UGO BASILE 7280 Hot Plate Analgesia Meter – Laboratory Animal Research Instrument

The UGO BASILE 7280 Hot Plate is a microprocessor-controlled laboratory instrument designed for preclinical research involving the evaluation of thermal nociceptive responses in laboratory animals. According to the manufacturer's instruction manual, the instrument is designed to measure reaction time during a standardized hot-plate test used in analgesic research.

The system consists of a heated metal plate, an adjustable display and command module, electronic temperature regulation, and controls for recording reaction time. Its design supports controlled application of a thermal stimulus and measurement of the time taken for a defined behavioral response. This information can be used by qualified researchers when investigating the effects of analgesic compounds and studying thermal pain responses in approved animal research protocols.

The circular heating surface is the principal testing area. The instrument uses an electronic temperature-regulation system to control the plate temperature. The manufacturer’s manual specifies an adjustable temperature range of 30.0°C to 63.9°C in increments of 0.1°C. The system displays reaction time in increments of 0.1 seconds, allowing researchers to record experimental observations with fine time resolution.

The front-mounted graphic display and four function keys, labeled F1, F2, F3, and F4, allow operators to navigate menus, configure experiments, and monitor instrument readings. The display module can be adjusted for viewing convenience. This design provides access to operating settings without requiring the operator to interact directly with the internal electronics.

The instrument also supports experimental data management. The 7280 can retain approximately 500 data entries in its internal memory and supports data output to a computer through an RS-232C serial connection. An optional 7145 thermal mini-printer is available for printed results, while the optional Win-DAS software package supports computer-based data acquisition. Availability of these accessories should be confirmed when purchasing a pre-owned unit.

The UGO BASILE 7280 is intended for use in appropriately equipped research laboratories, including pharmacology, neuroscience, toxicology, and preclinical drug-development settings where the hot-plate test is part of an approved experimental protocol. The method is used to investigate changes in response latency following the administration of analgesic compounds. It is a research instrument, not a device for measuring pain or diagnosing conditions in humans.

For laboratory animal testing, appropriate ethical approval, trained personnel, validated procedures, and animal-welfare safeguards are essential. Experimental temperature and exposure duration must follow the approved protocol and applicable institutional requirements.

The supplied photograph shows the blue instrument housing, circular plate, and digital command/display module. The plate surface appears visibly marked and soiled, and the display does not appear illuminated in the photograph. These observations do not establish whether the instrument is operational. A prospective buyer should therefore request a power-on demonstration, temperature verification, display and keypad checks, and a reaction-timer functional test.

Before purchase, the buyer should also confirm the instrument's serial number, electrical configuration, calibration status, and included accessories. The original 7280 standard package includes the basic unit, pedal switch assembly, mouse and rat Perspex restrainers, instruction manual, mains cable, and fuses. The actual contents of this particular listing must be checked separately.

With its temperature-controlled testing surface, reaction-time display, and experimental data handling functions, the UGO BASILE 7280 can be a useful addition to a suitably equipped preclinical research laboratory when its operating condition and suitability for the intended protocol have been verified.

2.2 Applications of the Product

• Preclinical analgesic drug research.

• Hot-plate testing of thermal nociceptive responses in laboratory rodents.

• Pharmacology and experimental neuroscience research.

• Evaluation of changes in behavioral response latency in approved animal studies.

• Research and development involving analgesic compounds.

• Academic and institutional laboratory research.

2.3 Product Features

• Microprocessor-controlled operation.

• Circular heated testing plate.

• Adjustable plate temperature.

• Digital temperature and reaction-time display.

• Four function keys for menu navigation.

• Reaction-time recording in 0.1-second increments.

• Internal memory for approximately 500 data entries.

• RS-232C computer connection.

• Optional thermal mini-printer support.

• Separate mouse and rat restrainers in the standard package.

Specifications and features above are based on the UGO BASILE 7280 instruction manual.

2.4 Technical Specifications

Technical specifications are taken from the 7280 instruction manual; the pictured unit's actual configuration and condition should be independently verified.