SeizureScan
SeizureScan is a specialized product for automatically studying epileptic seizure behaviors of rodents in a home cage. SeizureScan automatically analyzes video of a rodent in a cage (home cage or any other specialized cage) from the side similar to the way HomeCageScan does, and outputs various occurrences of seizures in the animal.
Product Description [PDF opens in new window]
This automated method for analysis of epileptic seizures in real-time or from lengthy continuous digitized video has been achieved using state-of-the-art digital video analysis technologies based on the semiology of the seizures. SeizureScan has an easy-to-use interface that allows a user to quickly input the required data and begin the analysis. Once the analysis has been started, the user need not be present. Upon completion, the system gives a detailed output with various detected seizures and some statistics.
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SeizureScan detects seizures of 3 types that are classified using the Racine scale – P3, P4 and P5 class seizures, with P3 seizures being relatively mild seizures to P5 seizures being the most violent. Validation studies in rats have shown that both sensitivity and specificity have been optimized to approximately 80% levels simultaneously. Sensitivity levels can be increased by adjusting a few detection parameters in such a manner that false negatives are substantially minimized, while tolerating a slight increase in false positives, which can easily be filtered out using built-in manual-review based filtering tools.
System Requirements
- Windows-based PC (XP, 2000)
- Intel high-speed processor (Pentium 4 or better)
- Special videocard for real-time analysis
- Large HDD capacity for storage
- Good lighting conditions
- IR camera or red light for dark experiments
- Video-multiplexer for multi-camera feed
SeizureScan can also be integrated with an EEG system so that SeizureScan displays the real-time synchronized EEG data on the SeizureScan interface. The EEG data scrolls automatically as the video advances during analysis. Clicking on a point in EEG will immediately locate corresponding video frame, vice versa. Since the video signals and the EEG signals are correlated in time, cues from one can be applied to the other to achieve synergy between the two channels of data.
This will be a powerful tool for scientists as the ability to screen animals for seizures automatically can be a tremendous resource. SeizureScan can be combined with HomeCageScan into a single system thereby allowing detection of not only seizure activity, but all the other behaviors that HomeCageScan can detect. This allows the user to determine what the animal was doing when it is not having a seizure. Moreover, with multiple cameras hooked up to SeizureScan systems, the number of cages analyzed simultaneously can be increased further.
Complete turnkey systems (including all necessary hardware and software) are available. Custom design of your environment to facilitate analysis, including lighting condition setup, IR/red light setup, cage enclosures, video integration, and video-feed to computer is also available.