Introducing the latest innovative addition to Harvard Apparatus’s line of animal identification products, the Tracker Series. Utilizing patented technology, the Tracker Series systems are able to provide precise, secure, and permanent animal identification. Traditionally, accurate laboratory animal identification has been difficult to achieve due to less efficient methods of identification. Old techniques such as ear-punching, tagging, toe clipping and tail tattooing are time consuming, stressful to the animal, and typically not always reliable in long-term studies.

The key to these systems is a microchip hermetically sealed within a bioinert glass capsule the size of a grain of rice. These capsules have a patented anti-migratory coating that helps promote tissue growth and reduce the possibility of rejection. Battery free and biologically inert, the Identification Tag is quickly and safely positioned with a standard injection procedure using a specially designed Needle and Syringe Implanter (see next page). Each Identification Tag is factory encoded with a unique 9 digit ID number which can never be altered, whether by malice or accident, once encoded. The Identification Tag may be recycled if recovered at sacrifice. It may also be stored with tissue samples for long term identification. The Tags will not be harmed or erased by fixatives or freezing.

Two sizes of Identifications Tags are available. The 12mm size is suitable for mice and larger animals. The 14mm size is suitable for rats and larger animals and provides a little longer read range. These ID Tags are available both sterile and non-sterile and are supplied in a package of 25. Each sterile Tag is supplied in a disposable, single use syringe with needle. The sterile Tag is held in position at the bevel of the needle and will not slip out of the needle until the plunger is depressed. The ID Tag number is printed on a peel and stick label (1 label provided for each Tag) for recording convenience. This format is ideal for GLP compliance as well as fieldwork. The non-sterile Tags are provided in a convenient Tag Dispenser within a sealable plastic vial. The Tag Dispenser can be stored in the vial and submersed in an acceptable cold sterilization solution (isopropanol is recommended). The Tags are removed with the Syringe Implanter. Additionally, the Needle of the Syringe Implanter can be stored in the Tag Dispenser and also submersed in the cold sterilization solution.

When an animal’s identification is required, simply pass the Reader over the animal and the ID number is displayed. The Reader generates a low-energy radio signal that energizes the Identification Tag (A), which then transmits its unique ID number back to the Reader (B). The number is displayed on a liquid crystal display in an easy to read format. In addition, all of our Readers are capable of transmitting via a standard RS-232 interface to a computer, where the Windows Wedge software allows your Windows application to directly capture and log ID numbers. For the PowerTracker II and III Systems an AC adapter and computer interface cables are required.

Mini Tracker System
The Mini Tracker System is engineered for convenience and performance, providing the ideal solution when portability and cost are important. The Reader is small enough to carry in your pocket and its patent ed Multi-Mode technology enables tags from different manufacturers to be read (currently AVID and FECAVA, coded radio frequency tags). The ID code is displayed on the Reader’s 16 character LCD or can be downloaded via RS-232 to a PC computer. In the operational mode, the Reader emits two beep tones to signal that an Identification Tag has been read. When not in use, four beep tones sound every three minutes to warn the user that the unit is still on.The Power Tracker II System is a portable, water-resistant, hand-held Identification Tag Reader. Its patented Multi-Mode technology enables tags from different manufacturers to be read (currently AVID and FECAVA coded radio frequency tags). The ID code is displayed on the Reader’s 16 character LCD or can be downloaded via RS-232 to a PC computer. In the operational mode, the Reader emits two beep tones and visual LED flashes to signal that an Identification Tag has been read. When not in use, four beep tones sound every three minutes to warn the user that the unit is still on. Supplied with one Nicad rechargeable battery and battery charger.