Features
SIPM is a highly flexible research tool for assessing human appetite and ingestion.
The main types of data that SIPM can collect are:
- Intake data both during a continuous (uninterrupted meal) and as a series of defined eating bouts
- Eating rate and bite size
- Rated appetite before, during and after meals
- Ratings of mood and general well-being
- Evaluations of the sensory and hedonic qualities of any number of foods
- Choice of visual analogue or general Labelled magnitude Scale rating formats
A key feature of the latest version is the Experiment Builder: this highly flexible tool allows the user to design and implement an almost limitless set of combinations of the core SIPM procedures.
Examples of the types of studies that can be implemented using SIPM include:
- Cumulative intake curves
- The relationship between rated appetite and intake within a meal (including assessing the appetizer effect)
- Sensory-specific satiety
- Effects of nutrient preloads
- Satiating effects of different foods
- Hedonic and sensory evaluations of different stimuli (foods, drinks, tastants, etc)
- Assessment of learned preference and intake
- Learned satiation
How it works
Intake measurement. For those interested in measuring intake, SIPM works by linking a high-quality electronic balance to a PC to allow accurate readings of the weight of food remaining on a plate throughout a meal. Custom software then allows the user to utilise this information to meet their research needs in a highly flexible electronic environment.
Automated collection of rating data. SIPM can be used without a balance connected to collect rating data in a wide number of applications. Perhaps you want to explore how manipulating one component or ingredient in a novel food or drink alters acceptability: SIPM can be set up to test any number of samples in random order, and make an unlimited number of ratings for each stimulus. Or perhaps you want ratings of appetite before and after consumption of a fixed amount of a food (as well as recording how long it took to consume). Again, SIPM simplifies the data collection.
Software
The SIPM Software can be installed on any Windows PC which can run programmes based on the .NET Framework.
The original SIPM software was Macintosh based and programmed at the University of Sussex to facilitate detailed investigation of eating and drinking behaviour by human volunteers in a laboratory setting. We have a decade of experience of equipping testing cubicles and producing custom software to address current questions in the field of ingestion research, leading to major project grants and numerous journal publications.
The PC-based version of SIPM was produced in response to expressions of interest in the SIPM technology from laboratories which were not Macintosh-based. Our software development partners Elysium were commissioned to develop a PC version of SIPM software, and this software was released in February 2005.
The present version is 2.0.11, and each new version includes additional features of benefit to users. A major innovation in SIPM 2.0 is the introduction of Experiment Builder to make SIPM much more flexible. SIPM 2.0 has rebuilt the software, moving away from a series of pre-set protocols to a system that allows the user total control over the order in which events happen, the wording of all displayed text, and limitless combinations of ratings of mood and/or appetite, taste tests and eating courses. Design a simple mood test, a series of ratings timed after an eating episode, intake across multiple courses or a whole day with records of breakfast, snacks, lunch and dinner, with ratings in between.
Hardware
The SIPM system requires a PC, and all modern PCs will have sufficient memory and process speed to run the programme efficiently. If you are using an older PC, slower processer speeds may reduce the efficiency of the serial connection to the balance, and you may find balance readings are slowed as a consequence. However, this should not be the case for machines less than 3 years old.
To function efficiently, SIPM requires a reliable electronic balance, and we recommend balances manufactured by Sartorius as they offer high quality balances which, crucially, stabilise more rapidly than other models that we have tested.
The Sartorius balance which best fits the requirements of SIPM:
Cubis 5201S: this newer modular balance system has the advantage of having a display unit which disconnects so that the user can check the balance is working properly once installed as part of an SIPM application. For standard SIPM use we recommend the 5201S model, with 5kg capacity and 0.1g accuracy, with a basic readout. The new SIPM housings integrate the Cubis readout into a slider unit that ensures the readout is fully hidden from view while testing but can be easily accessed by the use when access to balance functions are needed. More details about Cubis.
The balance and PC can be connected using a USB to USB cable: to ensure compatibility, again we recommend these are purchased from Sartorius.
For most applications it is also important to minimise the awareness that intake is being monitored, and that is achieved by building the balance into the test desktop. We can supply custom-made housings to mount the balance under the desktop so that the balance protrudes slightly, giving the consumer the impression they are eating of a place mat.
For Cubis we supply a 2-part housing, with a basket that holds the weighing module that sits into a hole cut into the desktop and a separate slider unit that attaches to the readout to make this accessible.
Pricing information for SIPM Equipment can be found on the order form.
Help & Support
If you have purchased SIPM and are having trouble installing or using the system, please contact us at sipm@sussex.ac.uk and we wil try and get back to you as soon as possible. Do also check the trouble-shooting section of the SIPM handbook.
SIPM users can also purchase three classes of annual support packages:
Bronze Support: standard installation support, which is included in the initial license fee for all users
Silver Support: An annual support package giving the user up to 3 hours of advice on use of SIPM, design of studies etc, by experts at University of Sussex, along with up to 3 hours of software developer time to modify SIPM for specific additions or alterations to the system
Gold Support: A customised annual support package, including data analysis, detailed design support and addition of more complex extra functionality into the SIPM system.
Contact sipm@sussex.ac.uk if you are interested in any of these options.
