| Specification | Details | Metrics |
| The reward must not be freely available to the mouse. It should only be accessible when the mouse completes the behavioral task successfully. | – Reward must be fed to the mouse based upon a trigger from task component – Fixed amount of water must be delivered for experimental consistency from external source | – The intended fixed reward volume is between 0.5-1.5 L2 – The system must be programmed, given the specific flow rate of the device, to deliver reward until the target volume is met |
| The reward must be directly accessible to the mouse during head fixation. | – The reward must be within reach of the mouse that requires no head movement. – The mouse should only have to use its tongue to receive reward. | – The water reward must be within approximately 12 mm of the mouse’s mouth, based upon the average length of the tongue. |
| Reward structure must not interfere with imaging systems within the current experimental setup. | – The system must be outside the field of view of the CMOS cameras used to capture limb movement | – The field of view of the camera is 55×77 mm. |
| Reward system is able to be removed when imaging does not involve a behavioral task. | – The system will be able to easily added to the existing fixation apparatus | – The attachment of the system will place the tip of the dispenser within 12 mm of the mouse3 – Securable to prevent displacement out of reach of the mouse |