A telemetry system for recording mastication in small animals

A telemetry system is described for detecting and recording chewing behavior in small laboratory animals. A small pressure sensitive coil implanted in the animal's jaw was used to modulate a small transmitter mounted on the subject's skull. The transmitted signal was received and converted to a d.c. voltage which varies at a rate proportional to the subject's chewing movements. The system may be used to investigate chewing behavior over periods of months.