A breeding box for animal experiments

Abstract

The present invention discloses a vivarium for animal experiments. The sealed vivarium is separated by a partition in the middle to form two independent boxes, A and B. The partition is equipped with an electric gate, and both boxes A and B have doors on their sides. Both boxes A and B contain animal feeding utensils. The animal dark vivarium of the present invention comprises two conjoined, yet independent, sister dark boxes. Animals can enter one dark box and rotate between the two through a safety gate between the two dark boxes. This allows keepers to easily change the animals' food and water and clean the dark boxes daily, while avoiding the risk of light leakage.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of experimental equipment. Background Art

[0002] The impact of sensory deprivation on brain neuroplasticity is a key topic in neurobiology. Studies of visual deprivation often use dark-rearing models of cats and rats to establish these models. However, maintaining animals in darkness for extended periods (over a week) presents significant challenges. Previous studies typically required establishing dedicated, light-tight darkrooms to house animals. This was inconvenient for keepers to deliver food and clean the rooms daily, and also posed a risk of light leakage.

[0003] Previous studies have found that visual deprivation not only affects the functional development of visual cortical neurons during specific developmental stages but also induces neuroplastic changes in the brain during adulthood. Elucidating the underlying neural mechanisms has potential medical value for the treatment of amblyopia and other related conditions, and provides important guidance for the prognosis of prolonged visual deprivation caused by earthquakes or mining accidents. Previous studies have often used methods such as dark housing, light-blocking glasses, eyelid suturing, and even eye removal to impose visual deprivation on animals. Eye removal violates animal ethics and differs significantly from natural visual deprivation. Eyelid suturing still results in weak light signal stimulation and can easily cause inflammation and unfastening of the eyelids, leading to light leakage. Fitting animals with light-blocking glasses is extremely difficult and can easily be removed by the animals, resulting in light leakage. In the past, dark breeding was carried out in a special darkroom. The darkroom must have at least two sealed inner and outer light-shielding doors, with a buffer darkroom between the two light-shielding doors. Every day, the breeder must first enter the buffer darkroom, close the outer light-shielding door, and then open the inner light-shielding door to enter the darkroom. After closing the inner light-shielding door, the breeder will change the food and water for the animals and clean them in the dark. Finally, he must exit the darkroom and the darkroom in turn, and close the inner and outer light-shielding doors in turn.

[0004] There are several disadvantages to darkroom rearing using visual deprivation:

[0005] 1) It is very inconvenient for the breeder to enter and exit the darkroom every day. He needs to open a light-shielding door outside to enter the buffer darkroom first, and then close the light-shielding door outside before entering the darkroom. If the operation is not careful, light leakage will occur.

[0006] 2) After entering the darkroom every day, the breeder can only grope in the dark to change the animals' food and water and complete the sanitation cleaning, which is very difficult and time-consuming;

[0007] 3) Darkrooms take up a lot of space, require high technical skills to build, and the cost of animal breeding is also high.

[0008] For example:

[0009] Publication number CN 109699507B, patent titled "A Plant and Animal Cultivation Experiment Box for High School Biology Experiments," discloses a plant and animal cultivation experiment box for high school biology experiments. The box includes an experiment box housing, a drive motor, a ventilation box, a planting box, an animal breeding box, a planting trough block, and a waste collection basin. The drive motor is located on the top of the experiment box housing, and the ventilation box is located below the drive motor. A U-shaped bar is located on the inside of the experiment box housing, and a planting box is located on the outside of the U-shaped bar. An animal breeding box is located directly below the planting box. The support bracket is installed below the animal breeding box, and a water collection tray is located above the animal breeding box. Teeth are welded to the outside of the U-shaped bar, and rotating gears are located on the outside of the teeth. This plant and animal cultivation experiment box for high school biology experiments uses a first clamping plate and a black cover plate to functionally divide the animal breeding box by the first and second clamping plates, making it easier for managers to feed and conduct experiments.

[0010] For example, the patent publication number CN 110731274A, entitled "Specialized breeding box for laboratory mice", discloses a special breeding box for laboratory mice for breeding and observing laboratory mice. The box body is composed of a top plate, a bottom plate, a front lower vertical plate, a front upper inclined plate, a rear vertical plate, a left vertical plate, and a right vertical plate. The front upper inclined plate is the box cover, and the front lower vertical plate is provided with a food trough and a drinking water tank. The front part of the bottom plate is a panel and the rear part is a fence. A weighing sensor with a weighing platform is installed on the panel. The rear end of the weighing platform is close to the fence. The weighing sensor is connected to the working plate. The control computer communicates and records the weight of the experimental mice. The fully enclosed box is more in line with the experimental mice's habit of avoiding light, and undisturbed feeding is achieved through the food trough and water tank. Since the experimental mice are accustomed to defecating away from the food feeding area and rest area, the experimental mice will defecate at the fence at the rear of the bottom plate. The excrement falls outside the box through the fence and is cleaned outside the box to achieve undisturbed cleaning. The breeding box can provide the experimental mice with a suitable living environment, and the feeding, cleaning and weighing processes will not disturb the experimental mice.

[0011] None of the above-mentioned comparative documents can solve the technical problem of facilitating food delivery and cleaning while maintaining a dark environment. Summary of the Invention

[0012] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to realize a feeding box which can conveniently deliver food and clean while maintaining a dark environment.

[0013] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is: a breeding box for animal experiments, wherein the middle of a sealed box body is separated by a partition to form two independent boxes A and B, the partition is provided with an electric gate, and the sides of the boxes A and B are provided with box doors, and the boxes A and B are both equipped with feeding utensils for raising animals.

[0014] A layer of metal grid is laid on the bottom of the A box and the B box.

[0015] A controller is fixed on the box, the power end of the controller is connected to the battery on the box or the power supply connected to the mains, the control end of the controller is connected to the electric gate and the metal grid through a wiring harness, and a control button connected to the controller and used to control the electric gate and the metal grid is provided on the top of the box.

[0016] Independent infrared cameras are fixed on the inner walls of the A box and the B box, and the infrared cameras are connected to the signal input end of the controller, and the controller is equipped with a communication module.

[0017] The box door is a side panel on one side of box A and box B. A handle is provided on the top of the side panel. Box A and box B are both provided with slots for inserting the side panels.

[0018] A sealing strip for clamping the side panel is provided along the slot.

[0019] The two side panels are both provided with a locking structure connected and fixed to the box body.

[0020] A ventilation hole is provided on the top of the box body, and the ventilation hole is connected to one end of a bent ventilation pipe, and the ventilation pipe is bent 180 degrees.

[0021] The other end of the ventilation pipe is provided with a dustproof net.

[0022] The animal dark breeding box of the present invention comprises two conjoined but independent sister dark boxes. Animals can enter from one dark box into the other through a safety gate between the two dark boxes so as to rotate their living in the two dark boxes. In this way, breeders can conveniently change food and water for the animals and clean the dark boxes every day, and the risk of light leakage is avoided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The following is a brief description of the contents and marks in each figure in the specification of the present invention:

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the feeding box structure;

[0025] The marks in the above figure are: 1. Partition; 2. Electric gate; 3. Box door; 4. Handle; 5. Infrared camera; 6. Metal grid; 7. Feeding equipment; 8. Control button; 9. Ventilation pipe. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Below, with reference to the accompanying drawings, through the description of the embodiments, the specific implementation methods of the present invention, such as the shape, structure, relative positions and connection relationships of the various components involved, the functions and working principles of the various components, the manufacturing process and operating methods, etc., are further explained in detail to help those skilled in the art to have a more complete, accurate and in-depth understanding of the inventive concept and technical solution of the present invention.

[0027] like Figure 1 The vivarium, shown in the figure, is used for animal darkness experiments and can be used for visual deprivation experiments on animals such as cats, rats, and mice. The size and dimensions of the vivarium can be designed appropriately based on the species and size of the animal being housed. The vivarium is divided into two conjoined sister boxes, A and B. Except for the special structural features described below, the vivarium is made of thick, completely light-isolating stainless steel. The details are as follows:

[0028] The sealed box is separated by a partition 1 in the middle to form two independent boxes A and B. Generally speaking, the independent boxes A and B are the same size. The partition 1 between the two connected and independent boxes A and B is provided with an electric gate 2 that can be controlled to open and close. That is, a square hole is opened in the center of the lower part of the partition 1, and the electric gate 2 is installed. The electric gate 2 can be any electric door disclosed in the prior art. The device for opening and closing the gate is fixed to the partition 1 above the gate. The switch wires are respectively passed through the holes drilled in the top of the A and B boxes. A double switch is set on the top of the A and B boxes respectively. Animals can enter from one dark box to another through the electric gate 2 so that they can take turns living in the two dark boxes. In this way, the breeder can easily change the food and water for the animals and clean the dark boxes every day, and the risk of light leakage is avoided. In addition, the space occupied by animal breeding is small and the breeding cost is low.

[0029] Both box A and box B are equipped with feeding utensils 7 for raising animals, such as animal nests, food bowls, water bowls, toilet bowls, etc. Box A and box B are both provided with box doors 3 on the sides. The box doors 3 need to be large enough to facilitate staff to enter and clean. The box doors 3 preferably use side panels on one side of box A and box B (not the partition side). The entire body constitutes the box door 3. A handle 4 is provided on the top of the side panel. Box A and box B are both provided with slots for inserting the side panels. Sealing strips for clamping the side panels are provided along the slots to ensure that the slots are tightly fitted with the side panels, ensuring airtightness and light shielding. Both side panels are provided with a locking structure connected and fixed to the box body to ensure reliable fixation. For example, the locking structure can use a ring to fix the handle 4 on the top of the side panel.

[0030] A metal grid 6 is laid on the bottom plates of boxes A and B. This grid is used to drive animals from one dark box to the other. The wires of the grid are also passed through holes drilled in the tops of boxes A and B and connected to the gate switches, which can simultaneously control the opening and closing of the gates and the grid current. The voltage released by the grid needs to be tested in advance. The voltage strength must not harm the test animals, but only need to stimulate them.

[0031] A controller is mounted on the box, controlling all electronic devices. The controller's power supply is connected to the box's battery or a mains power supply to power all electronic devices. The controller's control terminal is connected to the electric gate 2 and the metal grid 6 via a wiring harness. Control buttons 8 are located on the top of the box, connected to the controller and used to control the electric gate 2 and the metal grid 6. Furthermore, independent infrared cameras 5 are mounted on the inner walls of both boxes A and B, connected to the controller's signal input. The controller is equipped with a communication module, allowing for monitoring the living conditions of the test animals. The activity of the animals within the dark boxes can be monitored in real time via wireless Bluetooth, for example, to detect whether an animal has moved from box A to box B.

[0032] Each of box A and box B has an independent ventilation hole on its top. Ventilation tube 9 can be welded to the ventilation hole. The ventilation hole is connected to one end of a bent ventilation tube 9, which is bent at least 180 degrees. The bent ventilation tube 9 not only solves the ventilation problem within the darkroom, but also prevents light leakage within the darkroom. To further prevent light leakage, a dust screen can be installed at the other end of the ventilation tube 9.

[0033] The breeding box is designed with a middle electric gate 2, an independent box door 3 and a driving grid on the bottom plate of the dark box, which can easily realize the conversion of animals between the two dark boxes, avoiding the risk of light leakage and making it convenient for the breeder to clean the breeding box and replace cat litter, food and water every day.

[0034] Taking raising cats in a dark environment as an example, the operation process of the breeding box is as follows:

[0035] 1. Start raising: First open the door 3 of a dark box (such as box A), put cat litter in the litter bucket and put food and water in the container, and put the animals in for raising;

[0036] 2. Change the breeding box:

[0037] (1) Open the door 3 of box B, put cat litter in the cat litter bucket and put food and water in the container, and then close the door 3 of box B;

[0038] (2) Open the electric gate 2 and then press the grid switch on the top of box A. At this time, the electric gate 2 between boxes A and B is opened, and at the same time, a weak current is passed through the metal grid 6 on the bottom plate of box A to drive the animal from box A into box B. After confirming that the animal has entered box B through the infrared camera 5, press the switch button again to close the electric gate 2 between boxes A and B, and at the same time turn off the grid current on the bottom plate of box A;

[0039] (3) Open the door 3 outside box A, clean the inside of box A, replace and add cat litter in the litter bucket, and replace the food and water in the container in preparation for transferring the animals from box B to box A for breeding.

[0040] In previous visual deprivation studies, animals were generally kept in darkness in a darkroom, and the keepers had to enter the darkroom every day to change the animals' food and water and clean the darkroom in a completely dark environment. This operation was very difficult and time-consuming, and there was a risk of light leakage due to operational errors. The conjoined sister darkrooms designed in the present invention can transfer animals from one darkroom to another by controlling the opening and closing of the gates between the two darkrooms through an electric switch. This makes it very convenient to change the animals' food and water and clean the darkrooms, and avoids the risk of light leakage, thus completely overcoming the difficulties of keeping animals in darkness in previous experiments. In addition, the dark breeding box of the present invention can independently feed a single animal, and different individuals can be kept in darkness for different lengths of time according to research needs; in addition, the breeding takes up little space, which can greatly reduce breeding costs.

[0041] Explanation of relevant terms:

[0042] Sensation: refers to the perception of people and animals to changes in different information in the environment, including vision, hearing, touch, smell, taste, etc.

[0043] Visual deprivation: a treatment method that prevents the visual system from receiving any external visual stimulus signal input;

[0044] Visual cortex: The part of the cerebral cortex involved in analyzing visual information and forming visual sensations;

[0045] Amblyopia: A phenomenon in which visual deprivation during a specific developmental period results in a significant decrease in visual ability compared to normal people.

[0046] The present invention is described above by way of example in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is obvious that the specific implementation of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned method. As long as various non-substantial improvements are made using the method concept and technical solution of the present invention, or the concept and technical solution of the present invention are directly applied to other occasions without improvement, they are all within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A breeding box for animal experiments, characterized by: The sealed box body is separated by a partition in the middle to form two independent boxes A and B. The partition is provided with an electric gate. The sides of the boxes A and B are both provided with box doors. The boxes A and B are both equipped with feeding utensils for feeding animals. A layer of metal grid is laid on the bottom of the A box and the B box; The metal grid is used to drive animals from one dark box into another dark box. The voltage released by the metal grid is tested in advance. The voltage intensity cannot harm the tested animals, but can stimulate the animals.

2. The animal breeding box for animal experiments according to claim 1, characterized in that: A controller is fixed on the box, the power end of the controller is connected to the battery on the box or the power supply connected to the mains, the control end of the controller is connected to the electric gate and the metal grid through a wiring harness, and a control button connected to the controller and used to control the electric gate and the metal grid is provided on the top of the box.

3. The animal breeding box for animal experiments according to claim 2, characterized in that: Independent infrared cameras are fixed on the inner walls of the A box and the B box, and the infrared cameras are connected to the signal input end of the controller, and the controller is equipped with a communication module.

4. The animal breeding box for animal experiments according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The box door is a side panel on one side of box A and box B. A handle is provided on the top of the side panel. Box A and box B are both provided with slots for inserting the side panels.

5. The animal breeding box for animal experiments according to claim 4, characterized in that: A sealing strip for clamping the side panel is provided along the slot.

6. The animal breeding box for animal experiments according to claim 5, characterized in that: The two side panels are both provided with a locking structure connected and fixed to the box body.

7. The breeding box for animal experiments according to claim 1 or 6, characterized in that: A ventilation hole is provided on the top of the box body, and the ventilation hole is connected to one end of a bent ventilation pipe, and the ventilation pipe is bent 180 degrees.

8. The breeding box for animal experiments according to claim 7, characterized in that: The other end of the ventilation pipe is provided with a dustproof net.

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