An animal behavior detection system and method

Abstract

This invention relates to an animal behavior detection system. The system includes a behavior box for manipulating laboratory animals to produce detection behaviors, an image acquisition unit for collecting the detection behaviors of the laboratory animals, and a control center for controlling the image acquisition unit to generate two-dimensional or three-dimensional images. In response to operation commands from the experimenter at the system terminal, the control center controls a display to provide the experimenter with two-dimensional images of the laboratory animals based on image data related to the laboratory animals provided by the image acquisition unit, and generates images displayed in both two-dimensional and three-dimensional formats on the interactive terminal based on the experimenter's selections on the two-dimensional images. The image acquisition unit is positioned above the behavior box, allowing it to photograph the laboratory animals inside the box from above. This design avoids situations where the subject being photographed is obscured or the captured image is unclear when the image acquisition unit is positioned inside the behavior box.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of biomechanical technology, and more particularly to an animal experiment monitoring system. Background Technology

[0002] Animal models are widely used in research on umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell transplantation or bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell transplantation, and animal behavior is an important indicator for studying pathology and evaluating treatment methods. Taking umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell transplantation as an example, it refers to the process of extracting hematopoietic stem cells from the spinal cord and umbilical cord blood and transplanting the induced hematopoietic stem cells to treat immune diseases.

[0003] Analysis of clinical outcomes and pathological features, i.e., clinicopathological correlation studies, reveals the relationship between pathological processes and post-transplant biophysiological states. As a necessary supplement to human disease research, preclinical animal models, especially mouse models, are widely used to detect the pathophysiological mechanisms of novel stem cell transplantation methods and to predict the effects of clinical interventions after stem cell transplantation.

[0004] Chinese patent CN102509305B discloses an animal behavior detection device based on omnidirectional vision, including an omnidirectional vision sensor and a microprocessor for analyzing and processing the panoramic images captured by the omnidirectional vision sensor and related input information to determine the animal's activity level, posture, movements, and behavior. The omnidirectional vision sensor is placed above the monitoring environment to acquire real-time panoramic video images of the monitoring environment, providing a means of remote animal monitoring and observation. It combines omnidirectional vision, computer vision, and database technologies for the analysis of animal activity level, posture, movements, and behavior.

[0005] Compared to observing the behavior of experimental animals, Chinese Patent CN114420297A discloses a neurological function assessment and training system for a rat model of central nervous system diseases, belonging to the field of medical tracking and assessment technology. This system comprises three main parts: an assessment system, a training system, and a scoring system. The assessment system covers three aspects: motor function, sensory function, and cognitive function. The training system includes motor function training, sensory function training, and cognitive function training. The scoring system designs a scoring table based on reliability and validity evaluation, and uses the scoring table to calculate individual scores and a total score. The key feature of this invention is its ability to provide a comprehensive assessment of functional impairments in rat models of central nervous system diseases. On the one hand, the assessment items and design of this system are not suitable for monitoring the behavior of experimental animals before and after stem cell transplantation; on the other hand, this system only restricts animal behavior by quantifying it into numerical values ​​to reduce data errors caused by visual observation.

[0006] However, in actual experiments, due to the inherent errors in human visual observation, cognitive biases can arise when observing the limbs or movement of experimental animals, leading to errors in the evaluation of animal behavior scores. Therefore, this invention provides an animal behavior detection system.

[0007] Furthermore, on the one hand, there are differences in understanding among those skilled in the art; on the other hand, the applicant studied a large number of documents and patents when making this invention, but due to space limitations, not all details and contents were listed in detail. However, this does not mean that the present invention does not possess the features of these prior art. On the contrary, the present invention already possesses all the features of the prior art, and the applicant reserves the right to add relevant prior art to the background art. Summary of the Invention

[0008] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides an animal behavior detection device, comprising a behavior box, a visual stimulation unit, and an image acquisition unit. The behavior box includes a detection box and an escape box. The detection box is used for behavioral testing of experimental animals. The escape box is used for experimental animals to perform hiding behavior after making an instinctive response. An opening connecting the detection box and the escape box is located between them. The visual stimulation unit emits stimulation signals to the experimental animals to stimulate instinctive responses. The image acquisition unit is positioned above the behavior box for easy recording of the experimental animals' responses.

[0009] The advantages of this technical solution are: the image acquisition unit is located above the behavior box, which allows the image acquisition unit to take pictures of the experimental animals inside the behavior box from above. This avoids the situation where the subject being photographed is obscured or the picture is unclear when the image acquisition unit is located inside the behavior box. At the same time, the image acquisition unit located above the behavior box can clearly record the animal's activity trajectory, movement speed and the experimental animal's reaction, effectively improving the reliability of the experimental results.

[0010] Preferably, the visual stimulation unit is disposed above the detection box or on the side wall of the detection box.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment, the image acquisition unit is at least able to generate two-dimensional and three-dimensional images on the display screen based on the acquired information.

[0012] Mice, rats, and rabbits are the most commonly used animal species for stem cell transplantation research in current technology. Mice and rats are relatively small in size, and rabbits have long fur. When conducting animal experiments, the subtle reactions in their extremities cannot be observed with the naked eye. Even if they can be mechanically recorded, the final statistical analysis of experimental data still requires the human eye to see changes in the extremities of the experimental animals.

[0013] During animal experiments, researchers need to observe not only the animal's displacement or overall movement, but also the subtle changes that occur in the extremities or specific tissues at each individual stage. For example, during an experiment, researchers need to observe the walking direction (straight line or curve) of the animal after stem cell transplantation, as well as the flexion state of its extremities (e.g., the angle of paw flexion when fearful).

[0014] This system employs image recording to observe limb changes in experimental animals. After image recording, the system responds to operator commands on their terminal, providing the operator with two-dimensional images of the animal. Based on the operator's selections on the two-dimensional images, it generates images displayed in both two-dimensional and three-dimensional formats on the interactive terminal. For example, a two-dimensional image can show the mouse's movement in the second limb area. A three-dimensional image can show the movement of the mouse's left limb in the second limb area.

[0015] The control center provides the display with image data of the tissue parts of the experimental animal in the area to be observed, based on the area to be observed specified by the experimenters in the two-dimensional image. This allows the magnified three-dimensional image to display a clear image of the tissue parts of the experimental animal in the area to be observed, while the clarity of the three-dimensional image of the tissue parts of the experimental animal outside the area to be observed is reduced.

[0016] When the experimenter views the 3D image of the area to be observed, the image provided by the monitor is clear. When the experimenter views to the edge of the 3D image of the area to be observed, the 3D image within the edge has higher clarity than the 3D graphics outside the edge. This setting prompts the experimenter that the content being viewed has exceeded the area to be observed, allowing the experimenter to re-plan the area to be observed and avoid viewing areas without a clear target or with a confused target. For example, when the system is in manual mode, the experimenter selects the first toe of the left forelimb of a mouse as the area to be observed. Without prompting, when the experimenter observes the second toe, which is similar to the first toe, the experimenter may easily confuse the second toe with the first toe and draw incorrect experimental conclusions based on the fact that the second toe is not bent.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment, the edge of the area to be observed can be set based on the operating area of ​​the operating unit. The display direction of the three-dimensional or two-dimensional image can be adjusted based on the operator's operating direction, so that the image is always presented in a way that is most suitable for the operator to operate the operating unit. This high-definition three-dimensional image edge division method can guide the operator's line of sight or attention to the view area defined by the operating unit by using the edge of the operating unit as the dividing contour. Preferably, the operating unit can be a robotic arm.

[0018] The operating part has at least three positions: a first position for holding the experimental animal, a second position for adjusting the holding posture, and a third position for adjusting the movement of the operating part. Preferably, the first position can be the distal end of the claw of the operating part. The second position can be the proximal end of the claw of the operating part. The third position can be the forearm of the operating part.

[0019] Specifically, when the experimental animal is positioned between the second and third slots, the control center can control the operating unit to generate a corresponding operating mode. The first and second positions of the operating unit are used as calibration lines, dividing the area defined by the first and second positions into the observation area, and the area outside the first and second positions into the area outside the observation area. When the experimenter selects the observation area, the control center can provide a prompt with the edge of the observation area based on the calibrated area. When the experimental animal is between the second and third slots, the operating unit needs to control the animal's head, tail, and body, and generate a three-dimensional image that the experimenter needs to observe based on the animal's body reflections. When the experimental animal is large, such as a rabbit or rat, although only the first position of the operating unit controls the animal's head, the area corresponding to the second position of the operating unit still needs to be visible in order to observe the angle between the animal's head and body. In this operating mode, the operating unit can position the animal's head based on the angle between the head and body of the suspended animal and suspend the animal in the air.

[0020] When the experimental animal is between the third and fourth slots, the control center can control the operating unit to generate the corresponding operating mode and use the first position of the operating unit as a calibration line, dividing the area defined by the first position into the observation area and the area outside the first position into the area outside the observation area. When the experimental animal is between the third and fourth slots, since it is only necessary to observe the state of the conditioned reflex of a certain organ of the experimental animal, it is only necessary to observe the position of the specific organ touched by the operating unit. For example, when the operating unit touches the auricle of the experimental animal and it is necessary to observe the auricular reflex, the observation area only needs to locate the auricle of the experimental animal. On the one hand, since the experimental animal may be in a state of motion for a long time, continuously capturing images of its auricle state will generate a large amount of garbage data, and the control center also needs to sift through the auricular reflex image data from a large amount of data; on the other hand, the auricular reflex occurs in a very short time when the operating unit touches the auricle of the experimental animal. If the auricle of the experimental animal is located based on the working state of the operating unit, it may cause the loss of the necessary images.

[0021] Based on the gripping motion of the manipulator, the images of the manipulator during gripping are segmented according to the three-dimensional image clarity, which can effectively select the area of ​​the high-resolution three-dimensional image to be presented. Since the operating area of ​​the manipulator is often the key part of the experimental animal that needs to be observed and tested, by focusing on the actual operating area of ​​the manipulator and segmenting the images, it is possible to effectively obtain the behavioral images of the experimental animal that are relevant to the experimental testing that the experimenters need to observe.

[0022] Within the operating area, the system can eliminate the need for secondary recognition to confirm the accuracy of the images to be captured or acquired. Reducing the information acquisition and recognition process lowers the system's reaction time or data processing time. Furthermore, in changing experimental environments, the robotic arm can serve as a positioning base, ensuring the system always maintains the correct positioning point to promptly acquire response information related to the physiological or reactive states of the experimental animals. The system can also acquire images of the experimental animals' physiological or reactive states accurately and timely.

[0023] Based on the edge of the area defined by the robotic arm, since the experimental animal is always within the robotic arm's operating area, the system can avoid secondary recognition to confirm the correctness of the image information to be captured or acquired. Reducing the system's information acquisition and recognition process can lower the system's reaction time or data processing time. Furthermore, in changing experimental environments, the robotic arm can also serve as a positioning base, ensuring the system can always acquire response information related to the experimental animal's physiological or reactive state in a timely manner from the correct positioning base. The system can then acquire images of the experimental animal's physiological or reactive state promptly and accurately.

[0024] According to a preferred embodiment, the system is equipped with a manual mode and an automatic mode based on the operation instructions given by the experimenter on the system terminal.

[0025] According to a preferred embodiment, the control center can mark the body locations where abnormal changes occur on a two-dimensional image, thereby providing a basis for experimenters to select the body locations to view.

[0026] Manual mode refers to the ability of experimenters to control the display to show two-dimensional or three-dimensional images of the animal when the animal enters different experimental states, based on their own needs. In particular, experimenters can select the specific three-dimensional image to be displayed based on their subjective ideas at the position of the two-dimensional image of the experimental animal.

[0027] When the system enters automatic mode, it can automatically provide the experimenter with images of the entire animal or a portion of the animal that they need to observe when the animal enters the corresponding detection position. Preferably, each slot is a node that requires image switching.

[0028] Specifically, the card slot is equipped with a detection element that senses the passage of experimental animals. Preferably, the detection element can be an infrared sensor. The control center receives the infrared sensor corresponding to the card slot to confirm the activity area entered by the experimental animal, and controls the display to generate an image of the experimental animal that needs to be observed in that area based on the corresponding activity area entered by the experimental animal.

[0029] According to a preferred embodiment, the control center can generate three-dimensional images of some or all of a mouse's tissues based on image data acquired by image single-level units. Preferably, the three-dimensional images have higher resolution than the two-dimensional images.

[0030] According to a preferred embodiment, the three-dimensional images can display the organs or tissues of the experimental animal that are responsive. When the system is in automatic mode, as the experimental animal enters the corresponding activity area, the control center can selectively display three-dimensional images of specific parts of the animal that are bending or undergoing other dynamic changes in the two-dimensional images, based on the specific parts of the animal that are bending or undergoing other dynamic changes in the two-dimensional images, to verify changes in the animal in that area.

[0031] For example, when a laboratory mouse enters the activity area corresponding to the fourth slot, the control center can generate observation instructions for the mouse's eyes based on the detection of a lack of reflexes in the activity area corresponding to the fourth slot, and provide the experimenters with a 3D image of the mouse's cornea that is either reduced or magnified based on the data provided by the image detection unit. This image can be in 4K resolution.

[0032] When the experimental mouse enters the activity area corresponding to the third slot, the control center can generate observation instructions for the mouse's forelimb end based on the animal's motion sensation detected in the activity area corresponding to the third slot, and provide the experimenters with a three-dimensional image of the first toe of the mouse's left forelimb bending based on the data provided by the image detection unit.

[0033] According to a preferred embodiment, the third slot is equipped with an operating unit. When the experimental animal enters the activity area corresponding to the third slot, the control center can control the operating unit to grasp the experimental animal and suspend it in the air. The image acquisition unit acquires close-up images of the rat. Based on the received image information of the rat, the control center confirms the angle between the head and body of the experimental animal and controls the display screen to display a three-dimensional image of the angle between the head and body of the experimental animal. Preferably, the display screen can display experimental result data such as the angle.

[0034] Preferably, the visual stimulation unit is configured as a display screen.

[0035] Preferably, the image acquisition unit is positioned above the opening.

[0036] Preferably, the cross-section of the side wall of the detection box is circular or elliptical.

[0037] Preferably, the detection device further includes a baffle, and the escape box is provided with a plurality of first slots at intervals along the direction away from the detection box for holding the baffle, and the baffle can be detachably installed in any one of the first slots.

[0038] Preferably, the side edge of the opening is provided with a second slot for retaining the baffle.

[0039] Preferably, the detection device further includes a support frame for supporting the visual stimulation unit and the image acquisition unit. The support frame is disposed outside the behavior box.

[0040] Preferably, the outer periphery of the behavior box is provided with an outer layer. The outer layer has the functions of light shielding and sound insulation.

[0041] This invention also provides a method for detecting animal behavior. It includes the following steps:

[0042] The experimental animal is placed in the behavior box of the animal behavior detection device;

[0043] The visual stimulation unit emits stimulation signals to stimulate the experimental animals in the behavior box. After receiving the stimulation signals, the experimental animals make instinctive responses.

[0044] The image acquisition unit records the activity trajectory, movement speed, and reactions of the experimental animals in the behavior box.

[0045] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0046] (1) The animal behavior detection device provided by the present invention sets the detection box and the escape box as separate types. An opening connecting the detection box and the escape box is provided between the detection box and the escape box. At the same time, the image acquisition unit is set above the behavior box, so that the image acquisition unit can take pictures of the experimental animals in the behavior box from above the behavior box and obtain images with small distortion. This allows the accurate activity trajectory, movement speed and behavioral response of the experimental animals to be obtained. In addition, the image acquisition unit takes pictures of the experimental animals in the behavior box from above the behavior box, which can avoid the situation where the subject being photographed is obscured or the image is unclear when the image acquisition unit is set inside the behavior box, thus effectively improving the reliability and stability of the experimental results.

[0047] According to a preferred embodiment, the device further includes a third slot. A corresponding active area is formed between the third slot and the second slot. This active area is used to detect the absence of reflexes in the experimental animal. An auricular reflex detection component, a corneal reflex detection component, and a sound reflex detection component are sequentially arranged within this active area. The auricular reflex detection component is capable of touching the external auditory canal of the experimental animal when it enters the detection range. The corneal reflex detection component is capable of touching the cornea of ​​the experimental animal when it enters the detection range. The sound reflex detection component is capable of emitting a preset audio signal when the experimental animal enters the detection range.

[0048] According to a preferred embodiment, the device further includes a fourth slot. A corresponding active area is formed between the fourth slot and the third slot. This active area is used to detect the animal's sense of motion. The active area can grasp the animal's head or torso to obtain data on the animal's bodily responses. Specifically, an operating part located in this active area can grasp the animal's tail to obtain the angle between the animal's head and body. The operating part can also grasp the animal's paw and tilt it towards the table to obtain data on the muscle emission of the animal's paw. Attached Figure Description

[0049] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of an animal behavior detection device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0050] Figure 2 This is a top view of an animal behavior detection device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0051] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the outer layer of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] List of reference numerals

[0053] 1: Behavior box; 10: Opening; 11: Detection box; 12: Escape box; 13: Baffle; 2: Visual stimulation unit; 3: Image acquisition unit; 4: Outer layer; 100: First direction. Detailed Implementation

[0054] The following is a detailed explanation with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0055] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "held to," "fixed to," or "set on" another element, it can be directly or indirectly on that other element. When an element is referred to as being "connected to" another element, it can be directly or indirectly connected to that other element. The terms "length," "width," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating orientation or positional relationships based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, are only for the convenience of describing the invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the invention. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of the invention, "several" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0056] Example 1

[0057] like Figure 1 The illustrated animal behavior detection device includes a behavior box 1, a visual stimulation unit 2, and an image acquisition unit 3. The visual stimulation unit 2 emits a stimulus signal to the experimental animal, which then exhibits an instinctive behavioral response upon receiving the signal. The image acquisition unit 3 is positioned above the behavior box 1 and records the animal's behavioral response. The behavior box 1 includes a detection box 11 and an escape box 12. The detection box 11 is used for behavioral testing of the experimental animal. The escape box 12 is used for the experimental animal to perform a hiding behavior after exhibiting an instinctive response. An opening 10 connecting the detection box 11 and the escape box 12 is located between them. When the experimental animal receives the stimulus signal from the visual stimulation unit 2, it will exhibit an instinctive behavioral response and will enter the escape box 12 from the detection box 11 through the opening 10 to hide. The image acquisition unit 3 is positioned above the behavior box 1, and the detection box 11 and the escape box 12 are separately configured. This allows the image acquisition unit 3 to photograph the experimental animals inside the behavior box 1 from above, avoiding situations where the subject being photographed is obscured or the image is unclear when the image acquisition unit 3 is positioned inside the behavior box 1. Furthermore, the image acquisition unit 3 positioned above the behavior box 1 can clearly record the experimental animals' activity trajectory, movement speed, and reactions, effectively improving the reliability of the experimental results.

[0058] The sidewall of the detection box 11 has a circular or elliptical cross-section. In the prior art, most detection devices are designed as cuboid or cubic boxes with corners. When experimental animals move within the detection box 11, they may perceive the corners as safe areas due to fear or anxiety when external stimuli are emitted. This introduces other influencing factors into the recording of animal behavior, leading to inaccurate experimental results. In this invention, the sidewall of the detection box 11 has a circular or elliptical cross-section and lacks square corners, thus reducing the introduction of other influencing factors and preventing inaccurate experimental results. It should be noted that the shape of the cross-section of the sidewall of the detection box 11 is not limited to circular or elliptical.

[0059] The visual stimulation unit 2 is positioned above the detection chamber 11, and the stimulation signal is emitted from above the experimental animal, thus enabling the detection of the animal's upper visual field response. Preferably, the visual stimulation unit 2 can be positioned on the inner wall of the detection chamber 11, emitting visual stimuli from around the experimental animal, thereby detecting the animal's response to visual stimuli from its surroundings. Preferably, the stimulation signal emitted by the visual stimulation unit 2 can be a black disc. Preferably, the visual stimulation unit 2 is a display screen. The black disc is displayed to the experimental animal through the display screen.

[0060] The image acquisition unit 3 is positioned above the opening 10. Since the opening 10 is located between the detection box 11 and the escape box 12, the image acquisition unit 3, positioned above the opening 10, can capture the entire behavior box 1. When the experimental animal moves between the detection box 11 and the escape box 12, the image acquisition unit 3 has no blind spots. Preferably, the image acquisition unit 3 is a wide-angle camera. Preferably, the height of the image acquisition unit 3 is lower than the height of the visual stimulation unit 2. Therefore, the image acquisition unit 3 can avoid being obstructed by the visual stimulation unit 2 when capturing the experimental animal's behavioral responses. Preferably, the image acquisition unit 3 can acquire information on the positional changes of the experimental animal in different areas to obtain the animal's movement trajectory and behavioral responses.

[0061] Example 2

[0062] like Figure 2As shown, the detection device further includes a baffle 13, and the escape box 12 is provided with a plurality of first slots at intervals along a first direction for holding the baffle 13. The first direction 100 refers to the direction along the length of the escape box 12 away from the detection box 11. The baffle 13 is detachably installed in any one of the first slots. Preferably, the escape box 12 is provided with a plurality of first slots. When the baffle 13 is held in a first slot at a first position of the escape box 12, the escape box 12 becomes an escape box 12 of a first length; when the baffle 13 is held in a first slot at a second position of the escape box 12, the escape box 12 becomes an escape box 12 of a second length. Therefore, the escape box 12 can be set to different lengths according to experimental requirements. Preferably, the first slot can be a groove provided on the side wall of the escape box 12; placing the baffle 13 in the groove at the corresponding position achieves the change of the length of the escape box 12.

[0063] The side edge of the opening 10 is provided with a second slot for holding the baffle 13. When the baffle 13 is engaged in the second slot, the detection box 11 and the escape box 12 are separated, and the experimental animal can only move in the detection box 11 and cannot enter the escape box 12, which can form a control when the detection box 11 and the escape box 12 are not separated.

[0064] The detection device further includes a support frame for supporting the visual stimulation unit 2 and the image acquisition unit 3, the support frame being disposed outside the behavior box 1. The support frame can fix the visual stimulation unit 2 and the image acquisition unit 3 above the behavior box 1.

[0065] The outer periphery of the behavior box 1 is provided with an outer layer 4, such as Figure 3 As shown. The outer layer 4 serves to shield light and insulate sound, ensuring the stability of experimental conditions.

[0066] Example 3

[0067] In this embodiment, the experimental animal can be a mouse. The height of the behavior box 1 is 25-35cm. Preferably, the height of the behavior box 1 is set to 30cm. This height setting ensures that the experimental animal has a sufficient overhead field of vision and also prevents the experimental animal from escaping from the detection device. Specifically, the detection box 11 is a hollow cylindrical structure with a diameter of 45-55cm. Preferably, the diameter of the detection box 11 is set to 50cm. The escape box 12 is a cuboid structure with a length of 45-55cm. Preferably, the length of the escape box 12 is set to 50cm. The width of the escape box 12 is 5-15cm. Preferably, the width of the escape box 12 is set to 10cm. The activity area generated based on the first slot can be used to detect the movement path of the experimental animal.

[0068] The color of the behavior box 1 can be selected based on the fur color of the experimental animal, as both the animal's fur color and the behavior box 1's color affect the recording results. For example, if the experimental animal's fur is white, the bottom of the behavior box 1 can be black; if the animal's fur is black, the bottom of the behavior box 1 can be white, thus achieving the best recording effect. The behavior box 1 can be made of non-toxic, easily moldable materials such as metal plates or acrylic plates. It should be noted that the material of the behavior box 1 is not limited to these. Preferably, the side panels of the behavior box 1 are made of transparent acrylic, which facilitates the recording of the experimental animal's behavior from the side, obtaining more comprehensive experimental information.

[0069] Example 4

[0070] The present invention also provides an animal behavior detection method, comprising the following steps: placing an experimental animal into the detection box 11 of the animal behavior detection device; the visual stimulation unit 2 emitting a stimulation signal to stimulate the experimental animal in the detection box 11, and the experimental animal making an instinctive response after receiving the stimulation signal; and the image acquisition unit 3 recording the activity trajectory, movement speed and response of the experimental animal in the behavior box 1.

[0071] The behavior box 1 provided by this invention includes a detection box 11 and an escape box 12. The detection box 11 is used for behavioral testing of experimental animals. The escape box 12 is used for hiding behavior by experimental animals after making an instinctive reaction. An opening 10 for connecting the detection box 11 and the escape box 12 is provided between the detection box 11 and the escape box 12. When the experimental animal receives a stimulus signal emitted by the visual stimulus unit 2, the experimental animal will make an instinctive behavioral reaction and will enter the escape box 12 from the detection box 11 through the opening 10 to hide. The image acquisition unit 3 is provided above the behavior box 1, and the detection box 11 and the escape box 12 are separately arranged, so that the image acquisition unit 3 can take pictures of the experimental animals inside the behavior box 1 from above. This avoids the situation where the subject being photographed is obscured or the picture is unclear when the image acquisition unit 3 is placed inside the behavior box 1. At the same time, the image acquisition unit 3, placed above the behavior box 1, can clearly record the activity trajectory, movement speed and reaction of the experimental animal. This effectively improves the reliability of experimental results.

[0072] Example 5

[0073] Image acquisition unit 3 includes a 3D scanner and a camera. The 3D scanner uses point cloud technology to generate 3D images of animal models, such as 3D images of mice. The camera-based image acquisition obtains image information from the 2D module.

[0074] Using the same encoding for the same animal model in both 2D and 3D images facilitates the synchronous display and conversion of 2D and 3D images within the same animal model.

[0075] The steps for obtaining three-dimensional data of the animal model under test include:

[0076] The three-dimensional point cloud information of the animal model was obtained by a three-dimensional scanner. A three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system was established with the three-dimensional scanner as the coordinate center, and the Cartesian coordinates of each point in the three-dimensional point cloud were calibrated.

[0077] Using a 3D scanner as the coordinate center, a 3D cylindrical coordinate system is established, and the transformation relationship between Cartesian coordinates and cylindrical coordinates of each point in the 3D point cloud is established, mapping the 3D point cloud in the Cartesian spatial coordinate system to the cylindrical coordinate system.

[0078] Unfold the cylindrical surface of the three-dimensional cylindrical coordinate system to construct a two-dimensional cylindrical coordinate system, and establish the transformation relationship between the cylindrical coordinates of each point in the three-dimensional point cloud and the cylindrical coordinates of the two-dimensional cylindrical coordinate system. Map the three-dimensional point cloud in the cylindrical coordinate system to the two-dimensional cylindrical coordinate system to generate the two-dimensional pixel coordinates of the animal model.

[0079] The method for acquiring 3D point cloud data of a measured object using a 3D scanner includes the following steps:

[0080] A light source is used to project multiple stripe patterns onto an animal model, wherein the number of stripes in the stripe patterns is greater than 20.

[0081] Left and right cameras are used to simultaneously acquire 2D left and 2D right images of the animal model;

[0082] A 3D module is used to synchronously acquire depth maps of animal models;

[0083] A stripe matching module is used to match stripes in left and right images based on the depth map, including back-projecting the depth map into the left and right images for matching;

[0084] The 3D reconstruction module is used to reconstruct 3D point cloud data from the matched stripes in the left and right images.

[0085] It should be noted that the specific embodiments described above are exemplary. Those skilled in the art can devise various solutions inspired by the disclosure of this invention, and these solutions all fall within the scope of this invention and its protection. Those skilled in the art should understand that this specification and its accompanying drawings are illustrative and do not constitute a limitation on the claims. The scope of protection of this invention is defined by the claims and their equivalents. This specification contains multiple inventive concepts; terms such as "preferredly," "according to a preferred embodiment," or "optionally" indicate that the corresponding paragraph discloses an independent concept. The applicant reserves the right to file divisional applications based on each inventive concept. Throughout the text, features introduced by "preferredly" are merely optional and should not be construed as mandatory. Therefore, the applicant reserves the right to abandon or delete relevant preferred features at any time.

Claims

1. An animal behavior detection system, characterized by, The system comprises a behavior box (1) for manipulating experimental animals to generate detection behaviors, an image acquisition unit (3) for collecting the detection behaviors of the experimental animals, and a control center for controlling the image acquisition unit (3) to generate two-dimensional or three-dimensional images. The behavior box (1) comprises a detection box (11) and an escape box (12). The escape box (12) is spaced apart from the detection box (11) and comprises a plurality of first clamping grooves for holding a baffle (13). The behavior box further comprises a second clamping groove, a third clamping groove, and a fourth clamping groove. In response to an operation instruction of an experimenter at a terminal of the system, the control center controls a display to provide the experimenter with a two-dimensional image of an experimental animal based on image data related to the experimental animal provided by the image acquisition unit (3), and controls the display to provide the experimenter with an image displayed in a two-dimensional and three-dimensional manner in parallel at an interactive terminal based on a selection of the experimenter on the two-dimensional image. The control center provides the display with image data of a tissue part of the experimental animal in a to-be-observed region based on a specified to-be-observed region in the two-dimensional image, so that a clear image of the tissue part of the experimental animal in the to-be-observed region can be displayed in an enlarged three-dimensional image, while the clarity of the three-dimensional image of the tissue part of the experimental animal outside the to-be-observed region is reduced. When the experimenter looks at the edge of the three-dimensional image of the to-be-observed region, the clarity of the three-dimensional image inside the edge is higher than that of the three-dimensional image outside the edge. The edge of the to-be-observed region is set based on an operation region of an operation part. The operation part has three positions, i.e., a first position for holding the experimental animal, a second position for adjusting a holding posture, and a third position for adjusting movement of the operation part. When the experimental animal is between the second clamping groove and the third clamping groove, the control center controls the operation part to generate a corresponding operation mode, and sets the first position and the second position of the operation part as a calibration line. The region divided by the first position and the second position is divided into a to-be-observed region and a region outside the to-be-observed region. When the experimental animal is between the third clamping groove and the fourth clamping groove, the control center controls the operation part to generate a corresponding operation mode, and sets the first position of the operation part as a calibration line. The region divided by the first position is divided into a to-be-observed region and a region outside the to-be-observed region.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein, In response to an operation instruction of an experimenter at a terminal of the system, the system can also switch to an automatic mode in which the system automatically provides the experimenter with an image of the whole or part of the experimental animal that the experimenter needs to observe when the experimental animal enters a corresponding detection position.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein, When the system is in the automatic mode, the control center can selectively display a three-dimensional image of a specific part of the experimental animal in the two-dimensional image based on a bending or other dynamic change of the specific part when the experimental animal enters a corresponding activity region.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein, The behavior box (1) comprises a detection box (11) for behavior testing of experimental animals and an escape box (12) for hiding behaviors of experimental animals after instinctive reactions. The detection box (11) is in communication with the escape box (12).

5. The system of claim 4, wherein, The image acquisition unit (3) is arranged above the behavior box (1), so that the image acquisition unit (3) can shoot the experimental animal in the behavior box (1) from above.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein, The active area generated based on the first clamping groove can be used to detect the running path of the experimental animal.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein, The opening (10) of the escape box (12) is arranged between the detection box (11) and the escape box (12), wherein the side edge of the opening (10) is provided with a second clamping groove for retaining the baffle (13) and separating the detection box (11) from the escape box (12).

8. The system of claim 7, wherein, The outer periphery of the behavior box (1) is provided with a peripheral layer (4).

9. A method for using the animal behavior detection system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, In response to the operation instruction related to the manual mode setting of the system sent by the terminal, the display displays the two-dimensional image based on the image data related to the two-dimensional image of the experimental animal, and generates the image displayed on the interactive terminal in parallel in two-dimensional and three-dimensional manners based on the selection of the experimental personnel on the two-dimensional image; Based on the designated observation area of the experimental personnel in the two-dimensional image, the display can display the enlarged three-dimensional image, wherein the image of the tissue part of the experimental animal in the observation area has higher definition than the three-dimensional image of the tissue part of the experimental animal outside the observation area.

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