Integrator for qualitative and quantitative unit activity.
A simple device constructed from inexpensive components enables spike activity to be integrated and displayed in a convenient scale (spikes/sec) on a pen recorder. An input voltage threshold detection circuit is employed to eliminate any random baseline noise from being integrated. A pulse output is provided to drive a counter or accumulator so that quantitative as well as qualitative results may be obtained. A monostable multivibrator is used to insure that the integrated output is a function of the frequency of spike activity and not the amplitude or pattern of the spikes. An output isolation and buffer stage is provided to eliminate any loading effect on the filter section and also provide a gain or scaling adjustment so that the integrator may be used with practically any pen recorder.
D000200:Action Potentials; D000818:Animals; D004594:Electrophysiology / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013997:Time Factors