Name: Surgical Implant Procedure and Wiring Configuration for Continuous Long-Term EEG/ECG Monitoring in Rabbits (Video) | JoVE Journal
Uploaded: 2025-01-24T14:45:00.000+00:00
Duration: 8 min 36 s
Description: Learn a surgical implant procedure for continuous long-term EEG/ECG monitoring in rabbits. This hard-wired system enables simultaneous brain and heart activity recording without supervision, supporting research on cardiac arrhythmias and sudden death mechanisms.

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We wish to thank Pradeep Dumpala, DVM PhD, Sarah Blair, MA, and the husbandry staff at SUNY Upstate Medical University for their dedication and attention to caring for the rabbits. NIH-NINDS (1R61NS133273), Department of Pharmacology, SUNY Upstate Medical University

Continuous EEG/ECG Recordings in Rabbits Using Subdermal Electrode Placement

<ol><li>Bosinski, C., Wagner, K., Zhou, X., Liu, L., Auerbach, D. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Multi-system+monitoring+for+identification+of+seizures%2C+arrhythmias+and+apnea+in+conscious+restrained+rabbits%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22J+Vis+Exp%22%5BJournal%5D)">Multi-system monitoring for identification of seizures, arrhythmias and apnea in conscious restrained rabbits.</a> J Vis Exp. (169), e62256(2021).</li>
<li>Finlay, M. C., Lambiase, P. D., Ben-Simon, R., Taggart, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Effect+of+mental+stress+on+dynamic+electrophysiological+properties+of+the+endocardium+and+epicardium+in+humans%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Heart+Rhythm%22%5BJournal%5D)">Effect of mental stress on dynamic electrophysiological properties of the endocardium and epicardium in humans.</a> Heart Rhythm. 13 (1), 175-182 (2016).</li>
<li>Shen, M. J., Zipes, D. P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Role+of+the+autonomic+nervous+system+in+modulating+cardiac+arrhythmias%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Circulation+Res%22%5BJournal%5D)">Role of the autonomic nervous system in modulating cardiac arrhythmias.</a> Circulation Res. 114 (6), 1004-1021 (2014).</li>
<li>Xu, L., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Juvenile+myoclonic+epilepsy+and+sleep%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Epilepsy+Behav%22%5BJournal%5D)">Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy and sleep.</a> Epilepsy Behav. 80, 326-330 (2018).</li>
<li>Bazil, C. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Seizure+modulation+by+sleep+and+sleep+state%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Brain+Res%22%5BJournal%5D)">Seizure modulation by sleep and sleep state.</a> Brain Res. 1703, 13-17 (2019).</li>
<li>Ryan, J. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Heart+rate+and+autonomic+biomarkers+distinguish+convulsive+epileptic+vs.+Functional+or+dissociative+seizures%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Seizure%22%5BJournal%5D)">Heart rate and autonomic biomarkers distinguish convulsive epileptic vs. Functional or dissociative seizures.</a> Seizure. 111, 178-186 (2023).</li>
<li>Brunner, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Mechanisms+of+cardiac+arrhythmias+and+sudden+death+in+transgenic+rabbits+with+long+QT+syndrome%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22J+Clin+Invest%22%5BJournal%5D)">Mechanisms of cardiac arrhythmias and sudden death in transgenic rabbits with long QT syndrome.</a> J Clin Invest. 118, 2246-2259 (2008).</li>
<li>Edwards, A. G., Louch, W. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Species-dependent+mechanisms+of+cardiac+arrhythmia%3A+A+cellular+focus%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Clin+Med+Insights+Cardiol%22%5BJournal%5D)">Species-dependent mechanisms of cardiac arrhythmia: A cellular focus.</a> Clin Med Insights Cardiol. 11, 1179546816686061(2017).</li>
<li>Kaha Sciences. , Ad instruments. 
 <a target="_blank" href="http://https://www.adinstruments.com/kaha?creative=524197312959&keyword=kaha%20telemetry&matchtype=e&network=g&device=c&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw8fu1BhBsEiwAwDrsjJLJeUjMCwMe-kCxFg2QdpP94gaAOd8qS6UBE6iU-IdP2XGxMvbT7hoCDZAQAvD_BwE">http://https://www.adinstruments.com/kaha?creative=524197312959&keyword=kaha%20telemetry&matchtype=e&network=g&device=c&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw8fu1BhBsEiwAwDrsjJLJeUjMCwMe-kCxFg2QdpP94gaAOd8qS6UBE6iU-IdP2XGxMvbT7hoCDZAQAvD_BwE</a> (2024).</li>
<li>Stellar telemetry. , TSE Systems. 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.tse-systems.com/products/stellar-implantable-telemetry/">https://www.tse-systems.com/products/stellar-implantable-telemetry/</a> (2024).</li>
<li>Dsi implantable telemetry. , DSI. 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.datasci.com/products/implantable-telemetry">https://www.datasci.com/products/implantable-telemetry</a> (2024).</li>
<li>Stellar telemetry. , Kruuse televet ii, telemetric ecg & holter. 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://kruuse.com/products/consultation/examination/ekg/kruuse-televet-ii-telemetric-ecg-holter">https://kruuse.com/products/consultation/examination/ekg/kruuse-televet-ii-telemetric-ecg-holter</a> (2024).</li>
<li>Mishra, V., Gautier, N. M., Glasscock, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Simultaneous+Video-EEG-ECG+monitoring+to+identify+neurocardiac+dysfunction+in+mouse+models+of+epilepsy%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22J+Vis+Exp%22%5BJournal%5D)">Simultaneous Video-EEG-ECG monitoring to identify neurocardiac dysfunction in mouse models of epilepsy.</a> J Vis Exp. (131), e57300(2018).</li>
<li>eeg/emg systems. , Pinnacle technology. 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.pinnaclet.com/eeg-emg-systems.html">https://www.pinnaclet.com/eeg-emg-systems.html</a> (2024).</li>
</ol>

The authors have nothing to disclose. A portion of the information contained within this manuscript is also present in the first author's Master's thesis (Laura Williams) with suitable permission.

We present a detailed protocol for the generation of a custom wire harness, the in-house fabrication of an implant, and the procedure for the sterile implantation of the EEG/ECG electrodes, wires, and port. This setup facilitates the collection of continuous, high quality EEG/ECG recordings in an efficient, safe, and financially feasible way. This protocol generates a system in which both EEG and ECG data can be collected in rabbits without the need for restrainers or&#160;constant supervision. Continuous long-term EEG a...

We previously developed a protocol to collect acute (&#60; 5 h) video/EEG/ECG recordings from rabbits. It involves the use of nine subdermal EEG and ECG pin electrodes, placement of the rabbit in a restrainer, and the investigator closely monitoring the rabbit for the entire duration of the recording1. While this system provides high-quality video/EEG/ECG recordings, it has several limitations. Arrhythmias, epileptic seizures, and other EEG/ECG abnormalities may be triggered by various physiological and environmental substrates, so these events may be missed when conducting intermittent recordings. Thus, this recording platform does not facilitate comprehensive and accurate assessments of neuro-cardiac electrical function throughout the day, during various physiological states, or in the rabbits&#39; normal housing environment.
Continuous video/EEG/ECG monitoring is important for evaluating cardiac and neuronal electrical function during various physiological states. It facilitates accurate assessment&#160;of the prevalence and incidence of epileptiform activity and arrhythmias, as well as the concordance and progression of multi-system changes surrounding episodic events. For example, circadian fluctuations in autonomic function, as well as stress and activity-mediated autonomic changes, greatly influence heart rate and ECG metrics and can provide a trigger for arrhythmias2,3. In certain types of epilepsy (e.g., juvenile myoclonic epilepsy), seizures are more likely to occur during sleep or within 1-2 h of waking up4. The dynamic changes in electrical activity in the brain during sleep can influence the susceptibility, origin, and spread of seizures5.
Stress, activity, and motor seizures can cause muscle artifacts and dislodgement of the electrodes, which influences the quality and stability of the recordings. In particular, during pro-convulsant studies, rabbits experience myoclonic, clonic, tonic, and clonic-tonic seizures. The tonic phase involves the involuntary extension of the neck, which can dislodge the pin electrodes and thus interrupt the signal during a critical phase of the experiment. As such, the temporary system involving pin electrodes has critical limitations that must be addressed. Moreover, as the rabbits are in a restrainer, documenting the full extent of the motor manifestations is difficult.
Therefore, it is important to develop a procedure to implant electrodes for long-term continuous and stable multi-system recordings when the animal is in its normal unrestrained environment. This will facilitate detailed assessments during a wide range of physiological states and in response to environmental triggers. It will also be valuable for capturing rare episodic events. As the setup does not require the investigator to be present during the recording, it increases the efficiency and throughput of the research platform. It also minimizes the frequency of people disturbing the rabbits. Finally, as this procedure allows for the animals to stay in their natural housing environment throughout the recording, it improves the quality of life for the rabbits and improves overall animal welfare.

<table><tbody><tr><td>3:1 heat shrink wrap with adhesive</td><td>N/A</td><td>Wirefly</td><td>Adhesive lined polyolefin tubing designed to shrink 1/3 diameter when heated. Isolate electrodes when connecting wires and plugs, connecting pieces of the wire harness together</td></tr><tr><td>Absorbent Pads</td><td>-</td><td>any</td><td>Absorbent pads for Fluid collection</td></tr><tr><td>BD E-Z Scrub 116 Surgical Scrub Brush/Sponge</td><td>371163</td><td>BD E-Z Scrub</td><td>3% PCMX Surgical Scrub Brush/Sponge To scrub prior to operating for aseptic technique</td></tr><tr><td>Biopsy Punches</td><td>1315</td><td>ARGENT, McKesson</td><td>6 mm circular cutting blade for circular incision for port</td></tr><tr><td>Buprenorphine</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>0.3 mg/mL Buprenorphine For post-operative pain control</td></tr><tr><td>Butt connectors</td><td>X003C7S38P</td><td>SVAAR</td><td>Tinned copper butt splice 26-22 AWG non-insulated butt connectors Connecting carbon fiber wires from the electrodes to the plug</td></tr><tr><td>Cautery Pen</td><td>https://jorvet.com/product/cautery-kit-accessories/</td><td>Jorgensen Laboratories, Inc.</td><td>Hand-held Bovie Cautery Pen For controlling bleeding</td></tr><tr><td>Coaxial cable through-wall bushing</td><td>COAX BUSH WH</td><td>Commercial Electric</td><td>Plastic bushing with 6.9mm inner diameter opening and 1cm+ post Wire port</td></tr><tr><td>Cohesiant Wrap</td><td>https://healthypets.com/vetone-cohesiant-wrap-blue-2x5yd/</td><td>AmerisourceBergen</td><td>4in x 5yd self-adherent wrap For post-operative wound protection</td></tr><tr><td>Disposable Scalpel with Handle</td><td>https://www.securos.com/</td><td>Securos Surgical AmerisourceBergen</td><td>Sterile disposable scalpels For making incisions</td></tr><tr><td>Electrical Slip Ring</td><td></td><td>Taidacent</td><td>High Speed Ball Conductive Slip Ring 12 way 2A Collector ring rotary joint rotary connector, Electrical slip ring to allow free movement of animal without binding up the wire harness</td></tr><tr><td>Eye lube pro</td><td>https://domespharma.us/eye-lube-pro-detailer-final-v6/</td><td>Sentrx</td><td>Lubricating Gel Prevents eye drying/damage during anesthesia</td></tr><tr><td>GLUture</td><td>503763</td><td>World Precision Instrument</td><td>Topical Tissue Adhesive For closure of incision sites&amp;nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td>Isoflurane</td><td>ANADA # 200-129</td><td>Isospire</td><td>Isoflurane For anesthesia</td></tr><tr><td>Isopropyl alcohol</td><td>500205</td><td>VETone</td><td>70% isopropyl alcohol Topical antiseptic</td></tr><tr><td>Jet Liquid</td><td>1403</td><td>Lang Dental Mfg. Co., Inc.</td><td>Fast curing acrylic resin liquid Dental acrylic resin liquid for sealing the bushing and the wires for the wire exit port.&amp;nbsp; Also used to seal the port to the skin.</td></tr><tr><td>Jet Tooth Shade Powder</td><td>1420</td><td>Lang Dental Mfg. Co., Inc.</td><td>Fast curing provisional crown and bridge acrylic resin powder. Dental acrylic powder for sealing the bushing and the wires for the wire exit port.&amp;nbsp; Also used to seal the port to the skin.</td></tr><tr><td>Ketamine</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>100 mg/mL Ketamine For sedation</td></tr><tr><td>Metal shower sheathing</td><td>HOS-960M</td><td>Waterpik</td><td>Ultra-Flexible Replacement Metal Shower Hose, Extra Long for Handheld Shower Heads, 96-inch, Chrome Metal sheathing for wire harness</td></tr><tr><td>MR Conditional/CT Electrodes Array and Extension Set</td><td>MRQW32415</td><td>RhythmLink</td><td>Quick connect system with male-female plugs and 8 leads. Plugs used for port-wire harness connection.&amp;nbsp; Wires and DIN connectors used for the wire harness</td></tr><tr><td>Polypropylene Blue Monofilament Sutures</td><td>P8665</td><td>SECUROPRO</td><td>3-0, FS-2, 18&amp;rdquo; reverse cutting suture. Close any surgical incisions</td></tr><tr><td>Retractor cable</td><td>&amp;lrm;0487-013</td><td>West Coast Manufacturing Company</td><td>Industrial Retractable Reel with 48&quot; Stainless Steel Cable, Steel Bracket Back, Chrome Front, 8 oz. Retraction, Plastic Hose Clamp. Pulls excess wire harness up and away from animal</td></tr><tr><td>Rubber gasket</td><td>E-3603 NSF-51</td><td>Saint Gobain</td><td>Clear rubber tubing cut to 1.5 cm width. Gasket for protection/maintaining a seal.&amp;nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td>Small Webb Electrodes</td><td>SWEBB1215</td><td>RhythmLink</td><td>6mm, flat disc [WEBB*] electrode, silver-chloride, wire, Subdermal electrodes</td></tr><tr><td>Sterile Latex Surgical Gloves</td><td>10122</td><td>AmerisourceBergen</td><td>Sterile Latex Gloves, Powder-Free, Donned for sterile surgical technique</td></tr><tr><td>Sterile marker</td><td>DYNJSM01</td><td>Medline</td><td>Sterile Marker, Mark incision/electrode sites&amp;nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td>Sterile surgical drapes with adhesive</td><td>-</td><td>any</td><td>Sterile surgical drapes with adhesive strip on one side, Create a fixed sterile field&amp;nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td>Veterinary anesthesia masks</td><td>-</td><td>any</td><td>Plastic cones with rubber gaskets to seal over rabbit&amp;rsquo;s face. Various sizes. Delivery of inhaled anesthesia</td></tr><tr><td>Veterinary Betadine Surgical Scrub</td><td>NDC 67618-154-16</td><td>Betadine</td><td>Povidone-iodine, 7.5%, Antiseptic Sudsing Skin Cleanser</td></tr><tr><td>Xylazine</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>100 mg/mL Xylazine, For sedation</td></tr></tbody></table>

surgical implant procedure and wiring configuration for continuous long-term eeg/ecg monitoring in rabbits

Surgical Implant Procedure and Wiring Configuration for Continuous Long-Term EEG/ECG Monitoring in Rabbits

A multi-system approach that includes the continuous collection of electroencephalogram (EEG) and electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings facilitates a comprehensive assessment of electrical activity in the brain and heart, particularly leading up to and surrounding episodic events. Building on our previous protocol that facilitates the collection of intermittent EEG/ECG recordings from conscious restrained rabbits, we developed a protocol for the collection of continuous EEG/ECG recordings from unrestrained rabbits. This new method enables high-quality 24/7 recordings in the housing cage, which captures the normal range of physiological states and enables the rabbits to move, eat, drink, and sleep freely. It enables comprehensive assessments of the prevalence, incidence, and susceptibility to EEG/ECG abnormalities, seizures, arrhythmias, and sudden death. This procedure involves the surgical placement of subdermal electrodes and the design and manufacturing of a robust wiring system that is impervious to damage by the rabbits. The surgical procedure includes two incisions and the sub-dermal tunneling of nine electrodes and wires that exit through a custom-made port. The external connector attaches to a wire harness that includes an electrical swivel, which allows for&#160;free range of rabbit motion throughout its cage. Additionally, the wires are enclosed in a metal sheath suspended by a retractor cable from the ceiling of the rabbit&#39;s cage. The wires are then connected to an amplifier/digitizer for the acquisition of high-quality continuous EEG/ECG recordings.

Using this surgical technique, there were not any cases of mortality during or after the surgery. There is a risk of infection and incomplete wound healing, particularly if the rabbit scratches or bites at the incision site. Pre-/post-operative antibiotics, covering the incision with a dry sterile piece of gauze, and fitting the rabbit with a vest help protect the surgical site and allow for better healing. All recordings are conducted in the rabbit's standard housing cage, which is what ...

The study outlines a protocol for the design, manufacturing, and placement of a novel continuous EEG/ECG recording system in rabbits. This hard-wired system allows for continuous EEG/ECG recordings from nine distinct electrodes on the head and chest, which facilitates comprehensive assessments of electrical activity in the brain and heart.

A multi-system approach that includes the continuous collection of electroencephalogram (EEG) and electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings facilitates a ...

surgical-implant-procedure-wiring-configuration-for-continuous-long

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Learn a surgical implant procedure for continuous long-term EEG/ECG monitoring in rabbits. This hard-wired system enables simultaneous brain and heart activity recording without supervision, supporting research on cardiac arrhythmias and sudden death mechanisms.

Surgical Implant Procedure and Wiring Configuration for Continuous Long-Term EEG/ECG Monitoring in Rabbits

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