steering Wheel for Rotational Input Device
Linear Treadmill
Social Response Device
Various Fixation Systems
Additional Ball Holders
Replacement Balls

Consult with Blackrock Sales (sales@blackrockneuro.com) for more details.

Blackrock Product Integration

As a licensed PhenoSys supplier, we guarantee support with our Cerebus System, CerePlex µ, M, CereStim 96. When you purchase from us, you get a complete behavioral research system and expert support from our US-based team.

Specs

Spec
TFT Monitor Ring
Screen arrangement	octagonal, six TFT sub-units
Viewing angle	270°, from center position
Height	44 cm
Weight	30 kg
Dome
Diameter	120 cm
Dome Projector
Resolution	1920 x 1080 (Full HD)
Light Output	4000 ANSI Lumen
Contrast ratio	10000:1
Aspect ratio	16:9
JetBall Spherical Treadmill, 20 cm for Mice
Ball Holder length	20 cm
Ball Holder width	20 cm
Ball Holder height	8 cm
Ball Holder height with ball (without air flow)	21 cm
Ball Holder weight	5.5 kg
Ball Holder material	Aluminium
Ball diameter	20 cm
Ball material	Polystyrene
JetBall Spherical Treadmill, 30 cm for Rats (<300g)
Ball Holder length	30.2 cm
Ball Holder width	30.2 cm
Ball Holder height	12.0 cm
Ball Holder height with ball (without air flow)	31.0 cm
Ball Holder weight	19.8 kg
Ball Holder material	Aluminium
Ball diameter	30 cm
Ball material	Polystyrene
Pressure Regulation
Flow meter	4-50 l/min, for experiments: 25 l/min
Pressure regulator	6 bar (maximum), for experiments: 2 bar
Sound pressure level	48-52 dBA (top of the ball, 1 cm distance from the ball, air flow 20 l/min)
Lick Sensor
Material (outer cover)	Polyvinyl chloride
XY-Motion-Sensor
Resolution	200-5700 dpi
Max. speed	Up to 4.19 m/s
Peristaltic Pump
Typical flow rate	0.45 ml/min
Movable Rack
Width	59.5 cm
Depth	62.0 cm
Height (without control monitor)	98.5 cm