The cradle allows one ECG lead to be closely coupled to the abdomen of the animal. As the animal breaths, the lead moves in the strong magnetic field creating a respiration voltage signal superimposed on the ECG waveform.

E-resp™ cradles are available for small mice, large mice, rats and rabbits.

For mice, the cradle can be positioned from the back or from the stomach. The photo below shows the cradle positioned from under the mouse with the ECG lead connected to the front leg being attached to the cradle. The second ECG lead connected to the rear leg is not attached to the cradle.

For rats, the lead does not need to extend around the entire cradle. The longer the length of wire attached to the cradle, the larger the respiration signal superimposed on the ECG waveform. At 4.7T taping the lead on one half of the cradle gives a suitable signal. For higher field systems, less lead length coupled to the cradle may be desirable.