Electromagnetically shielded small animal motorized treadmill device

Abstract

The application discloses a small animal electric treadmill device with electromagnetic shielding, which comprises a treadmill box body made of aluminum alloy material, wherein a runway box body is arranged at the front part, a controller box body is arranged at the rear part, and the runway box body and the controller box body are separated by an insulating material plate, the application effectively reduces electromagnetic interference in the process of collecting rat brain electricity, the designed electric stimulation module can reduce the damage to the limbs (feet) of the rat and the influence on the collection of brain electricity, two motors are used to drive left and right runways respectively, the comparison experiment of different speed requirements can be realized, the setting of the runway slope can increase the running difficulty and meet various training modes, the built-in camera can record the state of the rat when running and the posture of each part, and the design of the running belt, the runway and the cover plate can prevent the damage to the rat in the experiment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention application relates to the technical field of animal experimental equipment and medical experimental equipment, and in particular to an electromagnetically shielded electric treadmill for small animals. Background Technology

[0002] Because mice share over 90% genetic similarity with humans, they are frequently used in modern medical, biological, and neuroscience research. Small animal electric treadmills are primarily used for running training in small animals (this invention uses rats as an example). They can replace traditional swimming training, making training intensity indicators more accurate, and are an essential tool in experiments related to physical fitness, endurance, sports injuries, movement mechanisms, nutrition, pharmacology, physiology, and pathology. In studies on limb movement, exercise fatigue, and brain neural mechanisms, researchers typically have rats run continuously to collect experimental data, such as recording limb movements via video and collecting electroencephalogram (EEG) signals during exercise.

[0003] Traditional small animal experimental treadmills use electric shocks to stimulate rats to run continuously for experimental purposes. Currently, these treadmills have gaps between the running belt and the electric shock device, posing a risk of trapping the rat's limbs, causing injury, and preventing continuous experimentation. Furthermore, traditional electric shocks target the rat's limbs, easily damaging their feet and affecting their movement. Additionally, traditional treadmills cause significant electromagnetic interference, greatly hindering the collection of electroencephalogram (EEG) signals during rat movement and failing to record the rat's posture and state during exercise.

[0004] Based on this, the present invention designs an electromagnetically shielded electric treadmill device for small animals to solve the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a small animal electric treadmill device with electromagnetic shielding, electrical stimulation and motion state recording functions. It can greatly reduce the impact of electromagnetic interference on the collection of rat brain electrical activity during treadmill operation, make the electromagnetic shielding effect of the treadmill during operation close to the effect when the treadmill is not powered on, record the state of the rat during exercise and the movements of various parts of the body, and enable the rat to exercise continuously (until exhaustion) through electrical stimulation, thus overcoming the shortcomings of the prior art.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: an electromagnetically shielded electric treadmill device for small animals, comprising a treadmill housing made of aluminum alloy material, the treadmill housing comprising a running track housing located at the front and a controller housing located at the rear, the running track housing and the controller housing being separated by an insulating material plate;

[0007] As a further aspect of the present invention: an electrical stimulation module is provided inside the controller box, a small animal is placed inside the track box, and an electrode shield is provided on the small animal.

[0008] As a further aspect of the present invention: the electrical stimulation module includes a forward and reverse motor, a gear is provided at the output end of the forward and reverse motor, an upper rack is provided above the gear and they cooperate with each other, a thin metal plate is provided on the side of the upper rack located on the track box; a lower rack is provided below the gear and they cooperate with each other, an electric shock terminal is provided on the side of the lower rack located on the track box.

[0009] As a further aspect of the present invention: a reserved small hole is provided on the insulating material plate, and a slot is provided on the insulating material plate on both sides of the reserved small hole, wherein the tail end of the corresponding thin metal plate is inserted into the slot; the reserved small hole can correspond to the position of the corresponding thin metal plate and the electric shock terminal, so that in different working states, the corresponding electric shock terminal can extend into or out of the raceway box through the reserved small hole, and the corresponding thin metal plate can block or open the reserved small hole;

[0010] As a further aspect of the present invention: the electrode shielding cover includes a base, the base being a cylindrical structure, the base being fixed to the small animal by dental plaster and connected to the electrodes of the small animal's brain, and a main body being fitted on the base, the upper part of the main body being a conical structure and the lower part being a sleeve structure, so that the main body can be fitted on the base and is detachably connected.

[0011] As a further aspect of the present invention: a shielding cover is provided on the outside of the treadmill housing, the shielding cover being able to enclose the treadmill housing; the top of the shielding cover adopts a flip-top opening and closing door structure, and a through hole is provided in the flip-top opening and closing door structure, through which the electrode wires for collecting EEG data can enter and exit.

[0012] As a further aspect of the present invention: a track module is provided below the track housing. The track module includes a running belt, with a drive shaft at one end of the running belt and a driven shaft at the other end, wherein the drive shaft is driven by a motor;

[0013] As a further aspect of the present invention: the treadmill belts are separated by transparent plastic plates to form multiple running tracks; a rest platform is set in the running track box on the treadmill belt, and a sensor is set on the transparent plastic plate corresponding to one side of the rest platform to detect whether the rat is located on the rest platform;

[0014] As a further aspect of the present invention: a camera module is installed at the middle position of both sides of the racetrack box to record the movements of the small animals.

[0015] As a further aspect of the present invention: the treadmill housing is mounted on a treadmill support, and the treadmill support is equipped with an electric push rod, which is used to adjust the incline of the treadmill housing.

[0016] Compared with existing technologies, the beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: By designing a shielding enclosure and electrode shielding, this invention effectively reduces electromagnetic interference during the rat EEG acquisition process; the designed electrical stimulation module reduces damage to the rat's limbs (feet) and minimizes the impact on EEG acquisition; two motors drive the left and right tracks respectively, enabling comparative experiments with different speed requirements; the track slope setting increases running difficulty to accommodate various training methods; the built-in camera records the rat's state and posture of various parts during movement; and the design of the running belt, track, and cover prevents injury to the rat during experiments. Through the above design, it provides convenience for scientific research, enabling researchers to conduct more comprehensive, detailed, and specific studies on the movement analysis, fatigue, and brain nerves of mammals during movement (walking, running, and other body part activities). Attached Figure Description

[0017] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the treadmill housing structure in this invention. Figure 1 ;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the treadmill housing structure in this invention. Figure 2 ;

[0021] Figure 4 for Figure 3 Top view;

[0022] Figure 5 for Figure 4 AA section view;

[0023] Figure 6 for Figure 4 BB cross-sectional view;

[0024] Figure 7 for Figure 4 CC section view;

[0025] Figure 8 for Figure 4 Enlarged view of part of D.

[0026] In the diagram: 1. Treadmill frame, 2. Electric push rod, 3. Treadmill housing, 3.1 Track housing, 3.2 Controller housing, 3.3 Insulating material board, 4. Housing shield, 5. Electrode shield, 5.1 Main body, 5.2 Base, 6. Electrical stimulation module, 6.1 Electrical shock terminal, 6.2 Forward and reverse motor, 6.3 Gear, 6.4 Thin metal plate, 6.5 Upper rack, 6.6 Lower rack, 6.7 Sensor, 7. Rest platform, 8. Reserved small hole, 9. Transparent plastic plate, 10. Camera module, 11. Running belt, 12. Small animal (rat), 13. Drive shaft, 14. Driven shaft. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to examples. However, those skilled in the art will understand that the following examples are only for illustrating the present invention and should not be regarded as limiting the scope of the present invention.

[0028] refer to Figure 1-2 This invention provides an electromagnetically shielded electric treadmill device for small animals. The treadmill housing is mounted on a treadmill support 1. The support 1 adjusts the incline of the treadmill housing 3 via an electric push rod 2, with an adjustment range between 0 and 45 degrees, to increase the running load on rats and observe limb movements. The outer housing of the treadmill is made of aluminum alloy and consists of two parts: the front part is the running track housing 3.1, and the rear part is the controller housing 3.2, used to install the controller module, electrical stimulation module, etc., separated by an insulating material plate 3.3.

[0029] The shielding cover 4 is customized according to the shape of the treadmill. The shielding cover 4 described in this invention is a cuboid that surrounds the treadmill's housing 3. Its height on all sides is higher than the treadmill's housing 3. It has a hinged top with pre-drilled holes through which the electrode wires for collecting EEG data can enter and exit. The hinged top of the shielding cover 4 serves two purposes: first, it facilitates placing and removing mice into the treadmill; second, it can be closed during EEG collection to improve electromagnetic shielding.

[0030] The electrode shield 5 consists of a main body 5.1 and a base 5.2, which are separately connected. The upper half of the main body is conical, and the lower half is cylindrical. The base is a cylinder, and the diameter of the cylinder in the main body is slightly wider than that in the base, allowing the cylinder in the main body to fit directly onto the cylinder in the base. The cylinder in the base surrounds the electrode implanted into the rat's brain and is fixed in place with dental padding 5.3. During EEG acquisition, the main body is placed on the base.

[0031] The electrical stimulation module 6 consists of an electric shock terminal 6.1, a forward / reverse motor 6.2, a gear 6.3, a thin metal plate 6.4, an upper rack located above the gear (called the thin metal plate rack 6.5), a lower rack located below the gear, an electric shock terminal rack 6.6, and a sensor module 6.7. The electric shock terminal rack and the electric shock terminal are connected by insulating material and are installed inside the treadmill's controller box. A small hole 8 is pre-drilled on the connection surface between the controller box and the track box, i.e., in front of the electric shock terminal. Slots are provided on both sides of the small hole. The lower end of the rectangular thin metal plate is bent and located in the slot, while the other end is welded to the rack. The forward / reverse motor controls the rising and falling of the thin metal plate, thereby controlling the opening and closing of the small hole. During the running process, when sensor 6.7 detects that the rat has stopped on rest platform 7, the motor of the electrical stimulation module rotates forward with gears, driving the rack of the thin metal plate to rotate. This causes the thin metal plate to rise within the slot, thus opening the small hole. The forward rotation of the motor pushes the rack of the electric shock terminal, pushing the electric shock terminal out of the small hole. Voltage is applied to the front of the electric shock terminal, forming a circuit with the rat and generating current to stimulate the rat's body, prompting it to run. When the rat resumes running, the forward and reverse motor rotates in reverse, driving the rack of the electric shock terminal to retract the electric shock terminal into the control box, turning off the voltage in front of the electric shock terminal. This, through the thin metal rack, pushes the thin metal plate down within the slot, closing the small hole.

[0032] The running track module is divided into left and right tracks. The left track consists of a left motor, a left rotating shaft (including a drive shaft 13 and a driven shaft 14), and a left running belt 11. The right track consists of a right motor, a right rotating shaft, and a right running belt. The specifications of the motor, running belt, and rotating shaft are similar, and the running belt is taut and does not collapse. The running belt is spaced 1-2 mm from the front and rear inner walls of the treadmill housing to prevent the rats' limbs from getting stuck in the gaps and injuring their limbs. A rest platform is provided on the running belt, maintaining a distance of 1-2 mm from the running belt, for the rats to use when resting. The running belt can be separated by transparent plastic partitions 9 to form multiple tracks. This embodiment of the invention uses two tracks, one on each side. On the inner side of each track, above the rest platform, there is a sensor to detect whether the rat is on the rest platform and send instructions to the controller module.

[0033] The camera module 10 consists of two wide-angle cameras, which are installed in the middle of the left and right walls of the treadmill body, respectively, to ensure that the rat’s movements on the track and on the rest platform can be recorded completely. The two cameras can ensure that the rat’s left and right limb movements are recorded simultaneously.

[0034] Finally, it should be noted that when describing the position of each component and the mating relationship between them, the present invention usually uses one or a pair of components as examples. However, those skilled in the art should understand that such positions, mating relationships, etc., are also applicable to other components or other pairs of components.

[0035] The above description is merely an exemplary embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention, which is determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An electromagnetic shielded small animal motorized treadmill apparatus comprising a treadmill housing (3) made of an aluminum alloy material, characterized by: The treadmill box (3) comprises a track box (3.1) at the front and a controller box (3.2) at the rear, which are separated by an insulating material plate (3.3); An electric stimulation module (6) is arranged in the controller box (3.2), and a small animal (12) is placed in the track box (3.1), and an electrode shield cover (5) is arranged on the small animal (12); The electric stimulation module (6) comprises a forward and reverse motor (6.2), a gear (6.3) is arranged at the output end of the forward and reverse motor (6.2), an upper rack (6.5) is arranged above the gear (6.3) and cooperates with each other, and a thin metal plate (6.4) is arranged on one side of the upper rack (6.5) in the track box (3.1); a lower rack (6.6) is arranged below the gear (6.3) and cooperates with each other, and an electric shock terminal (6.1) is arranged on one side of the lower rack (6.6) in the track box (3.1); A reserved small hole (8) is arranged on the insulating material plate (3.3), and a clamping groove is arranged on the insulating material plate (3.3) on both sides of the reserved small hole (8), wherein the tail end of the corresponding thin metal plate (6.4) is clamped into the clamping groove; the reserved small hole (8) corresponds to the positions of the corresponding thin metal plate (6.4) and the electric shock terminal (6.1), so that in different working states, the corresponding electric shock terminal (6.1) can be inserted into or out of the track box (3.1) through the reserved small hole (8), and the corresponding thin metal plate (6.4) can block or open the reserved small hole (8); The electrode shield cover (5) comprises a base (5.2), which is a cylindrical structure, and the base (5.2) is fixed on the small animal (12) by dental powder and is connected to the electrode of the brain of the small animal (12), and a main body (5.1) is sleeved on the base (5.2), the upper part of the main body (5.1) is a conical structure, and the lower part is a sleeve structure, so that the main body (5.1) can be sleeved on the base (5.2) and is connected in a separated manner.

2. An electromagnetically shielded small animal motorized treadmill apparatus as defined in claim 1, further characterized by: A box shield cover (4) is arranged outside the treadmill box (3), which can wrap the treadmill box (3); the top of the box shield cover (4) adopts a flip type opening and closing door structure, and a through hole is arranged in the flip type opening and closing door structure, and the electrode line for collecting electroencephalogram enters and exits from the through hole.

3. An electromagnetically shielded small animal motorized treadmill apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising: A track module is arranged below the track box (3.1), which comprises a running belt (11), a driving shaft (13) is arranged at one end of the running belt (11), and a driven shaft (14) is arranged at the other end of the running belt (11), wherein the driving shaft (13) is driven by a motor; The running belts (11) are separated by transparent plastic plates (9) to form multiple tracks; a rest platform (7) is arranged in the track box (3.1) on the running belt (11), and a sensor (6.7) is arranged on the corresponding transparent plastic plate (9) on one side of the rest platform (7) for detecting whether the rat is located on the rest platform; Camera modules (10) are arranged at the middle positions of both sides of the track box (3.1) to record the movement of the small animal (12).

4. An electromagnetically shielded small animal motorized treadmill apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising: The treadmill box body (3) is installed on the treadmill support (1), the treadmill support (1) is provided with an electric push rod (2), and the electric push rod (2) is used to adjust the slope of the treadmill box body (3).

Images